Reading this thread reminded me of how much Ireland has changed in a very short time.

My best times there were spent not playing music but wandering the little lanes in the countryside, the mystical silent mornings with only the tree trunks and everything above visible, all else shrouded in mist.

There is a Foot and Mouth scare at this time you may want to ensure before you leave that there are no biohazards in your luggage, that you stay off farms if currently in infected areas etc.

Driving, the left hand shoulder is often used by tractors and cyclists so at night and if there is a fog, stay off of it. Speed - last I knew it was 55 mph max, the new highways are 65 and dualies. They will arrest you if you get caught DUI, don't take any chances, from what I hear these days it is about the same as the UK.

Playing, I think Les made this point very well. Ask.

Tay, lol there is lots of great sessions but great Tay -hmmm has to be sought out.

Sessions in the USA - where?

Co Clare, great for Music.

Listowel, you'd be spoilt there, some of the purest and most original mountain fiddling I ever came across is in the region, but again you'd have to seek it out.

Directions, after a while one gets used to the roads and the most used ones show it, side roads - no a good idea unless you know exactly where they lead lol.

Tunes I still enjoy, When Sick Is It Tea You Want, The Sun Rise, Job of Journey Work, The Farewell. Songs The Sick Note, Finnegans Wake, Paddy Mc Ginty's Goat.

Odd places you'd never think of going lol, Granard still the annual meet for Harp Players from all around the Globe, Kilkenny Town a fascinating city. Co Down in NI - what can I say poke around. The Shannon lakes, still often very quiet and you'd not see many folk there. Sligo Town already mentioned above, look out for some of the old style fiddlers!

Deceptive distances, e-w the Island is less than 300 miles , n-s not a day trip. Think Mountians and driving around them, so a short trip can often end up being a long one.