Later in the year a friend and I are will be spending about a month in the UK and Ireland and are wondering if anyone can suggest places we might like to go? I play a bit of whistle/flute and bodhran and am hoping to hear and see some good sessions, maybe play a bit as well.
We'll be spending about a week in London, also various regions in Ireland:
Tramore/Waterford on a Thursday night,
Ennis on a Friday,
Galway on a Saturday,
Derry on a Sunday,
Dublin on a Monday...
We'll also be in the Isle of Skye area on a Wednesday and the Lake District on a Saturday.
If anyone can suggest any great sessions/venues where we can make good use of an evening that'd be great! ;)
For the Lake District, go to the Sessions database here and type in England under "Country", Cumbria under "County". That will fish up a few sessions in the area (not necessarily in the Lake District itself). If you can fiddle around with the maps et cetera to locate them, you've more patience than I have - though I should add my computer's working about as fast as a three-toed sloth at the moment and is probably about as bunged up.
The best place, I think, in Galway on Saturday night is the Crane Bar. There is a slower session downstairs starting around 8. At 10 the music moves upstairs for a more advanced session. Monday in Dublin there is a slower session at O'Donoghue's on Baggot Street.
Forget Derry, go to sligo instead! no comparison!! jesus dont go 2 Derry for tunes when u cud just drive up to Sligo..Maybe even go to Achill island but check out if the Achill Sound session is on. Sligo beats Derry any day.
Sure, there's plenty to do to fill up a week in London - including some good sessions. But if it's traditional music you want, why not try and get to one of the many festivals and summer schools that take place in Ireland throughout the year?
Thanks for all the replies everyone! That's a real help. Although I'm a bit puzzled about the comments regarding Galway...I don't get it! I thought I'd heard there was plenty of good music there?
Regarding some of the comments about 'taking my time' - did you not notice that I mentioned being in the UK as well as Ireland? I hope at some point in my life that I'll be able to live in the region and therefore see more, but at this point all I can manage is a few weeks at a time. Therefore my friend and I are trying to fit in as much as possible in the time we have. I went on a whirlwind trip around England and Europe last year and let me tell you, with care, research and plenty of film/memory cards, it is possible to see and experience a lot in a short time!
Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions, they're much appreciated.
The idea is that you should find out about the people and the country so you understand the music better. If you only spend one night in a town there is not much chance of it. And I don't quite see how photos and films help this understanding.
BTW there is a book called 'In search of the craic' by Colin Irwin which you might enjoy.
I'm biased because I went on my first trips to Ireland and Scotland in the Seventies as a hitchhiker. You spent a lot of time in one place, I tell you, especially when you didn't want to
The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
Hi all,
Later in the year a friend and I are will be spending about a month in the UK and Ireland and are wondering if anyone can suggest places we might like to go? I play a bit of whistle/flute and bodhran and am hoping to hear and see some good sessions, maybe play a bit as well.
We'll be spending about a week in London, also various regions in Ireland:
Tramore/Waterford on a Thursday night,
Ennis on a Friday,
Galway on a Saturday,
Derry on a Sunday,
Dublin on a Monday...
We'll also be in the Isle of Skye area on a Wednesday and the Lake District on a Saturday.
If anyone can suggest any great sessions/venues where we can make good use of an evening that'd be great! ;)
Linden
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by LindenGreatwood
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
My mate on Skye just started a Wednesday session in the Old Inn in Carbost. You should go.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
It's like an alternative version of Solomon Grunday...
Dublin on a monday
etc etc.
If Mr Grunday is the precedent, I'd advise you to be *very* careful in Galway
- chris
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
For the Lake District, go to the Sessions database here and type in England under "Country", Cumbria under "County". That will fish up a few sessions in the area (not necessarily in the Lake District itself). If you can fiddle around with the maps et cetera to locate them, you've more patience than I have - though I should add my computer's working about as fast as a three-toed sloth at the moment and is probably about as bunged up.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by nicholas
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
If you've got a month to spend why don't you take your time to have a proper look round? The way you want to do it you'll see very litlle of anything.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by kuec
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
The best place, I think, in Galway on Saturday night is the Crane Bar. There is a slower session downstairs starting around 8. At 10 the music moves upstairs for a more advanced session. Monday in Dublin there is a slower session at O'Donoghue's on Baggot Street.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by John Conoboy
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
I agree with kuec. Take your time. Try Sligo
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by knightly
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
Forget Derry, go to sligo instead! no comparison!! jesus dont go 2 Derry for tunes when u cud just drive up to Sligo..Maybe even go to Achill island but check out if the Achill Sound session is on. Sligo beats Derry any day.
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by Miss Mulligan
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
and watch yourself in Galway. Tis a bit med
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by Miss Mulligan
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
For Skye, Bosville in Portree for Wednesdays,............but........ Dunvegan for Thursdays
# Posted on June 8th 2009 by bogman
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
Sure, there's plenty to do to fill up a week in London - including some good sessions. But if it's traditional music you want, why not try and get to one of the many festivals and summer schools that take place in Ireland throughout the year?
# Posted on June 9th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
The Old Ground in Ennis, friday nights..
# Posted on June 9th 2009 by banjoburger
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
Thanks for all the replies everyone! That's a real help. Although I'm a bit puzzled about the comments regarding Galway...I don't get it! I thought I'd heard there was plenty of good music there?
Regarding some of the comments about 'taking my time' - did you not notice that I mentioned being in the UK as well as Ireland? I hope at some point in my life that I'll be able to live in the region and therefore see more, but at this point all I can manage is a few weeks at a time. Therefore my friend and I are trying to fit in as much as possible in the time we have. I went on a whirlwind trip around England and Europe last year and let me tell you, with care, research and plenty of film/memory cards, it is possible to see and experience a lot in a short time!
Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions, they're much appreciated.
Linden
# Posted on June 10th 2009 by LindenGreatwood
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
who anchors in ennis friday nights at the old ground, btw?
# Posted on June 10th 2009 by ceemonster
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
The idea is that you should find out about the people and the country so you understand the music better. If you only spend one night in a town there is not much chance of it. And I don't quite see how photos and films help this understanding.
BTW there is a book called 'In search of the craic' by Colin Irwin which you might enjoy.
I'm biased because I went on my first trips to Ireland and Scotland in the Seventies as a hitchhiker. You spent a lot of time in one place, I tell you, especially when you didn't want to
# Posted on June 10th 2009 by kuec
Re: The best craic in Ireland and the UK?
"watch yourself in Galway. Tis a bit med"
What does that mean?
# Posted on June 10th 2009 by michaelr