Jay The Fiddler
For the Love of Fiddle.

Fiddle Lessons Edmonton

Tuesday 31-10-17 The Trip to Durrow

I steel myself for the trip to see Tommy Lanigan & Michelle O’Regan in Kilkenny. Google maps says it’s 2 hours 39 minutes but I know better.

Kilkenny is hard to get to from Kerry as there are no direct roads. Last time it took 4 hours. Dr. Google says 2′ 40 “if I go north to Limerick and take the Dublin road (M50) for 8 km. That’s where everything went wrong. 2 hours to that point but the directions are on my phone and I am not reading them well. I stiop at a petrol station, “Google says take the turn into Mooreville” ” This whole area is called Mooreville” “My friend’s house is called ‘Gorteen'” “Oh, many places have that name”. So I am sent to Durrow, the only consolation being we play a reel called “The Trip to Durrow”. I arrive in Kilkenny (Marble City) and ring Michelle. Her directions only do for a couple of km’s then things aren’t matching the instructions. I ask a man at the petrol station and I’m sure he mishears the landmark I asked for “Kilcreene Hospital”. Oh Alicrane Hospital, that’s in Waterforford”. But hes stops a young woman dressed as a cat (It’s Halloween). “Actually I’m looking for Ballycallan”. “That’s where I live” Will I follow you?” Yay!

Irish people in general are inquisitive and direct. I knew enough to ask my guide’s name -Amy. “Oh Amy her grandfather had this house.” And “Why the heck did you go to Durrow?”

Finn is a tall lad now at 16. Ellie is 13 and out at a Hallpween party. Maybe 5’10”. Michelle is cooking lamb chops – so very Irish. Tommy and I break out the instruments after supper and play and tell stories until midnight me on fiddle and he on bodhran and bouzouki. He is a great singer and used to tour with Davey Arthur. Some sad stories; his brother Paul passed away this year at 52. He closes his eyes and sings the song he sang at the funeral. It’s and an adaption of “The Shores of Lough Bran”. I’m holding back the tears. It’s another privileged moment which I seem to often be privy to. Tommy is a heart man and a philosopher so it’s always a joy to hear his insights. We finish off a 6 back of Budweiser. “I don’t consider that beer.” “Neither do I.”

The next morning after a breakfast of porridge and fresh laid eggs (they have hens) Michelle give me fantastic directions back to Castleisland that take an hour off the trip.

 

Monday 30-10-17

I want to play with Dennis O’Connor and Con Moynihan – the local musicians playing Sliabh Luchra music. I call into McCarthy’s at 3:00 and it is so packed with musicians and listeners that it is impossible. I walk across the street to The Crown and find a lovely quiet session with Connor Daly on fiddle. “oh I remember you; you’re Georgia’s father”. I am getting used to that. Also playing are Maura O’Connor concertina, Darragh Horan guitar, David Healy box, & Michael (Mee-hawl in Irish) Broderick banjo. Some great tunes with some joy in the playing. Michael’ sister Eileen Broderick voice, its sitting behind us. She knows Spencer Murray from Edmonton as they were at U Limerick together last year doing the Trad program.
Next I wander up to the half Barrel where there is a great crowd and the Sliabh Luchra session I was looking for with Dennis O’Connor banjo, Tom O’Connell banjo and Niall O’Connor grey Paulo Soprano box. The session continues till 8-ish. The only musicians left are Sheila Coakley whistle and Joan Hanrahan box and myself. But there are dancers so we are pressed into service playing slides and polkas. Clear the tables and 4 couples are up dancing fast and furious.
Dirk Hofman bodhran from Holland calls in then Greta Curtin comes to collect the 2 of us and take us to Brosna. Dirk and I meet yearly at the POK and take turns driving to Brosna so the other can drink. But at the Saturday session Greta offers to be the driver “as long as you don’t fight over who will drive next year!”
A great night in Brosna with Greta & me playing loads of tunes and singing from myself and all and sundry. Greta’s parents Liam & are present. And the Baron. And Tom And Michael Moriarity. At 2:00 am Greta packs up the concertina and it’s back to CI. Next year Dirk. Next year Greta.

Walking into Town

On the 3 km walk to town from Tony’s I am often offered a lift from a motorist. On Saturday I was walking by a yard as a white van was pulling out. “Hello I’m Pat Murphy.” Really? Do you know the song? He didn’t so I started singing.

“Oh the night that Paddy Murphy died, is a night I’ll never forget
Some of the boys got loaded drunk, and they ain’t got sober yet;
As long as a bottle was passed around every man was feelin’ gay
O’Leary came with the bagpipes, some music for to play
That’s how they showed their respect for Paddy Murphy
That’s how they showed their honour and their pride;
They said it was a sin and shame and they winked at one another
And every drink in the place was full the night Pat Murphy died”.

As I get out of the van Pat says “Thanks for the song.”

Another time a red car pulls up. It’s Joe Daly back from Dublin. “Do you know the Cottage of Con Houlihan?” Con was from Castleisland and considered “the greatest and the best-loved Irish sports journalist of all”. He Wrote a sports column for the Independent. A quick ring to Annie and she tells me it’s the mossy cottage at the top of the bend left side leaving town on the Limerick Road.

The cottage of Con Houlihan

John has many stories to tell about Con. His son is the driver and says “Let the man go”. Just one more says John. Thanks for the lift says I, it only took twice as long as the walk. Laughs and hand shakes.

“A man who will misuse an apostrophe is capable of anything”

Con Houlihan

Sunday 29-10-17

3 sessions today.

#1 At The Shoemakers with Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch, Connie O’Connell and Paudie O’Connor. Although I’m late I get a seat right beside Aidan Coffey. What an intersting msn; PHD in micro-biology and just released a new CD with homself, Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn. Here is Aidan plying with Frankie.

Jackie was up to his usual antics and jumped up to clown for the photo. Some beautiful slow airs by Matt. Jackie played the Orsa Waltz which is on the Buttons & Bows CD.

#2 Kearney’s Bar where i find Dennis O’Connor banjo, Con Moynihan fiddle and Mike Rice flute. This session continues until the next one starts.

#3 Kearney’s Bar withe the 30 year olds (or so) Donal Cullinane fiddle, Emma O’Leary fiddle, Eilish Murphy flute, Connor Mahoney guitar. I’m perched beside Donal in “the fiddle section”. Loads of slides, polkas and reels.

Saturday 28-10-17

It’s our session at the Half Barrel:Jackie, Dave, Terrance & myself. Special guests include Donal Murphy box (!!!) and Greta Curtin a fine young musician on the concertina. Also present are Eilish Murphy flute and also 8.9 months pregnant with her second. Dirk my Dutch friend whom I meet yearly at the POK on bodhran.
I sit beside Donal and he likes my slides. “You’re the man for slides Jay! Play another”. After a set of Kerry reels he announces “Those are Sliabh Luchra Anthems: The Galtee Rangers”.
Loads of singing

 

Friday 27-10-17 Patric O’Keeffe Festival!

Back in Castleiland for the POK. “Welcome home they all say to me.

I call into Browne’s and have a great session with Connie O’Connell. Loads of Kerry music. Also beside me is Anita on fiddle a lovely school teacher who often plays with Donie accordion in a ceili/ wedding band.

Thursday 26-10-17

I Call on old friend Dave Harper in Tubber (means  “well”) in the Burren near Crusheen. It’s the legendary Thursday session in Fafa’s in Ennis with Siobhan Peoples and Blackie O’Connell. Also present are Conal O’Kane guitar from Philadelphia, Peter (Foxy) Carberry from Capermote Co. Limerick.

Foxy is a lovely singer with the gravelly voice. Now some singers don’t want you overplaying behind them but he was kicking my ankle to play along. After the most gorgeous version of “Rainy Night in Soho” by Shane MacGowan he turns to me and says “I play music so I can Meet people like you”. Sweet!

The session cranks on til 3:00 am.

Wednesday 25-10-17

Mayo & Anders

I awake in Co. Kerry and after a flurry of calls to Kilkenny, Cork & Crusheen I decide the best musical option is to call up to Galway City again to try and get a session in with Anders Trajberg and another with Declan Corey.

Session 1 is with Anders and his wife Mayo in Taaffe’s. Present are John from Fort Erie Ont on octave mandolin, Hoewke flute & bodhran & Gereard whistle. It’s been several years since I played with Anders and he is as powerful as ever.

Declan & Fiacra

 

The session breaks up but the 2 Canadians, the German and now Baya from Czech stay on and the house obliges with free pints.

Session 2 across the road at Tig Coili’s with Declan Corey mandolin, Ger fiddle, Fiacra bouzouki, Gregor fiddle, Eoin banjo (Co. Antrim), & Tiernan concertina (Co. Antrim). Fast and furious as it always is with Declan.

Session 2 1/2. I catch the last 1/2 hour with Anders in the Crane. Michael won’t serve me a pint though. In the bar is Skeriegoat Ferguson a country singer whom I had a great session with several years ago in The Old Forge.

Tuesday 24-10-17

I see Jackie and he is weak. As well he has a sore throat and can only whisper. But I tell him the story of being in the home of Willie Coleman as well as play him the jig and the 2 Blue Ribbon Polkas and he is smiling and tapping the foot. Tuesday night is the session in Kearney’s.

John & Dave

John McAuliffe comes in and wants his favourite Liz Carroll tune. He is the only man here that knows were Regina Sask. is (pronounced Re-gee-na), as well as her coordinates of latitude and longitude.

Present are Terrance McQuinn banjo, Dave Dooley low whistle, Sylvia Coakley whistle and singing and Sean Browne box. I am missing Jackie but the music is sound. DSCF9142

Monday 23-10-17 Ennis to Kerry

I leave Renmore at 1:00 and down the road to Ennis to have the dinner with John Culliney. Would it ever stop raining?! Of 18 visits to Ireland this is by far the worst weather which includes Hurricane Ophelia and Storm Brian.

Johnny has the huge meal prepared -Bacon & Cabbage; an Irish classic. I eat basically 2 dinners, then we catch up on the gossip and out come the fiddles. We have our favourite sets which we played often in 2007 when John stayed with us in Edmonton. We would play at my Christmas gigs at West Edmonton Mall as well as home parties and the Tuesday session at O’Byrnes Irish pub.

Now down to Kerry. If I have a ‘local” in Ireland it must be Flnnagan’s Bar in Brosna. I arrive alone as Jackie, Terrance and Dave have other concerns. But it’s old home day and I am frequently greeted with “Welcome Home!”. My Canadian nervousness of perhaps being the only musician tonight is quickly dispelled when in walks Pat McCarthy a fine strong singer with guitar and Mikey O’Connor also with guitar. Good times til the crowd thins out at 1:00. The Baron (Timmy O’Sullivan) is scheming for a way to keep the party going so I could have a drink (or 3) and then head back to the farm with him. Better heads prevail and I head back to Tony Halsall’s in the rain (sigh).

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