Just back from Co Donegal

Subject: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Tyke
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:56 AM

Just back from Co Donegal and I had a great time. I only managed to attend one session though as I was with my Mum. She's great but she will be 90 in January 2009 and we were visiting my relatives who are also in there eighties. So late nights out were on this ocation a problem.

The session was in Ardra just a few miles down the icy roads from Glenties. The Pub was the Beehive however due to the annual Matchmaking Festival had changed its name temporally to the Matchmaker. I'm thinking of buying a Tractor and going back next year for the Matchmaking Festival. But an earlier visit is not out of the question and I was also told that Packy Manus Byrne was a local.

So any information on just were to go in and around Glenties and Co Donegal would be fantastic. That's both sessions and Gigs and in the case of Gigs would I need to bring over my PA? and what kind of a fee should I ask for in Euro's or Guiness?

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 12:17 PM

Well hello Tyke what a fantastic night we all had in the Beehive. I just want to thank you again for coming along and playing the Music with us all last Friday. Cheers again and come back and see us all soon.
Dick

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Tyke
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 12:55 PM

Thanks Dick I'll pass that on to George when I see him. He is quite busy over here in England at the Moment and I know Glenties took some squeezing into his busy schedule.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 01:02 PM

Nice pub, that. I played in the sesh there last summer when we drove up to visit Packie Manus, who is indeed a local. He'd probably be glad to chat to you next time you're in the area, though he doesn't go out much these days (he's 91) so you'd have to call up to him. I always love getting back to Ardara - wish it could happen more often.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Tyke
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 02:41 PM

I'll have to get Packie Manus Fixed up with my Mother at next years Machmaking Festival she will be Ninety then. I'm sure if they hit it off the Honeymoon would provide Pakie with some good material for a story. Cheers George

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Tyke
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 10:25 AM

I went onto Google looking for suppliers of Packie material. I did so with a fond memory of Packie and Bonnie appearing at an Ilkley Folk Day in the late 70's. All though I found some in North America I was sad to find that no distribution in the UK.

That said the good news is that this could mean that a collection of Packie tall stories from the US would add to their Rarity. That has to be a plus for anyone wishing to add to his or her repertoire.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 11:00 AM

An indelible image in my mind of Packie playing 2 whistles simultaneously with the aid of a stethoscope!!

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: TheSnail
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 11:04 AM

The story he told when I saw him was that it was the pipe work from a shower head, of the type that fits to the bath taps, stolen from a B&B in "Sodding Chipbury".

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 11:20 AM

TheSnail

You're right, that's what it was to be sure begorrah!

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 11:56 AM

Yep. But it wasn't a B&B he nicked it from - it was his London flat (a huge one in a Victorian mansion block, which he shared with his landlord and landlady). We were doing the gig in "Sodding Chipbury" and - as part of his usual stage chat - Packie was holding up the shower fitting and chortling loudly about where he had got it.

Only problem was, said landlord & landlady (Martin Winsor & Jeannie Steele) were sitting in the club audience - they were in the area on holiday and had slipped into the club late, unbeknownst to us. You should have seen Packie's face! It's not often that anything - even the Fates - gets one over on him.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: TheSnail
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 12:18 PM

Thanks for the full story, Bonnie. It's a long time since I heard it (you were there).

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: BB
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 02:12 PM

I hadn't realised that Martin & Jeannie were then the owners of that famous (some would say 'infamous'!) house.

Nothing of Packie & Bonnie's recordings, Tyke, but Veteran put a CD out of Packie - and brilliant it is! Go to Veteran's website and it should be available.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Tyke
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 04:06 PM

Oh I shall do my best, Barbara, to collect some of Packie's recordings and his books.
I should have looked in Erie still I'll be going back once people have pointed me at a few good places to go to sing and play.

I can't understand why I did not buy any thing from Packie and Bonnie all those years ago in Ilkley. I usual did buy artists products the only thing I can think of is that it might have been the year the Students up at Ilkley College did the catering. I should have known when I spotted them buying the Beads for the Chilly that afternoon. They failed to realize that the Beans needed soaking overnight before cooking. If only it had been a two-day festival I could have put on a Le Ptomaine type Flame eating in the Pub Car Park the next day.

I have sourced some second hand Books second hand however that is not likely to put money in Packie's Pocket. What's worse the postage is more than the cost of the Books.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 07:34 PM

Martin & Jeannie didn't own the building, but I think they had a long-term unfurnished lease on that huge flat, or some advantageous thing, and were in a position to take on lodgers. There was another fellow living there as well, I recall, in the room next to Packie's; and it was my home for a summer too, before moving into Mapesbury Road.

(Hey... hands up who knew that Mick Jagger once lived in Mapesbury Road before he was Mick Jagger... nope, thought you didn't...)

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 06 Dec 08 - 05:19 AM

I'm sure Karl Dallas lived in the same block, probably a different flat but maybe the same one.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Dec 08 - 06:05 AM

Not the same flat, but yes he was in that building - Gordon Mansions, if memory serves. In earlier times some of the Bloomsbury Group were there too.

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: irishenglish
Date: 06 Dec 08 - 01:37 PM

Check out the Rusty Mackerel in Teelin on the road to Slieve League. Dermot Byrne from Altan is from that area and the Rusty Mackerel is a good pub. My mom's from that area originally, Kilcar specifically, where there will be some sessions on occasion in the pubs there. I'm sure you would find some sessions in Glencolmcille as well-just don't navigate Glengesh Pass in the dark though-its scary! Slainte

Subject: RE: Just back from Co Donegal
From: Tyke
Date: 06 Dec 08 - 04:02 PM

Cheers to you as well irishenglish.