Folk nights in Belfast?

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Big Tim
Date: 08 May 02 - 02:59 PM

Thanks Martin, I'll make a point of going back home next March instead of May!

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Ard Mhacha
Date: 08 May 02 - 11:39 AM

Ella, That should be North Street Lurgan,at Conradh na Gaelige, Also on Friday May 10th in North Street Car Park, Music and Dancing, at 7.30 pm, County Armagh Fleadh, and on Saturday May 11th in St Marys School Edward Street STARTING AT 10am Music and Dancing Competitions. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 08 May 02 - 06:39 AM

That's him, alright, Tim. Runs the Inishowen International Folksong and Ballad Seminar (which sounds more formal than it is!) every March. Well worth getting to.

Regards

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Big Tim
Date: 08 May 02 - 06:16 AM

Thanks Phillipa: Is that the same Jimmy McBride who wrote "My Parents Reared Me Tenderly and other Trad songs sung in Inishowen"? I've got a copy and would love to meet the man.

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 07 May 02 - 10:53 PM

Big Tim, McCrory's in Culdaff has a lot of folk gigs. Around Buncrana area seek out Jimmy McBride or Dinny McLoughlin for advice. Derry - Sandinos on Sundays from about 4-6 pm or a bit longer, pubs on Waterloo Street most weeknights, Thran Maggies - Craft Village Sundays, Aras an Gríanáin - Belmont, near Shantallow Friday from about 8 pm (early session in community centre) and same venue Mon nights about 10-12 pm.

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 May 02 - 05:05 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Annraoi
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 01:41 PM

Jimmy,
Every chance I'll see you at the City Hall. You might be surprised.
Punters could also try the monthly session at "Sult" upstairs in the Front page Bar in Donegall Street, less than 100 yards from the John Hewitt. Last night was Robbie Hannon, Mícheál Ó Dónaill and Paddy Glackin (as well as the in-house musicians who are very good). This is primarily a gathering for Irish speakers but not exclusively so.
Next date is Thursday May 16th. (?)
If any catters are there ask the littlest barmaid for the Ulster Scots speaker.
£4.00 cover charge, pints at £2.20 (good quality)and starting time 9.00 p.m.
Annraoi

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Big Tim
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 09:42 AM

Any good venues in Derry, Inishowen, Letterkenny, area? I'll be there 19-23 May, passing thru Belfast in both directions. Jimmy: sorry to miss you by so few days in Belfast, hope all goes well for you and your family on the big day. (My own daughter ran off and got married in Tobago - the other I'm still saddled with!).

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 05:27 AM

Alio...

I didn't encounter any problems at all, infact everyone is dead friendly and open. Just common sense prevails, and had a lovely time. I love Belfast, it's fab.

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Alio
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 05:16 AM

Thanks Ella - that's wonderful! Not sure what I'm going to find over there - the recent news doesn't look too good, and I'm training the teachers in the Holy Cross and Omagh areas. Can't imagine, in my nice safe world, what it must be like living over there.Let you know how it goes. Cheers, Ali

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 04:02 AM

and that should, of course, be Sunday May 12th!

Regards

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Ella cookieless bahhh!
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 04:00 AM

Martin, it's a lovely pub, I went there in January. I was helping a friend move from Cardiff to Belfast. We turned up there with our instruments, and we were welcomed into the session by the lads there. They are a nice bunch (the regulars) and gave us a quick guided tour of a couple of other session bars. Very friendly lads. Loads of room, huge bar and great atmosphere.

Good luck

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 03:59 AM

Martin, it's a lovely pub, I went there in January. I was helping a friend move from Cardiff to Belfast. We turned up there with our instruments, and we were welcomed into the session by the lads there. They are a nice bunch (the regulars) and gave us a quick guided tour of a couple of other session bars. Very friendly lads. Loads of room, huge bar and great atmosphere.

Good luck

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 03:54 AM

Ella

Never been there in my life! It's a long story... My wife Jospehine and I are among the guests for the session - along with one Mattie Joe Sheamuis and friends from Connemara . Looking forward to it.

Regards

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 19 Apr 02 - 03:38 AM

Hi Jimmy...

Unfortunately I am probably not going over till late May, June. I live near Bristol, and I'm hoping to go to Ennis for the last weekend in May. But will fly to Belfast to meet up with a friend if I do go. This all depend on whether or not I buy my new (and first ever) house. (very very nervous about this!)

Otherwise I would have loved to have gone over and said hello, I hope you have a lovely day (week)!

Martin - are you one of the regulars at the John Hewitts?

Regs

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 06:44 PM

Sunday May 10 (afternoon?) there's a singing session in the John Hewittas part of the "Lagan Fleadh" as part of an Arts Festival... I think i'm due to sing at it!

Regards

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Jimmy C
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 05:09 PM

Ella, I will be in Belfast from 3rd May - 17th May this year, attending my daughter's wedding. If you are near the City Hall at about 3.15pm on Friday 10th May, you may see a wedding pary getting their photos taken, drop over and say hello to the father of the bride. (this goes for Alio as well, or Annroi or anybody else who may pass by)

Jimmy C.

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 18 Apr 02 - 04:57 AM

Hallo.

Well, once again my pal in Belfast hasn't let me down...

Here's the information from the email she sent me, hope this helps...

Monday: Madden's Bar

Tuesday: Clanaghans, Soldierstown Road off A26 close to Ballinderry also: Rossa GAA, Falls Road or John Hewitts, Donegall Road

Wednesday:hmm..there's probably one in Belfast: regular session pubs are Madden's, The Kitchen Bar, The Herkules, The John Hewitt's

Thursday: The Duke of York, in lane next to John Hewitt's Pub

Friday: McGeown's, Glenavy (songs&tunes), Johnny Joes Cushendull, The Hatfield Bar, Ormeau Road (I think)

Saturday: loads in Belfast, also the Skerries Inn (can't remember where..), The Crosskeys Inn (off Randalstown to Portglenone Road, follow sign for Crosskeys).

Many of the sessions outside Belfast are in GAAs or Parish Halls, for example

St Josephs at Killead first friday each month or the session at

Lurgan CCE, North Road (mondays I think, but could be wrong, never been there). Start for all session is no earlier than 9.30 pm.

There that should be enough to get you some good music. Don't forget to let us know how it goes, I'm thinking about going to Belfast end of May... NOt sure yet though.

Have fun, lucky thing.

Regards

Ella

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: alison
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 09:34 PM

if you fancy a drive (about 15 mins)... there was a great one (music & singing)in Carrickfergus in the Coast Road Hotel on a Wednesday (but I think it may have moved to a different hotel).... annraoi or Mike Ireland will have more details...


there was also another on a sunday night in Holywood (mainly singing)

again drop annraoi a PM... he will know more

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 09:05 AM

Thanks FM, My oldest has been to Belfast many, many times. She is graduating this June. She would appreciate hearing from anyone who has "been there, done that". When I talk to her tonight I'll ask if it is ok to give you her email address and let you know by PM.

CB

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 08:55 AM

CB - I went to Queens for my undergrad and Masters degrees. If you want any info on anything, feel free to ask!

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 08:52 AM

Ella! thank you for posting the info.

It will be almost a year before it happens but my oldest daughter will be attending QU and I am planning on an extended visit as sort of "help get settled and live in sitter" (for 10 year old granddaughter) during her year at Queens. I'm retired now and I can live anywhere I want! (well ALMOST anywhere)

I saved this thread as text. If there are any other 'catters who have sessions information in other parts of Norn Iron I'd love to hear.

CB

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 08:37 AM

ps... the John Hewitt session finished early at 10pm when I went, when most of the lads there either go home, or round to either Maddens or Hercules to continue the session, which means you can go to two in one night!

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Alio
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 07:25 AM

Thanks - that's great. A car's no problem, as my colleague is happy to take me anywhere over there. Ali

Subject: RE: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 06:44 AM

Belfast Botanic Inn Sun

Belfast Hercules Fri, Sat

Belfast Kitchen Bar Sun

Belfast Madden's bar Thurs , Fri, Sat

Belfast McGuinness's Bar May St. Thurs

Belfast Queen's Students Union An Bun a tee Sat

Belfast Rotterdam Bar Tue

Belfast The Eglantine (University Area) Wed

Belfast The Hatfield Bar - Ormeau Road Sat

There's also the John Hewitt bar, around the corner from Madden's which has a session on a Saturday evening.

I've been to that one, and to the one in the Hercules (an excellent session, great group of musicians).

That's all I know about, but try asking Alison, who may know some more.

There's plenty of music to be found, a friend of mine lives locally, I'll email her to ask her some more.

Madden's session is meant to be good too. If you have a car, there are plenty of sessions out in the country to go to too...?

Cheers

Ella

Subject: Folk nights in Belfast?
From: Alio
Date: 17 Apr 02 - 06:10 AM

i'm off to Belfast on Sunday night for a couple of days to work in the Holy Cross area. Just wondered if anyone could point me in the direction of a folk club in central Belfast that I could visit on the Monday evening? Ali