I'm thinking about moving from Co. Galway down to West Cork, near Skibbereen and Baltimore, but I'm wondering what the ITM scene is like down there. I've been down to visit friends there recently, but only managed to find one session, in Skib itself - The Paragon, which is the only one listed on The Session - and I didn't really have time to look further afield. I see there is one in Ballydehob, but apart from that most of the others are way out of the area.
Can anyone who lives in the area, or knows it well, let me know what it's like for sessions, the music in general, etc? As much as I love it down there, it's going to make a real difference to whether I make the move or not.
By the way, I know this sort of query should be done direct to members via a search, but I couldn't really find anyone in the area (the lack of people filling out their profiles perhaps?), so hopefully Jeremy will allow me this one!
Sean Walsh is a good piano box player down in Skibbereen who might be able to point you in the right direction. I found his details on the Skibbereen Comhaltas site as follows:
SEAN WALSH
PRO SKIBBEREEN CCE
SKEAGH
SKIBBEREEN
CO. CORK
(086-3762621)
sean@skibbereencomhaltas.com
The Friday session in Ballydehob is still going strong.
Apart from the Paragon in Skibbereen there is also trad music in O'Brien's corner bar, usually Mon. night, depends who is booked whether it becomes a session or is more of a gig, there's also a monthly singer's club in O'Briens. There is a Thurs. night session in Minihane's bar in Lisheen, between Ballydehob and Skibbereen.
Casey's bar in Baltimore has trad music on Sat. nights, also sometimes Tues. in the Summer. This is advertised as a session although different groups are booked for it, but the landlord likes it to be run like a session, and normally you would be able to join in,(certainly if I'm involved anyway)
I'm sure there are also trad. sessions in Clonakilty, although I don't often get over there.
The Ballydehob trad. festival is coming up soon, http://feileathadachab.blogspot.com/ , and the Baltimore fiddle fair http://www.fiddlefair.com/
Hope all this helps.
Skibbereen and Bantry both have strong Comhaltas branches, and the Munster fleadh has been held in Skibbereen a couple of times.
if you do move down to W. Cork give myself and dickens a shout.
What ?! the whole of west cork is Flooded?.
We have hippies with bongos and heavan forbid, Djembe's up here in Clare too you know!
But I was under the impression it was Cromwell's Ilk they were fleeing from!
The music scene in West Cork
The music scene in West Cork
Hi all
I'm thinking about moving from Co. Galway down to West Cork, near Skibbereen and Baltimore, but I'm wondering what the ITM scene is like down there. I've been down to visit friends there recently, but only managed to find one session, in Skib itself - The Paragon, which is the only one listed on The Session - and I didn't really have time to look further afield. I see there is one in Ballydehob, but apart from that most of the others are way out of the area.
Can anyone who lives in the area, or knows it well, let me know what it's like for sessions, the music in general, etc? As much as I love it down there, it's going to make a real difference to whether I make the move or not.
By the way, I know this sort of query should be done direct to members via a search, but I couldn't really find anyone in the area (the lack of people filling out their profiles perhaps?), so hopefully Jeremy will allow me this one!
Thanks in advance
Mike
# Posted on March 28th 2008 by Mike C
Re: The music scene in West Cork
Sean Walsh is a good piano box player down in Skibbereen who might be able to point you in the right direction. I found his details on the Skibbereen Comhaltas site as follows:
SEAN WALSH
PRO SKIBBEREEN CCE
SKEAGH
SKIBBEREEN
CO. CORK
(086-3762621)
sean@skibbereencomhaltas.com
# Posted on March 28th 2008 by Bannerman
Re: The music scene in West Cork
Baltimore has sessions I believe but I think that there is less trad down that way compared with say Clare, or Galway.
# Posted on March 28th 2008 by jig
Re: The music scene in West Cork
The Friday session in Ballydehob is still going strong.
Apart from the Paragon in Skibbereen there is also trad music in O'Brien's corner bar, usually Mon. night, depends who is booked whether it becomes a session or is more of a gig, there's also a monthly singer's club in O'Briens. There is a Thurs. night session in Minihane's bar in Lisheen, between Ballydehob and Skibbereen.
Casey's bar in Baltimore has trad music on Sat. nights, also sometimes Tues. in the Summer. This is advertised as a session although different groups are booked for it, but the landlord likes it to be run like a session, and normally you would be able to join in,(certainly if I'm involved anyway)
I'm sure there are also trad. sessions in Clonakilty, although I don't often get over there.
The Ballydehob trad. festival is coming up soon, http://feileathadachab.blogspot.com/ , and the Baltimore fiddle fair http://www.fiddlefair.com/
Hope all this helps.
Skibbereen and Bantry both have strong Comhaltas branches, and the Munster fleadh has been held in Skibbereen a couple of times.
if you do move down to W. Cork give myself and dickens a shout.
# Posted on March 28th 2008 by cathycook
Re: The music scene in West Cork
Stay in Galway if its music you're after cause it's absolute Sh&%e, Feckin Hippies comin in with their guitars and bongos. Cromwells Revenge!!!
# Posted on March 28th 2008 by tina concert
Re: The music scene in West Cork
Thanks all for the info. I realise I'm a bit spoilt for choice where I am at present!
Cathy, I'll certainly try to get over to one of your sessions next time I'm down - I'm sure I'll be down for the Fiddle Fair if not before.
All the best
Mike
# Posted on March 29th 2008 by Mike C
Re: The music scene in West Cork
What ?! the whole of west cork is Flooded?.
We have hippies with bongos and heavan forbid, Djembe's up here in Clare too you know!
But I was under the impression it was Cromwell's Ilk they were fleeing from!
# Posted on March 29th 2008 by jig