Going to Ireland

[bohemianbiker]

Well, I bought my plane ticket, and I'm excited. In mid-May I'm headed to Ireland for the 1st time for about a week and half. I am not terribly knowledgeable about Irish traditional music, although I enjoy listening to it, and on a few occassions I've been to sessions in pubs in the US. I would love to hear some ITM that includes the mandolin during my trip, and would welcome recommendations on where/who/what/etc. to see.

(Also, an important aside: does anyone know if there's a motorcycle museum in Ireland? Googling has led me to transport museums, but nothing specific to motorcycles.)

Thanks. bb

[Rob Norton]

There's a very cool motorcycle museum on the Isle of Man, which is a three-hour ferry ride from Dublin in the Irish Sea.

[Patrick Melly]

We enjoyed Doolin, on the west coast, just north of the Cliffs of Mohor, and loved Christy Barry's session at Gus O'Connor's pub.

X:35
T:Christy Barry's
T:Sean Coughlan's #2
R:jig
Z:id:hn-jig-376
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:G
G2A BGG|A2B d2e|ged BGG|AGA BGE|
G2A BGG|A2B d2e|ged BGG|1 AGF G2D:|2 AGF GBd||
|:~g3 gfg|a2f d2f|ged BGG|AGE GED|
G2A BGG|A2B d2e|ged BGG|1 AGF GBd:|2 AGF G2D||

[Beanzy]

Check out the Irish Veteran and Vintage Motorcycle Club Facebook page

[kmmando]

Ti Coilis in Galway City for good tunes .....

http://www4.tigcoili.com/

[Sandy Beckler]

I'm Jealous..........(need someone to tote your bags?).....have a great time.!!

Sandy

[bohemianbiker]

Thanks everyone; appreciate the thoughts.

Have been dreaming of going to the Isle of Man for the TT Race for many moons now. Someday .... bb

[Beanzy]

Meant to say have a rummage through this mag website to get a feel for what's up
http://www.irishmusicmagazine.com

If you're near Dublin then it's worth checking out the Seamus Enis centre http://www.tseac.is
And there's a ceilidh every week at the Comhaltas HQ in Monkstown.http://comhaltas.ie/locations/detail/pipers_club_cce/ http://.ie/events/detail/moderate_session/

More generally it's worth checking out their other locations before you go to an area http://comhaltas.ie/locations/ Some centres can be a bit stuffy and formal, others are a riot so it depends were you pitch up but at least this gives you some names and events calendars so you can tweak your itinerary to coincide with anything that may be on.

[Beanzy]

I keep remembering stuff..... The Fidlefair is on in May in Baltimore, West Cork.
I just had a look on their website an Julie Fowlis is on there this year and she's worth the trip no matter what else is on.
www.fiddlefair.com

[mikeyes]

We just got back.

If you are going to ride a motorcycle, then the west and southwest on the Wild Atlantic Way would be great. Ireland has developed these routes as a way to draw tourists, but in spite of that it is a spectacular way to see the West and South (and the rest of the west coast and north too.) The roads are perfect for motorcycles: they wind through some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland in the places where the music is still alive and not just a tourist attraction.

We spent time in the Dingle peninsula visiting pubs and a music festival that happened to be there at the same time. Dingle town has at least one session a night even int he winter and there are plenty of B&Bs and other places to stay. Tommy O'Sullivan's Courthouse Pub, John Benny Moriarty's, the Small Bridge, the Mighty Session, Dick Mack's, Curran's all have sessions or music in Dingle plus many more just in this one town of 2000 people.

You will be going at the beginning of the tourist season but the weather will be better. It is best to land in Shannon and go from there but if you want to go to Dublin (a big expensive interesting city) then do so. It is impossible to take in Ireland in a short period of time. We usually just go to one place and then explore - Dingle is our place due to family connections and music, but there are plenty of others.

Mike Keyes

[Frank Donnoli]

In Dublin go to The Brazen Head, O'Donaghue's and Johnny Fox's

[bohemianbiker]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the info.

Am travelling with 3 others (all music lovers), but it's possible I would break away from the group for a short period (1-3 days) to rent a motorcycle (assuming it's possible and not too expensive). We fly in/out of Dublin, and I imagine we'll spend some time there.

And I might be forced to take a tour of a whiskey distillery or 2. Just for, uh, my own education. Found this cool site. bb

http://www.irelandwhiskeytrail.com/home.php

[Colin Lindsay]

Bushmills in Co Antrim is a must. After some time there you can really begin to admire both Giant’s Causeways.

[BJ O'Day]

If you rent a motorcycle or car,... LOOK RIGHT and KEEP LEFT!

I hit lots of curbs.
BJ

[Eddie Sheehy]

There's a trad festival in May 15-17 in Skerries, Co. Dublin and the Fleadh Nua is on in Ennis Co. Clare May 17-25...

[bohemianbiker]

If you rent a motorcycle or car,... LOOK RIGHT and KEEP LEFT!

I hit lots of curbs.
BJ

Oh man, I forgot about that. I'm probably going to kill myself. bb

[bohemianbiker]

Those festivals sound right up our alley.

Also GC and Bushmills are high on my list. Looks like there's also a working distillery in Kilbeggan. The other whiskey visitor centers appear to be former distilleries.

[mandroid]

Dubin to Co Kerry then up the west Coast and across the north coast

I brought My Touring Bicycle and camping gear there in 1997, my 50th birthday
was in October , that year.

I was in Scotland then. took the ferry to Stranraer. then Island hopped the inner Hebrides ,
Islay has a number of distilleries , but I didn't see any Tourist Tasting rooms.

I do recall seeing some very smooth paved roads on my route to Bushmills ,
was told that was because of its use for Motorcycle Racing .

[Colin Lindsay]

I do recall seeing some very smooth paved roads on my route to Bushmills ,
was told that was because of its use for Motorcycle Racing .

It’s highly polished so as not to hurt the hands and knees of visitors leaving the distillery…