This year, I decided to take a little more time and visit some of the Singers' Circles that you can read about at http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/4749/ and, indeed, on the pages of the DT.

The South Roscommon Singers Circle is the musical home of Martin Ryan. Martin and I have met before in Inishowen and I took great pleasure in renewing our friendship in Brideswell, a crossroads village about 8 miles to the west of Athlone. The session was in O'Connell's Bar, a pub across the road from a pre-Christian holy spring. My musical partner, Bob Conroy, and I got to sing quite a bit and heard some songs from a very talented group of local singers including the aforementioned Martin, Johnny Johnston and South Roscommon's CEO, Declan Coyne. We sang for about 4 1/2 hours start to finish. God knows how anybody went to work the next day!

Bob and I drove to Co. Clare the next day and fought the crowds flocking to the Lenten novena at the cathedral to join the Ennis singers down the street. There were only a handful of people at the start but people kept coming and coming and the pub was virtually mobbed at the end. More fine songs and singers all around the room.

The Nenagh Singers' Circle is governed by a troika of Frank McGrath, George Henderson and Mike Scanlan. Mike must not have a computer but we are all familiar with Frank and George. Like Martin Ryan, I already knew George Henderson to be a fine singer. Frank, I now know has a lovely tenor and great taste in song. We were joined at Derek Browne's Bar by many excellent local singers plus members of at least 2 other singing clubs who traveled some distance that evening. Sean Laffey attended the session on behalf of Irish Music magazine and contributed fine singing himself.

Nenagh, like South Roscommon, has a CD available. Both are great, filled with unknown songs from unknown singers, incredibly charming, greatly amusing and very moving. If you are interested in that huge body of Irish folk song that extends beyond the Clancys, the Dubliners and today's hot groups, get a copy of each.

In each place we went, the hospitality was superb and the kindness overwealming.

In Inishowen, I gave a talk on Humor in Irish-American Song. With Art Thieme's permission, I used "Pokegema Bear" and "Gerry, Go and Oil the Car" from his latest CD to illustrate a couple of points. Art's wonderful songs and singing were well received.

If there's any way you can get to Ireland next March (when airfares, car rentals and accomodation are reasonably priced), you must get up to Inishowen. Whether March or another month, make sure you visit the local singers' circles as you travel around the country. You'll be right at home there.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Glad you had a great time....... I used to go camping on the Inishowen peninsula.... beautiful part of the world.. did you take in the view from Griannan of Aileach?

Slainte

alison

Not too much sightseeing was done this trip. We'd driven a couple of hundred miles up the middle of Ireland from Nenagh to Ballyliffin and needed some rest the first 24 hours. Hanging out with George, Frank and Martin is hard on the elbow and other parts of the anatomy. The second night we stayed up until breakfast singing with that same crew plus a few great characters from the Goilin in Dublin. We did drive about a bit on Sunday but that was the only foul day of the trip so the vista was white and wet mostly.

It was music, music, music or, should I say, song song, song this trip. Next time I might try the fishing.

All the best, Dan

Thanks for takin' me over there with ya. 'Tis a true honor to be spread upon the wind in such a generous manner. My best regards to Frank and all at the Circle. Would that I could be there with you all sometime.

Art

Glad you enjoyed the trip !All three circles were delighted to have yourself and Bob at the sessions. Finding that Bob's Irish roots came from Roscommon was a bonus! I know that many of the local singers were particularly pleased to hear an American perspective on some songs they knew well in Irish versions.

I had been about to mention Inishowen in the "Favourite Festivals" thread - but your recommendation will sound less biassed!

Regards
p.s. As mentioned in an email to you - your messages to me over the last month or so have been lurking in a dark, damp corner of my hard disc! Sorry about that!

We have that great man Robbie McMahon as guest. We don't know when tonight will finish. Derek has sold the pub and this may be the last night under his ownership. Ennis are bringing a mini bus load, Birr and Borrisoleigh and Killea singers are coming as well as our own mob. Tim Lyons is coming down from Galway

We are expecting about 30 + singers tonight.

Thanks for the kind words - Nobody has ever classed me as a fine singer and I feel a little light headed after seeing your comments.

We were all delighted to have you and look forward to meeting more catters over the years.

George

As I write this, you are probably 1 hour underway. When will it end?

For the benefit of Mudcatters everywhere, Robbie McMahon is the man who came across and then reintroduced the original version of Michael Considine's poem/song "Spancil Hill" to the world of Irish song. He was also a great formative figure in the All-Ireland singing competitions. The Nenagh Singers will have a great night tonight.

Also, Derek Browne was (until recently) the owner of the pub where the Nenagh Singers meet. A tolerant and generous man. I hope the new owner has the same fine characteristics. It makes all the difference in the world!

All the best,
Dan

Dan is a mainstay of the featival every year, and so is likely to be returning.

Dan is a mainstay of the festival every year, and so is likely to be returning.

The theme for 2002 is "It's a Fine Thing to Sing - Rural Folk Songs & Urban Ballads" and will include a special tribute to one of Inishowen's most influential singers, the late James "Eoghan" McGonagle. Five of his (adult) children will take part.

The seminar remains a truly high point of our musical year... a very special event.

All the best,
DAn Milner

We may well get as far as Derry however, Philippa, in which case we'll certainly look in at that early evening session. Thanks for hunting out this old thread BTW, rather than starting a new one (even if it did throw Sorcha into a panic). That first post of Dan's was well worth another airing.

Regards

For Nenagh, go to www.singerscircle.com and click on Songs / Recordings.

For Roscommon, go to http://homepage.eircom.net/~dhalprom The CD is named "What Will We Do?"

All the best,
Dan

Ask Dan! Alternatively, ask the organiser, Jimmy McBride, to point me out.

Regards

Noreen