Jackie has a weekly Tuesday session in Kearney’s Bar with Terrance McQuinn & Dave Dooley. Betty took over the bar in the last year from Johnny Cahill Johnny is definitely missed but Betty has painted, retiled, new bathrooms and a beer gardens with windows looking in. It is fabulous! Bright & shiny. Loads of tunes & songs & Jackie & I dusted off some of our old favourites: The Stratshspey in A with Castle Newe, The Morning Mist with O’Beirne’s Hornpipe & loads of slides & polkas!
Ireland Trip 2015
The Road to Brosna
Left Galway in the bright sunshine. A quick stop in Ennis to drop off the flute for David Strauch. Saw Paulo at Custy’s music. Then straight down to Castleisland to stay with Jackie & Annie O’Connor. Entering Castleisland from the north is quite spectacular as you descend into the valley. So nice to be back and playing tunes with Jackie. We had a brilliant session at Flannagan’s in Brosna. Some of the highlight tunes were “Paddy Fahy’s Reel (also called the Galway Reel) with Larry Redican’s“, (also called the Culfadda) and the French musette waltz, “Bourrasque”.
Salt House Galway City
The weather has been spectacularly sunny since I arrived. Had a good lie-in and feel I am recovered from the jet-lag. Walked int town with Rob, Mary, And Daniel, Miriam & Aisling on their bikes.
Went to my favourite Americana session with Noriana Kennedy, Calvin & Nolie MacDonnell. Great songs and lots of opportunity to solo. Stayed afterwards to chat with the lads. Thought I might pop into Coili’s after but I ended up jamming with a busker on shop street. Now I can’t get Guitar Man by Bread out of my head.Topped the night off in Monroe’s back room with V, Roland, Greg & Mark O’Sullivan.
1st session at the Crane, Galway City
Met up with V at his plugged in gig at The Huntsman, close to where I am staying. World Cup Rugby on the screens and the lads singing Americana. Then to the Crane to play a roaring session led by George on the banjo. Many friends in the bar including Gerry & Christine Marti from Switzerland and Kyle Borley on banjo from Winnipeg. Left at 1:30 am and stopped at Vinnie’s for a small curry chip and a portion of sausage. Yes I have definitely arrived!
Ireland 2015
I’m here! An Uneventful flight to Heathrow then 4 hours waiting then to Shannon. Got the “hire-a-car” and straight up to Galway (Renmore) to see Rob Fuller, Mary O’Byrne and brood. Lots of happy activity and complaining going on. Feels so good to be back and taking in all the sights, sounds and smells; green hillsides, flocks of crows reminiscent of Van Gogh’s painting, the smell of turf burning, cow shit on the major highway. Off to a session with V now.