Goleen Singers Club - the real article!

Subject: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 09:42 AM

Today's Irish Times has an interesting article on this singers circle - which is by some way the strongest and most influential in Ireland. For good measure, you get a review of Terry Moylan's book, mentioned in another thread.

Regards

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Airto
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 11:26 AM

Thanks for alerting us to the article, Martin. I must get hold of the book.

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: GUEST,Judy Predmore
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 05:53 PM

Martin, Thanks for posting the article. I've been hearing about the Goleen singers club since I went to workshops with Tim Dennehy & Niamh Parsons at the Boston(USA) Gaelic Roots Festival last year. It sounded legendary, & this article confirms that. I got a good feel for it from the article, but of course, I'd much rather experience it first hand when I go to Dublin, hopefully in the next year or so...

I have a question, maybe someone could help me with. What do they mean by ""Auld Trianglers" are hushed or steered gently towards the door..." What is an "Auld Triangler"?

I go to a singers club in Boston that is of the "hushed" variety, and one of our former members has started a singers club at a pub in a less convenient location, calling his new club "The Auld Triangle". I'm wondering if that means he wants to change the nature of the singing, in addition to the location...

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Snuffy
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 06:10 PM

The Auld Triangle is a song (by Dominic Behan?). It's in the Digital Tradition - just enter triangle in the Lyrics search box.

It's about being in jail in Dublin, so you should be able to work out what Auld Trianglers are from the song. Or pehaps this club doesn't like people singing it!

Wassail! V

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Greyeyes
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 06:11 PM

I'm only guessing but possibly an "Auld Triangler" is simply someone trying to sing the song "The Auld Triangle". The type of songs mentioned in the article are all much older or specifically about the struggle for freedom and independence of the Irish people. "The old Triangle" is a relatively recent song by, I think, Brendan Behan, and is about, I think, being woken up in prison. Presumably it is considered inappropriate, in the setting described, but as I say, I'm only guessing. I'm sure others will know the truth of it.

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 06:38 PM

Greyeyes is about right - it's just that the song is often belted out drunkenly without much regard to the ears of the audience! To be fair, the Goleen crowd are very welcoming to anyone who treats traditional song with respect - which doesn't really mean the almost sacred reverence perhaps implied in the article. They are quiet when someone is singing - but its an engaged, listening quiet, rather than "dead" silence. One of my earliest memories of singing there is of having to rapidly adjust the timing of a comic song to leave room for the laughter of people who were actually listening to the damn thing!

Regards

Judy: Tim, of course, was one of the founders of the club - and Niamh is a regular attender - when in Ireland.
Liam's Brother is pencilled in for next March!

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 06:39 PM

Sorry about the typos - time I was in bed.

Regards

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Judy Predmore
Date: 07 Dec 00 - 11:47 PM

Thanks all, for shedding some light on what "Auld Trianglers" might be. I recognize the song - a couple of our singers club regulars sing it. I must admit, I enjoy joining in on the chorus so much, I never caught all the lyrics until reading them just now. I can imagine loud drunkards getting carried away with it. And it's not exactly the proud & noble song of sacrificing for one's land & people, like the older rebel songs.

The fellow who's starting up the "Auld Triangle Singers Club" always sang with great respect for both old & new songs, & was never drunk during the singing. I'd say he was our finest singer, had a huge reportoire, did much to further traditional singing & encourage new singers. But he's recently had some trouble with the drink, a couple of minor brushes with the law, is very political, & quite the rebel. It makes sense to me now, that he'd name his new club possibly to attract people who share his rebellious spirit.

So thanks for taking the mystery out of the triangle...

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: NSC
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 03:38 AM

Martin,

At the 21st earlier this year Luke said that Tim Dennehy almg with Doanl de Barra were THE founders.

I haven't been up this season and it now looks as though it will be January or February before I get there.

A wonderful experience for anybody.

We could do wiht support this Friday, Martin. We have had to move to a new venue, The Dapp Inn, because the Ormond closed.

George

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 05:47 AM

George

Best of luck with the new venue - I'll be in Dublin, I'm afraid, but I promise to make it down in the new year. Happy Christmas to all the Nee-Naw gang!

Regards

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: GeorgeH
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 06:10 AM

The second part of the statement "The type of songs mentioned in the article are all much older or specifically about the struggle for freedom and independence of the Irish people" is to misrepresent the Goleen club - this is no hotbed of Republicanism! A significant contingent of them were at Sidmouth a few years back, as the core of the Festival's "In the Tradition" thread . . Wonderful.

G.

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: NSC
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 02:03 PM

Incidentally, Goleen, Martin, is normally spelt

Goílín.

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Noreen
Date: 08 Dec 00 - 02:56 PM

And does Goílín have a meaning, please?

I enjoyed the Irish Times article and would love to visit the club when I get the chance. Anything associated with Danny Barry has my vote...

Noreen

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 06:35 AM

Goleen/Góilín has two meanings, at least. It's a place name in West Cork and, in Connemara Irish it means to "give forth a tune/song" or thereabouts. One spelling is anglicised , the other is , I suspect, abbreviated beyond meaning so - you takes your choice! Úsáidim féin an dhá leagan, gan morán aird!

Regards

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: GUEST,Tom Munnelly
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 09:58 AM

Just to point out that last Friday (the night after the Irish Times article) 'The Auld Triangle' WAS sung in The Góilín Singers Club!

Tom

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 11:14 AM

I'm sure you could substitute 'The Wild Rover' for 'The Auld Triangle' and lose none of the meaning in Mic Moroney's article. I don't think Republicanism enters into it. Martin Ryan's words above, "belted out drunkenly" tell all. 'The Auld Triangler' is someone who does not have a great appreciation for traditional song but just loves to 'have a go.' No harm in that, of course, as long as you do it in the toilet.

I was in The Goilin once, about 7 to 10 years ago. Frank Harte marched me down there and we had a very good time. I believe I met Niamh that night and recall that she sang 'Burns and His Highland Mary.' I sang 'Hind Horn' and Frank sang 'Lady Margaret.'

Bob Conroy and I will be guests at The Goilin on March 16th singing mainly traditional Irish-American songs.

If you're going to be in Dubin, try to make it on Friday night. The club meets at The Trinity pub on Pearce Street.

The Nenagh Singers Circle's webpage provides information on all singers clubs in Ireland. You might stop by http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4749/ and take a look.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: Noreen
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 11:17 AM

Good one, Tom! I have heard 'The Fields of Athenry' sung in a way that I think would be acceptable at the Góilín...

And thanks, Martin, for the translation.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Goleen Singers Club - the real article!
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 11:22 AM

Tom

Have you seen the Pat O'Brien thread? You might be able to shed some light.

Regards

p.s. See you in Miltown over the New Year!