I know that traditional Irish tunes are often in a mode other than regular major (Ionian) or minor (Aeolian), with Dorian and Mixolydian being common modes. Usually I can kind of figure out what mode a piece is in, but it is more difficult to classify The Silver Spear.

Here is a version I learned from a local Irish fiddler.

(also attached below as mp3)

It is similar to setting 1 on The Session

https://thesession.org/tunes/182

except that the version I play here is simpler (less ornamentation) to be more suitable for beginners. The version on The Session is described as being in D major. It does indeed have the key signature of D major (with F# and G# and all other notes played as naturals), but to my ears The Session setting sounds like the tonic note is A, not D. So I would probably have classified it as A Mixolydian. Would you agree with that?

However, the version I learned locally is subtly different. It mostly sounds like it has A as the tonic note, but it ends on F#. So is the tonic note actually F# rather than A, meaning that it is perhaps in F# Phrygian mode? Or does it start in Mixolydian and end with a brief excursion into Phrygian?

Please excuse the squeaks and other not-so-beautiful features in my performance here. I could say they are partially because I am using my cheap violin (with no finger tapes for an intonation aid) while traveling and partially because I am still a beginner, but really I need to practice the tune much more. But I am very curious about the mode so I thought I would post the query now. Thanks!