Music in Dublin, May 15-23?

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 12 - 03:33 PM

Next time, Bonnie, I'll come on my own and have more time to visit. I really enjoyed my unstructured four days in Dublin, and could easily have spent another week here.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 21 May 12 - 01:48 PM

Sorry I'll miss you as you whizz through Cobh... have a great time (you can wave in my general direction while passing)!

B xxx

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 21 May 12 - 08:09 AM

Loop Head lighthouse would make a nice detour when coming into Clare.

And for a next trip, consider a stay in one of the lighthouses of the Irish Landmark trust

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 May 12 - 08:02 AM

And you should have ticked The Kish Light on a sandbank in Dublin Bay...

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 May 12 - 07:56 AM

BTW

Never fear about next weekend - we'll have some excellent music and song and try to squeeze in a nice lighthouse as well. Do you know if your bus tour is coming along the coast from the Cliffs of Moher or cutting inland through the Burren? If the former, keep an eye out for a nice one at Black Head - and a distant view of the light on the Inis Oirr on the Aran Islands (mmm... not sure if you can see it from eastward....)

Regards

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 May 12 - 07:52 AM

Two pints? Most Irish singers wouldn't dream of risking their throat with such inadequate lubrication!

Too late now but there's a nice walk out to the Poolbeg along the sea-wall.

See you Sunday...

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 12 - 07:43 AM

I limited myself to two pints last night, Martin - that seemed about right for a five-hour sing. My digestive system still hasn't recovered from Egypt, but I'm surviving.

Lighthouse viewing has been quite productive so far. I saw the Baily in the distance, and Dun Laoghaire West and East lighthouses, and a pretty good view of the little red Poolbeg Lighthouse marking the entry to the Port of Dublin. Maybe if we can't find a singaround, we can go looking for lighthouses. You have to do something to give me an excuse to miss going to Knock with my group.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 May 12 - 07:30 AM

No singaround scheduled for Kinvara on Sunday - but we'll manage something alright!

Enjoy the week - keep an eye out for lighthouses!

Regards

p.s. are your memory cells developing an appropriate tolerance for Guinness yet? ;>)>

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 12 - 07:23 AM

So, I went to the 6 PM singaround at MacTurchaill's Pub near Trinity College in Dublin on Sunday, and there was a confirmation party there before us - playing disco music. Can't quite figure what disco has to do with kids getting confirmed, but there you have it. The kids looked way too young for disco, so I guess it was meant for their parents. I hope the kids have better taste. The music was so loud we could hardly think. So, we moved to a near-empty pub a block away, and they gave us their entire upper floor. By the end of the evening, we must have had forty singers in that room - that's a lot of beer sold. MacTurchaill's lost out on a good thing. The singing got started at the new pub at 6:30, and we sang until 11:30 - and every moment was delightful. There were lots of funny songs I hadn't heard before, and others that were downright beautiful. Many of the singers had been at Bray the night before, so I no longer felt like a newcomer. George Henderson was there; and I finally got to meet Fergus, who's a delightful person.

Martin Ryan is taking me to a singaround near Galway on Sunday, so I'll have one more chance to experience an Irish singaround. I can't imagine that anything on my tour will give me more pleasure than these wonderful song gatherings.

I'm disappointed I missed the Góilín, but I've been having a wonderful time. I walked to out-of-the-way places for about 4 hours yesterday, just enjoying the architecture and soaking in Dublin. Beats the hell out of an organized bus tour.

Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me so graciously, especially George and Martin and Fergus. Sorry I missed you, Liberty Boy and Zozimus. Sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, George - it was a real pleasure to finally meet you.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 May 12 - 09:21 PM

Well, this time I didn't screw up, and I made it to the session at Bray. The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) ride at sunset to Bray, must be one of the most beautiful train rides in the world - and hey, I saw four lighthouses along the way, and a sweeping view of Dublin Bay. I think there were about 25 to 30 singers at the session, although some came in late because of the football game that was on the television in the next room. The singaround was absolutely wonderful, a wide variety of interesting songs, almost uniformly well-sung. I met the gracious and immensely entertaining George Henderson - what a wonderful person! And Martin Ryan came in for the second half and drove me back to my hotel in Dublin. The people at the session made me feel very welcome, and I had a wonderful time.

Now, before the singaround, I went to Mass at the original house of the Sisters of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin (some of you may know that I'm an associate member of the Sisters). The sisters invited me to dinner, and I ended up sitting with the leaders of the Sisters of Mercy from both the U.S. and Great Britain - the head high mucky-mucks. They were wonderful, gracious women, and very interesting to talk with (although I didn't realize at the time that they were quite so high on the totem pole).

So, I have to say that today was a wonderful day. Thanks to George and Martin and all the wonderful singers at Bray - and also, to the Good Sisters.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 May 12 - 09:25 AM

Incidentally, Joe - I haven't been to the Bray session before but I suspect a 9 p.m. start may be honoured more in the breach than in the observance. Wildly optimistic by Irish standards, I suspect! I'll certainly be later than that but will definitely be there.

Regards

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 May 12 - 09:17 AM


There's a song here somewhere.


Welllll.... Joe's next chance to get lost is in Bray, a coastal suburb of Dublin. As it happens, a lady from that town(Katie Taylor) won the world boxing championship at lightweight early this morning (in China). So if he ends up in the wrong venue again, he may not live to regret it!

Since Katie's opponent was a Russian, maybe a rewrite of the great boxing ballad Morrissey and the Rooshian Sailor would be in order....

Regards

p.s. Joe - see you later!

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 May 12 - 06:59 AM

Aw, darn! Who'd a thunk there would be two folk-ish gatherings in the same building at the same time? Well, with my recent experience in Egypt, the Palestinian performance was very meaningful to me and very much worth the 10-Euro admission. Still, I would have preferred to be with you all.

The audience in the Palestinian performance was relatively young, but there were a number of grey-haired folkie-looking people there, too. So....I figured I had just misunderstood and that the Góilín was a concert and not a singaround. Sorry I missed you.

Didn't the noise from the concert disturb your singing in the Góilín?

I figure on getting on the DART at the Grand Canal Dock station about 7 PM, and heading for Bray. I'll wander around Bray and find supper somewhere. Martin says the singaround is at the Strand Hotel in Bray, and starts around 9 PM, so I'll be there at 9. Martin offered me a ride back to the hotel, so I won't have to walk in the rain through mobs of drunken young people like I did last night. See you (whomever) tonight.

OK, how about somebody giving me specific instructions for MacTurchaills?


-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Deskjet
Date: 19 May 12 - 05:44 AM

There's a song here somewhere.

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 19 May 12 - 02:20 AM

Bizarre! - or should that be bazaar!

You were two or three flights of stairs away from the Góilín! We never thought to give more specific directions. The venue (The Teachers Club - HQ of a schoolteachers trade union) is used for lots of purposes. We probably thought you would do what any Irishman would instinctively do - ask the barman!

I remember arriving early one day for the Frank Harte Festival and finding the place full of Chinese people of all ages - never did find out what for!

Regards

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Fergie
Date: 18 May 12 - 08:49 PM

Joe you were not at the Góilín. The venue has a two function rooms. There is a bill-board just inside the door and it lists whats on and where. The Góilín was in room 4 beside the bar. There were about four mudcatters all looking out for you and wondering what went awry. Won't be in Bray but hopefully we'll meet up with you in McTurchills. If you have any difficulties give me a buzz.

Fergie

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: zozimus
Date: 18 May 12 - 08:40 PM

Hi Joe,
That wasn't the Goilin you were at.

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 May 12 - 07:59 PM

Well, I went to the Góilín this evening, and kept wondering who in the audience were Mudcatters. Most of the evening was a performance promoting solidarity with Palestine, and it was very good. I was really taken by the two young Palestinian women who performed - one was a brilliant and passionate poet who performed most of her pieces in English, often with accompaniment by a male guitarist. The other woman was a singer who sang mostly in Arabic, and she was an amazing performer. She was accompanied by another man who played guitar and a drum, and occasionally stomped his foot to play the bells that were on his ankle - he also was a good performer. The first performer I didn't care for - he sang songs he had written to support Palestine. I couldn't understand him, so that made him sound like a Billy Bragg wannabe.
The last performer was an Irish guy about my age. He might have been pretty good, but the crowd that came just for the Palestinian show was making a lot of noise. I noted that the Palestinian performers were sitting in the front row and listening attentively, but I felt bad for the performer who had to compete with so much noise.
I asked several people if they knew Fergie, and none did - guess I'll have to meet you at Bray Saturday night.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 May 12 - 09:03 AM

Ooops - see PM re meeting next week...

Regards

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 18 May 12 - 03:13 AM

HI Joe

I'll talk to you by phone tonight - and may be able to get to Bray tomorrow. Either way, we'll try to get you off the bus next Friday if travel sickness hasn't killed you!

Regards

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Fergie
Date: 17 May 12 - 09:04 PM

Welcome to Dublin Joe. See you at the Góilín. Fergus

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 May 12 - 08:12 PM

Right now I'm at a Holiday Inn by the airport, and it's very nice and half the price of the Camden Court but I'm moving to the Camden Court Friday because that's where my tour group will be. I'm not particularly fussy about hotels as long as they're clean, but 125 Euros a night did sound a bit expensive - and their Website says "rooms from only 79 Euros."
Oh, well. I'd rather not have to worry about moving hotels to meet my tour group.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: GUEST,Liberty Boy (sans cookie)
Date: 17 May 12 - 08:53 AM

Sorry I wont be in An Góilín on Friday to meet you Joe as I'll be in London to support Leinster in The Heinekin Cup Final on Saturday evening, but I know Fergus, Máire & Co. will look after you extremely well. Enjoy Bray also!

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Fergie
Date: 17 May 12 - 05:03 AM

Don't worry Joe it'll be fine, Camden St is not exactly the Blackhole of Calcutta. I'll be in Góilín on Friday from about 9 o'c. I'll pm you my cell phone number in case you need directions etc.

Fergus Russell

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: GUEST,sturgeon
Date: 16 May 12 - 12:57 PM

Oh, dear, the Camden Court's hardly the best hotel in Dublin, Joe, and Camden Street's a bit of a dump.

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 May 12 - 06:42 PM

Hi, Y'all-

I'll be arriving in Dublin late Thursday. Beginning Friday, I'll be staying at the Camden Court Hotel, which looks to be reasonable walking distance from Goilin. I'll spend Friday getting the desert sand out of my clothes, and then walk over to Goilin. I'll get instructions about the others from you then. See you soon.

Your Man in Alexandria

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 May 12 - 03:58 AM

Fergie

PM me your mobile number, please. Joe's camel has only intermittent 'net access but I expect to hear from him over the next day or two to confirm details.

Regards

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Fergie
Date: 14 May 12 - 08:18 PM

Hi Joe
Are you still operating to this schedule?

Fergie

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 12:51 PM

I should be able to make these:

Goilin Friday 18th May
Bray Singers' Circle Saturday 19th May
Mac Turchill's Sunday 20th May

Fergie mentioned one more - Clé Club Wed. May 23rd May. I won't make any promises about that one, because my tour group arrives on 21 May and my doings depend on their schedule. I'm touring with a group of people I know from here in Northern California, but I'm arriving a few days early because I'll be visiting my sister in Egypt first.

I'm looking forward to meeting a few Mudcatters at these sessions. That will be really nice. Thanks for all the information, Fergie.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 05:00 AM

Thought I'd refresh this thread because I managed to miss it the first time around and think it's worth a re-tread. Wish I could get up to Dub to meet you Joe, but unfortunately won't be able to make it. Do get to An Góilín if you can - sorry to miss you! (Lovely post from Bev & Jerry above.)

http://www.goilin.com/

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 08:35 PM

Joe:

We hope you have a good reason for going on an organized tour. Ireland is one of the best places in the world to see on your own and music abounds. It's easy to find if you've done your homework.

Sure, you'll be lost most of the time but that's the fun of it. Want to meet a native? Just pull out a map and someone will stop to give you directions in mere minutes. You'll probably still be lost but you'll see something you hadn't planned to.

Besides, the Irish are the friendliest people on earth.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 06:09 AM

Well, I'm going with an organized tour beginning May 21, so I thought I'd spend a few days in Dublin beforehand. I probably won't have much time after the tour begins, but it looks like I may be able to get to three of the four events Fergie mentioned.

This should be fun!

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Fergie
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 05:57 AM

Hi Joe

As Zozimus said; Goilin Friday 18th May,
Bray Singers' Circle Saturday 19th May,
Mac Turchill's Sunday 20th May,
and I will add Clé Club Wed. May 23rd May.

Let us know your arrangements and the green Mudcats will make sure that you get spoiled. Looking forward to meeting up with you.

Fergus

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 05:19 AM

Dublin only? ;>)>

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: zozimus
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 05:04 AM

Oops. Sorry Joe, I misread the month! The Goilin will be on Friday 18th May and Bray on the Sat 19th, with MacTurchaills 20th May.

Subject: RE: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: zozimus
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 04:38 AM

Hi Joe,
The Goilin Singers Club Friday 16th with special guest, Aodan O Ceallaigh, a brilliant Sean Nos singer.

Bray is on Sat. 17th. Yes, it's St. Patricks Day so it's best to get out of the City Centre.
and then, if you are still alive on Sunday, MacTurchaills Sunday Singaround is on, with Luke Cheevers doing a special spot.
Hope to see you at one of the sessions.

Subject: Music in Dublin, May 15-23?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Mar 12 - 03:49 AM

I'm going to be in Dublin May 20-23, and I wonder if there will be singarounds or other music events during that time. I could arrive as early as May 15 is there's something really good. I would really like to go to the singaround in Bray if it's happening near that time.
Anybody have any information?

I'm visiting my sister in Egypt the first part of May, and then joining a tour group in Dublin. I don't suppose there are singarounds in Alexandria, are there????


-Joe-