The Small Bridge advertises "A Mighty Session" every night of the year, provided by are local musicians who are booked every night on a rotating basis. We were there on a Tuesday, the booked musicians were amplified, but said we were welcome to sit in on the side, and it seemed that this would be the norm any other night of the week. The trio of musicians playing that night kept capoing into odd keys (C#, Eb, etc.), which was a mite frustrating for us flute and box players but it a generally friendly group nontheless. The sessions begin around 9:30, ending 11:30-12:00.
Went to this session and found it just as described above.
Clearly a paid gig, rather than a session.
Nice atmosphere initially, but rather spoiled by the entry into the bar of three drunks, one of whom pestered a French couple, stumbled across a bar stool and repeatedly spilled from his glass. Unfortunatley the trio were not challenged by the bar staff at any time to behave.
Another of the three attempted to take the mic from a girl who joined the musicians to sing a couple of songs. Thankfully she was fiesty enough to handle him and I enjoyed her singing very much.
All in all I recommend this bar for a casual visit, but primarily to listen - the barmaid on the night confided to a young man at the bar that they "play the same bloody thing every week"! This was stated during a dubious Bodhran solo and I could understand her complaint. It seems that the others use the Bodhran solo as an opportunity for a smoke break.
Probably not the best venue for the experienced session player as the resident group are using mics and seem to follow a formula, as indicated by the barmaid's comments.
Excellent Guiness made me very content, nevertheless.
The Small Bridge advertises "A Mighty Session" every night of the year, provided by are local musicians who are booked every night on a rotating basis. We were there on a Tuesday, the booked musicians were amplified, but said we were welcome to sit in on the side, and it seemed that this would be the norm any other night of the week. The trio of musicians playing that night kept capoing into odd keys (C#, Eb, etc.), which was a mite frustrating for us flute and box players but it a generally friendly group nontheless. The sessions begin around 9:30, ending 11:30-12:00.
# Posted on March 8th 2004 by Susan Lawlor
14th November 2006
Went to this session and found it just as described above.
Clearly a paid gig, rather than a session.
Nice atmosphere initially, but rather spoiled by the entry into the bar of three drunks, one of whom pestered a French couple, stumbled across a bar stool and repeatedly spilled from his glass. Unfortunatley the trio were not challenged by the bar staff at any time to behave.
Another of the three attempted to take the mic from a girl who joined the musicians to sing a couple of songs. Thankfully she was fiesty enough to handle him and I enjoyed her singing very much.
All in all I recommend this bar for a casual visit, but primarily to listen - the barmaid on the night confided to a young man at the bar that they "play the same bloody thing every week"! This was stated during a dubious Bodhran solo and I could understand her complaint. It seems that the others use the Bodhran solo as an opportunity for a smoke break.
Probably not the best venue for the experienced session player as the resident group are using mics and seem to follow a formula, as indicated by the barmaid's comments.
Excellent Guiness made me very content, nevertheless.
# Posted on November 16th 2006 by Feargal French