Visit to Ireland & Scotland

Subject: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Stewart
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 04:52 PM

In another week my wife and I leave for Ireland and Scotland. We arrive in Derry (N. Ireland) on 12 June and plan to travel around Co. Donegal (Inishowen Peninsula, Tory Isl, Glencolumbcille, etc) until 23 June when we fly to Glasgow. Our tentative itinerary there is Oban - Isle Mull - Ft. William - Skye - Inverness - arriving in Edinburgh on 4 July and returning to States on 10 July. I will bring my fiddle and am interested in local sessions (singing and fiddle), traditional music and local history and folklore. I would be interested in any ideas, suggestions and opportunities to get together with local musicians.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 05:37 PM

Stewart:

Try these pubs in Inishowen for music sessions:

In Buncrana, Rodden's on Sunday night and O'Flaherty's on Wednesday night. In Culdaff, McGrary's Pub on Tuesday and Friday nights.

If you decide to go the other way from Derry around the north coast of County Anrrim, there's a great session at McCarroll's Pub in Ballycastle, County Anrim every Thursday night. Beginner's (kids) session at 8:30, advanced at 9:30. Bring your sleeping bag- this one runs late :<).It's mainly instrumental with some singing. The scenery between Derry and Ballycastle is breathtaking.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: alison
Date: 01 Jun 02 - 08:35 PM

and don't stop at Ballycastle keep heading south.. the rest of the coast road all the way to Larne is beautiful.....

if you do a search for "Ireland" you'll get heaps of threads on sessions and places to see.....

but if you'll be in Inishowen DON'T MISS Griannan of Aileach just off the main road at the base of the Inishowen peninsula....... fantastic ring fort with amazing views.......


slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Mickey191
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 01:39 AM

Allison, My maiden name is Greenan, and THe place you are speaking of is the Gaelic for Greenan. Don't know anything about this place and am wondering if my Monaghan born Dad knew about it.I've been to Donegal (absolutely beautiful) but missed it. Thanks for the info. Stewart, Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: alison
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 07:37 AM

here is a few pic Griannan of Aileach doesn't really do it justice though.....

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 08:57 AM

The name of the pub/B & B in Culdaff is spelled "McGrory's" I believe. They are wonderful people.

On your way to Tory, if you can schedule it, go to the Monday night session at Teach Hiudi's in Bunbeg. It is the session run by Mairghead Ni Mhaoinaigh's (of Altan) father, Francie. Very high caliber session.

Also, stop in at Leo's Tavern, where you will be entertained by Enya & Maire Brennan's family. Whether you stop by when there is music or not, it is a lovely little pub.

Here are a few websites to peruse before you go:

http://www.dun-na-ngall.com/frame1.html

I don't know if the Trad Trathnona nights are still being sponsored by Tionscnamh Lugh, but it is worth a call to them. There are also concerts at the beautiful Ionad Cois Locha in Dunlewey. The webpage at County Donegal on the Net is very out of date, but it does give the numbers you can ring. The concerts at Ionad Coic Locha often sell out, so the sooner you reach them, the better.

Its a great time of year to be going. You will be just ahead of the summer holiday season, and the weather should be fine. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Hillheader
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 09:01 AM

Stewart

Do not go to Mull without going over to Iona. It's worth the trip on it's own.

If in the Glasgow area you might also like to visit Carfin (near Motherwell) where they have a monument to the Irish ho died in the potato famine years. Many Irish settled in that area and the connection is still strong.

Most importantly, simply enjoy the visit.

Davebhoy

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 09:13 AM

Ian Smith Tionscnamh Lugh 22 Carraig a tSeascain Doire Beag Leitir Ceanainn PO Tel. [phone]

Inishowen Traditional Singers Circle, c/o Mr. Jimmy McBride, Shore Road, Buncrana. Tel. [phone]

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 09:17 AM

And here is a link to Caoimhin MacAoidh's Co. Donegal sessions:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6464/session.html

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 09:34 AM

And some photographs to get you started:

http://www.crannog.ie/indexpage1.htm

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: weepiper
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 09:48 AM

In Oban try the Oban Inn on a Sunday from 2pm.

In Edinburgh the sessions are almost too numerous to mention... try the Ensign Ewart (closest pub to the castle) on a Saturday night from 9pm, where you will often find me, or the Antiquary on St Steven's Street on a Thursday night, or the Central Bar in Leith on a Sunday afternoon from 3ish, or Sandy Bell's on Forrest Road any night of the week.

Have a good trip!

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 06:49 PM

We were in Ireland in May and phoned Jimmy McBride. He told us that the Inishowen Traditional Singers Circle is no more because virtually all of it's memebers have succumbed to old age. He was the one that put us on to the sessions in Culdaff and Buncrana.

Oh yeah. McGrory's.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Stewart
Date: 02 Jun 02 - 06:58 PM

Thanks everyone for the good advice and links. Can't wait to leave, though there's a lot to do between now and then. This is my second trip to Ireland (my wife's first) and our first trip to Scotland.

Alison: I saw the Griannan of Aileach last year, it is truely a fantastic site & sight, and plan to see it again.

Davebhoy: I certainly won't miss Iona since I followed St. Columba's trail in Ireland last summer.

weepiper: I'll look for you in Edinburgh.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Scabby Douglas
Date: 05 Jun 02 - 12:15 PM

Missed this earlier:

Sessions in Glasgow - there's too many to mention (either that or I'm too lazy) - but :

Sunday evening from 5pm in the Uisge Beatha on Woodlands Road, also Thursday in the same venue. Wednesday evening Singing session in St Andrew's in the Square , off Saltmarket. Saturday afternoon ( I think) in Babbity Bowster in the Merchant City.

If you get the length of Ullapool, check out the Ceilidh Place and the Seaforth Hotel.

Cheers

Steven

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 05 Jun 02 - 01:18 PM

Derry venues:
Monday nights 9.30 - 12.00 Comhaltas session at Áras an Ghríanán, Belmont (small community centre in housing estate off Racecourse Rd, between Shantallow and the Buncrana Rd) No alcohol, lots of dancing and a fair bit of singing too
Tues-Thurs nights you're likely to get traditional music at the Dungloe Bar or Kateys (once The Castle Bar) on Waterloo St
Thursday nights Thran Maggies, Craft Village off Magazine St.
Sunday evenings approx 4.30/5 - 6.30/7 at Sandinos near the Ulsterbus station, last Sunday of the month, commencing about 8/8.30 pm Foyle Folk Club at the Verbal Arts Centre opposite the Courthouse on Bishop St.

In NW Donegal there are midweek sessions at The Shamrock/Ostan na Seamróige in Falcarrach and at Tigh/Teach Ruairí in Bealtaine, just up the hill from the centre of Gort a' Choirce (Gortahork) but I'm not sure what nights.

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 05 Jun 02 - 02:57 PM

Derry venues: I forgot to mention above that there is also a session at Áras an Ghríanáin, Belmont, on Friday nights. It starts early, 8.30, admission is £1.50 (you'll get a cup of tea) and Irish speakers and young musicians are particularly welcome. non-alcohol venue.

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Stewart
Date: 22 Jul 02 - 11:53 PM

Since I returned from Ireland and Scotland a couple of weeks ago I have posted on my web site some pictures and narrative on the trip. The weather was terrible, but it was a great trip - beautiful scenery, friendly people, and great music. You can check this out on my web page CLICK HERE, scroll down to the bottom and click on IRELAND or SCOTLAND. Thanks to everyone above for their advice.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: alison
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 12:22 AM

very pretty pics Stewart...... the weather is usually pretty wet (unless you're very lucky)... that's why it stays so green!! *grin*

the castle in co Antrim is actually called Dunluce.... brilliant place...... kitchen fell into the sea in the middle of a party..... how do you explain that to your guests??? "Dessert may be a little while!!".........

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 01:36 AM

Stewart:

Nice pix, especially the ones of McGrory's pub. We remember hearing that lady play the harp in May. Hope you had as much fun as we did and that you didn't let the rain bother you any more than we did.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST,(not Guest) Mickey191
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 02:05 AM

Stewart, The pictures are Beautiful, & the narrative made me want to hop a plane. Never been to Scotland.Glad you didn't let the weather get you down. What kind of camera?

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST,Thread Creep
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 08:01 AM

Since when was this thread about Ireland?

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST,Thread Creep
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 08:04 AM

sorry, I was remembering a different thread

Subject: RE: Visit to Ireland & Scotland
From: GUEST,forty two
Date: 23 Jul 02 - 09:25 AM

Clenaghans Bar Aghalee, County Antrim has a mighty session every Tuesday

John Hewitt's Belfast has regular sessions - Tuesday, Wed, Sat and Sunday