It's been some time since I've been there. Is there an 'event' on or something? It is a beautiful part of the world, one of Eire's many hidden gems. You'll have to get out and do some hiking up into the hills, and visiting the lough isles. There's some lovely stuff scattered there abouts if the 'tourists' haven't damaged it too much. I remember seeing some damned rich bastard in a big boat who had her rock hammer with her and was hammering off a bit of an old Celtic cross. We swore at them, Mick Hoy and myself, but we were on the the land side checking an 'otter', an illegal way to fish eel, or we would have done more than swear, though we lobbed some stone in their general direction.
The people are also wonderful, on the whole. Fermanagh is one of my favourite counties. There were and are regular sessions in Enniskillen and I have some memory of at least one in Derrygonnelly. I was there for a fleadh once if memory serves me right, good craic. There's also some pub action, for example at the 'Black Town Arms', including dance. It was the other side of the lough and in the countryside between Enniskillen and Omagh.
I saw the '0' on the comment line and while I hesitated, my information dated, that '0' called for some response. Please tell us more. What is the occasion?
If you contact Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) or Na Piobaira Uilleann they can put you in touch with a local branch or musician and that's always a good way to increase your experience, and where better to lodge than with a musician, if you can find one who has a B & B...
Another great session pub over there is Fiddlestones in Belleek, the next town. The Derrygonnelly folk probably won't thank me for saying that as there is a fair bit of rivalry between the two places, especially in hurling.
The Festival is the Eddie Duffy Festival. A fantastic weekend of music, dancing and craic. Musicians come from all over to it, had some great tunes last year with lads from Tyneside.
As far as I know its the 8th-10th of Oct this year. I will check that and confirm it here as soon as possible.
Maybe it will jog someone else's memory. There's a pub up in the hills there, somewhere between Enniskillen and Derrygonnelly, with a cave in it, water running through the cave, and no I'm not thinking of an episode in 'Lord of the Rings', out Poll Beg way, up into the 'mountains' (apologies for calling them 'hills'). We made some music there, but I don't recall whether it was just our arrival or a regular thing. If you do that hiking I suggested it's always a good stop to make on the way, the local pubs...
Right, and 'ouch!' and thanks for the memory... Eddie Duffy!! - has many cups of tea with the man and Mick Hoy. I look forward to finding out more about the festival, and, God willing, someday making my way back there for it... I hope to add some more transcriptions of Eddie and Mick's playing to this site in the future. I remember how Eddie used to fill his sink up with water and flute parts before playing, a memory I won't soon forget, cringe... The practice some had of a little drop of Guiness was too sticky for Eddie. No, don't follow suit anyone, please. It's a bad practice. While it swelled them and did what he'd intended, there were a lot of flutes in pieces and he went through quite a few following that process. Mick and Eddie, a great pair.
If you like eel, not minding the bones, this is the place for them. Most get shipped out to Europe...
One of the best festivals around. The Co Down mob have been giong there for years and we have an amazing time.
Stay up in Tír na Var and have morning 'wine tasting' and tunes sessions in the dining room starting at about 9.30 before heading on to the 'official' sessions around 2.00.
Tunes played in every corner of every pub of the very highest calibre and musicians from all over Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and England. And all are welcome to join in - no standing on ceremony here.
I would recommend this weekend to any and all of ye who are available.
One of the nicest compliments ever paid to me was one Sunday morning in the Cosy Bar and myself, John McGreevey and Peter McKee were playing tunes and there was only one boy in the bar with us. After a few sets he came over to me and said 'You know my Uncle Eddie would have loved your playing' - he was Eddie Duffy's nephew!!
Derrygonnelly
Derrygonnelly
Anyone going this year? Anyone been before? Whats the craic there? Any advise on accommodation?
johnny
# Posted on September 9th 2004 by johnny
It's been some time since I've been there. Is there an 'event' on or something? It is a beautiful part of the world, one of Eire's many hidden gems. You'll have to get out and do some hiking up into the hills, and visiting the lough isles. There's some lovely stuff scattered there abouts if the 'tourists' haven't damaged it too much. I remember seeing some damned rich bastard in a big boat who had her rock hammer with her and was hammering off a bit of an old Celtic cross. We swore at them, Mick Hoy and myself, but we were on the the land side checking an 'otter', an illegal way to fish eel, or we would have done more than swear, though we lobbed some stone in their general direction.
The people are also wonderful, on the whole. Fermanagh is one of my favourite counties. There were and are regular sessions in Enniskillen and I have some memory of at least one in Derrygonnelly. I was there for a fleadh once if memory serves me right, good craic. There's also some pub action, for example at the 'Black Town Arms', including dance. It was the other side of the lough and in the countryside between Enniskillen and Omagh.
I saw the '0' on the comment line and while I hesitated, my information dated, that '0' called for some response. Please tell us more. What is the occasion?
If you contact Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE) or Na Piobaira Uilleann they can put you in touch with a local branch or musician and that's always a good way to increase your experience, and where better to lodge than with a musician, if you can find one who has a B & B...
http://www.comhaltas.com/
http://www.pipers.ie/en/default.lasso
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Re: Derrygonnelly
Another great session pub over there is Fiddlestones in Belleek, the next town. The Derrygonnelly folk probably won't thank me for saying that as there is a fair bit of rivalry between the two places, especially in hurling.
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Stoke the fires Conan...
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Re: Derrygonnelly
The Festival is the Eddie Duffy Festival. A fantastic weekend of music, dancing and craic. Musicians come from all over to it, had some great tunes last year with lads from Tyneside.
As far as I know its the 8th-10th of Oct this year. I will check that and confirm it here as soon as possible.
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by Any tunes?
Derrygonnelly & 'The Limestone Rock'
Maybe it will jog someone else's memory. There's a pub up in the hills there, somewhere between Enniskillen and Derrygonnelly, with a cave in it, water running through the cave, and no I'm not thinking of an episode in 'Lord of the Rings', out Poll Beg way, up into the 'mountains' (apologies for calling them 'hills'). We made some music there, but I don't recall whether it was just our arrival or a regular thing. If you do that hiking I suggested it's always a good stop to make on the way, the local pubs...
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Derrygonnelly & The Eddie Duffy Festival
Right, and 'ouch!' and thanks for the memory... Eddie Duffy!! - has many cups of tea with the man and Mick Hoy. I look forward to finding out more about the festival, and, God willing, someday making my way back there for it... I hope to add some more transcriptions of Eddie and Mick's playing to this site in the future. I remember how Eddie used to fill his sink up with water and flute parts before playing, a memory I won't soon forget, cringe... The practice some had of a little drop of Guiness was too sticky for Eddie. No, don't follow suit anyone, please. It's a bad practice. While it swelled them and did what he'd intended, there were a lot of flutes in pieces and he went through quite a few following that process. Mick and Eddie, a great pair.
If you like eel, not minding the bones, this is the place for them. Most get shipped out to Europe...
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Derrygonnelly Traditional Music Festival
Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh
9 - 10 - 11th October
A weekend tribute to the music of flute-player Eddie Duffy and fiddle-player Mick Hoy
for further info contact:
Liam Elliott: 028 6864 1306
or
Brenda Murphy: brendamurphy1@yahoo.com
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Brenda Murphy on 028 6864 1449
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Tuesday the 17th - 9:30 pm: 'Hidden Ireland'
Traditional Irish Music Night
http://www.kinawleygfc.com/feile.htm
http://www.fermanaghmusic.com/
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Re: Derrygonnelly
One of the best festivals around. The Co Down mob have been giong there for years and we have an amazing time.
Stay up in Tír na Var and have morning 'wine tasting' and tunes sessions in the dining room starting at about 9.30 before heading on to the 'official' sessions around 2.00.
Tunes played in every corner of every pub of the very highest calibre and musicians from all over Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and England. And all are welcome to join in - no standing on ceremony here.
I would recommend this weekend to any and all of ye who are available.
One of the nicest compliments ever paid to me was one Sunday morning in the Cosy Bar and myself, John McGreevey and Peter McKee were playing tunes and there was only one boy in the bar with us. After a few sets he came over to me and said 'You know my Uncle Eddie would have loved your playing' - he was Eddie Duffy's nephew!!
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by breandan
Mice het Breandan...
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Re: Derrygonnelly
?? wha.........
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by breandan
Nice hat!
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by ceolachan
Re: Derrygonnelly
That's better lol
# Posted on September 10th 2004 by breandan