West Cork, Ireland - Easter 2011

I've just returned from two weeks in West Cork, Ireland where there was plenty of music going on. The Ballydehob Traditional Festival took place on the weekend before the Eatser. Ballydehob is a picturesque village with five friendly bars and many very good traditional players living nearby. The weather was gorgeous throughout the weekend. I played in sessions at Levis's Corner Bar on Friday evening, The Sandboat on Saturday and Rosie's on Sunday. See http://www.ballydehobtradfestival.com/ for more information.

Welsh dancers performing in the open air at the Ballydehob Festival

Irish dancers in the street outside Levis's on Suday afternoon

The session in Rosie's on Sunday

The following weekend, Easter weekend brought more music. On Good Friday I was booked to play at the Boathouse, Ahakista. Luke, a local fisherman and boatbuilder transforms his boathouse into an unofficial bar every Friday evening for locals, friends and family to enjoy a drink and good company. This is particularly popular on Good Friday when all the bars in Ireland are closed.

Performing at the Boathouse, Ahakista

Views from the Boathouse

The annual 'Ceoil on the Coast' Musical festival at Kilcrohane took place on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I took part in the tradional session in Eileen's bar on the Saturday evening.

Frank, me, Paul Finbar (with hat) who unfortunately had his spoons with him!

Fiddle Group tour of West Cork - Easter 09

Eight of the Oxford Fiddle Group travelled to West Cork Ireland over Easter for a 5 date tour which started on the Thursday before Good Friday at the Fastnet Bar, Goleen.

The Fastnet Bar, Goleen

The following morning found the Fiddle Group busking at Bantry Market. This was unfortunately cut short by a shower so we all retired to the excellent Organico Vegetarian Cafe for lunch.

Bantry market

All the bars and restaurants are closed on Good Friday so the Fiddle Group had a rather unusual evening booking. Luke Brosen, a fisherman and boat builder at Ahakista has converted part of his boathouse to an area where locals socialise on a Friday evening. The Oxford Fiddle Group turned up to a big party at the Boathouse with food, drink and spectacular back drops, both inside and outside the Boathouse.

The view outside the boathouse on our arrival

The entrance to the Boathouse, full of people waiting to hear the Oxford Fiddle Group

Performing in the Boathouse, Ahakista with a mast and mainsail behind us

Tom revealed a secret - his 1959 D/D# melodeon (called an accordion in Ireland) which he'd rebuilt and worked out how to play. This was his debut performance!

An appreciative audience at the Boatyard

More at the Boatyard

On Easter Saturday we played at Casey's Hotel, Baltimore.

We were joined by local musician Michael Collins on his accordion who seemed to know nearly all our repertoire! He plays a D/D# and told Tom he's the only one Michael had met who also plays a D/D# accordion. Perhaps there's someone else out there who does ??

The days were spent making music in the house, going for walks by the sea and in the hills, and wonderful banquets in the house provided by Lynn.

Returning to the house after a brisk walk to the Lobster Pot Bar in Goleen

On Easter Sunday and Monday, The Oxford Fiddle Group played at Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane as part of the 'Ceoil on the Coast' Music Festival.

Fitzpatrick's Bar during the Music Festival



Easter Sunday at Fitzpatrick's

Bound for West Cork

I'm just about to embark on my annual musical pilgrimage to West Cork. There's a hectic programme of performing and sessions for the next month. I'm doing solo gigs and performing with 2 groups coming over from England and 2 Irish groups.


'Gawkey' - me with Matt and Lorna Morton

A couple of dates are unconfirmed but the bookings are as follows:
July 30 Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane - solo
Aug 1 Fastnet Inn, Goleen - Gawkey
Aug 2 Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane - Gawkey
Aug 6 Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane - solo
Aug 8 Fastnet Inn, Goleen - Goleen Rovers
Aug 10 Myross Wood Fete near Leap - Take the Floor
Aug 13 Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane - solo
Aug 15 Fastnet Inn, Goleen - Quarries
Aug 16 Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane - Quarries
Aug 17 Goleen Festival - Goleen Rovers
Aug 20 Fitzpatrick's, Kilcrohane - solo
Aug 22 O'Mearas, Goleen - Goleen Rovers
We always get a really warm welcome from Eileen at Fitzpatricks and the audience made up of locals and holiday makers.
There are plenty of mixed music sessions in Goleen and Bantry and a particularly good traditional session at Ballydehob.


'Take the Floor' at Caseys Hotel, Baltimore

Goleen Rovers at the Goleen Festival 2007