Jay The Fiddler
For the Love of Fiddle.

Finn Harper Artist

Ireland 2024 – Entry 2

The first week has flown by! Galway City, SW Donegal for 3 nights, now back in Galway.

Met up with old friend, fiddler and fisherman Adrian Murray. Adrian had bought 2 of my CD’s and was a big fan of Georgia’s Canada Day Waltz. He had me play it at every session and it went over very well.

here’s the link (at long last- it was nowhere to be found).

 

Georgia’s Canada Day Waltz -1994 

For the record: there are more than 3 musicians in Galway City. But if you’re going to play at the Big 3 (Taaffe’s Tigh Coili’s and the Crane) you’ll often be playing with Johnny O’Halloran, Anders Trajberg and Declan Corey.

2024 Jay’s Trip to Ireland Post 1

I touched down in Dublin Wednesday at 830AM. Caught the bus to Galway and called on the Fullers in Renmore. I went that first night to Tigh Coili’s and had an amazing session led by Declan Corry (mandolin) and Geraldine (Ger) Clancy (fiddle). Talked too late to a Peruvian couple. Thursday I went into Galway (about 2KM) up College Road. I got a sim card for my phone (20 euro for 4 weeks – unlimited text, talk and 5G). Played the early session at Taaffe’s led by old friend Anders Trajberg on bos. Then I caught the end of the slightly less early session at Coili’s, again led by Ger Clancy. Waited around for the late session led by the great Johnny O’Halloran (melodeon) from Inishbofin. Getting kind of tired by now. The session scene has rebounded well after the pandemic with the same sessions at the same time with the same players. The Fullers have a holiday home in S Donegal in the town of Ardara (Arrrr-dra). Yes there are sessions. Played Friday with Peter Campbell (fiddle) whom I played with several times between 2000-2005. As well as his father (JImmy) and uncle (Vincent) who have both passed away since my last visit. Saturday night was in the wee Glen Tavern -https://www.facebook.com/theglentavern/- up the mountain 7 kms from Glenties. I have been there before and knew many of the players. They were playing distinctly Donegal tunes: mazurkas, Germans, highlands, waltzes. Week D anyone? Tonight I will find The Rusty mackerel in Teelin with one of Ireland’s best bos players, Dermott Byrne.
Here is the Newly Mown Meadow a tempo
Slánte Jay

Deep Freeze Byzantine Festival!

It’s January Fun! Come see us play

http://www.deepfreezefest.ca/

2019 DEEP FREEZE: BYZANTINE WINTER FESTIVAL

Venue Address# 1: Hearth (9210 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time of Performance:2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Venue Address#2: Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave) — Kitchen Party
Date of Performance: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time of Performance:3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Venue Address# 3: Igloo (92 St. & north of 118 Ave)
Date of Performance: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time of Performance:5:00 PM – 5:45 PM

Finn Harper

I met Finn when he was 7 in 1996. He eventually took up the box and played in bnads – toured Europe and North America, wen to U Limerick for a degree in Trad music. Ten this year he started to sketch Irish musicians. And in 7 monthes his career has exploded. One look at the detail and you’ll see why.

Matt Molloy by Finn Harber

His beautiful work can be seen here.

Finn Harper Facebook

He had an exhibition in the River Island Hotel, Castleisland during the Patrick O’Keeffe festival. I called in on him Saturday afternoon for a lovely chat.