well trad-heads what did ye think of the fleadh? thought the sessions were of a better class than last year. it was tough gettin up for work today at 8 considering we were only goin to bed at that time over the weekend. people were just runnin on beer fumes by Monday. met one die-hard in careys bar yesterday who was trying to persuade people that it only really starts today! there were still a few stragglers gettin on buses today - the misery of it!! only problem with the fleadh was that it was too short, does anyone think they should make it a 2 week fleadh next year?
Two weeks!! I would need a lotto win!!! Brilliant sessions and one of the best yet. Not to impressed with some of the competions though!! Some dodgy decisions?? Anyway here's to the 2005!!!
I'd definitely go along with the two weeks idea. For me, the best part was the Éigse week leading up to the Fleadh where there was an abundance of sessions each night to suit all tastes without the crowds that turned up from Friday onwards. Likewise Monday was a great day with sessions everywhere, particularly in the streets due to the fine weather - unfortunately I had to leave at this stage. Notwithstanding the crowds, I found a great session on Sunday night in Hearn's Hotel in a room away from the bar - some great musicians although the only names I knew were John McGurrin (a box player down from Bundoran) and Jimmy McGreevy (also a box player); we also had a number of fiddles and a concertina. The reason I mention this is that sessions can continue into the weekend if you can find the right spot - maybe we should approach the organisers next year to allocate some venues for the serious music away from the balladeers, bodhrán thumpers, etc.
Not ALL Bodhran players are thumpers and the music should be there for everyone to enjoy, not just selective musicians in selected venues!!! But each to there own!!!
You've misinterpreted my motives if you think I favour "selective" sessions or that I consider all bodhrán players to be "thumpers". I'm talking about the need for a venue where musicians are appreciated and not drowned out by noisy customers who seem to resent the fact that a session is taking place at all. Good bodhrán players are always very welcome in any session - it's just that poor players seem, in my opinion, to create more havoc than almost any other instrument!
Bannerman - Hi
Surely there is a big problem with over-organising sessions in any festival as people will go where the whim takes them but I guess you can but facilitate by having all the right kind of session venues made available and let people know where thay are.
I am somewhat suprised that people in the pubs in Clonmel during the Fleadh would not have expected sessions to be happening in the pubs!
Given the licensing laws there is also a need to think about having plenty of non-pub session venues where the under-age and their parents can attend late/evening sessions.
Cheers
Donough
Just back to work today as I needed a couple of days off to recover.
Absolutely brilliant time!!
Great wee starter session on the Friday night with a relatively early finish around 2.
Up and at em again in Allen's on the Saturday at 10.30 and we didn't stop until after 4.00 the next morning. Our Co Down crew were joined by some Armagh players -the McAlleenan's and Patricia Vallely [Fiddles and flute] and later by Pat O'Hare [pipes]and his mates from Belfast, Sean [2 row], Mairead [fiddle] and a few others. The music was absolutely feckin wonderful. In our [modest!!] view probably the best session we have ever attended in over 30 years going to the Fleadh!! Weeeehawwwww!!
Sunday was a cracker as well with another early session in Allen's [from 10.30 to 8.00 pm] followed by a trip up to the Princess for an even earlier morning as we finished sometime around 6.30 am!!
On the Monday we did the same routine again and you might be able to see some of us on the RTE Fleadh programmes due to be aired in the 6 weeks before Christmas.
All in all a perfect end to the summer - fantastic sunny days, tunes of the top drawer variety, drinking a wee dram by the side of the River Suir as the house martins skimmed the water and the trout leaping in the background, lovely people, and not a pick of bother.
Roll on Derrygonnelly in October for the next trip to the twilight zone..
I found the results in the Whats New Section of the Comhaltas Site. I noticed at the same time that there are dates for the Meitheal Summer School on there. Wonder who the tutors will be?
Breandan ya lucky sod!
When I was last home I missed out on playing with Paddy as they hit the Friday Herc session on the head . The others with him must have been Seán O'Kane and Mairéad Forde, two of the best young talents in Belfast. Was Barry Mullan there with his guitar?
Ah Jaysus I'm kicking myself now.
Have to agree with Breandan, best sessions ever and I just want to thank him and his brilliant freinds, for taking my daughter under their wing at her first taste of sessions at the Fleadh!!! Much appreciated!!! They do say "the liver is bad and must be punished"!!!!!
Sean O.G, in answer to your query, I found a site for the 2005 Summer School in ennis at http://www.tradweek.com/. It says the tutors will be named in December so keep watching that space!!
fleadh cheoil 04
fleadh cheoil 04
well trad-heads what did ye think of the fleadh? thought the sessions were of a better class than last year. it was tough gettin up for work today at 8 considering we were only goin to bed at that time over the weekend. people were just runnin on beer fumes by Monday. met one die-hard in careys bar yesterday who was trying to persuade people that it only really starts today! there were still a few stragglers gettin on buses today - the misery of it!! only problem with the fleadh was that it was too short, does anyone think they should make it a 2 week fleadh next year?
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by anniejryan
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Two weeks!! I would need a lotto win!!! Brilliant sessions and one of the best yet. Not to impressed with some of the competions though!! Some dodgy decisions?? Anyway here's to the 2005!!!
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by Paulam
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
I'd definitely go along with the two weeks idea. For me, the best part was the Éigse week leading up to the Fleadh where there was an abundance of sessions each night to suit all tastes without the crowds that turned up from Friday onwards. Likewise Monday was a great day with sessions everywhere, particularly in the streets due to the fine weather - unfortunately I had to leave at this stage. Notwithstanding the crowds, I found a great session on Sunday night in Hearn's Hotel in a room away from the bar - some great musicians although the only names I knew were John McGurrin (a box player down from Bundoran) and Jimmy McGreevy (also a box player); we also had a number of fiddles and a concertina. The reason I mention this is that sessions can continue into the weekend if you can find the right spot - maybe we should approach the organisers next year to allocate some venues for the serious music away from the balladeers, bodhrán thumpers, etc.
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by Bannerman
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Not ALL Bodhran players are thumpers and the music should be there for everyone to enjoy, not just selective musicians in selected venues!!! But each to there own!!!
# Posted on September 1st 2004 by Paulam
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
You've misinterpreted my motives if you think I favour "selective" sessions or that I consider all bodhrán players to be "thumpers". I'm talking about the need for a venue where musicians are appreciated and not drowned out by noisy customers who seem to resent the fact that a session is taking place at all. Good bodhrán players are always very welcome in any session - it's just that poor players seem, in my opinion, to create more havoc than almost any other instrument!
# Posted on September 2nd 2004 by Bannerman
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Bannerman - Hi
Surely there is a big problem with over-organising sessions in any festival as people will go where the whim takes them but I guess you can but facilitate by having all the right kind of session venues made available and let people know where thay are.
I am somewhat suprised that people in the pubs in Clonmel during the Fleadh would not have expected sessions to be happening in the pubs!
Given the licensing laws there is also a need to think about having plenty of non-pub session venues where the under-age and their parents can attend late/evening sessions.
Cheers
Donough
# Posted on September 2nd 2004 by Donough
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Anyone know where to get the competition results?
# Posted on September 2nd 2004 by Celtic1234
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
my apologies, the last time i checked the comhaltas site the were'nt posted yet, for anyone else that's interested:
http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/sites/CCE/education/treoir/2003Tr4/Results2004.htm
# Posted on September 2nd 2004 by Celtic1234
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Just back to work today as I needed a couple of days off to recover.
Absolutely brilliant time!!
Great wee starter session on the Friday night with a relatively early finish around 2.
Up and at em again in Allen's on the Saturday at 10.30 and we didn't stop until after 4.00 the next morning. Our Co Down crew were joined by some Armagh players -the McAlleenan's and Patricia Vallely [Fiddles and flute] and later by Pat O'Hare [pipes]and his mates from Belfast, Sean [2 row], Mairead [fiddle] and a few others. The music was absolutely feckin wonderful. In our [modest!!] view probably the best session we have ever attended in over 30 years going to the Fleadh!! Weeeehawwwww!!
Sunday was a cracker as well with another early session in Allen's [from 10.30 to 8.00 pm] followed by a trip up to the Princess for an even earlier morning as we finished sometime around 6.30 am!!
On the Monday we did the same routine again and you might be able to see some of us on the RTE Fleadh programmes due to be aired in the 6 weeks before Christmas.
All in all a perfect end to the summer - fantastic sunny days, tunes of the top drawer variety, drinking a wee dram by the side of the River Suir as the house martins skimmed the water and the trout leaping in the background, lovely people, and not a pick of bother.
Roll on Derrygonnelly in October for the next trip to the twilight zone..
# Posted on September 3rd 2004 by breandan
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
I found the results in the Whats New Section of the Comhaltas Site. I noticed at the same time that there are dates for the Meitheal Summer School on there. Wonder who the tutors will be?
# Posted on September 3rd 2004 by sean o.g
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Breandan ya lucky sod!
When I was last home I missed out on playing with Paddy as they hit the Friday Herc session on the head . The others with him must have been Seán O'Kane and Mairéad Forde, two of the best young talents in Belfast. Was Barry Mullan there with his guitar?
Ah Jaysus I'm kicking myself now.
Enjoy Derrygonnelly!
# Posted on September 3rd 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Have to agree with Breandan, best sessions ever and I just want to thank him and his brilliant freinds, for taking my daughter under their wing at her first taste of sessions at the Fleadh!!! Much appreciated!!! They do say "the liver is bad and must be punished"!!!!!
# Posted on September 3rd 2004 by Paulam
Re: fleadh cheoil 04
Sean O.G, in answer to your query, I found a site for the 2005 Summer School in ennis at http://www.tradweek.com/. It says the tutors will be named in December so keep watching that space!!
# Posted on September 4th 2004 by Bannerman