I am planning a trip to Ireland either in the spring or fall of this year. In terms of hearing good music, what part of the country would you reccomend.
The sessions in Ireland breakdown into those put on for tourists and those the locals play for themselves.
Naturally you'd want to get into as many of the latter as possible. They don't have sessions every night in most towns, though the bigger places mentioned (Galway, Cork, Westport) probbaly will. If you chat with a few of the musicians during the breaks, they'll be able to point you towards the out of town sessions and when and where they are.
I'm not sure what you're travel plans are, but I'm assuming you're coming from the States. If so, don't overlook London if you fly into here. There are lots of good musicians and singers around the place.
I don't think you can go wrong really, no matter where you go. There are enough top-class musicians and sessions in all areas of Ireland to make it a difficult task to pick the right locations.
My advice is to put together an itinerary of the places you'd like to see regardless of the music. Then come back here and either check the session listings or ask people on the board to respond to you directly with their recommendations for the places you'll visit. You'll have a great time.
Clare for Jigs and Reels. Cork or Kerry for Slides and Polka's. We DO play polka's slides, hornpipes and waltzes in Clare too but mainly Jigs and Reels. Galway is good for Jigs and reels too. Donegal is good for Fast reels jigs flings and schottishes.
For sessions every night Clare is the place although I'm maybe a bit biassed living in Clare. Up the Banner.
If you have never visited Ireland, you might be disappointed that it's not so easy to find traditional music sessions in many places. A good exception is Galway city, where you can listen to music all day, in the street or in pubs. Ennis and Sligo town are good bets too.
I thought Ennis was amazingly good. Landed in Shannon, drove straight to Custy's and got detailed information on all the sessions, times, locations etc. Very nice folks and a cool shop too
If you're on remote country roads in Mayo (and in other places as well) you may well see pinned to a tree or telegraph pole a notice about a session somewhere apparently a few miles the other side of the back of beyond. A really good map of the area is essential
Also, keep a look-out for dance/music festivals in the smaller country towns. They tend to attract sessions. Swinford in Co Mayo last August was a good example; I got to four or five sessions in one week.
If you go in Spring, there are two great festivals on. One is the Fleadh na cGuaich - The Cuckoo Fleadh in Kinvara, county Galway and the other is the Feile cois cuan in Louisburgh, County Mayo. Both are fantastic fests with a freindly and fun atmosphere. If you go in the autumn there is a weekend festival in Oughterard, County Galway called the Bernie Walsh festival. Again, another fun and friendly fest that attracts a number of musicians from connamara. You get a few dancers at the Bernie Walsh festival too, who tend to dance on the tables in the pubs and occasionally, on the beer barrels too!
I phoned my cousin Fergal O'Neill in Dublin, and he said to go to Galway. In the center of town, there are 4 or 5 pubs with great music. They are across the road from the Stag's Head. Every night there are sessions going on.
He said Doolin ony has a couple of pubs, and you might be there on an off night.
When in Dublin on a Sunday night, you can go to the Duke at Duke off Grafton St. Music is from 9-11. Musicians are Eamon Galldubh,Tristan Rosenstock, Fergal O'Neill and a guitarist.
If you want to get very traditional, call the CCE and see what is going on. There are many branches in Ireland. In August Letterkenny is host city to the All-Ireland World Championships in Irish Music. I believe there are many sessions throughout the duration of the
week-long school and the weekend.
Call the center in Monkstown to inquire.
I have to say that I thought Ennis was fab, all KINDS of sessions all the time. Visiting Custy's first is the best way (right round the corner from Cruise's and the Abbey), as they can not only tell you about every single session that would be good for you to play at or listen in on, but they can also help you arrange for lessons. And Galway's an easy trip from Ennis, and vice versa.
My itinerary usually includes renting a house in Ennis for a few weeks, but you can find music just about anywhere really -- you just need to ask where and when to plan your trip. If you find yourself in Dublin as part of your trip -- the Cobblestone pub in Smithfield is a sure bet any night of the week. On the weekends it's like a mini trad fest that starts early, goes on throughout the afternoon and night, and includes top-notch players. Not far away is Hughes’ Pub (right behind the Four Courts) and it features not one, but two sessions practically every night.
Visting Ireland for the music
Visting Ireland for the music
I am planning a trip to Ireland either in the spring or fall of this year. In terms of hearing good music, what part of the country would you reccomend.
Thanks,
John
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by lakedanger
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
In a nutshell. The West Coast. Claire or Kerry.
Mind you, if you go anywhere else, you'll not go far wrong!!!
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Oh, Galway as well.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
And I meant to say Clare as opposed to Claire too. Time for bed, I think!!
Hoepfully, someone will now start off a drunken thread to "take the heat away". Where's Danny when we need him?
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Johannes J
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Was in Westport (Mayo) this summer. The place was thick with music sessions--friendly too.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by larrywcusick
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Galway, Cork for sure
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by I_Fel
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Sligo was great last summer.
J
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by jfother
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
The sessions in Ireland breakdown into those put on for tourists and those the locals play for themselves.
Naturally you'd want to get into as many of the latter as possible. They don't have sessions every night in most towns, though the bigger places mentioned (Galway, Cork, Westport) probbaly will. If you chat with a few of the musicians during the breaks, they'll be able to point you towards the out of town sessions and when and where they are.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
I'm not sure what you're travel plans are, but I'm assuming you're coming from the States. If so, don't overlook London if you fly into here. There are lots of good musicians and singers around the place.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Just a person
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Doh. "your", not "you're".
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Just a person
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
I don't think you can go wrong really, no matter where you go. There are enough top-class musicians and sessions in all areas of Ireland to make it a difficult task to pick the right locations.
My advice is to put together an itinerary of the places you'd like to see regardless of the music. Then come back here and either check the session listings or ask people on the board to respond to you directly with their recommendations for the places you'll visit. You'll have a great time.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
And to second what Orson said, if you arrive via England, don't forget to pay us a visit in London
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
London's the new Doolin! But with an extra 'N' and no 'I'.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Q
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
The best music is to be found in Micho Russell Square
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
There's no 'F' in London ... but there is a 'Q'.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Just a person
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Clare for Jigs and Reels. Cork or Kerry for Slides and Polka's. We DO play polka's slides, hornpipes and waltzes in Clare too but mainly Jigs and Reels. Galway is good for Jigs and reels too. Donegal is good for Fast reels jigs flings and schottishes.
For sessions every night Clare is the place although I'm maybe a bit biassed living in Clare. Up the Banner.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by Bernie
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
If you have never visited Ireland, you might be disappointed that it's not so easy to find traditional music sessions in many places. A good exception is Galway city, where you can listen to music all day, in the street or in pubs. Ennis and Sligo town are good bets too.
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by slainte
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
I thought Ennis was amazingly good. Landed in Shannon, drove straight to Custy's and got detailed information on all the sessions, times, locations etc. Very nice folks and a cool shop too
Avi
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by improziv
Re: Visiting Ireland for the music
If you're on remote country roads in Mayo (and in other places as well) you may well see pinned to a tree or telegraph pole a notice about a session somewhere apparently a few miles the other side of the back of beyond. A really good map of the area is essential
Also, keep a look-out for dance/music festivals in the smaller country towns. They tend to attract sessions. Swinford in Co Mayo last August was a good example; I got to four or five sessions in one week.
Trevor
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by lazyhound
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
I should have add stunning music sessions will be found in the remote areas though they're hard to find while you're travelling. You can check the Session section of this site in advance: http://www.thesession.org/sessions/index.php For the list of the festivals in Ireland, see this page: http://www.folkworld.de/frog/irlfst.htm
# Posted on January 6th 2006 by slainte
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
If you go in Spring, there are two great festivals on. One is the Fleadh na cGuaich - The Cuckoo Fleadh in Kinvara, county Galway and the other is the Feile cois cuan in Louisburgh, County Mayo. Both are fantastic fests with a freindly and fun atmosphere. If you go in the autumn there is a weekend festival in Oughterard, County Galway called the Bernie Walsh festival. Again, another fun and friendly fest that attracts a number of musicians from connamara. You get a few dancers at the Bernie Walsh festival too, who tend to dance on the tables in the pubs and occasionally, on the beer barrels too!
# Posted on January 8th 2006 by Aberandy
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Yes, Kinvara is wonderful
also Sligo, as people have been saying ... and there's sessions here in Limerick every night of the week too ...
# Posted on January 8th 2006 by Lizzy
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
I phoned my cousin Fergal O'Neill in Dublin, and he said to go to Galway. In the center of town, there are 4 or 5 pubs with great music. They are across the road from the Stag's Head. Every night there are sessions going on.
He said Doolin ony has a couple of pubs, and you might be there on an off night.
When in Dublin on a Sunday night, you can go to the Duke at Duke off Grafton St. Music is from 9-11. Musicians are Eamon Galldubh,Tristan Rosenstock, Fergal O'Neill and a guitarist.
If you want to get very traditional, call the CCE and see what is going on. There are many branches in Ireland. In August Letterkenny is host city to the All-Ireland World Championships in Irish Music. I believe there are many sessions throughout the duration of the
week-long school and the weekend.
Call the center in Monkstown to inquire.
Comhaltas,
32 Belgrave Square,
Monkstown
Co. Dublin,
Ireland.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 280 0295
Fax: + 353 (0) 1 280 3759
E-mail: enquiries@comhaltas.com
mk
# Posted on January 8th 2006 by mkvictor
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Orson - there is so an F in London. It's right on the F in River Thames for fox ache.
I came across some good sessions on the Beara peninsula, featuring authentic local West Cork German musicians. Great fun.
# Posted on January 9th 2006 by Bren
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
I have to say that I thought Ennis was fab, all KINDS of sessions all the time. Visiting Custy's first is the best way (right round the corner from Cruise's and the Abbey), as they can not only tell you about every single session that would be good for you to play at or listen in on, but they can also help you arrange for lessons. And Galway's an easy trip from Ennis, and vice versa.
# Posted on January 9th 2006 by Zina Lee
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
My itinerary usually includes renting a house in Ennis for a few weeks, but you can find music just about anywhere really -- you just need to ask where and when to plan your trip. If you find yourself in Dublin as part of your trip -- the Cobblestone pub in Smithfield is a sure bet any night of the week. On the weekends it's like a mini trad fest that starts early, goes on throughout the afternoon and night, and includes top-notch players. Not far away is Hughes’ Pub (right behind the Four Courts) and it features not one, but two sessions practically every night.
# Posted on January 9th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
mkvictor; the Stags Head is in Dublin.
You're on about the Kings Head in Galway.
# Posted on January 9th 2006 by jdcorcra
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
In addition to the usual session listings, try these...
http://www.irishmusicbars.com/default.asp
http://www.fingal-dublin.com/
http://www.folkworld.de/frog/index.html
http://entertainment.ie/
and
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/8184
# Posted on January 9th 2006 by Schy
Re: Visting Ireland for the music
Thanks for all the suggestions info etc.
John
# Posted on January 18th 2006 by lakedanger