Jackie & I were invited to the Listowell Lodge to play for Michael Flannagan’s 95th birthday party.He was in fine form and Jackie and I p;ayed loadsof music along with Sean Flannagan on banjo. That night we played at the Tuesday session in Kearney’s with Tony Halsall and Pronsias on guitar and singing.
Ireland Trip 2014
Day 15 – Jay in Kerry, Teresa in Galway
Teresa decided to stay with Rob & Mary so she could tour around the shops and cafes in Galway. I headed CI to hang with Jackie Dan Gerry and attend my beloved session in Brosna. Jackies new favourite tunes that we sit and practise together: “Never was Piping so Gay“, “Murphy;s Polka”, “Second Waltz’, and a Johnny O’Leary polka we heard on a TG4 documentary (at the 13 minute mark).
Galway Saturday Night
We left Roscommon and headed towards Salt Hill for the afternoon. “Well I took a stroll on the old long walk…” It was a crazy windy day and we saw para-sailers gitting LOTS of air. Looked fun in an extreme sports kind of way.
Saturday night at the Crane with Michael Cahang – great session. A perfunctory stop at Vinnie’s (the chipper) and walk back to Renmore.
Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon
We awoke in Balla and had the fry at the motel. I liked it more than Teresa did. She wouldn’t even eat her black and white pudding. Then back to Spell’s for coffee and Jersey Creams with Neil. He was instructing us on Irish terminology mostly to do with drink. “Naggin”; a small (200) mil bottle of whiskey. “Schtick”; a shot of whiskey or bourbon in your coffee.
We called into Paula Kelly in Roscommon Town. She has a day home so little children were running everywhere or coming in and out of naps. Joanie, Paula’s mother was there for her dinner.
Sessions are rare in Ros at this time of year but Liam found me one advertised in the paper at the Castlecoote Lodge, Just 7 km out of town. It was a mighty session; 4 boxes, 2 banjoes, 1 whistle, 1 concertina, 1 drum & 1 fiddle (me). And loads of singers. Often in these village sessions one man will direct traffic and get people to sing, I was pressed into service and sang “Four Strong Winds” as a Canadian song. Thanks to hosts Terry & Mary Leyden.
Day 11 – Leaving Ennis
Up at 700 to get Gabe & Chelsea to the train station. Teresa & I left for Athenry to visit Billie & Mary O’Connor. Great food then a few tunes by the fire. Mary sang a great & extended version of the Red River Valley. Billie told a great stroty of his time in Ontario and buying the brand new Chevy Biscayne. ” I wouldn’t call the queen my aunt” says he.
Nesx it was Roscommon Town to visit with friends Seami Talbot & Teresa Nerney. Then roarting off to Ballaghderreen for a mighty session at Spell’s Bar. Frank Jordan (flute, aged 91) and PJ Hernihan were leading the session. Great tunes and great energy. Also playing were Liam (flute), Adrian ( fiddle), Michael (harmonica) and Phil (piano). Micheal fell off a step ladder and had his right arm in a cast. I broke my humerus and now have no humour – yuk, yuk. Big thanks to Neil Spells for all his hospitality..
Farewell to Gabe & Chelsea
The Wednesday session was at Dan O’Connell’s with Siobhan Peoples & Murty Ryan. It was flying and lasted till 2:00 am. We had a grat time with the American lads, Steve, Tom & Alex.
Day 9 – The party at Johnny’s
Had the most lovely dinner party hosted by John Culliney. Guests were the 6 Canadians, John’s ex, Tina, and Paulo from Italy, fabulous box player. The food was gorgeous and people were happy to heed my warning,”take a small first portion cuz there’ll be thirds!” Tina wins the quote of the night. “You mind Teresa now. She’s a dote. You mind her or I’ll kick you in the hole!” Teresa and I walked home in a sweet soft rain. And I was doing my very best to mind her.
Day 8 – Driving to Doolin
Gabe & Chelsea went to Inishmor via Doolin. All the locals told me it would take 30 minutes to drive there so I doubled that and gave us an hour. They did the day trip which departed at 10 am and returned at 4:15. Not near enough time but they hired a horse and buggy to view the island and enjoyed drinking pints enroute with the teamster.
Teresa and I returned at 2:00 to collect them and had a glorious walk on the beach at Lahinch (french for “The Hinch”). It was low tide and the sun was shining and it was the prettiest piece of ocean and rock.
We got in early and Teresa went to enquire to Joe Garihy whom they bought the tickets from Joe plays flute don’t you know and has one built by a new builder; David O’Brien, and also a Martin Doyle. “Oh, the Canadian couple” “Oh, you must be the mother”.
Teresa wanted to see the hilltop graveyard and church ruin in Ennistimon so we mad a quick stop there. Gabe was quick to tease his mother. “look mom, another hill, let’s go up there”.
Good friend John Culliney was playing the session at Brogan’s with Yvonne Casey & Josephine Marsh. Great tunes played at a nice pace. Then to Knox’ for another pint then back to Johnny’s for pizza and beer and good laughs til 4:00 am. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sunday in Ennis
Teresa & I strolled around Ennis. Very pretty but most shops were closed for Sunday. Had a nice pint in the streetside snug at Michael Fawl’s. Love how they pass it to you through the sliding window. Got Take away fish and chips from Liscannor bay chipper; smoked haddock
! Quiet session in Brogan’s with Hugh & Eric Healey.
Day 6 – Walking around Ennis and 2 Sessions
The First Session was in Kelly’s with Joan Hanrahan, Brid, Bob and Yvonne.The second was a smasher in the Old Groun with Hugh Healey, Eric Healey, Colm Healey, Ciaran Hanrahan & Seanie O’Gormon.