Has anyone ever suggested getting the members of www.thesession.org together for a session before? It would make a great annual event.(...........Jeremy?)
It would also be interesting to find out where everyone thinks the best venue would be - country/town or pub.
Following Danny's posting regarding the Ryanair offer of a million free flights - I have discovered my current total of BA miles is 414,000 (yes I travel a lot!) which by my calculations is enough to take 40 people from the UK to Ireland and back (not hinting at my preference of course!)
Let me know what you think - we could always have it at my house at a push - all welcome!
Look at a map of the British Isles, forgetting all thoughts of boundaries, and just as a group of islands. You'll see that the geographic centre point is somewhere in what is called the northwest of england. Lets have it there. Preferably within walking distance of my house since you ask.
Seriously though - I nearly posted an identical suggestion yesterday!
Yeah, but if you look at a map of Northern Europe, including Southern England, Northern France and the Low Countries, which has the highest population density in Europe, you'll find that SE London is bang in the middle, in fact The Blythe Hill Tavern is in fact the epicentre of it all.
What a strange coincidence that it's my local session.
We have actually had a couple of get-togethers here in London. Myself, Aidan, Cath, Bigdave, Conan, Helen, Paul, Miles, David and others. Give us an idea what you're planning and you're bound to get some response.
I work in Bridport but live about 15 miles up the coast near Weymouth. I'm starting to think this session thing might be a good idea. If people want to come to Dorset for a weekend - maybe in the spring or summer, I'm happy to coordinate things if there's any interest - and of course, this is a beautiful part of the world!!
I take Showaddydadito's point though - and maybe it would be fun if several members around the country set up a sessions in their home towns specifically for other www.session members to travel to througout the year.
Have you been drinking? Are you mad? Those places are all ABROAD, and therefore of no consequence or interest whatever! [hypertext ironical grin].
The known centre of the universe is my house, in Macclesfield. Our session takes place a few miles away. Out walking with my dogs, I once did a rough count in my head of how many pubs are nearer to my house than the one where we play. When I got to 65 something distracted me, and I never finished, but there are certainly at least 40 within sensible walking distance, then we could all come back to my house for whiskey, coffee, three quarters of an hour frying half an apricot you find in the fridge, a few more tunes and annoy the neighbours.
Don't come if you can't cope with dogs, cats, snakes, wife, (strictly enclosed and not venomous), spiders that come in from the cold at this time of year, stairs, old newspapers, stepping over instruments, chaos, etc etc.) We are all second degree vegetarians - we don't eat anything that eats meat.
When I was a bit younger/single (like about 15 years ago) we used to have the "Friday" run of 25 whiskeys from 25 different pubs in an hour!!.......I can't remember what happened after that!!!
Go for it, guys. We had a blast with ours in Montana, and I know the London crews get together quite regularly -- Helen and MurphBox and some of the others got together recently in...where was that, France? Spain?. We're hoping for a Chicago and somewhere-on-the-East-Coast and somewhere-on-the-West-Coast TheSession sessions sometime in the fairly near future...
Dave - Of course I was drinking...but that was last night, at the aforementioned Blythe. Nothing a mild 3-mile run couldn't cure. Not a bad session, but there was an attempted hijack by two fiddle players of zero etiquette, one a very keane player, and the other eponymous with the Bard of the Globe. One of them was even tuning up while I played some tunes. No matter - time and talent were on my side. I wasn't phased but I know at least one of my mates was annoyed by their carry on. I effortlessly loped alongside their every tune, then once they'd burnt out their repertoire, I upped the pace and we played on and on, leaving them behind. Me, boasting? Never.... just reporting the truth as I saw it.
Where we are in SE London, there are a fair few pubs. Nothing like the figures you guys quote. But you'd get dizzy counting them all up in Soho...even dizzier if you sampled them all.
I suggest Nuernberg - sh*t, when I read all those mails I start to feel there is noone else here (from Germany) who would support my suggestion. I am feeling sad, lonely in this country of few Irish musicians - so maybe you could do it as some kind of a social act - come and play tunes here!!! What has this city to offer? Good beer, good wine, nice people of course, one addicted fiddle player...
Hey, I'll vote for Nurenberg. Been there three times on holiday but have to say that the 'traditional music' over there really sucks. oompah, oompah!. Suppose we could show them a thing or two. Is there still a pub called 'the groovey?'.
I heard that Nurenberg got a new zoo. They put a fence around Fuhrt!. I'm told that's a local joke.
There is some truth in that joke! No, I don't know the groovey pub. Sessions are in O'Neill's pub. Next time you visit Nuernberg give me a shout. Maybe I can convince you that not all musicians are that bad there. Scattered in all Germany there are some excellent Irish musicians but the south of Germany is not the best area for that kind of thing. So I play with people who live all over the country - they are good musicians but it is not very satisfying if you meet for sessions just three times a year! So don't forget to mail should you be here again and we'll have some tunes.
I would absolutely love to go to an international Session.org gathering. It would take a lot of advance planning, though.
Personally, somewhere in Ireland would get my vote for the venue (home of the music and all that). Maybe we could rent out a cottage or cottages? If we started planning now to have it in Summer 2004, it might actually happen
So, does anybody have any connections in the Irish holiday home industry?
Um. Maybe. Paddy and Mary run the Irish RentaCottage villages in Corofin outside of Ennis, and told me next time I was there to not think of staying anywhere else. I could have a go trying to get hold of them if you like.
Oh, and there's Cregg Castle up Galway way -- that's AnneMarie and Pat Broderick, you know -- they're related to a friend of mine and we could probably rent out the Castle and the cottage all at once for tunes.
I support Jeremy in doing it in Ireland. What about the week following Willlies week? I would suggest Doolin, there are several opportunities there (with advance reservations...)
I vote for a weekend in some quieter period of the year - in the winter or spring, for example. If it was the week after Willie Week, a lot of people (eg, me) would have just used up their leave allowance for the summer, not to mention being exhausted shadows of their former selves...
I'll go anywhere as long as there's plenty of notice. If you have it over here in Ireland somewhere I can guarantee half a dozen players from the North at least.
Ireland would be great. Out of season would be best as I can fly cheaply from Edinburgh for 0.01p each way with Ryan Air and the rain's only slightly cooler in the winter. )
Dingle is a fantastic place for sessions great but I'm open to suggestions.
I support the idea of getting together in the quieter seasons.
If somebody will take on the responsibility and do all the organizing I'd like to come.
I'd love to go to Ireland but I think Amsterdam would be a worthwhile alternative. Easy to get to from both SE England and the continent. Loads of restaurants and pubs. Airport close by.
And it's "The Venice of the North".
Mulligan's in Amsterdam is good for sessions but quite small. Would we all get in there? There are other good pubs too and it doesn't need to be an "Irish pub" or we'd be as well going to Ireland-which I think we should.
Well, if we can settle on a date, I'll see if I can get Anne Marie and Pat in on the thing if Cty. Galway sounds good to everyone. Dunno how many the castle can hold, but the sessioning won't be a problem, AM and Pat regularly break out the drum and pipes of an evening anyway, and Paddy Keenan is often there when he's in Ireland. (He and Pat are very good friends; imagine, Paddy and Pat playing in one room, wow.)
Cregg Castle looks really great - the ideal spot. I like the fact that it's so close to Galway
So, when would be a good time for everybody? I was thinking of Summer but lots of people think a quieter time of year would be better. Spring maybe?
It can't be any time too soon: we'll all need to plenty of time to save up for this trip (air fares, etc.). Still, the prices for Cregg Castle look quite reasonable consindering the amazing ambience: the website mentions 65 to 85 euros per night. If we made a three or four day trip of it, that wouldn't be too much if we started squirrelling away a little something as of now.
Zina, if wouldn't mind making some enquiries about availability and stuff, that would be great.
Everyone else, does Cregg Castle sound good to you and when is a good time for an international session.org meetup?
*grin* Sorry, sorry, sorry. Yes Danny, no need to make your excuses...are you going to start in on spelling again, too? LOL (Teasing, of course, you geek.)
Yes, I can look into getting Cregg Castle, but we'll really need to find out how many and when before AM will be able to give us an idea of cost and when works for them -- I'll make some preliminary inquiries, though...
Jeremy, perhaps some kind of poll, as if you don't have enough to do? To settle on a date? And we ought to set a time limit on voting on a date, say a two week or one month period, to make sure that all are ashore who are going ashore? The Brodericks will probably be able to double us up, but only to a certain extent, I'm sure...
Also, they tend to hold their family reunions and gatherings at the Castle, so there are times on the off season that the Castle isn't available, so give me some ideas, y'all. Maybe...Spring 2004? Winter 2004? Spring 2005?
Oh, and my vote is Spring 2005, so I can clear the calendar and save up for a good long trip. My St. Pat's schedule for 2004 is booking up fast already.
"It sounds like a great plan and we'd love to be involved. Rates wil be (unfortunatly) going up next year but I will give this year's rate of euro 65 per person sharing, per night, incl full breakfast nad all taxes....for those on a budget we also have the Gate Lodge and three top floor rooms in the castle at euro 45 per person....we could probably organize a private night with a musician of choice if you'd like...Paddy Keenan if he's around or Martin O'Conner or Sean Ryan are some that come to mind but if you tell me who you'd like I could ask them for a price...
See our website on www.creggcastle.com
Email us to creggcas@indigo.ie
Telephone us on 353 (0)91 791434
Fax us to 353(0)91 793238
See independent reveiws on www.tripadvisor.com......and we'll get down to the nitty gritty details if you all settle on Cregg as a venue...email queries anytime,
Hi Kuec,
There are probably many session members who don't drink but I'm not one of them ). However, if we are all well organised, there are other possibilities; eg hire an outside bar with a special licence, arrange to buy/bring our own drink in bulk before hand and we could have kegs of draught beer. The castle provides wine as well so that would be nice.
The premises are 9 miles North of Galway. Not too far and you could probably afford a taxi at a push. Alternatively, we could organize the hire of a coach or mini bus if we could agree a meeting time. It would probably be a cool idea to visit the sessions in Galway over and above, in any case.
I wouldn't worry too much about the roads either as they'll be fairly quiet. It's would be much more of a shock for people from rural Ireland or Scotland to drive on the "right" side of the autobahn in Germany. I hope you meant to say "left" rather than "wrong" )
If we do decide on Cregg Castle, maybe those who have cars can buddy up with those who don't (I'll be one of those who don't). We could have a meeting place in Galway for pick up and/or drop offs to and from the Castle. The only other thing, and I don't forsee it being too much of a problem, is making sure there are vegetarian options at the castle.
Wowsers - this sounds brilliant lads! How cool would it be! I'd def be on for it but dont forget how much a ticket costs from australia to that side of the world - none of your cheap ten euro tickets here! So give us fair warning
I'm also prepared to do a bit of shuttling with my seven seater.
On the question of draught beer - one of the local pubs [or a Guinness Rep] will be more than happy to sort that out. In fact it might be worth checking out with Guinness if they'd be prepared to sponsor the session with a few kegs and get a bit of publicity out of it. It would also be good publicity for the session and the castle.
Name the date and I'll be there. 2005 seems an awful long way off - I could be dead from alcohol poisoning by then! Why not settle on the Spring of next year and then make it an annual event??
Spring/summer next year sounds good as I'm planning to go to Willie week and RTCT, so what if its a bit touristy -most of us will be tourists anyways I used to live in galway so it will be fantastic to get back there for a visit! I'm getting excited already!
I vote for spring 2004, too. (And '05 as well, if it's as good as it sounds!) Haven't even looked at the site yet, but it does sound fantastic. 65 euro a night is double what I'd normally spend, but I think it's worth it, if the surroundings are really special.
When's half term? And give me a month to settle on, lads!
And now here's another thing -- if anyone in the States is interested in going, I could maybe get one single travel agent to arrange everything we want to see if we can get some kind of discounted group rate for the airfare. We'd probably need 15 to 20 people to get that kind of discount, though. Any interest?
Also, my vote is that we simply take the amount of rooms we end up taking up at Cregg Castle and split it evenly amongst us, so that we all get the advantage of the lodge and top floor rooms discount rate being less than the regular -- or we could volunteer to let those with the highest airfare to get there have those rooms, or most miles traveled or whatever to have that rate, even if they don't stay in those rooms. Whatever you think, just a thought.
Half Term here is the week ending with the weekend 21/22 Feb.
We could always do without rooms altogether by finding a pub where we can play till dawn, and then snoozing in another one or a cafe till it's time to play again. Though I'd probably run out of tunes half way through the first evening(!). Last time I was in Ireland I didn't seem to spend a lot of time asleep, and I definitely needed a holiday by the time I got back.
March will be a bit hectic with gigs, don't you think? April or May would be lovely. Zina, let me know if there's anything I can do to help on this end.
April/May 2004. Sounds good to me. For travelling without a car, if you fly to Knock, BusEirrean run buses from Knock to Galway City. These go down the N17, which would drop you off at a point about 2-3 miles from Corrandulla, near Aucloggeen. Don't know about after that! Also if you got yourself to Galway City, and got on a BusEirrean bus to Westport, get off at Drumgriften, that would get you a wee bit nearer. I might consider taking my pushbike on the plane and cycling from either airport, to whichever I could get the cheapest flight..... but I better clear all this with "The Boss" (Herself) first. Alternately, why don't we all go to Westport and hang around Matt's pub there for a few days....or shall we go up there for a pilgrimage one day? (As well as Cong for The Quiet Man trip...no I wouldn't bother with that one, unless you really are a John Wayne fan.
Which reminds me...how long is this bash going on for? Or is that a piece of string kinda question?
I'm no john wayne fan but cong is a beautiful place to visit - it really is.I still prefer around juneish/julyish/augustish, but I'd be flexible for any time - not next feb/april - its a bit near dont you think and Air tickets really are expensive from here - I paid 1800 australian dollars one way from Dublin to sydney last time, which is about 900 euro - ugh. Also that is festival season here.
Cregg Castle. I think just about everyone agrees that it's the perfect location and it sounds especially condusive to music making.
WHEN:
Most people seem to want to do it in 2004 rather than 2005. I'm one of 'em
February is too soon and is mid-term.
March has St. Pat's and everyone's going to be busy for that.
April looks pretty good but perhaps a bit too near for the Antipodean members.
How about May then?
HOW LONG:
I was thinking of three or four days. Anything longer would start to get pricey. Anything shorter would be too short.
What does everyone else think? Three? Four?
After the "official" meetup of course, people can still arrange amongst themselves to go to Cong, stay longer at Cregg Castle or whatever.
HOW MUCH:
65 Euros per night (including breakfast) sounds very reasonable to me considering the building and its location. There's always the 45 Euro option that some people could go for.
Does anyone feel that the price is too much and would deter them from coming?
TRANSPORT:
9 miles from Galway isn't much. If you split a taxi between 4 people, it wouldn't cost much at all.
Last time I was back in Ireland, I ended up getting taxis between Cork and Cobh (after the trains had stopped running) and that's about twice the distance as Cregg Castle to Galway.
I reckon we'd do okay. And I'm definitely up for trips into Galway for some afternoon/early evening sessions.
ALCOHOL:
The website mentions 4 nearby pubs. That should be enough for anyone
Also, the castle has wine and I'm sure we'd be allowed bring take-outs.
The idea with the Guinness keg also sounds excellent.
Okay. I think that sums everything up.
The immediate questions for everyoneare:
1. How does May sound? And if May sounds bad, when sounds good?
2. How long should the "official" meetup be? Three days? Four?
Also, Zina, will they need some kind of deposit from everybody who wants to show up?
1) May I think will be okay, for me, though I wish I'd have more time to save up -- I'll need a few thousand, I think, for air fare and food and stuff. But if I end up not able to come, I'll still help organize and then save up for the year after. I'll e-mail Anne Marie and find out if May works for their schedule as a possible.
2) Either three or four works for me, but it would be fun to try for arrive-on-Thursday through leave-on-Sunday.
I'm sure they'll ask for some kind of deposit, that's pretty much SOP. We need to get a base number of people, y'all, because then I'll have a better bargaining power for a group discount, if one can be had over the break they're already willing to give us.
One thing, when does 'high season' start? Will the rates at Cregg Castle go up after a certain date, or the price of airfare? Personally, if I'm going to spend a good chunk on airfare, I'd like to take the time to see a little more of Ireland. For people in school, does May mean final exams? Or does April mean a spring break? It doesn't much matter to me, just wondering.
We might want to start a new thread for gauging interest. This is so exciting! Zina, I know you are spread thin financially what with the gorgeous new house & everything, but even though I will start saving, I currently have zero credit card debt, so mentally I feel like this is the kind of trip I could get away with charging a few things. *wicked grin* Can't you write it off as a work-related project? We'll all commission dresses from you, even the boys.
Heh. There's an idea. Maybe I could finally get started on that Irish dress costuming book and write it off for that...hey Will, how likely would that be to get me audited? *smirk*
Heh, just get the book started before you go, and keep all your receipts.
I wish I could join in on this, but we're near enough to pawning the children just to buy potatoes--too much pricey house remodeling lately. Maybe in 2033.... *toothless grin*
& mightn't there be another, um, North American Western thesession Session coming in the spring anyway? Chicagoland or some such nonsense? Doesn't matter Will, you'd have a rotten time anyway. *snicker* Don't they have lay-away plans for offspring anymore? It helped my parents immensely, or so they tell me!
Zina, go for it baby! Publish or perish!!!!! I'll help! Or not help, if you prefer!
How many people here are thinking of going to willie week? I def am - so therefore May is not good for me as flying 33,000km (its true - that is not a made up figure) to ireland in May and back again in 2 months time is seriously not viable. On the other hand if its May then its May and either way I'm sure we will all work around it
D'you know, this is a lot like herding cats...it sounds like we're going to have a small crew if we go with May 2004, yes? Or are we going to have a small crew regardless? If that's so, we might want to just rent out the lodge (not sure how many it sleeps) or one of the cottages down Clare way. Or do we want to go whole hog and go the luxury route with the Castle?
Jeremy I think Danny may be right that we may need a new thread just as a signup. I think this thread is getting lost in the shuffle. Set a deadline for say, one week, then tally up interest on that thread at the end of one week. Also ask for preferences on dates if any. $.02.....
I'm in for may 2003. I I'd suggest a long-weekend starting thursday May 7th to Sunday May 10th. I'd suggest we sort out the alternatives on this thread and then start a new one for sigup (If Jeremy can't put this thread back in the limelight again).
From my bleary-eyed calculations, members that ARE interested in Spring 2004 include, but are not limited to: Halldor, Conan, Jeremy, Danny, Helen, ottery, breandan, emily_az, maybe mikemcdaid, showaddy, John J & Andee. Am I forgetting anyone? That's pretty impressive, & wouldn't necessarily preclude another meeting in Fall/Winter, etc, nor other lurkers or commitment-phobes from showing up all secretive & last-minute like, though they may have to fend for themselves WRT lodging & forfeit their special collectors' edition souvenirs.
Hey, what about ME? Well, May would be tough, but I could probably swing it if that works better. However, Winter 2004 or Spring 2005 would be better. So I'll go with whatever works for everyone else. If I'm allowed to come, anyway. *grin*
Well I was just listing ppl whose stated *preference* was Spring 2004, chica! Technically you would still fall in the 'do not prefer Spring 2004' category, with bb, Will, & possibly Dow, & probably some others. Irish Trad Head, kuec, & a few others appeared to even be in the 'not necessarily Ireland' category, but I hate to assume anything about anyone's opinion at this point, so perhaps I'll pipe down, & let ppl speak for themselves. I, for one, would love to have this happen sooner rather than later, we should follow Alan McGregor's advice!
It seems like we have 2 schools of sessioneers as Emily has suggested. Those in Europe, where it would not be too expensive to travel to Ireland and those who live further afield who will need longer to arrange the funding.
I'm happy to go to Cregg in May - as I believe quite a few are but I would hope that we would be able to arrange a bigger event later on in 2004 or spring 2005 where everyone who wished to go could afford to.
The advance party could always order the Guinness!
I really do want to do the Cregg Castle thing, but I am thinking May 2004 might be a little too soon for me...plus I want Zina and Will to be able to make it, too!
It's just that I *have* to visit my parents in Florida around March and my cousin in Chicago this spring as well....If only "little" stuff like work and $$ weren't any kind of obstacle...I'd be on the plane right now!
If it's any help May 2004 is good for me (preferably the half term at the end of May...but I can make it earlier in May too)....but later in the year would be OK too. I'm so easy.
Seems like there's already a critical mass for getting a session going.
I hope we are reaching a decision point soon. (Who's in charge...?) Let's make it real!
It sounds like Winter 2004 would be better all 'round.
We could have a get-together in Spring 2004 and it would be *good* but if we have it later on and more people can come, it would be *great*
I'm particularly interested to hear from people who would have far to travel (from the States, Australia, etc.). What would be best for you guys? How much advance warning would you need to prepare and save for a trip like this?
I'm ready right now, & also like ottery, a pushover. But I think I'm the only yank (besides Zina *grin*) who might could swing Spring 2004. But I'm not in any position to be a leader or organizer of any sort for things going on in Ireland. However, if something does transpire in Spring 2004, please keep me in the loop! Don't rule me out b/c of the pesky Atlantic Ocean.
I'm being very selfish here, & here's why. My contract here in Arizona expires at the end of March. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be moving back to Baltimore (Maryland, USA, not the south coast of Ireland *grin* I wish) in April or May, & I'd love to take a trip like Cregg Castle before settling in to a new job. Once I start a new job, it will be much harder to get time off or vacation time accrewed until Winter 2004, but I wouldn't miss that one either. & of course I will only accept a new job on the contingency of getting Catskills Irish Week off in July, heh. So that's it. Just fyi. If Cregg Castle volume 1 doesn't happen til over a year from now, that's OK too.
Well, that's roughly six dresses. Like I said, Winter 2004 would work swell for me. But I'd do my best to make a Spring 2004, if that happens. What the hell, I'm up for anything, but the further off the more likely I am to actually make it.
"the further off the more likely I am to actually make it."
Based on the principle of "the more, the merrier", then Winter 2004 (or even Spring 2005) would be best for most travellers from distant lands.
What should we do? Settle on a specific date now and plan it all out far in advance? Or should we just keep it in mind and bring it up again in another few months?
I reckon it might be best to at least settle on specific dates now even if we leave the actual organisation of everything slide a bit longer.
Yipes, all right, here we go, then -- what MONTH would work best for y'all in Winter of 2004? I'm not sure that Cregg is open year round, either, though I think I remember that they're open during the holiday season for a bit.
OK, I cast my vote for the winter of 2004 if it means the overseas brethren can make it. Would love to meet you all! Speaking for myself, I'm hoping to make it to the Ennis Trad Fest next year as I'll miss it this year: that's the 2nd week in November. (Based on their dates last year and this). And there's Return to Camden Town, just before that - last week of October or thereabouts. And then, there's the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in between Christmas and New Year - but I'm sure we wouldn't be planning anything then, because of family commitments and all that. So whenever we choose, it shouldn't be within a month of Christmas, either side.
What other major events are there that we should navigate around?
It'll probably clash with me dying of old age. How come an event touted as a nice thing to do in the near future ends up being something so far away I'll have to check whether my pension scheme is going to generate sufficient equity to fund it?
No reason you can't do another at an earlier time, ottery dear. It's just that I'll have to see whether I can pull enough funds together to make it in time -- unless you intend to send me the funds for the ticket, yeah? Should only be about $1500 USD when all's said and done...!
I'm sure we can have a whip-round for you Zina. So how many Euros is 1500 US Dinars? Maybe if you 'bapped up*' the Goring Unplugged website in HTML for us the mighty affluent folk around these here parts would whizz over in one their Lear jets and give you a lift to Ireland(!)
* I'm sure that in America 'bapped up' must also have some sort of innocent connotation.
Zina's right - we could always have a mini, Yurpeen session get-together that we Yurpeens can go to in the meantime. Somewhere conveniently near to Shannon or another Ryanair airport... or even in the UK! Any suggestions, Ottery?
Gawd, I'm going to Frankie Kennedy in less than 2 months & that seems like an eternity away.... I bet the Euro crew could come up with a killer mini-session venue! How about your place, ottery? ;)
Also, I don't know what the euro exchange rate is at the moment, except the dollar is soft right now but isn't it basically a 1:1 ratio? & I am by no means affluent, I simply have no dependents (er besides dogs) & a ridiculously low cost of living....
Zina, I was only joking, it's just an expression I've never heard before, and well, it sounds like it just MIGHT be something rude... I do have a somewhat infantile imagination.
My place has good acoustics, but is a bit small for a big session(!) Cregg Castle sounds as good as anywhere. I'm pretty tied up for the next week, but I could try booking a provisional date after that, and post it as a new thread, and see if enough people will subscribe to it....
The Irish Rent-A-Cottage folks in Corofin (there's a village in the town proper and one up the mountain, and I highly recommend the ones up the mountain, they have heated floors and a lovely view) are Paddy and Mary, and they could probably arrange a stay there -- it was quite cheap and some of the places can be quite large; the house next to us during our honeymoon held a Kiwi rugby team and their girlfriends who invited the entire village of holidayers over for a New Year's party; my god, did we go through a lot of booze.
We ended up with six of us at our place, too -- Matt and Shannon Heaton, Beth Leachman, and Cecile (Cecama here at TheSession).
The cottages all have kitchens, though if you stay in the village, you can always feed at Boffy's or one of the other pubs. Corofin is only about 40 minutes away from Ennis and all those sessions, too.
If there's a group of ye, it'd probably end up being cheaper than Cregg for a one off. On the other hand, if you stay at Cregg, you can fill us all in on whether we want to have the larger session there later!
Emily, we can't even talk you into a quick trip up to Denver and you're offering to fly to Ireland!? LOL
Could get something sorted on the Isle of Man - if it's not too far away!? Accomodation can be organised, beer is quite cheap .... and oh yeah - the pubs are open 24 hours a day.
A. There's no such thing as a 'quick trip' to Denver, & B. I'm a Seven, you should know better by now! I operate my life on a lengthy & complex to-do check-off list, & 2 things I haven't done since I've been out here, are the Grand Canyon & Mexico. GC I shall remedy next month, & recently a friend of mine found a conference in Mexico in late March, airfare, 8 nights in Cancun, $900! March sucks so much out here, it's like a Tattooine water farm from Star Wars, windy, dusty, cold, isolated & miserable. So if no Cregg Castle in spring, I'm going to Mexico!
Let's get together for a sesh!!
Let's get together for a sesh!!
Has anyone ever suggested getting the members of www.thesession.org together for a session before? It would make a great annual event.(...........Jeremy?)
It would also be interesting to find out where everyone thinks the best venue would be - country/town or pub.
Following Danny's posting regarding the Ryanair offer of a million free flights - I have discovered my current total of BA miles is 414,000 (yes I travel a lot!) which by my calculations is enough to take 40 people from the UK to Ireland and back (not hinting at my preference of course!)
Let me know what you think - we could always have it at my house at a push - all welcome!
Mike
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
What a great idea! Ireland or Dorset...tough choice.
Where about in Dorset are you Mike? My parents live in Bridport so I know the area well.
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Look at a map of the British Isles, forgetting all thoughts of boundaries, and just as a group of islands. You'll see that the geographic centre point is somewhere in what is called the northwest of england. Lets have it there. Preferably within walking distance of my house since you ask.
Seriously though - I nearly posted an identical suggestion yesterday!
Dave
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Yeah, but if you look at a map of Northern Europe, including Southern England, Northern France and the Low Countries, which has the highest population density in Europe, you'll find that SE London is bang in the middle, in fact The Blythe Hill Tavern is in fact the epicentre of it all.
http://tinyurl.com/rbm0
What a strange coincidence that it's my local session.
We have actually had a couple of get-togethers here in London. Myself, Aidan, Cath, Bigdave, Conan, Helen, Paul, Miles, David and others. Give us an idea what you're planning and you're bound to get some response.
Danny.
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Hi Geoff,
I work in Bridport but live about 15 miles up the coast near Weymouth. I'm starting to think this session thing might be a good idea. If people want to come to Dorset for a weekend - maybe in the spring or summer, I'm happy to coordinate things if there's any interest - and of course, this is a beautiful part of the world!!
I take Showaddydadito's point though - and maybe it would be fun if several members around the country set up a sessions in their home towns specifically for other www.session members to travel to througout the year.
Anyone?
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Danny
Have you been drinking? Are you mad? Those places are all ABROAD, and therefore of no consequence or interest whatever! [hypertext ironical grin].
The known centre of the universe is my house, in Macclesfield. Our session takes place a few miles away. Out walking with my dogs, I once did a rough count in my head of how many pubs are nearer to my house than the one where we play. When I got to 65 something distracted me, and I never finished, but there are certainly at least 40 within sensible walking distance, then we could all come back to my house for whiskey, coffee, three quarters of an hour frying half an apricot you find in the fridge, a few more tunes and annoy the neighbours.
Don't come if you can't cope with dogs, cats, snakes, wife, (strictly enclosed and not venomous), spiders that come in from the cold at this time of year, stairs, old newspapers, stepping over instruments, chaos, etc etc.) We are all second degree vegetarians - we don't eat anything that eats meat.
Limited offer - apply now!
Dave
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by showaddydadito
Oh the wonders of sloppy text editing on computers.
"strictly enclosed and not venomous" was meant to apply to the snakes - but it fits well where it ended up. She's wonderful.
Dave
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Weymouth has 53 pubs in 1/3 of a mile!
When I was a bit younger/single (like about 15 years ago) we used to have the "Friday" run of 25 whiskeys from 25 different pubs in an hour!!.......I can't remember what happened after that!!!
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Go for it, guys. We had a blast with ours in Montana, and I know the London crews get together quite regularly -- Helen and MurphBox and some of the others got together recently in...where was that, France? Spain?. We're hoping for a Chicago and somewhere-on-the-East-Coast and somewhere-on-the-West-Coast TheSession sessions sometime in the fairly near future...
Zina
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Good morning America!
# Posted on October 16th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Heh. Indeed. I've been up since 5am, sewing madly. End of the work day there yet?
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Dave - Of course I was drinking...but that was last night, at the aforementioned Blythe. Nothing a mild 3-mile run couldn't cure. Not a bad session, but there was an attempted hijack by two fiddle players of zero etiquette, one a very keane player, and the other eponymous with the Bard of the Globe. One of them was even tuning up while I played some tunes. No matter - time and talent were on my side. I wasn't phased but I know at least one of my mates was annoyed by their carry on. I effortlessly loped alongside their every tune, then once they'd burnt out their repertoire, I upped the pace and we played on and on, leaving them behind. Me, boasting? Never.... just reporting the truth as I saw it.
Where we are in SE London, there are a fair few pubs. Nothing like the figures you guys quote. But you'd get dizzy counting them all up in Soho...even dizzier if you sampled them all.
BTW, how do you fry an apricot?
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Wait... if we're going to do this, we should meet somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, shouldn't we? How about the Azores?
---Michael B.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by MichaelBolton
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Middle of the Atlantic's not fair on the Aussies!
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Dr. Dow
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Your point Dow?
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by showaddydadito
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I suggest Nuernberg - sh*t, when I read all those mails I start to feel there is noone else here (from Germany) who would support my suggestion. I am feeling sad, lonely in this country of few Irish musicians
- so maybe you could do it as some kind of a social act - come and play tunes here!!! What has this city to offer? Good beer, good wine, nice people of course, one addicted fiddle player...
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Hey, I'll vote for Nurenberg. Been there three times on holiday but have to say that the 'traditional music' over there really sucks. oompah, oompah!. Suppose we could show them a thing or two. Is there still a pub called 'the groovey?'.
I heard that Nurenberg got a new zoo. They put a fence around Fuhrt!. I'm told that's a local joke.
Cheers
Craig.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by bouzyboy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
There is some truth in that joke! No, I don't know the groovey pub. Sessions are in O'Neill's pub. Next time you visit Nuernberg give me a shout. Maybe I can convince you that not all musicians are that bad there. Scattered in all Germany there are some excellent Irish musicians but the south of Germany is not the best area for that kind of thing. So I play with people who live all over the country - they are good musicians but it is not very satisfying if you meet for sessions just three times a year! So don't forget to mail should you be here again and we'll have some tunes.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Irish Trad. Head
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I would absolutely love to go to an international Session.org gathering. It would take a lot of advance planning, though.
Personally, somewhere in Ireland would get my vote for the venue (home of the music and all that). Maybe we could rent out a cottage or cottages? If we started planning now to have it in Summer 2004, it might actually happen
So, does anybody have any connections in the Irish holiday home industry?
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Um. Maybe. Paddy and Mary run the Irish RentaCottage villages in Corofin outside of Ennis, and told me next time I was there to not think of staying anywhere else. I could have a go trying to get hold of them if you like.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Oh, and there's Cregg Castle up Galway way -- that's AnneMarie and Pat Broderick, you know -- they're related to a friend of mine and we could probably rent out the Castle and the cottage all at once for tunes.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
In fact, now that I think of that, Cregg Castle would be lovely -- if Shaskeen isn't off touring or something, anyway.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Cregg Castle
http://creggcastle.com/index.htm
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I support Jeremy in doing it in Ireland. What about the week following Willlies week? I would suggest Doolin, there are several opportunities there (with advance reservations...)
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I vote for Ireland... Clare... Donegal..
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Aine Ni Scully
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I vote for a weekend in some quieter period of the year - in the winter or spring, for example. If it was the week after Willie Week, a lot of people (eg, me) would have just used up their leave allowance for the summer, not to mention being exhausted shadows of their former selves...
But yes, I agree - Ireland.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Nell
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'll go anywhere as long as there's plenty of notice. If you have it over here in Ireland somewhere I can guarantee half a dozen players from the North at least.
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by breandan
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Ireland would be great. Out of season would be best as I can fly cheaply from Edinburgh for 0.01p each way with Ryan Air and the rain's only slightly cooler in the winter.
)
Dingle is a fantastic place for sessions great but I'm open to suggestions.
John
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Oh my gosh Zina-that Cregg Castle place looks wonderful--I think doing it in Ireland is a wonderful idea!!
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Andee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I support the idea of getting together in the quieter seasons.
If somebody will take on the responsibility and do all the organizing I'd like to come.
I'd love to go to Ireland but I think Amsterdam would be a worthwhile alternative. Easy to get to from both SE England and the continent. Loads of restaurants and pubs. Airport close by.
And it's "The Venice of the North".
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by kuec
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Mulligan's in Amsterdam is good for sessions but quite small. Would we all get in there? There are other good pubs too and it doesn't need to be an "Irish pub" or we'd be as well going to Ireland-which I think we should.
John
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Well, if we can settle on a date, I'll see if I can get Anne Marie and Pat in on the thing if Cty. Galway sounds good to everyone. Dunno how many the castle can hold, but the sessioning won't be a problem, AM and Pat regularly break out the drum and pipes of an evening anyway, and Paddy Keenan is often there when he's in Ireland. (He and Pat are very good friends; imagine, Paddy and Pat playing in one room, wow.)
Back to the dresses...
# Posted on October 17th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Zina - sorry to be a geekish ning-ninging pedant, but the usual abbreviation for an Irish county is: "Co."
:~)
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Cregg Castle looks really great - the ideal spot. I like the fact that it's so close to Galway
So, when would be a good time for everybody? I was thinking of Summer but lots of people think a quieter time of year would be better. Spring maybe?
It can't be any time too soon: we'll all need to plenty of time to save up for this trip (air fares, etc.). Still, the prices for Cregg Castle look quite reasonable consindering the amazing ambience: the website mentions 65 to 85 euros per night. If we made a three or four day trip of it, that wouldn't be too much if we started squirrelling away a little something as of now.
Zina, if wouldn't mind making some enquiries about availability and stuff, that would be great.
Everyone else, does Cregg Castle sound good to you and when is a good time for an international session.org meetup?
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
*grin* Sorry, sorry, sorry. Yes Danny, no need to make your excuses...are you going to start in on spelling again, too? LOL (Teasing, of course, you geek.)
Yes, I can look into getting Cregg Castle, but we'll really need to find out how many and when before AM will be able to give us an idea of cost and when works for them -- I'll make some preliminary inquiries, though...
Jeremy, perhaps some kind of poll, as if you don't have enough to do? To settle on a date? And we ought to set a time limit on voting on a date, say a two week or one month period, to make sure that all are ashore who are going ashore? The Brodericks will probably be able to double us up, but only to a certain extent, I'm sure...
Also, they tend to hold their family reunions and gatherings at the Castle, so there are times on the off season that the Castle isn't available, so give me some ideas, y'all. Maybe...Spring 2004? Winter 2004? Spring 2005?
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Zina Lee
Oh, and my vote is Spring 2005, so I can clear the calendar and save up for a good long trip. My St. Pat's schedule for 2004 is booking up fast already.
# Posted on October 18th 2003 by Zina Lee
E-mail from Anne Marie at Cregg Castle:
"It sounds like a great plan and we'd love to be involved. Rates wil be (unfortunatly) going up next year but I will give this year's rate of euro 65 per person sharing, per night, incl full breakfast nad all taxes....for those on a budget we also have the Gate Lodge and three top floor rooms in the castle at euro 45 per person....we could probably organize a private night with a musician of choice if you'd like...Paddy Keenan if he's around or Martin O'Conner or Sean Ryan are some that come to mind but if you tell me who you'd like I could ask them for a price...
See our website on www.creggcastle.com
Email us to creggcas@indigo.ie
Telephone us on 353 (0)91 791434
Fax us to 353(0)91 793238
See independent reveiws on www.tripadvisor.com......and we'll get down to the nitty gritty details if you all settle on Cregg as a venue...email queries anytime,
regards Ann Marie"
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
A 2003 brochure by the Irish Tourist Board gives the following average prices for a double room with breakfast:
4 and 3 star (?)
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by kuec
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Hi Kuec,
). However, if we are all well organised, there are other possibilities; eg hire an outside bar with a special licence, arrange to buy/bring our own drink in bulk before hand and we could have kegs of draught beer. The castle provides wine as well so that would be nice.
)
There are probably many session members who don't drink but I'm not one of them
The premises are 9 miles North of Galway. Not too far and you could probably afford a taxi at a push. Alternatively, we could organize the hire of a coach or mini bus if we could agree a meeting time. It would probably be a cool idea to visit the sessions in Galway over and above, in any case.
I wouldn't worry too much about the roads either as they'll be fairly quiet. It's would be much more of a shock for people from rural Ireland or Scotland to drive on the "right" side of the autobahn in Germany. I hope you meant to say "left" rather than "wrong"
John
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Johnny Jay
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
If we do decide on Cregg Castle, maybe those who have cars can buddy up with those who don't (I'll be one of those who don't). We could have a meeting place in Galway for pick up and/or drop offs to and from the Castle. The only other thing, and I don't forsee it being too much of a problem, is making sure there are vegetarian options at the castle.
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Andee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Wowsers - this sounds brilliant lads! How cool would it be! I'd def be on for it but dont forget how much a ticket costs from australia to that side of the world - none of your cheap ten euro tickets here! So give us fair warning
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by bb
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm up for it!
I'm also prepared to do a bit of shuttling with my seven seater.
On the question of draught beer - one of the local pubs [or a Guinness Rep] will be more than happy to sort that out. In fact it might be worth checking out with Guinness if they'd be prepared to sponsor the session with a few kegs and get a bit of publicity out of it. It would also be good publicity for the session and the castle.
Name the date and I'll be there. 2005 seems an awful long way off - I could be dead from alcohol poisoning by then! Why not settle on the Spring of next year and then make it an annual event??
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by breandan
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Spring/summer next year sounds good as I'm planning to go to Willie week and RTCT, so what if its a bit touristy -most of us will be tourists anyways
I used to live in galway so it will be fantastic to get back there for a visit! I'm getting excited already!
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by bb
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I vote for spring 2004, too. (And '05 as well, if it's as good as it sounds!) Haven't even looked at the site yet, but it does sound fantastic. 65 euro a night is double what I'd normally spend, but I think it's worth it, if the surroundings are really special.
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Nell
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'd vote for Spring 2004, just as a recce for Spring 2005. Not at Half Term though - I'm stage manager for the Village Panto (Oh yes I am!)....
# Posted on October 19th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
When's half term? And give me a month to settle on, lads!
And now here's another thing -- if anyone in the States is interested in going, I could maybe get one single travel agent to arrange everything we want to see if we can get some kind of discounted group rate for the airfare. We'd probably need 15 to 20 people to get that kind of discount, though. Any interest?
Zina
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Also, my vote is that we simply take the amount of rooms we end up taking up at Cregg Castle and split it evenly amongst us, so that we all get the advantage of the lodge and top floor rooms discount rate being less than the regular -- or we could volunteer to let those with the highest airfare to get there have those rooms, or most miles traveled or whatever to have that rate, even if they don't stay in those rooms. Whatever you think, just a thought.
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Half Term here is the week ending with the weekend 21/22 Feb.
We could always do without rooms altogether by finding a pub where we can play till dawn, and then snoozing in another one or a cafe till it's time to play again. Though I'd probably run out of tunes half way through the first evening(!). Last time I was in Ireland I didn't seem to spend a lot of time asleep, and I definitely needed a holiday by the time I got back.
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Okay, no late Feb then...how about...March, after St. Pat's? April?
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Oooooo I'm going I'm going! (if nobody minds anyway)
March will be a bit hectic with gigs, don't you think? April or May would be lovely. Zina, let me know if there's anything I can do to help on this end.
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
April/May 2004. Sounds good to me. For travelling without a car, if you fly to Knock, BusEirrean run buses from Knock to Galway City. These go down the N17, which would drop you off at a point about 2-3 miles from Corrandulla, near Aucloggeen. Don't know about after that! Also if you got yourself to Galway City, and got on a BusEirrean bus to Westport, get off at Drumgriften, that would get you a wee bit nearer. I might consider taking my pushbike on the plane and cycling from either airport, to whichever I could get the cheapest flight..... but I better clear all this with "The Boss" (Herself) first. Alternately, why don't we all go to Westport and hang around Matt's pub there for a few days....or shall we go up there for a pilgrimage one day? (As well as Cong for The Quiet Man trip...no I wouldn't bother with that one, unless you really are a John Wayne fan.
Which reminds me...how long is this bash going on for? Or is that a piece of string kinda question?
Danny.
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm no john wayne fan but cong is a beautiful place to visit - it really is.I still prefer around juneish/julyish/augustish, but I'd be flexible for any time - not next feb/april - its a bit near dont you think and Air tickets really are expensive from here - I paid 1800 australian dollars one way from Dublin to sydney last time, which is about 900 euro - ugh. Also that is festival season here.
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by bb
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
bb - you're right, Cong is pretty little spot. I was thinking more of the Quiet Man museum.
# Posted on October 20th 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
So let's see what we've got so far:
WHERE:
Cregg Castle. I think just about everyone agrees that it's the perfect location and it sounds especially condusive to music making.
WHEN:
Most people seem to want to do it in 2004 rather than 2005. I'm one of 'em
February is too soon and is mid-term.
March has St. Pat's and everyone's going to be busy for that.
April looks pretty good but perhaps a bit too near for the Antipodean members.
How about May then?
HOW LONG:
I was thinking of three or four days. Anything longer would start to get pricey. Anything shorter would be too short.
What does everyone else think? Three? Four?
After the "official" meetup of course, people can still arrange amongst themselves to go to Cong, stay longer at Cregg Castle or whatever.
HOW MUCH:
65 Euros per night (including breakfast) sounds very reasonable to me considering the building and its location. There's always the 45 Euro option that some people could go for.
Does anyone feel that the price is too much and would deter them from coming?
TRANSPORT:
9 miles from Galway isn't much. If you split a taxi between 4 people, it wouldn't cost much at all.
Last time I was back in Ireland, I ended up getting taxis between Cork and Cobh (after the trains had stopped running) and that's about twice the distance as Cregg Castle to Galway.
I reckon we'd do okay. And I'm definitely up for trips into Galway for some afternoon/early evening sessions.
ALCOHOL:
The website mentions 4 nearby pubs. That should be enough for anyone
Also, the castle has wine and I'm sure we'd be allowed bring take-outs.
The idea with the Guinness keg also sounds excellent.
Okay. I think that sums everything up.
The immediate questions for everyoneare:
1. How does May sound? And if May sounds bad, when sounds good?
2. How long should the "official" meetup be? Three days? Four?
Also, Zina, will they need some kind of deposit from everybody who wants to show up?
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
1) May I think will be okay, for me, though I wish I'd have more time to save up -- I'll need a few thousand, I think, for air fare and food and stuff. But if I end up not able to come, I'll still help organize and then save up for the year after.
I'll e-mail Anne Marie and find out if May works for their schedule as a possible.
2) Either three or four works for me, but it would be fun to try for arrive-on-Thursday through leave-on-Sunday.
I'm sure they'll ask for some kind of deposit, that's pretty much SOP. We need to get a base number of people, y'all, because then I'll have a better bargaining power for a group discount, if one can be had over the break they're already willing to give us.
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
This is so exciting!
One thing, when does 'high season' start? Will the rates at Cregg Castle go up after a certain date, or the price of airfare? Personally, if I'm going to spend a good chunk on airfare, I'd like to take the time to see a little more of Ireland. For people in school, does May mean final exams? Or does April mean a spring break? It doesn't much matter to me, just wondering.
We might want to start a new thread for gauging interest. This is so exciting! Zina, I know you are spread thin financially what with the gorgeous new house & everything, but even though I will start saving, I currently have zero credit card debt, so mentally I feel like this is the kind of trip I could get away with charging a few things. *wicked grin* Can't you write it off as a work-related project? We'll all commission dresses from you, even the boys.
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Heh. There's an idea. Maybe I could finally get started on that Irish dress costuming book and write it off for that...hey Will, how likely would that be to get me audited? *smirk*
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Heh, just get the book started before you go, and keep all your receipts.
I wish I could join in on this, but we're near enough to pawning the children just to buy potatoes--too much pricey house remodeling lately. Maybe in 2033.... *toothless grin*
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Hmmm....
& mightn't there be another, um, North American Western thesession Session coming in the spring anyway? Chicagoland or some such nonsense? Doesn't matter Will, you'd have a rotten time anyway. *snicker* Don't they have lay-away plans for offspring anymore? It helped my parents immensely, or so they tell me!
Zina, go for it baby! Publish or perish!!!!! I'll help! Or not help, if you prefer!
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
heh. Can I just see if I can live until after Oireachtas, first? Heh.
# Posted on October 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Well? Does May work for y'all, or what?
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
May sounds good to me - shouldn't we re-post this thread as a part 2 on the top page - sorry, I can't today, I just posted my daily ration!
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
No. There is no reason to start a new thread.
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
How many people here are thinking of going to willie week? I def am - so therefore May is not good for me as flying 33,000km (its true - that is not a made up figure) to ireland in May and back again in 2 months time is seriously not viable. On the other hand if its May then its May and either way I'm sure we will all work around it
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by bb
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm going to the Willie Clancy week and I'm hoping to go along to Cregg Castle provisionally Fri - Sun but possibly for longer.
Interest registered!
Con
# Posted on October 22nd 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
D'you know, this is a lot like herding cats...it sounds like we're going to have a small crew if we go with May 2004, yes? Or are we going to have a small crew regardless? If that's so, we might want to just rent out the lodge (not sure how many it sleeps) or one of the cottages down Clare way. Or do we want to go whole hog and go the luxury route with the Castle?
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Jeremy I think Danny may be right that we may need a new thread just as a signup. I think this thread is getting lost in the shuffle. Set a deadline for say, one week, then tally up interest on that thread at the end of one week. Also ask for preferences on dates if any. $.02.....
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm in for may 2003. I I'd suggest a long-weekend starting thursday May 7th to Sunday May 10th. I'd suggest we sort out the alternatives on this thread and then start a new one for sigup (If Jeremy can't put this thread back in the limelight again).
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Halldor - May 2003? You've missed it!
:~)
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by Rudall the time
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Sounds like May might not be the best time after all. It could be too soon for people who have to travel a long distance.
Maybe we should think about Winter 2004/Spring 2005.
Perhaps by then, even Will could join us
How many people out there would like to get together for a session in Cregg Castle but think that May 2004 is a bad time?
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
From my bleary-eyed calculations, members that ARE interested in Spring 2004 include, but are not limited to: Halldor, Conan, Jeremy, Danny, Helen, ottery, breandan, emily_az, maybe mikemcdaid, showaddy, John J & Andee. Am I forgetting anyone? That's pretty impressive, & wouldn't necessarily preclude another meeting in Fall/Winter, etc, nor other lurkers or commitment-phobes from showing up all secretive & last-minute like, though they may have to fend for themselves WRT lodging & forfeit their special collectors' edition souvenirs.
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Hey, what about ME? Well, May would be tough, but I could probably swing it if that works better. However, Winter 2004 or Spring 2005 would be better. So I'll go with whatever works for everyone else. If I'm allowed to come, anyway. *grin*
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
LOLOL
Well I was just listing ppl whose stated *preference* was Spring 2004, chica! Technically you would still fall in the 'do not prefer Spring 2004' category, with bb, Will, & possibly Dow, & probably some others. Irish Trad Head, kuec, & a few others appeared to even be in the 'not necessarily Ireland' category, but I hate to assume anything about anyone's opinion at this point, so perhaps I'll pipe down, & let ppl speak for themselves. I, for one, would love to have this happen sooner rather than later, we should follow Alan McGregor's advice!
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Wow!! This is an incredible response!
It seems like we have 2 schools of sessioneers as Emily has suggested. Those in Europe, where it would not be too expensive to travel to Ireland and those who live further afield who will need longer to arrange the funding.
I'm happy to go to Cregg in May - as I believe quite a few are but I would hope that we would be able to arrange a bigger event later on in 2004 or spring 2005 where everyone who wished to go could afford to.
The advance party could always order the Guinness!
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I really do want to do the Cregg Castle thing, but I am thinking May 2004 might be a little too soon for me...plus I want Zina and Will to be able to make it, too!
It's just that I *have* to visit my parents in Florida around March and my cousin in Chicago this spring as well....If only "little" stuff like work and $$ weren't any kind of obstacle...I'd be on the plane right now!
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by Andee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
If it's any help May 2004 is good for me (preferably the half term at the end of May...but I can make it earlier in May too)....but later in the year would be OK too. I'm so easy.
# Posted on October 23rd 2003 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm an absolute pushover...
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Seems like there's already a critical mass for getting a session going. I hope we are reaching a decision point soon. (Who's in charge...?) Let's make it real!
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by FiddleTramp
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
It sounds like Winter 2004 would be better all 'round.
We could have a get-together in Spring 2004 and it would be *good* but if we have it later on and more people can come, it would be *great*
I'm particularly interested to hear from people who would have far to travel (from the States, Australia, etc.). What would be best for you guys? How much advance warning would you need to prepare and save for a trip like this?
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm ready right now, & also like ottery, a pushover. But I think I'm the only yank (besides Zina *grin*) who might could swing Spring 2004. But I'm not in any position to be a leader or organizer of any sort for things going on in Ireland. However, if something does transpire in Spring 2004, please keep me in the loop! Don't rule me out b/c of the pesky Atlantic Ocean.
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
OK to clarify:
I'm being very selfish here, & here's why. My contract here in Arizona expires at the end of March. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be moving back to Baltimore (Maryland, USA, not the south coast of Ireland *grin* I wish) in April or May, & I'd love to take a trip like Cregg Castle before settling in to a new job. Once I start a new job, it will be much harder to get time off or vacation time accrewed until Winter 2004, but I wouldn't miss that one either. & of course I will only accept a new job on the contingency of getting Catskills Irish Week off in July, heh. So that's it. Just fyi. If Cregg Castle volume 1 doesn't happen til over a year from now, that's OK too.
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Spirit? Willing! Flesh? Strong enough, I suppose. Pocketbook? Ah, well, it's been nice chatting...
Paul
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by cuchulain54
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Well, that's roughly six dresses.
Like I said, Winter 2004 would work swell for me. But I'd do my best to make a Spring 2004, if that happens. What the hell, I'm up for anything, but the further off the more likely I am to actually make it.
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I think that sums it up for a lot of people:
"the further off the more likely I am to actually make it."
Based on the principle of "the more, the merrier", then Winter 2004 (or even Spring 2005) would be best for most travellers from distant lands.
What should we do? Settle on a specific date now and plan it all out far in advance? Or should we just keep it in mind and bring it up again in another few months?
I reckon it might be best to at least settle on specific dates now even if we leave the actual organisation of everything slide a bit longer.
# Posted on October 24th 2003 by Jeremy
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Yipes, all right, here we go, then -- what MONTH would work best for y'all in Winter of 2004? I'm not sure that Cregg is open year round, either, though I think I remember that they're open during the holiday season for a bit.
# Posted on October 25th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Anything I can do to help?
# Posted on October 25th 2003 by Joe Quinn
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Yes, Joe, please start herding the cats...
# Posted on October 25th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
OK, I cast my vote for the winter of 2004 if it means the overseas brethren can make it. Would love to meet you all! Speaking for myself, I'm hoping to make it to the Ennis Trad Fest next year as I'll miss it this year: that's the 2nd week in November. (Based on their dates last year and this). And there's Return to Camden Town, just before that - last week of October or thereabouts. And then, there's the Frankie Kennedy Winter School in between Christmas and New Year - but I'm sure we wouldn't be planning anything then, because of family commitments and all that. So whenever we choose, it shouldn't be within a month of Christmas, either side.
What other major events are there that we should navigate around?
# Posted on October 27th 2003 by Nell
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm telling you, lads, it's going to be Winter 2005 before you know it...
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
How about late Feb/early March '05? (Before the 17th). What is there that it might clash with?
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Nell
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
It'll probably clash with me dying of old age. How come an event touted as a nice thing to do in the near future ends up being something so far away I'll have to check whether my pension scheme is going to generate sufficient equity to fund it?
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
No reason you can't do another at an earlier time, ottery dear. It's just that I'll have to see whether I can pull enough funds together to make it in time -- unless you intend to send me the funds for the ticket, yeah? Should only be about $1500 USD when all's said and done...!
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
I'm sure we can have a whip-round for you Zina. So how many Euros is 1500 US Dinars? Maybe if you 'bapped up*' the Goring Unplugged website in HTML for us the mighty affluent folk around these here parts would whizz over in one their Lear jets and give you a lift to Ireland(!)
* I'm sure that in America 'bapped up' must also have some sort of innocent connotation.
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Hey, it's a deal. *grin* I have no idea what the exchange rate is right now, anybody else know?
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Zina Lee
P.S.
I'd no idea it's got an un-innocent connotation, ottery, care to explain? *smirk* Go ahead, I want to watch.
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Zina's right - we could always have a mini, Yurpeen session get-together that we Yurpeens can go to in the meantime. Somewhere conveniently near to Shannon or another Ryanair airport... or even in the UK! Any suggestions, Ottery?
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Nell
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Gawd, I'm going to Frankie Kennedy in less than 2 months & that seems like an eternity away.... I bet the Euro crew could come up with a killer mini-session venue! How about your place, ottery? ;)
Also, I don't know what the euro exchange rate is at the moment, except the dollar is soft right now but isn't it basically a 1:1 ratio? & I am by no means affluent, I simply have no dependents (er besides dogs) & a ridiculously low cost of living....
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Zina, I was only joking, it's just an expression I've never heard before, and well, it sounds like it just MIGHT be something rude... I do have a somewhat infantile imagination.
My place has good acoustics, but is a bit small for a big session(!) Cregg Castle sounds as good as anywhere. I'm pretty tied up for the next week, but I could try booking a provisional date after that, and post it as a new thread, and see if enough people will subscribe to it....
# Posted on October 29th 2003 by Ottery
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
The Irish Rent-A-Cottage folks in Corofin (there's a village in the town proper and one up the mountain, and I highly recommend the ones up the mountain, they have heated floors and a lovely view) are Paddy and Mary, and they could probably arrange a stay there -- it was quite cheap and some of the places can be quite large; the house next to us during our honeymoon held a Kiwi rugby team and their girlfriends who invited the entire village of holidayers over for a New Year's party; my god, did we go through a lot of booze.
We ended up with six of us at our place, too -- Matt and Shannon Heaton, Beth Leachman, and Cecile (Cecama here at TheSession).
The cottages all have kitchens, though if you stay in the village, you can always feed at Boffy's or one of the other pubs. Corofin is only about 40 minutes away from Ennis and all those sessions, too.
If there's a group of ye, it'd probably end up being cheaper than Cregg for a one off. On the other hand, if you stay at Cregg, you can fill us all in on whether we want to have the larger session there later!
Emily, we can't even talk you into a quick trip up to Denver and you're offering to fly to Ireland!? LOL
zls
# Posted on October 29th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Could get something sorted on the Isle of Man - if it's not too far away!? Accomodation can be organised, beer is quite cheap .... and oh yeah - the pubs are open 24 hours a day.
# Posted on October 29th 2003 by jkneale
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
24 hours a day! Let's all move to Man!
# Posted on October 29th 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Let's get together for a sesh!!
Zina,
A. There's no such thing as a 'quick trip' to Denver, & B. I'm a Seven, you should know better by now! I operate my life on a lengthy & complex to-do check-off list, & 2 things I haven't done since I've been out here, are the Grand Canyon & Mexico. GC I shall remedy next month, & recently a friend of mine found a conference in Mexico in late March, airfare, 8 nights in Cancun, $900! March sucks so much out here, it's like a Tattooine water farm from Star Wars, windy, dusty, cold, isolated & miserable. So if no Cregg Castle in spring, I'm going to Mexico!
# Posted on October 29th 2003 by emily_bmore