This collection investigates the preservation and arrangement of traditional Irish melodies derived from the historical Petrie Collection of Ancient Irish Music. Howard Ferguson, a noted composer and musicologist, utilizes his expertise in classical arrangement to adapt these folk tunes for contemporary performance. The work serves as a bridge between 19th-century ethnomusicological documentation and the practical requirements of modern musicians seeking authentic Irish repertoire.

Experts and musicians recognize this collection as a standard resource for those interested in the formal arrangement of traditional Irish folk music. The text is valued for its clarity and the composer's commitment to respecting the original melodic structures found in the Petrie manuscripts.