Just to say - belated thanks to all who responded to my plea for info earlier in the autumn. I had a fantastic trip to Connemara, Clare, Kerry and Cork. Some highlights:

Tulla Festival - the 5-hour song session in the pub with Robbie McMahon and Nora - wonderful! plus discovering Martin Hayes' fiddle playing.

Nell Galvin festival - the excitement of finding I was top of the beginners' tin whistle class (though only through virtue of unexpectedly knowing the fingering, through recorder playing as a child!)

Connemara - driving over to Omey Island at low tide and exploring the ruined chapel. Swimming on a hot day on a deserted beach near Ballyconneely, with only some curious cows on the opposite beach for company.

Mizen Head peninsula in Cork, particularly my magical stay in Schull.

Meeting Jim Carroll (for all of 3 seconds!) at Frank Harte Festival.

Disappointments: barely none, but outside the festivals, found even music sessions (let alone song sessions) hard to track down in small places. Turned up at a couple advertised locally, to find zilch happening. Probably summer is better for that.

Many thanks to all! hope to get to some places I missed next time round.

Sue