The Boar's head, Down in yon forest, The holly and the ivy were joined by the Boatman of Lough Key, Robert Service, Mo dheartháirín óg mo chroí. Then Snows, Mary is not her real name, nor Jesus the name of her babe... Mo pháistín fionn,
True sons of Bacchus all took part: Eugene, Tony, Clare, Clíona, Frank, Frances, Angelo, Breege, Kathleen, George, Seosamh, Helen, Michael, Teresa ...
Crackers, holly, ivy, tinsel, buns, hot food from Dodds and a Singers' Session debut from Mrs. Dodd!
Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise.
See you all in January.
15 November 2008. Not so quiet night...
A large crowd gathered in Dodd's for the Session. Heard it was one of the best yet - though this writer was unfortunately not there! Typical!
The Boyle singers' Christmas session has been moved forward a week and will now take place on Dec. 13th instead of Dec. 20th. That still gives enough time to dust off the Christmas carols and seasonal specials and give them an airing once more.
The Boyle singers' Christmas session has been moved forward a week and will now take place on Dec. 13th instead of Dec. 20th. That still gives enough time to dust off the Christmas carols and seasonal specials and give them an airing once more.
18 October 2008: A quiet night at the Boyle Singers
Settling into the Autumn, with several singing festivals under our belts (Rosses Point and the Sligo Traditional Singers' Circle, Dublin and the Frank Harte Festival) and another one due next weekend down in Knockcroghery, it was time for a quiet evening by the fire in Dodds. There was plenty of chat about the Rosses Point weekend, enjoyed by all who attended.
Songs sung included, a Davey Hammond song, Fair Rosa; Van Diemans Land; The Brown and the Yellow Ale; and The Captains and the Kings (which Brendan Behan recorded on Irish Folksongs and Ballads and sung by the Dubliners too). Then Blackwaterside; Green grows the laurel; John o' Dreams and a song Helen Grehan wrote herself, "Annie". The Night Visiting song: "I must away now..." and You are my sunshine... Rounded off by the Banks of the Lee, and another beauty from Breege.
Dubliners and The captains and the kings:
Songs sung included, a Davey Hammond song, Fair Rosa; Van Diemans Land; The Brown and the Yellow Ale; and The Captains and the Kings (which Brendan Behan recorded on Irish Folksongs and Ballads and sung by the Dubliners too). Then Blackwaterside; Green grows the laurel; John o' Dreams and a song Helen Grehan wrote herself, "Annie". The Night Visiting song: "I must away now..." and You are my sunshine... Rounded off by the Banks of the Lee, and another beauty from Breege.
Dubliners and The captains and the kings:
Oct. 3-5: Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend, Rosses Point
This weekend, October 3-5, will be a great one for singing, up in Rosses Point. The 2nd Annual Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend, organised by Sligo Traditional Singers Circle will take place there. Singing sessions, lectures, an island trip and the opportunity to hear local and visiting singers are all promised. Last year's festival was a huge success and this 2nd one is shaping up to be a worthy successor.
Sept. 26-28: Frank Harte Festival 2008, Dublin City
A reminder that the Frank Harte Singing Festival is on in Dublin this weekend, Sept. 26-28.
20th September 2008: SECOND anniversary of the Boyle Singers' Session
Ag dul ó neart go neart. We have reached the end of the second year of the Boyle Singers' Session and we're heading into the third with a session that is growing and growing, reaching epic proportions at times, maybe? Like Alexander?
When he had conquered the whole world, he sat down and wept full sore
Because there was but one world, and he could gain no more
Rambles galore the other night, some to the Shores of Amerikay; others, like the Poachers, to Van Dieman's land: Come all you gallant poachers who ramble by Lough Erne; and beyond, Far away from lovely Derry on the banks of the Foyle .
From the 600 yr old Child ballad, The Unquiet Grave, to a 70 yr old lyric, Joe Hill, along with Siúl a Rún, Robert Louis Stevenson, John Reilly's Captain, and The Shores of Lough Bran.
Davey Hammond, RIP, was remembered with Fair Rosa was a lovely child...
Davey Hammond on YouTube:
When he had conquered the whole world, he sat down and wept full sore
Because there was but one world, and he could gain no more
Rambles galore the other night, some to the Shores of Amerikay; others, like the Poachers, to Van Dieman's land: Come all you gallant poachers who ramble by Lough Erne; and beyond, Far away from lovely Derry on the banks of the Foyle .
From the 600 yr old Child ballad, The Unquiet Grave, to a 70 yr old lyric, Joe Hill, along with Siúl a Rún, Robert Louis Stevenson, John Reilly's Captain, and The Shores of Lough Bran.
Davey Hammond, RIP, was remembered with Fair Rosa was a lovely child...
Davey Hammond on YouTube:
Next Boyle Singers' Session - 20th Sept. 2008
That's it! It's official. Our long, not-so-hot Summer is over. Spirits undampened however, the Boyle Singers' session will continue with its usual high notes this Saturday coming.
See you all at Dodd's on the Crescent in Boyle. 10-ish...
See you all at Dodd's on the Crescent in Boyle. 10-ish...
August 16th, 2008 ... Streams of ... consciousness
Deep and secret glen in Aghadoe, I’m crazy for feeling so blue, Shall I ne’er see you more, Gentle mother, In the fields where the wild flowers grow, Donal Og, Molly Bawn, Wexford massacre, a Johnny McEvoy number... he was never there when needed, he’d just smile n say sorry, no need to worry gonna meet sum friends drink some beer 'n fight the war... Sorry the day I was married, (duet from a happily married couple),Red is the rose had everyone joining in. Recitation 'bout the weather -- very apt.
Sadly, tonight was also the night we heard that Ronnie Drew had passed away. May he rest in peace.
Sadly, tonight was also the night we heard that Ronnie Drew had passed away. May he rest in peace.
July 19th 2008: Singing sweetly and completely...
The Singers' session continues to grow and grow. We had over 30 songs last Singers' night. Regulars and newcomers sang up and those who didn't, listened.
There was Me name is Dick Darby, I'm a cobbler ..., "Willie the Ploughboy" and "Blue tar road". Nanci Griffith's song "It's a hard life wherever you go" was given an excellent outing, as was Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927", Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline...
Anyone who made it to The Grehan Sisters' great gig on Saturday, 26th July, knows that Helen took to reciting Shakespeare at one point and she was warming up to it at the Singers' session when she sang Love's labour isn't lost, it only caught a frost...
Two songs on related themes were "Liostáil mé le sáirsint" and "Willie Taylor". We heard "The boatman of Lough Key", "William Hollander" and the "Rose of Tralee".
That's just a taster. Speaking of which, thanks to Breege and Helen for providing such consistently good sambos and cakes too!
A good luck wish to one of our singers, Eimear Browne who was not present at the July session, as she was preparing for her 250km row down the Shannon, starting at the Shannon Pot on 24th July and finishing in Limerick on August 4th. Eimear is rowing in aid of Helping Hands, Cambodia. She'll be playing her fiddle every night at stops along the route and she might be persuaded to sing [in] a bar or two as well.
Tuilleadh ceoil, tuilleadh amhránaíochta, bí agus dí an mhí seo chugainn. Bígí ann.
There was Me name is Dick Darby, I'm a cobbler ..., "Willie the Ploughboy" and "Blue tar road". Nanci Griffith's song "It's a hard life wherever you go" was given an excellent outing, as was Randy Newman's "Louisiana 1927", Six feet of water in the streets of Evangeline...
Anyone who made it to The Grehan Sisters' great gig on Saturday, 26th July, knows that Helen took to reciting Shakespeare at one point and she was warming up to it at the Singers' session when she sang Love's labour isn't lost, it only caught a frost...
Two songs on related themes were "Liostáil mé le sáirsint" and "Willie Taylor". We heard "The boatman of Lough Key", "William Hollander" and the "Rose of Tralee".
That's just a taster. Speaking of which, thanks to Breege and Helen for providing such consistently good sambos and cakes too!
A good luck wish to one of our singers, Eimear Browne who was not present at the July session, as she was preparing for her 250km row down the Shannon, starting at the Shannon Pot on 24th July and finishing in Limerick on August 4th. Eimear is rowing in aid of Helping Hands, Cambodia. She'll be playing her fiddle every night at stops along the route and she might be persuaded to sing [in] a bar or two as well.
Tuilleadh ceoil, tuilleadh amhránaíochta, bí agus dí an mhí seo chugainn. Bígí ann.
June 21st - Summer Solstice Session!
A good crowd turned out for the Boyle Singers' Session in Dodd's on June 21st. Some were local and some travelled, from South Sligo and South Roscommon, and a from a good few places in between. There were well over 20 songs sung, several stories told and a couple of poems recited.
Mrs John Conroy was one of the humorous hits of the night. There were many choice lines in that song: I will, says she, transported be, for Mrs John Conroy… We could do with hearing it again to capture some more.
Úna Bhán Mac Dermott was the heroine of one song and a different Úna Bhán, Úna Bhán McDonnell was the heroine of a song by John Keegan Casey (the author of The Rising of the Moon).
Another local love song was Willie Reilly and his Coleen Bawn: O rise up, Willy Reilly and come along with me.... This early 19th century song has travelled all over the world. William Bulfin in his Rambles in Eirinn mentions the estate near Ballinafad where Squire Folliard and his daughter, the Coleen Bawn of the song, lived. That song involved the process of law as did the Land League incident in 1881 at Coolavin, Co. Sligo described in the newly composed song The Coolavin Lament, sung by its composer the other night.
Every song can’t get a mention, unfortunately, but two personal favourites were:
A lady fair in a garden walking, When a well-dressed gentleman came riding by.
He stepped up to her for to view her, And said, 'Fair lady, would you fancy I?'
And
Edward on Lough Erne Shore
The Sun was setting behind the mountain, The dew was falling upon the leaves
And I was seated beside a fountain, And a feathered songster sang on a tree.
And last but not least - the Knockcroghery song.
Oíche mhaith.
Mrs John Conroy was one of the humorous hits of the night. There were many choice lines in that song: I will, says she, transported be, for Mrs John Conroy… We could do with hearing it again to capture some more.
Úna Bhán Mac Dermott was the heroine of one song and a different Úna Bhán, Úna Bhán McDonnell was the heroine of a song by John Keegan Casey (the author of The Rising of the Moon).
Another local love song was Willie Reilly and his Coleen Bawn: O rise up, Willy Reilly and come along with me.... This early 19th century song has travelled all over the world. William Bulfin in his Rambles in Eirinn mentions the estate near Ballinafad where Squire Folliard and his daughter, the Coleen Bawn of the song, lived. That song involved the process of law as did the Land League incident in 1881 at Coolavin, Co. Sligo described in the newly composed song The Coolavin Lament, sung by its composer the other night.
Every song can’t get a mention, unfortunately, but two personal favourites were:
A lady fair in a garden walking, When a well-dressed gentleman came riding by.
He stepped up to her for to view her, And said, 'Fair lady, would you fancy I?'
And
Edward on Lough Erne Shore
The Sun was setting behind the mountain, The dew was falling upon the leaves
And I was seated beside a fountain, And a feathered songster sang on a tree.
And last but not least - the Knockcroghery song.
Oíche mhaith.
Tribute to the Grehan Sisters
A date for your diary:
One of our two (Breege and Helen) able founders and MCs of the Boyle Singers' Sessions, Helen Grehan, will join her sisters on Friday 25th July, at 10pm, to give a concert during the Boyle Arts Festival, billed A Tribute to the Grehan Sisters.
One of our two (Breege and Helen) able founders and MCs of the Boyle Singers' Sessions, Helen Grehan, will join her sisters on Friday 25th July, at 10pm, to give a concert during the Boyle Arts Festival, billed A Tribute to the Grehan Sisters.
May 17th 2008 in Dodd's Crescent Bar
The Boyle Singers' session moved to a new venue in Dodd's Crescent Bar this weekend.
The range of songs sung continues to expand: from Lord O'Bore and Mary Flynn, to Robbie Burns' Ae Fond Kiss, from Sigerson Clifford's Boys of Barr na Sráide about Cahirciveen, to a song bringing in all the beauty spots local to Boyle. There were a few tunes played too and some excellent guitar-work from Helen and Philip.
Next session: 3rd Saturday in June
The range of songs sung continues to expand: from Lord O'Bore and Mary Flynn, to Robbie Burns' Ae Fond Kiss, from Sigerson Clifford's Boys of Barr na Sráide about Cahirciveen, to a song bringing in all the beauty spots local to Boyle. There were a few tunes played too and some excellent guitar-work from Helen and Philip.
Next session: 3rd Saturday in June
Next singing session in Boyle - May 17th, 2008
NOTE: CHANGE OF VENUE :
The Singers' Session will be held in the backroom of Dodd's Pub on the Crescent in Boyle from May 17th onwards. Look forward to seeing you there.
The Singers' Session will be held in the backroom of Dodd's Pub on the Crescent in Boyle from May 17th onwards. Look forward to seeing you there.
19th April in Wynne's
It might have been called "A feast of forty songs" in Wynne's last Saturday night. If you like singing and talking about songs, that was the place to be.
The regular attendees kept up their usual high standards. Highlights included, Laurel Hill :
When war had oppressed every nation with horror
And Wellington ventured his life o'er the main
and Bogie's Bonnie Belle :
Now Bogie had a dochter, her name was Isabelle
She was the lily o' the valley an' the primrose o' the dell
Dick Gaughan is a singer who has recorded that last song, incidentally, and he's on tour in Ireland at the moment, with gigs in Monaghan on Thurs 24th April, Barrys in Grange on Friday 25th April and Matt Molloy's in Westport on Saturday the 26th.
The regular attendees kept up their usual high standards. Highlights included, Laurel Hill :
When war had oppressed every nation with horror
And Wellington ventured his life o'er the main
and Bogie's Bonnie Belle :
Now Bogie had a dochter, her name was Isabelle
She was the lily o' the valley an' the primrose o' the dell
Dick Gaughan is a singer who has recorded that last song, incidentally, and he's on tour in Ireland at the moment, with gigs in Monaghan on Thurs 24th April, Barrys in Grange on Friday 25th April and Matt Molloy's in Westport on Saturday the 26th.
Singing - 2nd May - Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim
Four Gaelic singers from the Outer Hebrides will be singing in Kiltyclogher on Friday, 2nd May. Julie Fowlis, Mairi Smith, Anna Murray, Meave Mackinnon.
Singing - Louisburgh, Co. Mayo - 2-5 May 2008
Beidh Féile Chois Cuain ar siúl i gCluain Chearbán, Co. Mhaigh Eo (Louisburgh, Co. Mayo) an deireadh seachtaine fada, Bealtaine, 2-5, 2008.
The singing part of the Féile Chois Cuain programme:
Saturday 3rd May / Dé Sathairn 3 Bealtaine:
10.30am - 4.00pm: Masterclasses - Máistir-ranganna
Ballads: Len Graham
Sean-nós: Máirtín Tom Sheáinín
Táille/Admission euro 10.00
Venue: Sancta Maria College
4.15pm - 6.00pm: Seisiún Amhránaíochta Sean-Nóis le scoth na n-amhránaithe ar an sean-nós.
Aíonna: Éamon Ó Bróithe, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta, Johnny Mháirtín Learaí Mac Donnchadha, Sarah Grealish, Máirtín Chóil Neaine Pháidín Mac Donnchadha, Micheál Ó Confhaola, Áine Ní Dhroighneáin, Tomás Ó Máille, Gearóidín Breathnach & Nollaig NicAindriú. Fear a' Tí: Máirtín Tom Sheáinín
Adm euro 3.00.
Venue Old Convent, Westport Road.
The singing part of the Féile Chois Cuain programme:
Saturday 3rd May / Dé Sathairn 3 Bealtaine:
10.30am - 4.00pm: Masterclasses - Máistir-ranganna
Ballads: Len Graham
Sean-nós: Máirtín Tom Sheáinín
Táille/Admission euro 10.00
Venue: Sancta Maria College
4.15pm - 6.00pm: Seisiún Amhránaíochta Sean-Nóis le scoth na n-amhránaithe ar an sean-nós.
Aíonna: Éamon Ó Bróithe, Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta, Johnny Mháirtín Learaí Mac Donnchadha, Sarah Grealish, Máirtín Chóil Neaine Pháidín Mac Donnchadha, Micheál Ó Confhaola, Áine Ní Dhroighneáin, Tomás Ó Máille, Gearóidín Breathnach & Nollaig NicAindriú. Fear a' Tí: Máirtín Tom Sheáinín
Adm euro 3.00.
Venue Old Convent, Westport Road.
Sean Nós Cois Life, Dublin, Thurs 17 - Sunday 20 April 2008
If you're interested in Sean Nós, there's a four-day singing festival in Dublin coming up, 17th-20th April 2008. There are singing and dancing workshops, (Táille: €20/€10) and informal sessions of music, singing, dance and poetry. This small festival comes highly recommended. More information here or contact Antaine directly for workshop registration ('phone number below).
Déardaoin: 9.00pm : Seisiún, Club Chonradh na Gaeilge, 6 Sráid Fhearchair(Harcourt St.), BÁC 2
Dé hAoine: 9.00pm : Seisiún sa Ghóilín, Club na Múinteoirí, 36 Cearnóg Pharnell, BÁC1
Dé Sathairn: 10am-4.30pm : Ceardlanna amhránaíochta agus damhsa. Áras na bPíobairí Uilleann, 15 Sráid Henrietta, BÁC 1
Oíche mhór amhránaíochta, ceoil & damhsa : Club na Múinteoirí, 36 Cearnóg Pharnell, BÁC 1
Dé Domhnaigh : 2.30pm Seisiún amhránaíochta, ceoil & damhsa : Tigh Hughes, Sráid na Seansaireachta,(Chancery St.), BÁC 1
Ceardlanna amhránaíochta (Singing workshops - tutors):
Áine Meenaghan (Nean Chamuis, Conamara/Chicago); Donnie Murdo Mc Leod (Albain); Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich (Ciarraí)
Ceardlann damhsa ar an sean-nós (dancing workshop): Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin
Contact and/or register:
Antaine Ó Faracháin, 01 453 8192
Déardaoin: 9.00pm : Seisiún, Club Chonradh na Gaeilge, 6 Sráid Fhearchair(Harcourt St.), BÁC 2
Dé hAoine: 9.00pm : Seisiún sa Ghóilín, Club na Múinteoirí, 36 Cearnóg Pharnell, BÁC1
Dé Sathairn: 10am-4.30pm : Ceardlanna amhránaíochta agus damhsa. Áras na bPíobairí Uilleann, 15 Sráid Henrietta, BÁC 1
Oíche mhór amhránaíochta, ceoil & damhsa : Club na Múinteoirí, 36 Cearnóg Pharnell, BÁC 1
Dé Domhnaigh : 2.30pm Seisiún amhránaíochta, ceoil & damhsa : Tigh Hughes, Sráid na Seansaireachta,(Chancery St.), BÁC 1
Ceardlanna amhránaíochta (Singing workshops - tutors):
Áine Meenaghan (Nean Chamuis, Conamara/Chicago); Donnie Murdo Mc Leod (Albain); Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich (Ciarraí)
Ceardlann damhsa ar an sean-nós (dancing workshop): Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin
Contact and/or register:
Antaine Ó Faracháin, 01 453 8192
Sligo Traditional Singers' Circle - October 2008 festival planned
Check under Festival on the Sligo Traditional Singers' new Website for details of the Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend, already well into the planning stage,to be held at Rosses Point, Co. Sligo, on October 3-5th 2008.
Saturday, 15th March - The Brown and the Yellow Ale
Many a song sung, from Skibbereen to Bogie's Bonnie Belle by way of Aughoo and Ballisodare.
This one too, sung by another Dubliner ...
This one too, sung by another Dubliner ...
Saturday 16th Feb.: "Then he pulled out his pen knife, it was both long and sharp..."
There was plenty of murder, manslaughter and mayhem, in a laid back kind of a way, at the Boyle Singers' Circle on Saturday 16th Feb. It started on the Banks of Red Roses, 'where Johnny all the day had been digging up a grave' (and sharpening his penknife seemingly), through 'Molly Bawn' who died, killed mistaken for a swan, past a few more to get to a grand rendition of Tim Lyons' “The grisly murder of John Frawley”. That corpse was added to the body count by a member of the Sligo contingent.
This song wasn't the only recently composed one of the night either, as two talented Boyle singers sang songs they wrote themselves. Strokestown, meanwhile, was well represented by the “young fellow who loved rural sport” (and singing) and recitations of Robert Service poems.
The Sligo Traditional Singers’ Circle added a few broken hearts to the mix, with an unusual version of How could I live at the top of the mountain and the sad tale of Molly Branigan’s rejected lover,
O, ma'm dear, did you ne'er hear of purty Molly Branigan,
In troth, ma'am, she's left me, and I'll never be a man again;
Not a spot on my hide shall another summer tan again,
Since Molly has left me all alone for to die.
Peggy Gordon and (When I first said I loved only you) Nora were there, along with Sadhbh Ní Bhruinneala, An Gandal agus amhráin eile as Gaeilge which named almost everyone and their townlands from down around Waterford direction.
There were many more, and to hear the like again… be at the Boyle Singers’ Circle next month, Saturday, 15th March
This song wasn't the only recently composed one of the night either, as two talented Boyle singers sang songs they wrote themselves. Strokestown, meanwhile, was well represented by the “young fellow who loved rural sport” (and singing) and recitations of Robert Service poems.
The Sligo Traditional Singers’ Circle added a few broken hearts to the mix, with an unusual version of How could I live at the top of the mountain and the sad tale of Molly Branigan’s rejected lover,
O, ma'm dear, did you ne'er hear of purty Molly Branigan,
In troth, ma'am, she's left me, and I'll never be a man again;
Not a spot on my hide shall another summer tan again,
Since Molly has left me all alone for to die.
Peggy Gordon and (When I first said I loved only you) Nora were there, along with Sadhbh Ní Bhruinneala, An Gandal agus amhráin eile as Gaeilge which named almost everyone and their townlands from down around Waterford direction.
There were many more, and to hear the like again… be at the Boyle Singers’ Circle next month, Saturday, 15th March
Boyle Singers' Circle - 19th Jan 2008
Ken Ó Dúill and Susie Minto. Photo taken just after midnight, Jan 1st, 2008.
The night of 19th January 2008 at the Boyle Singers' Circle was dedicated to the memory of Ken Ó Dúill, who passed away very unexpectedly on the 9th January, in Dublin. Ken was an enthusiastic and friendly presence at the Boyle (and South Sligo, and Mohill, and Góilín and many more) singers' session(s). Ken had many songs and we hadn't heard the half of them. He's sorely missed by all his friends.
Ken's partner, the story-teller Susie Minto, travelled over from Aughavas and took part in the evening with a story and a song of her own. Helen Grehan, Breege Duffy and other regulars all sang. There were welcome new faces and new voices present too. Ken would have enjoyed the night.
The next Singers' night will be on Sat.16th Feb., in the back room of Wynne's, 10 - ish. All singers and listeners welcome.
Ken's partner, the story-teller Susie Minto, travelled over from Aughavas and took part in the evening with a story and a song of her own. Helen Grehan, Breege Duffy and other regulars all sang. There were welcome new faces and new voices present too. Ken would have enjoyed the night.
The next Singers' night will be on Sat.16th Feb., in the back room of Wynne's, 10 - ish. All singers and listeners welcome.
Ken Ó Dúill at the Góilín Club in Dublin
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