Alison,

AY, the Rotterdam is still there as is Pat's Bar but I don't usually go there for sessions. Maddens is still going strong and we usually head there on a Friday and Saturday night and head to the Hercules Bar (The Bridge) after for late drinking. Unfortunately there is no regular session in Maddens - just when instruments turn up and there is a mind to play.

I will definitely give yer man a ring over in Holywood. I have heard of a good singing session there, so it could be the one and the same. Niambh Parsons sang there I think at some stage. I will give it a try. I'm a singer myself and am in a group called Bedouin in which I also play mandolin and am getting on to the fiddle. I learnt piano and guitar as a child so music has more or less been my life. I think, however, you outnumber me with your list. How did you ever get time for doing anything else?

I will be studying for a PHD at Queens as of September so I'm going to be in Belfast a little while longer. Glencolumbkille (is that the right spelling - I'm totally useless at spelling!) is definitely my future home. I spent such an amazing week there. Its a shame that you didn't spend your honeymoon there but I'm sure you enjoyed yourselves at Dunfanaghy.

I think its cool that you are in a folk duo with the Wizard of Oz (as I call him). Did you meet on the 'Net? What's the Guinness like down under? If its any good have a pint for me and I'll do the same over here.

Slainte, and may your road rise with you.

Laoise.