Jay The Fiddler
For the Love of Fiddle.

Edmonton River Queen

Ireland 2024 – Entry 5 – Bunbeg, Gweedore Co. Donegal

I took Bus Eireann from Galway City to Letterkenny Co. Donegal. You’ll be happy to hear that with no stops the 248km trip was only 30 minutes shorter that the flight from Montreal to Dublin! (5’40” vs 6’10”). But I’m here reacquainting with Edmonton friend Cathal Tunney and his wife Mary. Had a lovely dinner then picked up his brother Paddy and made the hour trek to Bunbeg at Huidi Beag’s pub. This is in my top 5 best sessions in Ireland, if not the best. Great mix of younger and older musicians. Host with the most Hugh Gallagher (gal-a-her) would jump from fiddle, piano or serving drinks.

Brothers Cathal& Paddy Tunney are great fiddlers and singers.  Other musicians included well known harpist Janet Harbison -https://www.janetharbisonharp.com. She was very good!

Gearóid Ó Maonaigh (Mooney) played his beautiful Guild guitar. He is the brother of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (fiddle and vocals) of Altan and father of Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddle) former young traditional musician of the year.  

Young Cillian was ripping up the box.

And young Molly Mooney of the Altan lineage was playing every tune. Played til 1 than an hour home.

 

Here is a link to Lucy Farr’s Barndance

Ireland 2024 – Entry 2

The first week has flown by! Galway City, SW Donegal for 3 nights, now back in Galway.

Met up with old friend, fiddler and fisherman Adrian Murray. Adrian had bought 2 of my CD’s and was a big fan of Georgia’s Canada Day Waltz. He had me play it at every session and it went over very well.

here’s the link (at long last- it was nowhere to be found).

 

Georgia’s Canada Day Waltz -1994 

For the record: there are more than 3 musicians in Galway City. But if you’re going to play at the Big 3 (Taaffe’s Tigh Coili’s and the Crane) you’ll often be playing with Johnny O’Halloran, Anders Trajberg and Declan Corey.

2024 Jay’s Trip to Ireland Post 1

I touched down in Dublin Wednesday at 830AM. Caught the bus to Galway and called on the Fullers in Renmore. I went that first night to Tigh Coili’s and had an amazing session led by Declan Corry (mandolin) and Geraldine (Ger) Clancy (fiddle). Talked too late to a Peruvian couple. Thursday I went into Galway (about 2KM) up College Road. I got a sim card for my phone (20 euro for 4 weeks – unlimited text, talk and 5G). Played the early session at Taaffe’s led by old friend Anders Trajberg on bos. Then I caught the end of the slightly less early session at Coili’s, again led by Ger Clancy. Waited around for the late session led by the great Johnny O’Halloran (melodeon) from Inishbofin. Getting kind of tired by now. The session scene has rebounded well after the pandemic with the same sessions at the same time with the same players. The Fullers have a holiday home in S Donegal in the town of Ardara (Arrrr-dra). Yes there are sessions. Played Friday with Peter Campbell (fiddle) whom I played with several times between 2000-2005. As well as his father (JImmy) and uncle (Vincent) who have both passed away since my last visit. Saturday night was in the wee Glen Tavern -https://www.facebook.com/theglentavern/- up the mountain 7 kms from Glenties. I have been there before and knew many of the players. They were playing distinctly Donegal tunes: mazurkas, Germans, highlands, waltzes. Week D anyone? Tonight I will find The Rusty mackerel in Teelin with one of Ireland’s best bos players, Dermott Byrne.
Here is the Newly Mown Meadow a tempo
Slánte Jay

Christmas Season

Player two gigs today; Winter Fun Fest in promotion of the
upcoming “Flying Canoe Adventures” then off to WEM to play “Frosty the Snowman” and such. It was all great fun but the freezing rain was very bad and made for treacherous driving. 🙁

Day 23 – Leaving Kerry

A lovely last night in Kearney’s. Tony Halsall played some mighty stuff. It was quiet enough so Jackie & I played loads of our tunes. Bouasque is always a show stopper.