Saturday June 10, 2000

The mood was a little melancholy Saturday, knowing it was our last day
together, but we were determined to make every minute count!

There was nothing specific scheduled for Saturday morning so we
separated into smaller groups and went different directions. Dale led an
adventurous group on a hike up to the very top of Slieve Gullion.
Several folks squeezed in a little more shopping in Newry. Mary, Adi and
Kate chose to do a little road trip for the morning, heading north to
the Breaghmore Stone Circles.

The circles were quite impressive and given the experiences of the past
week, I kept envisioning the circles of the ancients filled with singers
seated on each stone and fires burning in the centers. I wondered, too,
if the hilltops we could see in the distance would all have similar
fires burning on them, and voices echoing through the valley.

On our way back to Newry, we stopped in Armagh city again and did a
little bodhran shopping for Adi. I hope the gift was well-received!

Back at the hotel, we re-grouped to compare stories of our morning
adventures, had a bite to eat and emptied the digital camera.

The last formal event of the week was a closing concert. Some of the
festival attendees kicked off the show with songs, including a Dutch
folk song from Martyn, Jan and Marianne.

The Makem brothers sang several songs, then we were treated to a very
special performace by The Armagh Rhymers. They are a musical group that
are also "mummers" -- costume-wearing performers who entertain children
(and adults) with songs and stories. It was a wonderfully fun show and
especially nice to have the kids get involved. Many families from the
community were there with their children.

Appropriately enough, we ended as we began with Tommy Makem leading us
in song to round out the event. Again the hall at Ti Chullain was full
and again Tommy had everyone singing along.... right down to "The
Parting Glass."

We couldn't seem to leave Ti Chullian without a few more songs. The day
was so fine and Slieve Gullion so lovely and the stones behind Ti
Chullain so comfortable... Just one more song. I even coaxed "The Fond
Nightingale" out of Jan and Martyn one more time. (I love that song!)

The formal part of the Festival was over, but we had a little more
wrapping up to do. Back at the hotel, all of us that were together all
week long gathered in a meeting room and formed one huge circle. We
thought it would be a bit of a session, but then Eugene came in and set
us straight. He explained about a tradition called Noble Call that used
to be observed in house-sessions in Ireland. Someone sings a song,
recites a poem or tells a story then calls on someone else in the room
for their turn. You have to be "noble" about it -- no squirming out. So
that's what we did for the next two hours. Everyone in the room,
including the Makems, and even our bus driver took a turn at sharing a
bit of song, verse or prose. Here are the pictures of everyone in the
room: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

It was a pretty special time -- we shared favorite songs, thoughts about
our favorite aspects of the whole week, and some people even shared
deep, dark secrets -- Bob spilled the beans on Jim, revealing that Jim
is the writer of the song "Lollipop, Lollipop" (an American hit during
the 50's). We were all quite impressed!

The night was still young when we finished, and there was a special
evening of music happening at O'Hanlon's Pub, in memory of JP Walker, a
local musician. Those of us who had an ounce of energy left hopped on
the bus and headed for O'Hanlon's for an hour and a pint. We circulated
through the mic again and the Makem Brothers sang a couple songs and a
great time was had by all!

And was there even MORE singing back at the hotel after all that?? You
bet. And pints served by the one-and-only Seamus, owner and
nighttime-barkeep of the Mourne Country Hotel.

Here's a few pics from the bar that night:
Shane, Conor, Mike and Bill

Patrick, Connie, Nettie

Rory, Adi, Mary, Jesika

Kate Akers
Kate Akers, kakers@chivalry.com
Chivalry Music & Internet Publishing
All photos on these pages were
taken by Kate Akers and Jim Gillespie, ©2000.
Reprinting or republication without permission is prohibited.