13 December 2008 - Xmas session

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.

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:

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:

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...