I will be visiting Ireland in 2 weeks, arriving at Shannon Airport. I am having a difficult time finalizing my plans for where exactly I should visit for Trad sessions, CEILI's, etc., especially where accordion players go. I definitely am firm about going to Galway again (want to catch Johhny Connolly in Spiddal). I have been to Ennis, Clifden and Connemara before, so will not go there. I am trying to decide between going NW to Westport, Ballina and Sligo, or head south to , Limerick, Killarney, Dingle, Tralee, Kenmare. I originally planned to be in Killarney for a few days, but maybe was scared off by the references of too much tourism and not enough ITRAD, I am not sure about Cork City area. Don't want to go to large citys. I don't want to go to pubs to listen to rock music or Hip Hop! My tastes in ITRAD are varied. I like to listen to Jigs, Barndances, Flings, Slides and Polkas, but am not a hugh fan of Reels, unless the slower style. I much prefer ITRAD that has a dancable feel or "LIFT" as you call it. If any of this information is helpful to get an idea of what towns I should visit, I would truly appreciate any and all suggestions. Thank you all in advance
Judging by ur strict tastes and love of polkas, slides, and the fact that ur not too keen on, well, half the country, i think u should go to sliabh luachra in west kerry
Thanks Telboy. I knew about The Gathering, but unfortunately, I will be leaving just as the festival gets started, or I DEFINITELY(!) would have been attending.
You should really visit Dan O'Connell's pub, Knocknagre, Sliabh Luachra on a Friday night. Very welcoming session. They have set dancing on Sundays I think. Johnny Leary used to do the sunday gig there. It's half an hours drive east of Killarney. http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1284
Just a general point, but, as I'm sure you know, February is one of the worst months of the year for sessions in Ireland. More specifically, Ballina is not a good place for sessions, Westport has little to offer beyond Matt Molloy's, but Sligo decidedly is a decent session venue (even in February).
I was in Cork City last Wednesday night and went to a great session at the Gables. Box player was lead for North Cregg, there was a fiddle, flute, guitar and another box. Great tunes, nice pints of Murphy's. All around a very nice evening with respectful listeners. But you definitely should try to get to Dingle and Knocknagree as well.
HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
Hello:
I will be visiting Ireland in 2 weeks, arriving at Shannon Airport. I am having a difficult time finalizing my plans for where exactly I should visit for Trad sessions, CEILI's, etc., especially where accordion players go. I definitely am firm about going to Galway again (want to catch Johhny Connolly in Spiddal). I have been to Ennis, Clifden and Connemara before, so will not go there. I am trying to decide between going NW to Westport, Ballina and Sligo, or head south to , Limerick, Killarney, Dingle, Tralee, Kenmare. I originally planned to be in Killarney for a few days, but maybe was scared off by the references of too much tourism and not enough ITRAD, I am not sure about Cork City area. Don't want to go to large citys. I don't want to go to pubs to listen to rock music or Hip Hop! My tastes in ITRAD are varied. I like to listen to Jigs, Barndances, Flings, Slides and Polkas, but am not a hugh fan of Reels, unless the slower style. I much prefer ITRAD that has a dancable feel or "LIFT" as you call it. If any of this information is helpful to get an idea of what towns I should visit, I would truly appreciate any and all suggestions. Thank you all in advance
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by gdhow62
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
Judging by ur strict tastes and love of polkas, slides, and the fact that ur not too keen on, well, half the country, i think u should go to sliabh luachra in west kerry
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by copo24
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
Try this http://www.thegathering.ie/index.htm if your still around by then
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by telboy
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
Thanks Telboy. I knew about The Gathering, but unfortunately, I will be leaving just as the festival gets started, or I DEFINITELY(!) would have been attending.
Don
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by gdhow62
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
You should really visit Dan O'Connell's pub, Knocknagre, Sliabh Luachra on a Friday night. Very welcoming session. They have set dancing on Sundays I think. Johnny Leary used to do the sunday gig there. It's half an hours drive east of Killarney.
http://www.thesession.org/recordings/display/1284
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by Ah, Surely!
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
I would recommend you go to Dingle. There are sessions every night and lots of box players and plenty of slides, polkas and jigs.
Good Luck.
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by Taglione
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceilis
Just a general point, but, as I'm sure you know, February is one of the worst months of the year for sessions in Ireland. More specifically, Ballina is not a good place for sessions, Westport has little to offer beyond Matt Molloy's, but Sligo decidedly is a decent session venue (even in February).
However, if it's accordionists you're after, then Dingle would be a good bet. Séamus Begley plays at An Droichead Beag (on Sundays, I think) and the owner of O'Flaherty's Bar is an accordionist himself (he's the brother of Mazz O'Flaherty who runs the Dingle Record Shop - a great mine of local information).
By the way, I wouldn't touch Kenmare with a bargepole as it's probably the most overpriced town in the whole of Ireland.
# Posted on January 27th 2007 by Floss the Tethers
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
Knock, Knock, Knock .....
Open Up, It's the Apostrophe Police and we have a warrant.
# Posted on January 28th 2007 by geoffwright
Re: HELP! Where best to see Sessions, Ceili's
I was in Cork City last Wednesday night and went to a great session at the Gables. Box player was lead for North Cregg, there was a fiddle, flute, guitar and another box. Great tunes, nice pints of Murphy's. All around a very nice evening with respectful listeners. But you definitely should try to get to Dingle and Knocknagree as well.
# Posted on January 30th 2007 by moria enya