Jay The Fiddler
For the Love of Fiddle.

Gigs

Missing Jackie Dan Jerry

I knew my return to Castleisland would be fraught with sadness. And it is. Jackie and I played music like we were together in the womb. His memory is in every seat of every pub in this town. And especially  in Flanagan’s in Brosna. Now we remember him in stories and anecdotes: and there are many! I visited  Annie O’Connor (his widow) and she is still, 2 years on, one thought away fro a teardrop. “I still expect to see him coming in from the field”. “I haven’t been back in the fields since he passed.” “I ploughed over his garden.” “He was an intelligent and generous man.” “That’s life.”

He once started playing the French waltz Bourasque and i joined in. “I’ve played that one for 50 years and you’re the first man who ever knew it.” I learned it form John Malone.

Be well Jackie. I’ll see you in my dreams.

 

Patrick O’Keeffe Festival 2019 – October 25-28

Great to be in Castleisland for the POK. All the familiar and friendly faces. This is my 18th attendance at the festival and 19th trip to Ireland. That adds up to 82 weeks of my life spent in Eire. Staying with good friend Tony Halsall 3 km above the town. I’m enjoying the walk into town and back as my recent hip replacement is fine and strong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft5tPEy7nlg Castleisland as seen from the Limerick Road

Georgia and I decide to have our first session in Kearney’s Bar with Con Moynihan and Dennis O’Connor: old friends and gracious musicians. Check out their album transcribed on The Session.The jigs and reels never stop and the slides and polkas are mighty.

Local legend Paddy Jones stops in after playing his own 2 hour gig. He plays some beautiful slow airs. We chat afterwards “I’ve beaten cancer twice”. Good man Paddy and many more years to you! Watch him on YouTube: “The Fiddle Bends the Note”.

Paddy Jones & myself

 

Carrowkeel: 6000 year old passage tombs.

Jay took me to the Carrowkeel passage tombs Co. Sligo. What can I say? Where can I start? The were built 4000 years before Christ. We hiked up the mountain and even that view was spectacular. One tomb is accessible and neither is there an interpretive centre nor an admission fee.

Jay says the faeries will dance to your music. I pull out the fiddle and play “The Kid on the Mountain”. Very magical indeed.

Tuesday Night in Galway

Walked in from Renmore in the Lashing rain. A very small and lovely session with only Mick, Anders and myself. It would have been a lovely quiet session but for the College ceili session going on upstairs, I thought the roof would come in. Old friends Christine & Gerry Marti showed up. They just happen to arrive in Galway every October as I do.

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

New Hip!

On November 29th 2018 Dr. Donald Glasgow replaced my right hip which had previously been shattered in 2013 in a bicycle collision with a van. It’s been 11 days and I am already enjoying the benefits!!

Come enjoy some fiddling at National Parks Day

Georgia and I will perform 2-45 minute sets tomorrow at Elk Island Park. Sets are at 1:00pm & 3:00pm at Astotin Lake Recreation Area Stage at the north end of the park. Regular National Park admission applies.

Fun Family Event Saturday May 12, 2018

Georgia and I will be playing a free family event in Spruce Grove Saturday May 12th.
It is in the McLaughlin neighbourhood.
We are performing from noon – 4 pm.
On offer are horse and wagon rides, a food truck, old fashioned candy stand, old fashioned photo booth (with old west costumes) a playground and Live Music!
Everything is free as it is a Melcor event to promote their homes.
To McLaughlin
• Take Yellowhead to Jennifer Heil, take exit and head South
• Turn left on Nelson Drive
• Turn Right at McLaughlin Drive, the event will be on held in this area

Family Day at Elk Island National Park

Georgia and I will be performing from noon to 4:00pm on Monday February 9th.

Please come out and enjoy a fun day in this great national Park.

 

Elk Island National Park hosts an annual Family Day event focused on enhancing quality family time and experiences within the national park. Elk Island strives to enhance the visitor experience at its Family Day celebration by providing a musical performance in the Astotin Lake Recreation Area.
All activities are free of charge to visitors with a valid park pass.
Event Background:
Elk Island National Park (EINP) will host a winter-themed Family Day event on February 19th, 2018 from 12 PM to 4 PM. The wintery event will feature music, campfire snacks, skating on Astotin Lake, snow activities and games, interpretive programming, and snowshoeing (snowshoes available to rent). A food truck will also be on site.

Wednesday 1-11-17 Horse Fair!

It’s Fair Day!

I arrive in town from Kilkenny at 2:30 and head straight to town to catch some of the action and see the animals.

The town is packed and the bars are full and boisterous. Johnny Cahill once told me “I sell maybe 30 barrels of Guinness but on Fair Day I can sell 35!” Loads of musicians Join our Session. The poster Says “Jay, Jackie & Terrance”. Alas Jackie has to spend the day in hospital doing blood work. People know I am close to Jackie Dan Gerry O’Connor and I am often asked “How’s Jackie”, or “Tell Jackie I’m thinking of him”. I am happy to see Charlie Nelligan join us with his concertina. He one 8 All-Ireland titles as a keeper. It is so loud in the bar you can barely hear your neighbour but the combined volume of the 12 of us cuts through the din and people applaud after each set. Singing is impossible but after the first 2 hours  Timmy O’Connor hazards a song. Myself as well. Solo singers seem to get a bit of respect and the crowd quiets – just a little. After 5 hours of music it’s time to wrap it up. “See you next year” I say to everyone. Because of the early start I’m actually back with Tony by 10:30. We have time to visit and play his D tuned guitar with a slide. The first night of the trip I’m in bed by midnight.

 

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