So... I and my girlfriend are going to Ireland in August (7th to 18th). We'll spend the first four days or so in Dublin, then go to Galway for a day or two, visit Arran islands and then go to Doolin (I know it might be a bit "touristy", but I think it'll be great anyway) and the surrounding area (not very planned). Finally we'll stay in Dublin between 17th and 18th before flying back to Sweden. If anyone will be in these areas at these times and want to do something fun (play a bunch of tunes, have a bunch of pints etc), it would be more than welcome! Also, if someone has a bed or two (or something that somewhat resembles a bed) for the night between 17th and 18th in Dublin that would be great, since we don't have anything booked for that night (we have booked hostels for the rest of the trip). Of course, one could spend the night playing, so a bed might not be needed.
It would be great to meet some of you IRL, so if you're not to busy, send me an e-mail or keep rambling on this thread...
Nice pobe. Doolin is great. Don't forget to see the Cliffs of Moher (even more "touristy" but worth the trip) while you're in the area.
By the way, did you get the e-mail I've sent you trough this website?
Pobe,
I just got back from Ireland and spent almost two weeks in Doolin. Yes, it is a bit touristy. We stayed at the Aille River Hostel with a constantly changing assortment of international travelers and that was great fun. The three pubs became increasingly jam packed as June wore on. The Irish smoke tobacco as if there was no tomorrow, even the flute players! I ended up with a smokers cough and I don't smoke! The pubs in Doolin aren't really sessions during the summer, it's more a performance thing for the tourists. We did run in to a local fellow by the name of Christy Barry (do a Google search) and he invited us to the Saturday night session at Griffin's pub in Enistymon (which is inland from Doolin). This was fabulous. A family affair of local people. I got to play both whistle and guitar... everone was having a great time. Women in the audience would sing ballads accompanied by a superb button accordion player. Men sang ballads. Teenage girls sang ballads! Then their boyfriends sang ballads! Amazing. They do this when we Americans would be watching television. My sweetheart cried her eyes out during the ballad singing. It was wonderfully dramatic and harkened back to the old times when this was entertainment that spoke of the trials and tribulations, the love and hope and longing of a people for freedom and... love. So do your best to go to sessions inland from Doolin if you can. Magnetic Music (store) is a good meeting place and the Doolin Music store (where I bought a Martin Doyle flute) is wonderful. My sweetie bought a concertina and plays it every day now.
We went for long walks over the Burren, and some of the nicest walking is out on the point from Doolin to the north of the ferry dock.
Have fun.
Chris
Since you'll be in Clare, I'd reccommend looking in on the Feakle Festival in East Clare. It takes place in Feakle village, near Scarriff and Tulla, 7-11 August. If you haven't already got your stay in Dublin booked, then leave a day or two earlier for Limerick and you should get a bus to Feakle from there.
I hope to see you there - I'm a skinny fellow with a mandolin and a beard.
Trip to Ireland in August
Trip to Ireland in August
So... I and my girlfriend are going to Ireland in August (7th to 18th). We'll spend the first four days or so in Dublin, then go to Galway for a day or two, visit Arran islands and then go to Doolin (I know it might be a bit "touristy", but I think it'll be great anyway) and the surrounding area (not very planned). Finally we'll stay in Dublin between 17th and 18th before flying back to Sweden. If anyone will be in these areas at these times and want to do something fun (play a bunch of tunes, have a bunch of pints etc), it would be more than welcome! Also, if someone has a bed or two (or something that somewhat resembles a bed) for the night between 17th and 18th in Dublin that would be great, since we don't have anything booked for that night (we have booked hostels for the rest of the trip). Of course, one could spend the night playing, so a bed might not be needed.
It would be great to meet some of you IRL, so if you're not to busy, send me an e-mail or keep rambling on this thread...
# Posted on July 16th 2003 by Pontus Adefjord
Re: Trip to Ireland in August
Nice pobe. Doolin is great. Don't forget to see the Cliffs of Moher (even more "touristy" but worth the trip) while you're in the area.
By the way, did you get the e-mail I've sent you trough this website?
//Henke
# Posted on July 16th 2003 by KeffoHenke
Re: Trip to Ireland in August
Pobe,
I just got back from Ireland and spent almost two weeks in Doolin. Yes, it is a bit touristy. We stayed at the Aille River Hostel with a constantly changing assortment of international travelers and that was great fun. The three pubs became increasingly jam packed as June wore on. The Irish smoke tobacco as if there was no tomorrow, even the flute players! I ended up with a smokers cough and I don't smoke! The pubs in Doolin aren't really sessions during the summer, it's more a performance thing for the tourists. We did run in to a local fellow by the name of Christy Barry (do a Google search) and he invited us to the Saturday night session at Griffin's pub in Enistymon (which is inland from Doolin). This was fabulous. A family affair of local people. I got to play both whistle and guitar... everone was having a great time. Women in the audience would sing ballads accompanied by a superb button accordion player. Men sang ballads. Teenage girls sang ballads! Then their boyfriends sang ballads! Amazing. They do this when we Americans would be watching television. My sweetheart cried her eyes out during the ballad singing. It was wonderfully dramatic and harkened back to the old times when this was entertainment that spoke of the trials and tribulations, the love and hope and longing of a people for freedom and... love. So do your best to go to sessions inland from Doolin if you can. Magnetic Music (store) is a good meeting place and the Doolin Music store (where I bought a Martin Doyle flute) is wonderful. My sweetie bought a concertina and plays it every day now.
We went for long walks over the Burren, and some of the nicest walking is out on the point from Doolin to the north of the ferry dock.
Have fun.
Chris
# Posted on July 16th 2003 by unique
Re: Trip to Ireland in August
Henke, no, I didn't get your mail. Try to send it directly to pobe@bithinken.nu.
Chris, sounds great! I want to go *now*...
# Posted on July 16th 2003 by Pontus Adefjord
Re: Trip to Ireland in August
Since you'll be in Clare, I'd reccommend looking in on the Feakle Festival in East Clare. It takes place in Feakle village, near Scarriff and Tulla, 7-11 August. If you haven't already got your stay in Dublin booked, then leave a day or two earlier for Limerick and you should get a bus to Feakle from there.
I hope to see you there - I'm a skinny fellow with a mandolin and a beard.
# Posted on July 17th 2003 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Trip to Ireland in August
We've got our days (or rather nigths) in Dublin booked, so I think I'll miss that... :-|
Thanks for the tip, though! But I'm afraid that even if I could go you wouldn't be the only skinny fellow with a mandolin and a beard...
# Posted on July 17th 2003 by Pontus Adefjord