To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=117910
26 messages

sessions/singarounds in Ireland

19 Jan 09 - 07:53 PM (#2543563)
Subject: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Jack Campin

Anyone know of an informative guide to the session scene in Ireland? I'm thinking of going there in the next few weeks. Dublin at least (I've been there several times before) but this time I'd like to get a bit further, either down to Cork or up to the North. (Public transport only).

I'm not interested in the uptight self-righteousness and speed for the sake of it that you get in most Irish sessions in the UK. I'd like to be able to identify places where people play or sing with knowledge and feeling rather than virtuosity for the sake of it. (Probably won't want to play much if at all myself, as my Irish repertoire is rather small and heavily Scottish-accented). So I'd like to locate a guide that would tell me which is which.


19 Jan 09 - 08:34 PM (#2543579)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Suegorgeous

I believe this list is pretty up to date

www.thesession.org/sessions

Use the Search facility to bring up Ireland or any county/town. Gives websites for many of them. Not sure they give the feeling versus virtuosity info though.

Also - http://www.irishrochester.org/singers5.htm, though not sure how up to date this is.


19 Jan 09 - 08:51 PM (#2543592)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Jack Campin

From what I've seen of TheSession, a listing in there would be a pretty sure guarantee I'd want to strike it off my list.


19 Jan 09 - 08:54 PM (#2543594)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Fergie

The Góilín in Dublin is the grand-daddy of all singers' clubs. The link given is out of date as far as arrangments for the Góilín is concerned.
It meets on friday nights at The Teachers' Club in Parnell Square. If Jack Campin or any Mudcatter is interested in visiting please pm me and I will fill you in on what is happening, how to get there etc.

Fergus


19 Jan 09 - 08:59 PM (#2543596)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Jack Campin

I think I can just about find Parnell Square!

I'll PM you if/when I have definite date.


20 Jan 09 - 06:06 AM (#2543790)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,jim mac farland

Hi Fergie
I've started a traditional singing session since I retired back in Derry
We meet on the 1st Thur.of the month,upstairs in Tinney's Bar Patrick St.(just off the Strand Rd. Derry)The session is run along the lines of the Goilin "no standard set- only in the listening"
I hope to be down in Dublin next month and if so will be at the Goilin on the Fri. night see you all then.

Jim


20 Jan 09 - 06:19 AM (#2543803)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Jim Carroll

The Goilín has a web-site with listings.
The Clé singers Club at Liberty Hall used to meet on Tuesdays - think it still does despite plans to demolish the building.
Hughes's at Smithfield (Dublin) has music most nights (reputedly) and dancing, and The Cobblestones (not far away) has regular events.
Jim Carroll


20 Jan 09 - 07:29 AM (#2543844)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,Sessioneer

"From what I've seen of TheSession, a listing in there would be a pretty sure guarantee I'd want to strike it off my list."

Strong words, Jack. Why do you say that?


20 Jan 09 - 08:39 AM (#2543900)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Suegorgeous

Surely there must be an up-to-date list of song sessions on some site or other though?


20 Jan 09 - 08:49 AM (#2543913)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Frank_Finn

For a comprehensive listing it is hard to beat
This


20 Jan 09 - 08:54 AM (#2543914)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Frank_Finn

Of course it is hard to beat Sligo for music and singing . See Sligo traditional Singers Circle for singing. See Music in Sligo


20 Jan 09 - 10:10 AM (#2543981)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Gedpipes

Yes Jack
why the strong words re the Session site. IMHO its a fantastic resource and most of the postings I've read err very much on the side of humour and light banter. If you want the kind of session you apper to be after I can't think of a better resource to help.
Blue skies
Ged


20 Jan 09 - 10:19 AM (#2543992)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: The Sandman

Cork singers club .[spailpin fanach].
I am inclined to agree with Jack,the last thing I would want is to play with llig leachim,or some of the other narrow minded pontificators.


20 Jan 09 - 10:51 AM (#2544017)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,sessioneer

"I am inclined to agree with Jack,the last thing I would want is to play with llig leachim"

I cannot think of anyone I'd RATHER have a tune with.


20 Jan 09 - 11:00 AM (#2544026)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,leeneia

When I was travelling in Ireland, a good way to find traditional music was to ask the operators of my lodging, whether it was a hotel, guest house or B&B.

You might try that if the online sources don't work out.


20 Jan 09 - 11:29 AM (#2544061)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Suegorgeous

Yeh, I'm curious too about Jack's views on The Session.

Frank - so glad you posted that link, it's exactly the same listing as the 2nd one I posted, but updated to 2008. I was wondering why the one I had hadn't been updated! So everyone - ignore my 2nd link! thanks Frank.


20 Jan 09 - 12:52 PM (#2544117)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: The Sandman

"I am inclined to agree with Jack,the last thing I would want is to play with llig leachim"

I cannot think of anyone I'd RATHER have a tune with. [quote]
no accounting for taste,your welcome.
I wouldnt even waste throwing a pint over him,the litle twerp.


20 Jan 09 - 05:20 PM (#2544400)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,sessioneer

""I am inclined to agree with Jack,the last thing I would want is to play with llig leachim"

I cannot think of anyone I'd RATHER have a tune with. [quote]
no accounting for taste,your welcome.
I wouldnt even waste throwing a pint over him,the litle twerp."

Captain B,
do you know the chap?
S.
p.s. you're
wouldn't
little


20 Jan 09 - 05:23 PM (#2544403)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,George Henderson

The fairly new North Wicklow Singers Circle meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month at the Strand Hotel Bray Co. WIcklow. Start time 9.30pm.


22 Jan 09 - 09:39 AM (#2546021)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Gedpipes

Sessioneer - I think I like you!

llig leachim - I don't know this person at all but his posts on the sesssion site seem ok to me. Why do you feel the need to slag him off in public Dick? Unless of course its a little joke between you both? You seem to have taken an observation of the Session site into a personal attack on individuals rather than the site itself - which I say again is a cracking resource.


No sign of Jack yet

Ged


22 Jan 09 - 12:40 PM (#2546184)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,Jack Campin

As I said in my first post, uptight selfrighteousness was something I wanted to avoid. TheSession is a pretty accurate reflection of everything in the British, American and German Irish-wannabe music scene that I don't want to be part of.

And since I've not encountered that sort of arrogant smugness in musicians who actually came from Ireland, it seemed a good bet that there had to be something better over there.

Looks like there is.


22 Jan 09 - 01:49 PM (#2546235)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: The Sandman

Ged,I have pmd you


22 Jan 09 - 02:09 PM (#2546252)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: cobra

This is a reasonable starter for ten in the event you venture north:-

Sessions In Northern Ireland


23 Jan 09 - 06:34 AM (#2546814)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: GUEST,sessioneer

"TheSession is a pretty accurate reflection of everything in the British, American and German Irish-wannabe music scene that I don't want to be part of."

Erm,......Jack, but you're a MEMBER of TheSession, are you not? (And judging from your membership number, have been for some years)

http://www.thesession.org/members/display/31750

S.
ps ta for the useful material on your site. (seriously)
pps nice photo of the Sandy Bells session on your site - was Michael there too? :-)


23 Jan 09 - 07:10 AM (#2546837)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Jack Campin

Michael is usually around at Bell's when I'm there but I couldn't say for any particular picture.

He's one of the great unsung enablers in the Scottish traditional music scene but I can't see him getting an interview on Take the Floor or The Reel Blend any time in the near future...


23 Jan 09 - 12:24 PM (#2547100)
Subject: RE: sessions/singarounds in Ireland
From: Tootler

TheSession is a pretty accurate reflection of everything in the British, American and German Irish-wannabe music scene that I don't want to be part of.

I only occasionally look at the session and it seems to me a bit like Mudcat, with all types and shades of opinion.

However, I do think I see what Jack means. I belong to the Chiff and Fipple board and I find that there are some pretty inflexible attitudes to the music and how it should be played there. The worst, IMO are some of the Irish expats.