Dublin fri July 4th

Subject: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 May 08 - 05:41 AM

Any music?
I've just booked our ferry and before I book B&B I'd like to know where there's a friendly session.

Any advice on the best fish and chips, cups of tea etc. also welcome. 15 years ago we spent ages wandering Dun Laoghaire looking for tea that wasn't in a polystyrene cup (we've never been back and we are docking in Dublin this time).

What are the roads like now? 15 years ago they seem slower than English. We want to get to Miltown Malbay in time to check into the B&B before the opening Ceilidh. Any advice on route, things to see on the way?

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Fidjit
Date: 18 May 08 - 06:07 AM

Down to Miltown the roads are still slow and winding.

B&B in Monkstown would be good for the session in the bar at thier music HQ just up the road.

Chas

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Fidjit
Date: 18 May 08 - 06:08 AM

Sorry that's Monkstown, Dublin

My birthday on the 4th. Enjoy

Chas

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 May 08 - 09:03 AM

Thanks, that started me clicking and googling. There seems to be a 'live music' night in the city centre at the Purty Kitchen on Fridays too. Is that traditional music?
Which would be the best to listen to, would either welcome people joining in (we are not experts)?

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Fidjit
Date: 18 May 08 - 12:56 PM

Be carefull. Some of the so called sessions are not. Always plent of live music though.

Chas

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: GUEST,cStu
Date: 18 May 08 - 01:02 PM

Going from Miltown Malbay to Dublin the route of choice is Miltown> Ennis> Killaloe> Birdhill on the N7>Dublin

I'm sure it works going the other way, too.

My birthday on the 4th as well. Those harvest moons must have been something.
LOL

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Geoff Wallis
Date: 18 May 08 - 03:39 PM

The Purty Kitchen is in Dún Laoghaire. You won't find a session in central Dublin on a Friday night which welcomes all-comers, but two of the best are on the northside at The Cobblestone on North King Street and, relatively nearby, Hughes's on Chancery Place. Both are easily accessible via the LUAS line.

The best place for fish and chips is still Leo Burdock's on Werburgh Street, a stone's throw from Christ Church Cathedral.

Directions and maps can be found in the Rough Guide's brand new edition oof 'Dublin Directions' - shameless plug!

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: GUEST,Declan
Date: 18 May 08 - 04:22 PM

You'll find the roads a lot better than 15 years ago until you get to West Clare, (west of Ennis.) After that they're much the same. Going to Ennis via Kilaloe is the scenic route - if you've got the time it is a lovely part of the country. If you're in a hurry head for Limerick and take the main Ennis Road - many of the heavy traffic blackspots on this route have now been bypassed, but I'm not sure about the current state of roadworks in the area. Matt the Threshers pub in Birdhill is a good place to stop for a meal - at least it was until a couple of years ago - I haven't been there lately.

Geoff Wallis' recommendations for sessions in Dublin are good ones. If you like unaccompanied singing the Góilín singers club meets in the Teacher's Club in Parnell Square in the City Centre on Friday nights. The 4th is probably their last meeting before the summer break and is usually (I think) a good night, but I'm not a regular attender. As well to check before you go - I think there's a website.
You'll find a lot of the people you meet there will also be heading to Miltown on Saturday.

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 May 08 - 04:52 PM

Yep - that's the last session of the Goilin before the summer "break".

Regards

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Fliss
Date: 18 May 08 - 06:34 PM

Comhaltas HQ in Monkstown... may have a session on a friday night. They have tutorials in lots of instruments there. We made mistake of going when the Dublin Fleadh was on and everyone was practicing on the friday night.

Dublin is ace, street life in Temple Bar very lively. Lots of good restaurants.

There was a nice cafe in Black Rock we went to a couple of times.

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 May 08 - 06:51 PM

Thanks everyone, that gives us something to think about.

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: GUEST,Gulliver in Germany
Date: 19 May 08 - 08:55 AM

What kind of a session are you looking for, tunes or songs or both? Do you want to just listen or join in as well? Our session on Fridays in the Garda Club, Harrington Street, welcomes singers, performers and listeners. Mixture of songs and tunes, not strictly traditional and anyone who turns up gets to sing a song or two or can join in playing the tunes.

Despite what Geoff said, there are several sessions in Dublin on Friday nights where people can join in playing tunes.

For more info PM me.

Don

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Geoff Wallis
Date: 19 May 08 - 01:29 PM

Don,

I did specifically write 'central Dublin'. If you know of any sessions of a Friday night in the city centre which accept all-comers, I, for one, would certainly be glad to hear of them.

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Mo the caller
Date: 20 May 08 - 09:46 AM

Gulliver, we like a mixed session. Does 'not strictly traditional' include some traditional tunes? I don't think we'd want ALL guitars, Beatles and Country & Western, though any of those in moderation is fine.
Our favourite session here includes 16th & 17th century French and English dance tunes,trad English and Irish tunes, everyone playing along or singing the chorus of Whisky in the Jar and Red Rose Cafe, and anything in between. And since it's by the canal at Audlem, Cheshire you never know who will drop in if they are passing on a Monday night.

We would probably be listening, mostly. The only Irish tune I can play at reasonable speed is Egan's polka (though the Irish have adopted some good English tunes like Margaret's Waltz. Oh, there's Star of the County Down, is that Irish?

Subject: RE: Dublin fri July 4th
From: Mo the caller
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 05:51 AM

Gosh, it's this Friday. I must think about packing, etc.