I'm bemused, strung out and so, so tired. Just at last day of the Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshanbo. Being a blown in local thought I'd work during the day and just go to the sessions at night but that only lasted until Tuesday when sheer tiredness and the sense of missing out on something made me abandon work and immerse myself totally in the week. What a great week it was. Weather mixed but who cares, it was music, music all the way. The pubs were filled with musicians from all corners of the globe. Us locals had a feast of playing which will not happen again until next year so we overloaded on the tunes.
The Joe Mooney is so much more than just the music. People (like myself) have been coming to Drumshanbo for many, many years. Hard to pin down what this summer school has that others don't. Maybe its the layout of the town with the high street inaccessible to traffic which lends to gatherings and outdoor playing (weather permitting). Maybe its the friendliness of the people or the sense that its a time to catch up with old friends.
Highlights of the week? Hard to say. Lunchtime sessions in the beer garden of the Kreffeldi with Dublin friends and others. Being taught a step dance by Aideen while Michael played a jig. The dead musicians tour where we played tunes at the graves of Pakie Duignan, O'Carolan and in the house of John McKenna and at Josie McDermotts memorial in Ballyfarnon and the impromptu picnic organised outside O'Carolan's tomb by the Smith family. The session on Saturday in Meehans where most of the musicians seemed to be German and the tunes just flew non-stop, the swim in Lough Allen and the picnic afterwards.
Of course like all musicians we fell in and out with each other all week but today we'll all meet after lunch for a final session and then Drumshanbo will grow quiet again and us locals and blow ins will go off and practice, practice, practice until you all come to visit again next year. Hope you all had a great time!
Hi Molly, that sounds like a fantastic festival! Thank you for posting this. I really hope to get over for that one someday. I think it might be the same week as the Catskills or right after it? Someday I may have to sacrifice my beloved East Durham week for Willie Week and then the Joe Mooney Summer School. But next year, I'm fully committed to the Catskills. Maybe you and M could make it out one year?
Hi Joyce
yes the Catskills would be definitely on our agenda for one day soon. I think you'd love the Joe Mooney and John Wynne was doing the advanced flute class. My friend was in his class and highly recommends him as a teacher and a person. I went to concertina classes myself and apart from being the worst in the class really enjoyed it. The sessions at night were topnotch with plenty of scope for all levels. Great fun and great music
d
Sabine
I heard you were in town but didn't get to meet you. I think you were in Berrys at one stage while we moved on to Dohertys. Didn't find some of the Dubs too welcoming so we stayed in other sessions! Great week though.
Oh that is really sad. Would have liked to meet you. There are some Dubs I do avoid also as you know so I am not sure if I actually was in that session in Berry's. Just played a few tunes there on Saturday night (with some good friends from Dub like Frank W., Conor B. and John D.) but it was too noisy to really enjoy the music. Played a few tunes with Ben Lennon on Thursday afternoon. What a gentleman! Thursday night was brilliant - up in a pub next to Krefeld's pub. There was an amazing fiddle player from Newcastle and I had good craic. Friday night I stayed in Monica's - again with the fiddle player from Newcastle. A wild Donegal tunes session. When many of the musicians had left I played a few very nice Sligo tunes with Frank S. from Dublin. Very enjoyable. The goodbye-sessions on Sunday are always good though it is when my fingers are sore and I can hardly play any more. I joined Frank W. after that and we went up to Dublin straight into Hughes' to play more tunes... All together I enjoyed the few days. Went swimming with a few friends and Neilligh Mulligan (&boys) in the lakes. Unfortunately I have to say I felt a bit ripped off when it came to accommodation. 4 weeks before the festival I had called about 30 B&Bs which were all booked out or offered three nights for 380Euro !!!!. I stayed in the hostel in the end. Sharing the room with 5 more people, no sink in the room, showers cold and dirty, no breakfast and I was charged 60 Euro for 3 nights. This makes me wonder if I really want to go back. If it wasn't for all the nice people I probably wouldn't...
Sabine,
you aren't the only person complaining about that establishment. Friends from Dublin left after one night and the attitude they encountered when complaining was very bad. I played in Dohertys with Neilidh Mulligan on Sunday for a while but left when the tiredness won out. Was at a session one of the nights with Ben Lennon and you're right an out and out gentleman and a great fiddler. That particular session was mainly flutes and what a sound. it was magic. Had a great night in the new Hotel on Tuesday. I know some people don't like hotels but they were very hospitable and what a view across Lough Allen. Made me remember why I moved to live here. We met a great guy Alexander from Switzerland (I think) and his wife. He was a musician through and through. Didn't play Irish music but produced this keyboard thing you blow in to, a toy really, but boy could he play it and then he took out pan pipes and it was magic. We had such a mixed session it was just pure fun, never laughed so much and we did play some great tunes, why we even sang Postman Pat at one stage. Maybe not a pure traditional session but good fun with good friends. Hope your experience of the accommodation doesn't put you off. You should contact Nancy Woods on the committee and there are better places. Look forward to meeting you soon.
d
I love the joe mooney summer school! There's always great tunes and great people and just the general atmosphere and hype is enough to keep your energy levels boosted for the whole week.
Have travelled for eight years to Drumshanbo for the Joe Mooney Week. Did b and b except past 2 years when we stayed at The Ramada. Have to say the Hotel offers the best value and comfort around. Great breakfast. fab pool.300 yards from the centre of town.Surprisingly good sessions in the bar till late. Ask for Bernie or Kevin the owner when booking.
Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
I'm bemused, strung out and so, so tired. Just at last day of the Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshanbo. Being a blown in local thought I'd work during the day and just go to the sessions at night but that only lasted until Tuesday when sheer tiredness and the sense of missing out on something made me abandon work and immerse myself totally in the week. What a great week it was. Weather mixed but who cares, it was music, music all the way. The pubs were filled with musicians from all corners of the globe. Us locals had a feast of playing which will not happen again until next year so we overloaded on the tunes.
The Joe Mooney is so much more than just the music. People (like myself) have been coming to Drumshanbo for many, many years. Hard to pin down what this summer school has that others don't. Maybe its the layout of the town with the high street inaccessible to traffic which lends to gatherings and outdoor playing (weather permitting). Maybe its the friendliness of the people or the sense that its a time to catch up with old friends.
Highlights of the week? Hard to say. Lunchtime sessions in the beer garden of the Kreffeldi with Dublin friends and others. Being taught a step dance by Aideen while Michael played a jig. The dead musicians tour where we played tunes at the graves of Pakie Duignan, O'Carolan and in the house of John McKenna and at Josie McDermotts memorial in Ballyfarnon and the impromptu picnic organised outside O'Carolan's tomb by the Smith family. The session on Saturday in Meehans where most of the musicians seemed to be German and the tunes just flew non-stop, the swim in Lough Allen and the picnic afterwards.
Of course like all musicians we fell in and out with each other all week but today we'll all meet after lunch for a final session and then Drumshanbo will grow quiet again and us locals and blow ins will go off and practice, practice, practice until you all come to visit again next year. Hope you all had a great time!
# Posted on July 24th 2004 by MollyB
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Hi Molly, that sounds like a fantastic festival! Thank you for posting this. I really hope to get over for that one someday. I think it might be the same week as the Catskills or right after it? Someday I may have to sacrifice my beloved East Durham week for Willie Week and then the Joe Mooney Summer School. But next year, I'm fully committed to the Catskills. Maybe you and M could make it out one year?
Molly, I'll send you a note offline.
Cheers!
Joyce
# Posted on July 26th 2004 by JMH
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Hi Joyce
yes the Catskills would be definitely on our agenda for one day soon. I think you'd love the Joe Mooney and John Wynne was doing the advanced flute class. My friend was in his class and highly recommends him as a teacher and a person. I went to concertina classes myself and apart from being the worst in the class really enjoyed it. The sessions at night were topnotch with plenty of scope for all levels. Great fun and great music
d
# Posted on July 26th 2004 by MollyB
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Hi Molly B.
Was in Drumshanbo from Wednesday-Sunday. Did we meet up? A pity if we missed each other.
Sabine
# Posted on July 27th 2004 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Sabine
I heard you were in town but didn't get to meet you. I think you were in Berrys at one stage while we moved on to Dohertys. Didn't find some of the Dubs too welcoming so we stayed in other sessions! Great week though.
# Posted on July 27th 2004 by MollyB
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Oh that is really sad. Would have liked to meet you. There are some Dubs I do avoid also as you know so I am not sure if I actually was in that session in Berry's. Just played a few tunes there on Saturday night (with some good friends from Dub like Frank W., Conor B. and John D.) but it was too noisy to really enjoy the music. Played a few tunes with Ben Lennon on Thursday afternoon. What a gentleman! Thursday night was brilliant - up in a pub next to Krefeld's pub. There was an amazing fiddle player from Newcastle and I had good craic. Friday night I stayed in Monica's - again with the fiddle player from Newcastle. A wild Donegal tunes session. When many of the musicians had left I played a few very nice Sligo tunes with Frank S. from Dublin. Very enjoyable. The goodbye-sessions on Sunday are always good though it is when my fingers are sore and I can hardly play any more. I joined Frank W. after that and we went up to Dublin straight into Hughes' to play more tunes... All together I enjoyed the few days. Went swimming with a few friends and Neilligh Mulligan (&boys) in the lakes. Unfortunately I have to say I felt a bit ripped off when it came to accommodation. 4 weeks before the festival I had called about 30 B&Bs which were all booked out or offered three nights for 380Euro !!!!. I stayed in the hostel in the end. Sharing the room with 5 more people, no sink in the room, showers cold and dirty, no breakfast and I was charged 60 Euro for 3 nights. This makes me wonder if I really want to go back. If it wasn't for all the nice people I probably wouldn't...
# Posted on July 27th 2004 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Sabine,
you aren't the only person complaining about that establishment. Friends from Dublin left after one night and the attitude they encountered when complaining was very bad. I played in Dohertys with Neilidh Mulligan on Sunday for a while but left when the tiredness won out. Was at a session one of the nights with Ben Lennon and you're right an out and out gentleman and a great fiddler. That particular session was mainly flutes and what a sound. it was magic. Had a great night in the new Hotel on Tuesday. I know some people don't like hotels but they were very hospitable and what a view across Lough Allen. Made me remember why I moved to live here. We met a great guy Alexander from Switzerland (I think) and his wife. He was a musician through and through. Didn't play Irish music but produced this keyboard thing you blow in to, a toy really, but boy could he play it and then he took out pan pipes and it was magic. We had such a mixed session it was just pure fun, never laughed so much and we did play some great tunes, why we even sang Postman Pat at one stage. Maybe not a pure traditional session but good fun with good friends. Hope your experience of the accommodation doesn't put you off. You should contact Nancy Woods on the committee and there are better places. Look forward to meeting you soon.
d
# Posted on July 28th 2004 by MollyB
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
I love the joe mooney summer school! There's always great tunes and great people and just the general atmosphere and hype is enough to keep your energy levels boosted for the whole week.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by anfhidilfhia
Re: Joe Mooney Summer School, Co. Leitrim
Have travelled for eight years to Drumshanbo for the Joe Mooney Week. Did b and b except past 2 years when we stayed at The Ramada. Have to say the Hotel offers the best value and comfort around. Great breakfast. fab pool.300 yards from the centre of town.Surprisingly good sessions in the bar till late. Ask for Bernie or Kevin the owner when booking.
# Posted on May 7th 2010 by bodhran10