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Co. Galway
Our most favourite part of
Ireland is, without a doubt, the west. Galway city is the gateway to the wild
and unspoilt region of Connemara with its bog lands, mountains and rugged
coastline, and a landscape that is both stark and beautiful as the changing
light and the seasons clothe the countryside in a rich tapestry of ever
unfolding colours and shades.
There is plenty of traditional
music to be enjoyed in Galway City. Taaffes in Shop Street is a good place to
start. On most afternoons in the front bar there are sessions you can join. At
night its more organised with the musicians playing on stage with a PA.
Usually worth hearing though. We've also found good sessions in Tigh Coili in
Mainguard St. On one trip we
met a wonderful box player there called Johnny O'Halloran. If you like the
melodeon style of Irish box playing get hold of his CD "But why
Johnny?" and you won't be disappointed. Some of the best sessions in
Galway City are upstairs at the Crane Bar. It's described as the home of
traditional music in Galway and the list of musicians who have played there
reads like a who's who of Irish music. Other good music pubs are Quays Bar in
Quay St. and Tigh Neachtain in Cross St.
In
2001 we
were lucky enough to take in the Fleadh nCuach in Kinvarra. For more details visit the website.
Fleadh
na gCuach
Kinvarra
is a typical fishing
village situated on Kinvarra Bay an inlet in the southern reaches of the greater
Galway Bay, and long associated with the traditional Irish
group DeDannan. There are lots of good session pubs in Kinvarra. Green's is
worth a visit.
After
you've experienced Galway city leave the rush behind (the city is spreading and
becoming increasingly busier) and head for the west and "God's own
country". Clifden is the capital of Connemara with it's exhilarating
landscape dominated by the Twelve Bens. We love this part of Ireland and on this
year's trip spent a wonderful two weeks in the area playing music by night (and
sometimes by day) and walking in the National Park, cycling on Inishbofin and
generally enjoying the very laid-back nature of the area. There are lots of
sessions in and around Clifden. Manion's in Clifden, where our good friend
Eugene "Cork-man" Barry plays is great Craic and we also enjoyed
sessions in Cleggan and Letterfrack.
Session
in Manion's with Eugene (box) and the boys.
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