Sitting at a table outside on a pedestrian street in Galway city I can hear a young lady busking. Concertina and whistle. Very competent. She has wavy red hair. She could represent Ireland on a tourism poster. A young child stops to dance. Then her father gives her a coin for the case. 
She skips to the case then hops back. Smiles all around.
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.
Neactain’s the heart of Galway City
Texas Ollie
Sunset Donegal 22:05 
The Moon over Loch Ottalia 
Creamy AltlaticThe 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.
Week A First Hour Tune Booklet
Everyone gets a chance to play. Hour 1 is led at a gentle pace. Sheet music booklets for the tunes are downloadable.
The Community is growing! First hour is slower and accommodating. Everybody gets a chance to play.
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.
Left Rob & Mary’s & caught the city bus to Eyre Square. I had a little job to do; buy some banjo CD’s for Jim Schiebelbein. So what are the chances? Do you have “The Cat that ate the Candle?” by Brian McGrath and the man serving you is Brian McGrath? “Are you the banjo player Brian McGrath?” “Sure there are loads of banjo players named Brian McGrath.” He was the man in question.
Next see old friend Werner Gladh (V), gypsy style fiddler. Such a rushed trip this year with only 2 days in Galway. Lucky that his girlfriend Charlene showed up so I could see her. 
Need to get to Ennis to collect a flute from David Strauch but stop in Oranmore to see Corrina McGarrigle and her 2 babies. The coast road to Oranmore is absolutely beautiful. The tune that Georgia & I play the very best is “The Bucks of Oranmore” which is a traditional session last tune.
Finally arrive in Castleisland to a lovely dinner and tunes with Jackie Dan Gerry O’Connor. It will my my last time at Flannagan’s in Brosna this year, so let’s make it a great one. Terrence McQuinn collects us and we make the country drive. It was a lovely night, and of course we had to sing “Four Strong Winds” which has more or less become my theme song here… “If our good times are all gone, then I’m bound for moving on, I’ll look for you if I’m ever back this way…” Then it was good bye & we’ll see you in 11 monthes & hugs & kisses all around, some even from women!