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Willie Clancy School

Willie Clancy School

Someone mentioned having a beer in the west of Ireland. Anyone going to Willie Clancy? First round's on me! My wife and I have plane tickets and we can't wait to go. Has anyone been to that school?

# Posted on May 8th 2002 by Caoimghgin

Re: Willie Clancy School

Was there in 1991 for the whole week. Had lessons with K Glackin then swapped to Seamus Thompson (Kevin was great but I needed something aimed at a more basic level). It was a fantastic week, though i think I would now try to avoid the campsite in order to get a night's sleep). Tuition is in the morning from what I remember and there are sessions in all the pubs all day and into the wee hours. Some of the "great ones" played in sessions in a village about 5-7 miles away in the evening so if you can get your own transport and stay off the drink ( i had no transport and couldnt on the second point), you could be in for a treat.

Have a good time!

# Posted on May 8th 2002 by donnchad

Re: Willie Clancy School

Yeah! I'm green with envy. Sounds fabulous. Back to the studies and maybe I'll get there some time in the not too distant future. Have a really great time.

# Posted on May 8th 2002 by Jill

Re: Willie Clancy School

Yeah - theres something about willie clancy - I was supposed to go to the tutorials, but just ended up playing in pubs the whole time, was good for a laugh though.

# Posted on May 9th 2002 by bb

Re: Willie Clancy School

Thanks Jill! Thanks guys. What village do the hot sessions happen at, donnchad. Doolin?

# Posted on May 9th 2002 by Caoimghgin

Re: Willie Clancy School

Hot Sessions Village name?
Damned if I know. It is on the coast road south of Milltown. I dont think its Doolin and of course I am talking 1991, things may have changed.

# Posted on May 9th 2002 by donnchad

Re: Willie Clancy School

Mullagh (Mullach, Mullough depending on which signpost you look at) is about 5 miles out of Milltown. The pubs there, which almost outnumber the houses, have some kicking sessions on during Willie Week - sometimes more than one per pub. Be sure to drop into Meaney's and pass my (the 'Englishman from Latvia') regards on to Mrs. Meaney.

The Crosses of Annagh (crossroads, hamlet and pub of the same name) is about halfway between Milltown and Mullagh, and is usually packed to the point of bursting.

I believe Quilty, probably the village Donnchad is thinking of, has some sessions as well.

# Posted on May 9th 2002 by CreadurMawnOrganig

Re: Willie Clancy School

yeh, this will be my 4th time at willie clancy.
dont miss it, tis class craic
only thing is, too many drunks are coming to it now
damn those drinkers......
and there is a brilliant beach!!!!!
cant be missed
deadly sessions in the crosses of annagh
tis great but is getting too big
thats my summary
niamh

# Posted on May 10th 2002 by Niamh

Re: Willie Clancy School

Iv'e heard many say that this one's getting too big. Could someone suggest a couple of alternative events that would be worth the trip from Colorado, USA?

# Posted on May 15th 2002 by dirk

Re: Willie Clancy School

Dirk, Beth Leachman often goes to Willie Week and camps out on the beach that Niamh mentions. By alternative events, do you mean ones that happen at the same time (far and few as everyone wants to go to Willie Week, natch!), or different ones that happen at different times?

Zina

# Posted on May 15th 2002 by Zina Lee

Re: Willie Clancy School

All festivals in ireland are worth the trip - but its true what you say - it is a bit mad a the clancy. I like the smaller festivals much better - here is a link - its basically a listing for 2000 - but it has all the right contact details for each festival - loads to choose from. I'd say Feakle fest is among my favourites and Ive heard great reports about drumshambo.
http://mag.irish-music.net/Events/Festival.htm

# Posted on May 15th 2002 by bb

Re: Willie Clancy School

Thanks for the link! I'm interested in any events. Of course, I'm still interested in the Clancy, too. I'd just like to be better prepared for spending my rare vacation hours in the best way I can. Thanks again!

-Dirk

# Posted on May 15th 2002 by dirk

Re: Willie Clancy School

....and the second round's on me! Don't be put off by some of the previous comments, which I think may be out of date - they certainly don't accord with my experiences at the Willie Week for the last three years. I started going in the early 1980s, and stopped for a few years for the very reasons stated by some of the previous contributors - ie, too many people there for the wrong reasons, and in particular, lack of respect for the music and the musicians. There were a few years when if you weren't inside a session by 8.00pm, the doors were locked and you'd had it - every place was full, and even if you could get in, it was usually so crowded, you'd wonder why you'd bothered in the first place and it was impossible to hear the music, far less join in.
Things have improved greatly, certainly over the past three years, and I can confirm that Mullagh is the place to be, especially Ollie Conway's Bar - at least one great session guaranteed.
Don't stay at the campsite if you want to sleep at all!
There's a notice board in the village community hall where the recitals take place. Any "Sessioners" in Miltown could leave a message there to arrange
a meeting - put "Kenny" on the top of it, and suggest a time and place. Look forward to seeing you there!
P.S. - the tune everyone was playing last year was "Lucy Campbell" - start practicing now!

# Posted on May 17th 2002 by Kenny

Re: Willie Clancy School

Great!! I'll pull down Lucy Campbell and have it under my fingers for Willie Week but I don't plan on doing much sleeping myself. I'll leave you a message on the board and we'll have some tunes! Wow! Can't wait!!

# Posted on May 19th 2002 by Caoimghgin

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