I have lived for the past 2½ years on the coast near Spanish Point in County Clare. There has been a constant stream of visitors during this time. Some were family, some good friends but some were strangers. Some stayed for a night, some for more than a week. All leave as life long friends. I have hosted 76 guests, many more than once.
They are all people I meet through music, or the music session, or during my travels in Ireland. They have come from Ireland, Australia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, United States, UK, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Denmark and Czech Republic and each has a story. Every single one of them has enriched my time here and it has been a joy to have met, enjoyed their company and shared a shared passion for things Irish.
French Windows
Just last week I hosted three wonderful friends, Julie, Romain and Anna from Carcassone in the south of France. Of course we played tunes, that’s what they came for, but we cooked, imbibed, sampled cheese (sorry, fromage!), and exchanged stories.
The sun came out on the last day. Lunch on the porch.
Cheese, wine and bread from Carcassone. View from Caherush.
It didn’t matter that it rained. I am grateful that we were able to experience an ideal slice of Clare music and musicians in the week they were here. This is what is so special about this place. So many memorable moments, but come next week and it will be the same, but completely different.
So many highlights. Sunday. A pub session in Miltown Malbay at Hillery’s with Conor Keane and Jackie Daly firing on all cylinders, Julie and Romain brought some elegance to the proceedings as they danced a mazurka, French style. Monday. Fitz’s Bar in Doolin, Tuesday. The cosy Cooley’s House in Ennistymon. On Wednesday a trip to Ennis – a chilled out session at Brogans did little to prepare my guests for the madness of Moroney’s in Ennis where the victorious young Clare hurling team were in full voice and there was some fiery sean nos style dancing from Canada, US and Ireland. A visit to the Burren Thursday and sharing some tunes stories, songs and poems in the kitchen of the irrepressible Oliver O’Connell . And they joined in on my regular Thursday house session with some local West Clare musician friends. The craic went until 4am. Situation normal. Oh and what a way to finish! A phalanx of pipers led by Blackie at the Friday Piping Heaven Piping Hell session in Ennis.
Sunday. Jackie Daly, Conor Keane and Dave Harper at Hillery’s Bar in Miltown Malbay.
Sunday. A French mazurka in an Irish pub.
Monday. Tunes in Fitz’s Doolin. Photo Anna.
Monday. Fitz’s
Tuesday. Cooley’s House. Ennistymon. Photo. Anna.
Wednesday. Eoin O’Neill, Brid O’Gorman, Jon O’Connell. Brogan’s Ennis
Wednesday. Anne Marie McCormack, Marcus Moloney and a member of the young Clare hurling team. Moroney’s Ennis.
Thursday. Joining Oliver O’Connell in his kitchen. Photo Anna.
Thursday. House session at Caherush. With John Joe Tuttle, Ciaran McCabe and J-B Samazan.
Friday. Piping session, Blackie O’Connell, Tom Delaney and friends. O’Connell’s Bar, Ennis,
For me these musical experiences are enhanced immeasurably when I am joined by those who approach the music with the same ardor as me. It is my privilege indeed to host such people.
New friends.
Blue and green.
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