I've been to Paddy Burke's almost every Wednesday for the past 2 years, which I recently realized has been a bit obsessive... So I'm taking a bit of a break for the summer. But I'll try to make it on August 15th for Big Mick, & in September for Jed. I enjoyed meeting & hearing Chanteyranger and Mark Cohen and probably a few other cats that escape me at the moment.

It's definitely a small session. I think the most we've ever had has been 15 people on only one night other than our occasional guest nights. (Next guest Len Graham on a Monday, (vs. the usual Weds.) the only night we could get him, Oct. 15). It is a bit small some nights, but I think I prefer our usual 5 to 8 people, than the singers clubs in England that usually have 20 to 40 people. I like being able to chat about the songs, as well as singing them. (Though we take turns reminding each other "Is this a singers club or a talkers club?")

It's a great place for unaccompanied singing of all kinds, our co-founder Shay Walker plays guitar on most of his songs, Barry & Peg have been known to play bodhran occasionally, & every now & then a tin whistle, fiddle, harmonica, poem, or story will show up for a little variety.

I look forward to seeing all mudcatters passing through...