On the 3 km walk to town from Tony’s I am often offered a lift from a motorist. On Saturday I was walking by a yard as a white van was pulling out. “Hello I’m Pat Murphy.” Really? Do you know the song? He didn’t so I started singing.

“Oh the night that Paddy Murphy died, is a night I’ll never forget
Some of the boys got loaded drunk, and they ain’t got sober yet;
As long as a bottle was passed around every man was feelin’ gay
O’Leary came with the bagpipes, some music for to play
That’s how they showed their respect for Paddy Murphy
That’s how they showed their honour and their pride;
They said it was a sin and shame and they winked at one another
And every drink in the place was full the night Pat Murphy died”.

As I get out of the van Pat says “Thanks for the song.”

Another time a red car pulls up. It’s Joe Daly back from Dublin. “Do you know the Cottage of Con Houlihan?” Con was from Castleisland and considered “the greatest and the best-loved Irish sports journalist of all”. He Wrote a sports column for the Independent. A quick ring to Annie and she tells me it’s the mossy cottage at the top of the bend left side leaving town on the Limerick Road.

John has many stories to tell about Con. His son is the driver and says “Let the man go”. Just one more says John. Thanks for the lift says I, it only took twice as long as the walk. Laughs and hand shakes.

“A man who will misuse an apostrophe is capable of anything”

Con Houlihan

3 sessions today.

#1 At The Shoemakers with Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch, Connie O’Connell and Paudie O’Connor. Although I’m late I get a seat right beside Aidan Coffey. What an intersting msn; PHD in micro-biology and just released a new CD with homself, Frankie Gavin & Alec Finn. Here is Aidan plying with Frankie.

Jackie was up to his usual antics and jumped up to clown for the photo. Some beautiful slow airs by Matt. Jackie played the Orsa Waltz which is on the Buttons & Bows CD.

#2 Kearney’s Bar where i find Dennis O’Connor banjo, Con Moynihan fiddle and Mike Rice flute. This session continues until the next one starts.

#3 Kearney’s Bar withe the 30 year olds (or so) Donal Cullinane fiddle, Emma O’Leary fiddle, Eilish Murphy flute, Connor Mahoney guitar. I’m perched beside Donal in “the fiddle section”. Loads of slides, polkas and reels.

It’s our session at the Half Barrel:Jackie, Dave, Terrance & myself. Special guests include Donal Murphy box (!!!) and Greta Curtin a fine young musician on the concertina. Also present are Eilish Murphy flute and also 8.9 months pregnant with her second. Dirk my Dutch friend whom I meet yearly at the POK on bodhran.
I sit beside Donal and he likes my slides. “You’re the man for slides Jay! Play another”. After a set of Kerry reels he announces “Those are Sliabh Luchra Anthems: The Galtee Rangers”.
Loads of singing

Back in Castleiland for the POK. “Welcome home they all say to me.

I call into Browne’s and have a great session with Connie O’Connell. Loads of Kerry music. Also beside me is Anita on fiddle a lovely school teacher who often plays with Donie accordion in a ceili/ wedding band.

I awake in Co. Kerry and after a flurry of calls to Kilkenny, Cork & Crusheen I decide the best musical option is to call up to Galway City again to try and get a session in with Anders Trajberg and another with Declan Corey.

Session 1 is with Anders and his wife Mayo in Taaffe’s. Present are John from Fort Erie Ont on octave mandolin, Hoewke flute & bodhran & Gereard whistle. It’s been several years since I played with Anders and he is as powerful as ever.

The session breaks up but the 2 Canadians, the German and now Baya from Czech stay on and the house obliges with free pints.

Session 2 across the road at Tig Coili’s with Declan Corey mandolin, Ger fiddle, Fiacra bouzouki, Gregor fiddle, Eoin banjo (Co. Antrim), & Tiernan concertina (Co. Antrim). Fast and furious as it always is with Declan.

Session 2 1/2. I catch the last 1/2 hour with Anders in the Crane. Michael won’t serve me a pint though. In the bar is Skeriegoat Ferguson a country singer whom I had a great session with several years ago in The Old Forge.

I see Jackie and he is weak. As well he has a sore throat and can only whisper. But I tell him the story of being in the home of Willie Coleman as well as play him the jig and the 2 Blue Ribbon Polkas and he is smiling and tapping the foot. Tuesday night is the session in Kearney’s.

John McAuliffe comes in and wants his favourite Liz Carroll tune. He is the only man here that knows were Regina Sask. is (pronounced Re-gee-na), as well as her coordinates of latitude and longitude.

Present are Terrance McQuinn banjo, Dave Dooley low whistle, Sylvia Coakley whistle and singing and Sean Browne box. I am missing Jackie but the music is sound. DSCF9142

My tradition when I stay with Rob & Mary is to attend mass with them on Sunday morning at 10 (set the alarm Jay!). The church is called “St. Oliver Plunkett” and mass is over in 35 minutes flat! Let’s try that in Edmonton.

Dinner is gorgeous lamb and potatoes with all the veg and home made apple tart!

The girls are home from gym with two young friends. Jimmy Higgins shows up to pick up his daughter Blathnaid. “Just played with Christie Moore last night in Sligo”. Seriously! You played with Christie Moore! That’s the big leagues. Christie is the biggest name in Irish music.

“Grab your fiddle” he says as he sits at the piano and I play a set of reels.  He is a bodhran instructor as well at University Limerick.

First session is the Americana session in The Salthouse. V on fiddle Calvin on bass and Mark on guitar. Noriana is away tonight 🙁 Also Roger Green on mandolin from Maryland. He really knows his bluegrass and tells me a story about being in Edmonton once and meeting Alfie Myhres at the shop then called The House of Banjo. Many of my friends show up; Rob with Daniel and then later with Mary and Corrina and Barry.

The late session is Sunday night at the Crane with Greg & Mary.

A great quiet session.

Then to Vinnie’s for Curry Cheese Chip and the walk to Renmore along Lough Athola.