Are the sessions real in Ireland?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 11:31 AM

Comhaltas does good work, but standard of judging in some competitions is very variable. Remember one time when several excellent performances were passed over in favor of markedly inferior ones (in the opinion of not a few listeners), the winners afterwards saying loudly to the adjudicator, "See you in the pub, ------"

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 04:10 PM

I was in a great session in Finland a while back. There was a finnish piper, an english fiddler, an american whistle player... Oh yeah! And one guy came in and started playing something that looked like a djembe, but it was great fun, the standard was high and the music genuinely irish, despite the foreign people/instruments etc.

Anyway, my take on the whole authentic session thing, is avoid anywhere that says "Paddy O somethings genuine irish pub" or has a picture of a leprechaun on it, avoid the sessions with 20 banjos/bodhrans/whatever or the guys singing nothing but the wild rover very loudly and enjoy the rest! Oh and the ones with the silent tourists who clap at the end of every tune- they just tend to spoil the ambience somehow.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 02:56 PM

Here here,
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 06:20 AM

Time this one sank into oblivion.

Think we all know what it's all about now.

Comhaltas and Come all ye.

Chas

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 04:16 AM

Martins,
This particularly disturbed troll appears to have abandoned his former identity of 'Tarantula's Friend' (probably having realised that he only has one friend, just as disturbed as himself) and is now having 'an incident'.
If he, or anybody, is the slightest bit interested, I'll be happy to fill in the background details.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 03:56 PM

...nor to any "world", of course.

Regards

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 03:55 PM

Curious! The Martin Ryan of the last entry to this thread was not I! I would never use "who" to refer to Comhaltas!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 03:49 PM

'I really have no need to put anything in the place of Comhaltas, there is a world of Irish music who have no need of competitions and who are doing very nicely.'

And it's good to see that good grammar is still alive and well in Clare

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 03:28 PM

no jim, it would not have been here if it wasnt for comhaltas,
as you well know comhaltas was founded in 1951,because the irish tradition was in danger of dying,they have successfully revived the tradition and still are doing a lot to promote the music.
1.when did you last go to a comhaltas meeting.
2,Julia Clifford was an all ireland champion[if its good enough for her its good enough for me.
3.Edel Fox is a comhaltas judge[she clearly doesnt share your opinions.
4.Comhaltas is an organisation,that is very strong at local branch levels,some comhaltas branches are very active,others not, they are left by central office to get on in their own way,you are welcome to come to skibbereen branch,to the comhaltas og[youth] monthly sessions round the fire ,and see all the children making music dancing and having fun[it does your heart good]
5 any local branch is only as good as the people in it,and I think I am and DO have a progressive input.,
6.I am more interested in helping children to enjoy music and promoting the non competitive side as much as Ican,than reading reports by stupid asses.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 02:58 PM

Don't feed them Martin, they'll creep back under the bridge soon enough (or get back to writing pot-boilers).
Thanks for the spelling correction.
Cap'n,
I really have no need to put anything in the place of Comhaltas, there is a world of Irish music who have no need of competitions and who are doing very nicely.
Read that report yet? Would love your opinion on it.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 02:31 PM

Here we go again......

Regards

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Tarantula's friend
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 02:29 PM

The good Cap'n wrote re. Jim Carroll: 'You are so negative,.NEVER DESTROY SOMETHING TILL YOU HAVE A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO PUT IN ITS PLACE.'

You've never met Jim have you? He'd destroy his own furniture given the chance even if he lived a hundred miles from the nearest furniture shop and it had recently closed down!

If you ever have the misfortune to find yourself in a conversation with Jim Carroll then just do the decent thing and run straight out of the nearest door or jump through the nearest window. It will be much easier in the long run as you wont suffer death by painstaking boredom.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Tootler
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 12:36 PM

Jim Carroll,

The people you describe are to found everywhere.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 11:19 AM

jim carroll.edel fox is quite prepared to judge comhaltas competitions[ive seen her doing it] so she clearly doesnt share your views.
comhaltas, while not being perfect still do a lot of good,they run sessions during the summer which I would recommend,Examinations which in my experience children enjoy,fleadhs [local regional and national]my local branch skibbereen, also hold monthly sessions for children of all ages,where the children socialise [in asafe environment]play music for fun,learn dances [seige of ennis etc].
jim;it is a minority that are put off by competitions.go and attend GAA SCOR COMPETITIONS,,In rural areas, and you will see how much fun the children have.The main point of the competitions,Is not the competition itself but the practising beforehand ,the learning how to play with other people.,AND THE SOCIALISING. Comhaltas are not alone, Glor na gael,AND THE G. A.A. see the value of these events.
You are so negative,.NEVER DESTROY SOMETHING TILL YOU HAVE A BETTER ALTERNATIVE TO PUT IN ITS PLACE.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 06:23 AM

Jim

Mention of Clifden (spelling!) reminds me of an incident a few years ago when Josephine and I were there, due to head off next morning to Inishbofin, I think.

We went looking for a session. Started by going into a pub with musical instruments emblazoned on their windows. No luck - but they listed three options for us to try. First was a small hotel across the road where the archetypal "Tom and 'Tina" were setting up their gear to play country music (probably for the locals!). Quick exit and down to the next venue, a nice-looking pub on the street corner. Four very competent traditional musicians standing there, miked up and playing for a large group of tourists who stood there in much the same way they'd stand at the monkey-cage in a zoo! Nothing wrong with the music - but not worth hanging about for....

The first good sign for the third option was that, initially, we couldn't find it! When we did, we found a brilliant young woman fiddler, accompanied by her father on guitar and a woman who looked like the classic Jewish bridge player, complete with twin-set and pearls! She was laying into the piano like there was no tomorrow - with a pint of Guinness balanced precariously on the lid! The music was rough - but brilliant. The whole pub was involved and we had a great night.

Persistence pays!

Regards
p.s. The fiddler turned out to be one of the Kane sisters!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 05:30 AM

Mae West it was Jim that said that. (Sexily!)
No I wasn't refering to anything by that.

Yes. They are just around the corner. Pubs fighting for punters put up the session signs.

My advice is keep an ear to the ground, to find the "Real session".

They are there. Never said they wasn't.

Shame about all the competitions that put off the loosers. Shouldn't happen.
Music is not a competition. It's to be enjoyed, whichever sort you're into.

Chas

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 05:14 AM

They were, particularly the Guinness (you could have done handstands on the head of the pint last night!)
You will find in places very popular with tourists, particularly in the summer, the standard of music is not high.
We were in Clifton last year and didn't hear a decent tune, despite there being a 'traditional session' poster in the window of every pub. Killarney and Tralee were the same, with the publicans cashing in on what the believe are visitors who come to feed the Leprachauns and pick the shamrocks.
Here in Miltown Malbay we are lucky enough to have a strong local music scene all the year round and visitors tend to come simple for that.
Come up and see us sometime (as the lady said).
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Skivee
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 05:50 PM

RE; Comhaltas...that's just a shame. Tis ever thus in empire.
RE: My comments. I wasn't looking down on the musicians, just the deplorable calculated situation... and the sessions in Galway and points North were simply wonderful.
Most of those that we found to the South and into the Ring Of Kerry were obviously set up for tourists. I'm sure that "real sessions were just around the corner someplace. On the other hand, I had a great chat with an Irish poet at O'Flaretty's pub (sorry, a bad American spelling) in Dingle. It seems that we were both huge fans of Mike Oldfield's work.
No offense taken.
I hope that both the Guiness and the music were satisfying.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 04:59 PM

Skivee,
Short answer (Guinness and music calls).
Comhaltas, in the early days did a tremendous job of keeping the music alive (to qualify this, the branch members did this by teaching youngsters). Unfortunately the organisation at the top decided that this teaching should aim at entering the young players into competitions, for which they produced a set of rules as to how the music should be played (these rules were not based on the tradition, but rather on the preferences of the organisers).
Competitions may be OK for the winners, but the losers tended to drift away (which they probably would not have done had they been taught to play for the love of it). I know literally dozens of families where children have been through this process and have been lost to the music forever.
The scene is much healthier nowadays with youngsters playing because they want to, not to win badges; largely they have ignored Comhaltas and have learned from local musicians who live in a Comhaltas-free zone.
One of the finest young concertina players in Ireland Edel Fox, still in her teens, now takes over a dozen pupils (no Cap'n, hse didn't enter a Comhaltas competition, he was awarded 'musician of the year' prize by TG4, no competition, test or anything, she was judged the best.
Comhaltas now, thanks to a shoddy leadership, has been marginalised, despite the fact that it's president, a State Senator, has put himself in the position politically to avail the organisation of the largest share of national grants (have you read the report yet Cap'n)?
Jim Carroll
PS I was given the impression by your posting that you somewhat looked down on the local musicians you met over here - if I am wrong about this, I apologise unreservedly.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Skivee
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 04:31 PM

Hey, Jim Carroll.
Neither of these questions is mean to derail the conversation, or start a "Thing". I'm simply asking, here.
I thought that Comhaltas was doing the good work of continueing grass roots interest in Irish folk music. Is this not so?
Are they badly organized, lead, or just wankers? Perhaps it's the prospect in 30 or so out of tune 6 years old playing The Little Beggerman, all out of tune and without a central meter that is daunting? Scarey indeed, but probably necessary to start 'em going at that tender age. What's the deal?
Second, I've reread you response to my post several times. What prompts you to think I was being patronising when I wrote,"We would do some tunes with them, but I would take a break to listen every few minutes. after all, I didn't realy go to Ireland to teach them how to play their music."? I meant it to be the exact opposite of patronizing...anti-patronizing, in fact.
Please compare and contrast.
Skivee
PS, sorry about the teeth.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 02:40 PM

Tootler,
I can't disagree with any of the points you're making, nor do I have any quibble with your list.
Unfortunately the opposite all too often happens here.
Over Christmas we had two magnificent sessions ruined by a visitor with cutlery (don't know if you've heard Con Fada's 'Spoons Murder - she was a prime candidate for te Raleigh bike).      
Last Summer we had another lady with a tambourine, one of those with jangly bits (the tambourine, not the lady) who sat there and thumped it completely out of time. The locals said nothing - it took a fellow blow-in to tell her to desist - to which she replied - 'I thought that's what you were supposed to do'; she then disappeared in a cloud of huff.
Cap'n, have far too few teeth left to waste them on Comhaltas.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Tootler
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 02:16 PM

Jim Carroll wrote,
"An intelligent musician comes to Ireland to listen to how Irish music is played by the natives, and hopefully take some knowledge away with them.
Unfortunately, what happened to Doolin is the visitors came to play, not to listen."

Jim,

I can see the point you are making, but if I go to a session and I have an instrument with me, I will want to play. That, after all, is the point of a session - at least to me it is.

The point was made in another thread about being sensitive to other participants in a session and I suspect that was what was possibly missing in the case you cited.

As a visitor at a session there are some simple courtesies that can help things along;

1. Ask the existing members of the session before joining in
2. Stay in the background and don't lead a tune unless you are given the nod.
3. If you don't know a tune, don't play, at least initially - though sessions can be good places to learn new tunes.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: The Sandman
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 02:06 PM

in reply to danensis
as a member of skibbereen comhaltas[Jim Carroll gnashes his teeth]Ican inform you that once a month skibbereen comhaltas og[youth]have a round the fire session,with youngsters aged five and up playing music with other children,once a week on a wednesday[july to august] skibbereen comhaltas,hold a session which starts early,for details see their website,.
there is also [july august] wednesdays, a session in schull community hall co cork,starting at nine o clock,run by bertie moran.
if you want earlier sessions then check out comhaltas web sites.
these sessions rely and happen because of tourists,but the music is of a high standard,and not fake in any way.www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 01:15 PM

GUEST Bubblyrat - If you are looking for 'other' folk than Irish , why
not pop into the Seven Stars at Knowl Hill ,just down the A4 from Slough and see what the Thursday folk club has to offer . And I will agree with you that its a lot easier to go to the Hrescel on a Monday than across the Irish Sea for an evening ! And Tom King is a TRUE Friend of Irish Music !

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: danensis
Date: 13 Jan 07 - 12:41 PM

THe late starts were a big disappointment to my son and I when we went to Ireland last year. We'd heard all about the pub sessions, but when we got to Ireland we found that most things didn't start until nine or ten o'clock at night, and children are not allowed in bars after five.

At least in the UK we can let our youngsters see live folk music. I've noticed that at The Attic there are more and more youngesters in the audience.

John

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Bubblyrat
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 05:02 PM

I have a terrible confession to make : I love Irish music,& have a stab at playing it, but---I"ve NEVER been to Ireland !! So I don"t really know what a true Irish session is like. However,I DON"T NEED to go to Ireland,when I can go to the "Herschel Arms" in Slough , which is apparently as close as you can get to the real thing (whatever that may be ) For me ,the landlord is the most Irish person in the known world, as are some of the musicians I have heard there-Paddy Keenan,Tommy O" sullivan, & ,last monday night, Finbar Dwyer, melodeon legend !! The musicians,some Irish,some of Irish descent,some English even,are superb ,the decor (as far as I know ) authentic,the craic amazing. So why not try it ?? Monday nights, 2100 onwards,not advertised,not commercial,lovely people, woderful sounds !! So there !!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 02:25 PM

Good to see we're getting a lot of good and few bad respons' on here.

Hope it's opened the eyes (and ears) to a few people.

Didn't know about the Lighthouse being closed as it's a few years now since I've been there. My regards to Barney and friends. And to Gabby (have her and her boyfriends name on a beer mat somewhere here)who introduced me to the Lighthouse via Monkstown session.

Am guesting on here these days as the computer is on the blink.

Chas

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Gulliver
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 12:01 PM

Well, to be honest, I didn't just pass the pubs--I had a look round in each one and had a pint in the most interesting looking. As well as the "trad" pubs there was also live jazz and rock in other places, plus salsa dancing and there's Italian and Indian music in restaurants (but not necessarily on Wednesdays), also belly dancing and an interesting group doing a mixture of old-timey and shanties (but only on Monday nights, Halfpenny Bridge), and I was told there was a singing session in the Palace on Tuesdays. I'll take a notebook with me next time...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Shaneo
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 10:20 AM

You will find plenty of trad. sessions in Temple Bar over the next ten days as there is a bit of a festival of traditional music taking place.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:54 AM

Seems strange to be able to find anything off the main drag anywhere round Temple Bar, but I must investigate next time I'm there :-)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:54 AM

100

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:53 AM

Well Portaferry will have some good mixed session next month I hope !!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:49 AM

Skivee wrote:
'I didn't really go to Ireland to teach them how to play their music'.
Do I detect a patonising note here - I wonder if you took bags of salt and beads?
An intelligent musician comes to Ireland to listen to how Irish music is played by the natives, and hopefully take some knowledge away with them.
Unfortunately, what happened to Doolin is the visitors came to play, not to listen.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,melself
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 07:55 AM

"I came home through Temple Bar (Dublin) last night, passing six pubs with trad music."

You PASSED them? You're a stronger man than I am!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Gulliver
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 07:26 AM

I came home through Temple Bar (Dublin) last night, passing six pubs with trad music. Two of them were excellent sessions open to all, but they're a little off the main drag, and quieter, which the musos said was a good thing, and they'd like to keep it that way...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 05:52 AM

if im playing in a paid session,I try and welcome other musicians,If they have a list of the tunes they play it helps[to find common ground ] .I might play a couple of sets first and then ask them [If they want to play acouple of tunes,or sing etc]and find some common tunes,or take it in turns or do both,its also more interesting for me.www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: patriot1314
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 07:17 PM

The Lighthouse Bar in Howth is indeed closed and has been for a couple of years. Last time I spoke to Barney he told me they had "sprung a leak" during the building work.
Work has since recommenced and the plans, I'm assured, consist of flats plus a pub, so all might not be lost.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Skivee
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 06:27 PM

My 2 pence.
In 1990 my band took a field trip to Ireland We started up in Donegal city and made our way down the west coast. We had great times in the Schooner pub. after closing, the landlady wouldn't let us buy our drinks. She wuldn't let us buy them drinks.There were about 10 locals playing. They played C&W for us, we played Irish music for them, and we all found common ground in Beatles tunes.
We traded versions and had a great time.
We also had a great time in Spiddel. A little place called Hughes Pub.
It was a similar story. We ran into Tommy Lyons. A wonderful guy
We headed south and landed in Doolin. McGann's. I should have noted the Time Magazine article on the wall proclaiming it the best pub in the universe, or some such thing.
Miko Russell was there and a few young folk on cittern, guitar and concertina. We would do some tunes with them, but I would take a break to listen every few minutes. after all, I didn't realy go to Ireland to teach them how to play their music. The concertina would lean into me and bleat,"Plaaaye, plaaaaaye".
I would begin playing. The guy would get a sour look on his face each time like he had just licked a pissy toad. After this happened a few times I realized that he was being payed to give the tourists wonderful memories of playing with REAL IRISH MUSICIANS so they could brag about it when they got back home. He clearly would have rather been having his eyelids cut off.
If we didn't play along, the owner would think these guys were failing and can their asses. It wasn't the right feel.
That's when I realized that you could buy bad craic in Ireland. We went to O'Conner's the next night and had a good time. Previous posters make me think that O'Conner's may also have slid into the same trap.
Too bad if this was so.
Of course, I was dumbish and more stupidy back then. I might have a differnt slant on things now.
Cheers.
PS This was late in the year...the off season.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 06:04 PM

when I was in Ireland (in 98) seems the further I got from Dublin the friendlier the sessions were. The best were in Killarney, Miltown Malbay and the Crane in Galway, one session in Clifden was more of a singalong with tunes in between (and since the box player didnt show up my fiddle was the main instrument). (since Im originally from the Czech republic and started playing in a Scottish Dance orchestra, they thought it was funny that I was a Czech Canadian playing Irish fiddle with a Scottish style. I only had a week in Ireland but next time I will go for longer.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Dickmac
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 05:30 PM

There are "real" sessions in Dublin but I've not found any in the city centre tourists spots. It depends what you'e looking for.

I've been to the session in The Lighthouse at Howth a number of times and despite being a banjo playing Scot was made welcome.I have heard it's now closed - going to be turned into flats - hope I'm wrong. Also found good friendly sessions in Dingle.
There's obviously a place for the "paid performer" session in the likes of Temple Bar but in these sessions there is not ( or does not appear to be )the same willingingness to let the visitor join in.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 04:28 PM

"our Whistle player got his leg broken in a bar in Ennis during a session"

We ARE talking about a music session, right? The local aficianados took exception to some of his embellishments, I suppose?

A lesson for us all: they DO take their music seriously in the pubs of Clare. Make sure you know what you're doing before you produce your tin whistle ...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 04:24 PM

I agree with jim carroll,the smoking ban has had nothing to do with pubs closing,Plenty of SMOKERS,still hovering outside pubs.
it,s to do with random breathalysing in rural areas where there is very little alternative transport.
WHEN I have a rambling house SMOKERS have to go outside,rules of the house.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Shaneo
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 03:08 PM

We played a few sessions in Clare last September and most went well except for Ennis , our Whistle player got his leg broken in a bar in Ennis during a session.
The best reception was in Sixmilebridge , we played three of the five pubs in the town [mighty craic]
What surprised us about Co. Clare was that when they heard our Dublin accents they didn't associate us with the playing of traditional music,,strange that,,
Maybe it goes back to when Dubliners went on holidays down the country all they did was drink and fight.
As a band we pick a county and head off for a long weekend a few times a year to see whats happening and it's great to see that musicians are still welcome to start a session in most parts of Ireland.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 02:44 PM

"Co Clare, Jim Carroll, knows more than I do".
Not really Cap'n; just round Miltown, which is bristling with sessions virtually 5 nights a week - Friel's being the most reliable for great music. Ennis is good too. A few surprising black holes - Kilkee should, but doesn't - thanks to holiday homes you are more likely to find tumbleweed blowing round the streets in winter.
Don't know where the idea of the smoking ban doing damage came from -certanly no around here. It's wonderful to be able to breathe in the pubs for the first time in my lifetime - most of the smokers are happy with it.
What is doing damage is the breathyliser clampdown which is having an effect. There is talk today of financial assistance for minibus lifts after the pubs close (the downside of this is that they will have to close on time - ah well, you can't have it all ways.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: mustradclub
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 12:29 PM

While I am sure there are many good pub sessions still to be found in Ireland. I do hear distressing news that the smoking ban (which I agree with) has led to the closure of many pubs. I was speaking to Ron Kavana last night he is now living in Ireland and sorry to say he was somewhat pessimistic about the scene over there. I have a feeling that the music might be returning to the kitchens and firesides where it was played before music in pubs became the fashion.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 12:08 PM

"admit"? Don't be guilty, man, be proud of it.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:48 AM

Mustradclub - With all due respect , IF you read my thread about English musicians - I was one of the musicians and we are ALL English
though I do admit to a quarter Irish on my mother's side !

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:22 AM

There another theme going on on here on Mudcat.
"I walked into a session"
Listing places. give it a try.

Chas

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: GUEST,Fidjit
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:18 AM

Thanks Dick Well done.
Chas

Subject: RE: Folklore: Are the sessions real in Ireland?
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 07:03 AM

look im sorry ,but I really cant provide a list,I dont know anymore than you whats going on in donegal, mayo, dublin,galway,In my postings,I believe ive qualified my comments, with in my personal experience,which is restricted to cork and south kerry,.
kenmare;crowleys ,sailors ,coachmans,all have good sessions.
kilgarvan, tuesday night session.
ballydehob friday night co cork,good session.
skibbereen co cork,tuesday paragon bar,monday corner bar skibbereen..
clonakilty co cork,several good sessions,in o,donovans different nights of the week.
if you want to know about co clare, Jim Carroll, knows more than I do.