Finding music

We were on Inish Mor last trip, and the music was so-so - early June was slow. Our favorite sessions of last trip were at The Crane Bar and Carrol's Pub in Galway. I thought we'd try Trad on the Prom for something a little different. In Dublin, the Brazen Head Sunday afternoon session was magical, as was the Cobblestone all day long. I'm considering The Merry Ploughboys as another thing we wouldn't normally do. I'd appreciate any warnings about both "packaged" events.

I planned to do the Dingle peninsula circuit, though not Blasket. We enjoy exploring the odd ruined castle more than abandoned houses, and there's plenty of hikes without spending the time fitting into the ferry schedule.

Our first trip was a total ad lib (no real plan, no reservations) and was wonderful. I think those days may be past, although it's just two of us this trip, so maybe...

I’m in precautionary quarantine at the moment, away from my Rick Steves Ireland book. But his book has details on Foxy John’s, as well as other venues. One that’s exceptional, but only with music certain nights each week, and could require advance purchased tickets at busy times (maybe less so in June) is at a small church. Sit in the pews and have outstanding trad with outstanding acoustics. It’s a very reasonable concert, no beverages involved, early evening. Then you can head to a pub for more the same night!

Sitting at my desk typing this, I can see snow covered mountains in the distance, where it's not blocked by thick forest and wildflowers. I appreciate solitude and beauty more than most, I think, although I may have become slightly complacent, living where I do.

Besides listening to a good Ullian piper, our favorite parts of Ireland are when we stumble on something like Carey Castle or Carrowkeel, where we're the only car at the car park and have the place to ourselves. Those moments are getting rarer.

This may be way off, but my experience of music in pubs over 25 years is that although I'm happy to see the cigarette smoke gone, the spontaneity seems reduced. In the 90s, people just interrupted their conversation and pulled instruments out of nowhere and played, then put them away and continued drinking and talking. Then there seemed to be a little more quid pro quo in the playing (free meals or drinks), and now it's just gigs, where the players march in, set up, play for 2.0 hours and leave. Maybe I'm just going to the wrong places. Of course miss-remembering the good old days is what got the US into our current pickle!

BTW, I googled enough about Trad on the Prom and Merry Ploughboys to scratch them both from the plan. What was I thinking?

Again, without my book as a reference, or doing an Online search for you, I won’t attempt his last name. But a Dingle local, first name Eoin, may be the finest piper who ever swung an elbow. He’s the one who organizes the church performances, different performers from one night to the next. At our visit, he played the opening tune, then turned things over to others. There’s a great record store in Dingle, too, described in Rick’s book, with recordings of Eoin’s and lots of others, too, if you want some trad to take back home.

Two years ago, we passed thru Derry (aka Londonderry) one afternoon, where a downtown music and food festival was going on. A decent- sized Ulster city, it’d be a good place to start considering your trad quest.

Just make sure that whatever you book is refundable if you are not able to travel. Please check with the CDC, the State Department and the airlines before traveling to make sure it is safe to travel. This virus is not going away anytime soon and until we have a vaccine available to the public, we need to be mindful that travel may not happen even in 2021. It is important to consider that getting the virus, you may pass it on or get very sick or have to be in lockdown and the last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere you can't get home from. Just something to consider as you make plans. I know this is not what you asked, but something to think about.

Cyn, that name rang a bell. I had a photo of him from way back. His name is Eoin Duignan, he is is indeed quite a musician.

Here he is at Saint James (on the left) with a couple other players, before a show:

https://thecedarchest.smugmug.com/Sample-Gallery/i-qK3SZj8/A

https://stjamesdingle.com/events/category/all/

Here is his site, I'm sure OP will be able to find some music leads here:

https://www.duigo.com/

We visited Dingle a few years ago. It was early March and Trad was available every night, (some of sessions were "Tradder" than others). The highlight was a session featuring Eoin Duignan. We had stopped by the music shop and the proprietor told us that we should not miss the opportunity to see the renowned Uilleann piper that was playing that evening. I believe the venue was O'Sullivan's Court House Pub. Great memories.

Made a note to see Eoin. Maybe I'll spend three nights in Dingle (and add Blasket as a day trip).

Right you are, Dave! His hair and beard have sure gotten lighter since 2011. We’re all a bit older, but glad to hear Eoin’s still going strong in Dingle. May music continue to keep things going.

jj, Yes, I think you might have been unlucky and ended up at the wrong places. While your description of the band showing up, playing a fixed set, and then leaving (often getting paid by the bar owner for their time) was something I experienced in Dublin, it was much more spontaneous the further you got from there.

I think my best experience for trad was in Dingle. There was a pub near our B&B, I think it was the hardware store/bar mentioned by another poster. People of all ages would just show up and begin playing and soon there was an entire band having at it. The music was fantastic. The musicians were truly talented. Even the bar owner would join in from time to time. And they played well pat closing time. Just to note, it is best to let the politically charged posters and news clippings on the wall pass without comment. I am hoping the place will still be there and be the same next time I am lucky enough to be there.