The college I just graduated from a few years ago (just outside of Philadelphia, PA, USA) has a castle on campus that is used for admissions offices and dorms. I lived there my junior year, and while I technically only lived in one room in the castle, we had the only room with a balcony (albeit a small one, but still made you feel like a kind overlooking the commoners), and I would walk around and play music like I owned the place. I think the rest of the people probably got tired of hearing Irish music, but I loved the way it bounced around the whole castle, and I loved the confused looks people would give down below as I played up on the balcony and they had no clue where the music was coming from. Here's a link to the castle:
I live in a fairly ordinary wood frame house, which like most houses in my area, is clad with unpainted cedar shingles that get all grey and black over time. Why this has become acceptable in my region is beyond me, but it does mean that all I have to paint is the trim.
And like many other homes in the area, there is a little white plaque by the door, testifying to the house's historical significance. My house's plaque says "The Brown House, Built Circa 1986."
In Father Ted, there's a great episode where three bishops come to visit the lads. They're to upgrade a relic called the Holy Stone of Clanricarde! It ends up leaving with one of the bishops.
So, this is the castle of the Clanricardes who were a prominent family in Galway in the 1600s. Alec Finn lives there now.
An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
Here are photos of two famous Irish musician’s homes. I’m sure you will agree they’re very different from one another.
Micho Russell's home in Doolin:
http://www.tarasthistle.org/8micko.html
& Alec Finn’s home:
http://www.ireland-now.com/restored_o.html
[ Oranmore Castle is now occupied by Leonie King, daughter of Anita Leslie and Bill
King, and her husband Alec Finn of De Danaan ]
I also know of one guy in Dublin, who lives in the Canal on a House Boat, a bit like the one in this photo:
http://www.carlowtourism.com/barriver.html
So do any of you guys live in a fancy, interesting or unusual house?
Perhaps you know, or know of, a musician who does?
Well, if you know someone who lives & plays music in a Mud Hut, an Igloo, 44 floors up in Manhatten, or in a Log Cabin let us know.
A photo would be nice too.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
The college I just graduated from a few years ago (just outside of Philadelphia, PA, USA) has a castle on campus that is used for admissions offices and dorms. I lived there my junior year, and while I technically only lived in one room in the castle, we had the only room with a balcony (albeit a small one, but still made you feel like a kind overlooking the commoners), and I would walk around and play music like I owned the place. I think the rest of the people probably got tired of hearing Irish music, but I loved the way it bounced around the whole castle, and I loved the confused looks people would give down below as I played up on the balcony and they had no clue where the music was coming from. Here's a link to the castle:
http://www.arcadia.edu/prospective/default.aspx?id=579
Now I live in an normal house, but I'll always be able to claim that I once lived in a castle for a year.
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Jason G
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
Sorry, fourth line should read "...made you feel like a king...".
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Jason G
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
I live in a fairly ordinary wood frame house, which like most houses in my area, is clad with unpainted cedar shingles that get all grey and black over time. Why this has become acceptable in my region is beyond me, but it does mean that all I have to paint is the trim.
And like many other homes in the area, there is a little white plaque by the door, testifying to the house's historical significance. My house's plaque says "The Brown House, Built Circa 1986."
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
I think Sean Ryan (the renowned Tipperary whistle player) does actually live in a Castle and one that's reputed to be haunted as well!
# Posted on December 20th 2005 by Bannerman
An Irish musician's home is actually his Castle
In Father Ted, there's a great episode where three bishops come to visit the lads. They're to upgrade a relic called the Holy Stone of Clanricarde! It ends up leaving with one of the bishops.
So, this is the castle of the Clanricardes who were a prominent family in Galway in the 1600s. Alec Finn lives there now.
http://www.tourismresources.ie/cht/oranmore/
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by jdcorcra
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
I live in one of the castles that sank into the swamp.
KFG
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by KFG
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
Here's a look at Alec Finn in situ (from the webpage of his bouzouki luthier):
http://www.diodinos.com/dedannan1.htm
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: An Irish musician's home is his Castle!
Gerry Harrington once told me to come visit him is his restored castle if I remember right.
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by Phantom Button