I haven't even scratched the surface of the venues offering Irish traditional sessions and gigs on a nightly basis in Galway but on Friday alone I had more than I needed. A friend in the area sent me a few suggestions before I got there so just after 6PM, I walked the 5 minutes over to Tigh Coili. There was a relaxed but really tight session going on. So much so that I was quite content to simply listen. It was obvious that the people there played together regularly but I was called in so didn't refuse the offer. I hadn't heard a lot of the tunes they played in years! That's the thing about visiting a session in a new area. Your likely to hear music that you wouldn't ordinarily hear.
After that, I ventured over to an Pucán for the next session. This time, they seemed to be into ballads more so, so I was quite happy to just sit back and listen. They asked me to join but I didn't start anything. I was happy enough to back on a whistle during the songs.
Later that night, a woman who followed me from the first pub sent messages over to a band who were pllaying a gig asking them to let me play. I half hoped they wouldn't. although I love playing too much to refuse an offer, the guitar player was fantastic. He should be playing with a group such as Lunása and not in a pub! I was called up though and enjoyed my self far too much.
The music and the friendly musicians in Galway make it a fantastic city to play music in. If your looking for a break and you want to satisfy your girlfriend/wife and her want for shoppping etc, go there. I'll be back in a month or so. Unfortunately I had something else to do on Saturday and Sunday but next time I'm there I'll make sure I spend the entire weekend playing music.
I've a few pictures of an Pucán as well as a video from that night if your interested. It was the first time I played with that guitar player though so don't judge too harshly!
Great to hear you had a good time in Galway. It's the place to be!
What sort of space do the musicians play in though? It looks as if they're corralled in a narrow little space behind that wall. An unusual arrangement for a session.
Sounds like you had a grand time Do you know the names of the tunes you play in the vid? I play the first two but not the last, and I don't have the names for any of them.
In a recent post I ventured the opinion that Tig Coilii's in Galway was probably the best session in Ireland. No doubt this suggestion will not go unchallenged.
So where is the best session in Ireland... and the best in Scotland, England or Wales. Or indeed any other part of the world?
Actually, I played the Golden stud in front of Maurice lennon before as a jig into the faster version of the reel he origionally composed with Stoctons wing. He said he'd never heard it played as a jig. He liked it though and still plays it that way. I'm terrible at remembering tune names though so thanks to See monster for finally answering that for me.
BTW, the best session is in McManus's in Seatown in Dundalk on a Friday evening starting at 10PM> fiddle, guitar and pipes. Locals who have been coming for almost 15 years and who actually appreciate the session.
Although, Dolans in Limerick on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is quite good and they use to have a flat session on a Tuesday that almost rivaled Dundalk.
Teach Dolmain in Carlow on a Thursday night is always very tasty too but again, doesn't compare to Galway. I still try to get to it and the one in Limerick every month or so.
Galway is a great place to go for music.
Galway is a great place to go for music.
I haven't even scratched the surface of the venues offering Irish traditional sessions and gigs on a nightly basis in Galway but on Friday alone I had more than I needed. A friend in the area sent me a few suggestions before I got there so just after 6PM, I walked the 5 minutes over to Tigh Coili. There was a relaxed but really tight session going on. So much so that I was quite content to simply listen. It was obvious that the people there played together regularly but I was called in so didn't refuse the offer. I hadn't heard a lot of the tunes they played in years! That's the thing about visiting a session in a new area. Your likely to hear music that you wouldn't ordinarily hear.
After that, I ventured over to an Pucán for the next session. This time, they seemed to be into ballads more so, so I was quite happy to just sit back and listen. They asked me to join but I didn't start anything. I was happy enough to back on a whistle during the songs.
Later that night, a woman who followed me from the first pub sent messages over to a band who were pllaying a gig asking them to let me play. I half hoped they wouldn't. although I love playing too much to refuse an offer, the guitar player was fantastic. He should be playing with a group such as Lunása and not in a pub! I was called up though and enjoyed my self far too much.
The music and the friendly musicians in Galway make it a fantastic city to play music in. If your looking for a break and you want to satisfy your girlfriend/wife and her want for shoppping etc, go there. I'll be back in a month or so. Unfortunately I had something else to do on Saturday and Sunday but next time I'm there I'll make sure I spend the entire weekend playing music.
I've a few pictures of an Pucán as well as a video from that night if your interested. It was the first time I played with that guitar player though so don't judge too harshly!
http://www.digitaldarragh.com/content/night-music-catching-and-great-fun-galway
# Posted on March 29th 2010 by SlowAndSteady
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Great to hear you had a good time in Galway. It's the place to be!
What sort of space do the musicians play in though? It looks as if they're corralled in a narrow little space behind that wall. An unusual arrangement for a session.
# Posted on March 29th 2010 by amhrán
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Sounds like you had a grand time
Do you know the names of the tunes you play in the vid? I play the first two but not the last, and I don't have the names for any of them.
# Posted on March 29th 2010 by flossie
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Well... With a distinct lack of people to play with... I'm envious!
# Posted on March 29th 2010 by sore fingers
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
who were the musicians/instruments at tigh coili?
# Posted on March 29th 2010 by ceemonster
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
I've never played music in Galway actually myself but have heard great things about it. I really must go there soon for tunes.
As for the video, for those wanting tune names:
1. The Killavil Jig/The Trip to Killavil
2. The Creel of Turf/The Basket of Turf
3. Jig version of The Golden Stud
4. The Golden Stud
# Posted on March 30th 2010 by 52Paddy
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Wow thats sounds cool. Go you.
And I'm glad to hear you satisfied your wife, thats nice!
# Posted on March 30th 2010 by ruanua
Best Session in Ireland.
In a recent post I ventured the opinion that Tig Coilii's in Galway was probably the best session in Ireland. No doubt this suggestion will not go unchallenged.
So where is the best session in Ireland... and the best in Scotland, England or Wales. Or indeed any other part of the world?
# Posted on March 30th 2010 by curiadydrwm
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Sorry guys, my last post was supposed to start a new topic rather than adding to this one.
# Posted on March 30th 2010 by curiadydrwm
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Johhny McDonnagh is one of the regular musicians at Tig Coili's.
# Posted on March 30th 2010 by curiadydrwm
Re: Galway is a great place to go for music.
Actually, I played the Golden stud in front of Maurice lennon before as a jig into the faster version of the reel he origionally composed with Stoctons wing. He said he'd never heard it played as a jig. He liked it though and still plays it that way. I'm terrible at remembering tune names though so thanks to See monster for finally answering that for me.
BTW, the best session is in McManus's in Seatown in Dundalk on a Friday evening starting at 10PM> fiddle, guitar and pipes. Locals who have been coming for almost 15 years and who actually appreciate the session.
Although, Dolans in Limerick on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is quite good and they use to have a flat session on a Tuesday that almost rivaled Dundalk.
Teach Dolmain in Carlow on a Thursday night is always very tasty too but again, doesn't compare to Galway. I still try to get to it and the one in Limerick every month or so.
# Posted on March 30th 2010 by SlowAndSteady