(please read the submission guidelines before submitting a session)
Here is the list I have of sessions around the world. If you know of a session or two I don't have listed, or if you have any more info on any of these, please pass it along, and I'll plug it in (and when doing so, it'd be nice if you followed the guidelines below, as it saves me large amounts of valuable time). The more info I have here, the more useful it will be to everybody. Any gripes, questions, comments, free lunches, large sums of money out of the kindness of your hearts, etc. can (and should) be directed to me too. I will do my best to accomodate. :)
So far, these are almost entirely Irish, but this was not intended to be a limitation. If you know of Scottish sessions, Cape Breton sessions, Welsh sessions, or even Breton sessions (is there such a thing?), label them appropriately and plug 'em in. I suppose there should be some limits though, so I'll draw the line at those things that are "celtic" and decide the specifics on the fly. I doubt I'll be too picky until this list gets big anyway. In general, this list is for people who want to find a place to _play_. This is NOT a concert listing, nor is it a list of places to dance (unless the band lets visitors play on a walk-in basis). Perhaps we need seperate lists for these?
** Recent additions/subtractions: **
** Caveat: **
I am not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained here. This list is sometimes inaccurate, and unreliable. Since this makes life much easier for me (lower maintenance for me to do), it will probably not change.
** Submissions: ** (please read before submitting)
When submitting a session, it'd be nice if you used something like the format I used in the list (example below). If you don't, I will still plug it in, but it'll take longer. I'd rather have an unformatted submission than an indefinitely delayed one.
STATE/PROVINCE/ETC: ---------------- City: --Establishment, (street address),If you don't provide a contact, I will use your name and email address as the contact (I won't put a phone number there unless you give me one). If you prefer I didn't do this, just tell me so, and I won't.has sessions every third tuesday of the month, starting at 7am and ending around 8am the following wednesday. [. . . <insert as much information as you can conveniently provide> . . . ] Contact: [name] [email_address] [phone_number]
Another important point to make: If you are submitting a session description, please check for typos. I certainly don't know whether that pub in Timbuktu is called "The Plough and Star" or the "Starry Plow", and this kind of stuff is important to the person leafing through the phone book...
** Copyright: **
This list is supposed to be a service to the general public. You are free to copy it, mail it to friends, publish it in your next tourist guide or do whatever you like with it, just as long as you provide some acknowledgement of *this* list as your source. Give credit where credit is due. Thank you.
*******************************************
Lastly, if you happen to be passing through Providence, RI and feel like playing a few tunes, drop me a line or give me a call, and we'll see what we can arrange!
--Georgi
AUSTRALIA:
Canberra:
--The Phoenix, East Row, Civic, Canberra, Australia. Starts
around 9 until 1130 or later Friday and Sunday nights. Very
crowded on Friday, less so on Sunday. Mainly Irish and beginners
get a fair go at Sunday's session.
Melbourne:
--Leinster Arms, Gold St. Collingwood, has sessions Sundays
5-6pm till midnight. They tend to be pretty much straight
Irish with, at the moment around 15 players. Quite high
quality with tendencies to obscure tunes.
Sydney:
--Carlysle Castle Hotel, Newtown, has informal sessions from
8:30pm till late. All musicians and singers welcome. When
you see the Red-Haired girl you know you are at the right
place. All kinds of music is welcome with the focus on Irish.
--Kitty O'Shea's Oxford St Paddington has a session from 3.00
til 6.00 with musicians and singers featuring almost
exclusively Irish tunes and songs.
=======================================================================
CANADA:
BC: ----------------------
Vancouver, BC:
--CB Vets Legion, last Friday of the month at Broadway
and Cambie, contact Kevin Dooley.
From: David Dalton <dalton@geop.ubc.ca>
--the W.I.S.E. pub, 254-5858, Sunday jams 5--9 p.m. usually
mix of celtic music, acoustic blues and folk, varies.
From: David Dalton <dalton@geop.ubc.ca>
MANITOBA: --------------------
Winnepeg:
--The Irish Club (On Erin St. in Winnepeg's West End) holds
sessions on the first Tuesday of each month starting around
9pm in the upstairs pub part of the Club and its a great room
with great acoustics. I've played there three times and the
layers vary from intermediate to very very skilled. There was
also a good mix of players including a banjo, two accordians,
three flute players and three fiddlers and about three or four
whistle players.
Allan Meltzer <ao275@freenet.carleton.ca>
Aaron Newman adds:
[Sessions at the Irish club] begin 8-ish, with a good-sized
group of people in attendence(~20). I'm the guitarist with
long hair.Say hi. Also, there's a harper's circle at the same
location on the last thursday of every month. I've never been,
so I can't say much more other than I know some great harpers
who go.
From: WSIMPSN2@UWPG02.UWINNIPEG.CA
NEW BRUNSWICK: ---------------------
Saint John:
-- The Royal Canadian Legion. Charlotte Street . Saint John
Ref: Stuart B Hook. 506-847-0010
E-Mail hook@mi.net
NEWFOUNDLAND: ----------------------
St. John's:
--The Blarneystone, on George Street. This pub also features
Celtic music most nights of the week - 7 days a week during
the summer months.However Wednesday nights are more eclectic
and the Folk Club welcomes any "Folk" who want to sing or
play. You may here Celtic, The Blues, Recitations, Classical,
you name it we've got it!!
From: "Fergus A. OByrne " <fobyrne@calvin.stemnet.nf.ca>
--The Ship Inn, Time 4:30 pm, Saturdays (may move to Sundays)
Relatively new session hosted by Rob Murphy (flute player with
Tickle Harbour) Well attended just now!
NOVA SCOTIA: --------------------------
Halifax:
--Gus,s Pub (902-902-423-7786) ,on the corner of north and
agricola st. Every monday eve. usually beginning around 8:30
lasting until 12:00 or 1:00am.The music is Irish Traditional
with the usual regional cape breton set as well,but basically
it is kept within the Irish theme. The music is usually high
spirited but not at breakneck speed(We are trying to slow
down) allthough sometimes it can really zip along at a good
clip.the stronger players usually start it off with myself on
fiddle Jon goodman and Sean dempsey on flute and whistles rob
gordon on guitar and Bouzouki and Marc Currie on Bodrhan. All
players are welcome both novice and experienced alike,no egos
that I know of as yet??? It can be imposing at times to new
players but it only seems like that
From: Tino Bonomo bonomo@atcon.com
Tel. 902-477-8420
Gus,s Pub. 902-902-423-7786
ONTARIO: ----------------------
Kingston:
-- The Irish Folk Music Club holds a mainly traditional
session each Month on the First Friday, commencing
approximately 8:00 p.m. and continuing until the hanging of
the last dog. The usual venue is the RCHA Club at the corner
of Ontario and Clarence St. in Kingston. The venue sometimes
changes at the last minute so it is sometimes wise to phone in
advance until one is on the mailing list. If you plan on
attending, call me at the numbers below:
Jack Hickman
Personally Guided Tours of Historic Kingston, Ontario
Voice 613 546-7597
Fax 613 546-3468
e-mail jhickman@fox.nstn.ca
Ottawa:
Monday night starting about 8:30 - Rasputin's 696 Bronson Avenue
Tuesday night starting about 9:30 - Celtic Cross 265 Bank Street
Thursday night-Starting about 8:30 - Cock Robin 56 Byward Market
(non-smoking)
All sessiuns are mainly Irish and Scots but Cape Breton, Ottawa Valley
and Quebecios traditions are represented. There is a good variety of
chorded instruments, flutes fiddles and even a hammered dulcimer
represented at all Ottawa sessiuns.
Call Allan Meltzer at (613) 565-3635 or
e-mail ao275@freenet.carleton.ca for more information.
===========================================================================
CHINA:
Hong-Kong: (ok, I know it's not really IN China--yet. But it's more
geographically consistent this way)
--The Hermitage, 42 Kennedy Road, has a mixed tunes session
every 3rd Thursday of the month, starting at 8pm. All acoustic
instruments/types are welcome, but the emphasis tends to be British
Isles music.
Update: The bar is being pulled down in July, and no new home
has been found...
--Delaney's, every Sunday afternoon at 3-ish (3:45 is common).
It is hosted by what the management likes to call the 'Delaney's
Boys', young talented Irish musicians brought out on contract.
Music is mainly Irish. All players are welcome, but should be
forewarned that breakneck speed is the norm.
From: Jon Glusman <J.R.Glusman@hk.super.net>
===========================================================================
ENGLAND:
Cambridge:
--The Man in the Moon on Norfolk St. has Sunday Irish sessions.
"L." Berman <lb@radiol.cam.ac.uk> adds:
The sessions here usually start around 9.30pm.
Variable but fairly formal almost entirely Irish with
occassional Shetland and Scottish tune.
--Royal Standard in Mill Road.....Much more give and take at
this one. Also mainl-Irish but non Irish Tunes are slightly
more accepted here. Beginners marginally-more welcome than at
the Sunday session but they need to show respect and
restraint.
From: "L." Berman <lb@radiol.cam.ac.uk>
Chesterfield, Derbyshire:
--The Three Stags Heads, Wardlow Mires has sessions on most
saturday nights. These are usually hosted by one of the
locals and take the form of a singaround or playaround,
depending on who is in. Sort of halfway between folk club and
session I suppose. Occasionally they have a pipers
getogether. A classic, unchanged (Elizabethan?) pub out on
the moors. Fine ales and plenty of local colour...
Cumbria:
--The Greyhound in Pica(?) has a session on the 3rd Sunday of
each month. Phone 946 861 235.
--The Queens Hotel in St Bees has a session on the first
Sunday of each month. Phone 946 823 997
--Old Friends pub, Soutergate, Ulverston, Cumbria,
LA12.England, has a session from 9pm on. fiddles, concertina,
flute, guitar, bodhran (a good one!) - very friendly session,
people usually travel a fair distance so it's very social.
Feel free to contact people if you are passing through on
other days, as it's not out of the question to quickly convene
is musicians are passing through...
Contact: Gordon Jones (guitar) e-mail gordon@hartown.demon.co.uk
Durham: --Colpitts Hotel has trad sessions on a Monday night.
Finmere:
--The Red Lion pub (officially in Little Tingewick but
no-one's heard of that) every month. Next one is 10th of Feb.
From: Dave Gabol <dgabol@LHR-SYS.BRU-RO.DHL.COM>
Butley, Suffolk:
-- The Oyster Inn, on the B1084, tel. (0394) 450790, it is
near Woodbridge, between the old RAF Bentwaters and RAF
Woodbridge bases. Every Sunday evening, beginning at 9pm till
closing.
Contact: bob norway <examiner@nexusprime.org>
Ipswich, Suffolk: --Lord Nelson on Fore street has sessions every
tuesday. Contact <pitts_c_s@bt-web.bt.co.uk> for info.
Ed: This is not really a trad session (people play anything
from music hall stuff to Jethro Tull and REM--with a little
trad here and there), but I included it anyway... There's not
enough in this list to be too picky yet.
Faversham, Kent:
--The Bear Inn, Market Place. Session every Thursday 21:00
onwards. The session is mostly of Irish music
but nobody gets turned away for playing other sorts. All
levels of ability are encouraged.
Contact: John Drouot <J.Drouot@canterbury.ac.uk>
Hexham:
--The Tap and Spile has a Northumbrian session on the last
tuesday of each month, starting around 8pm.
--The Ship in Wylam has Border and Scottish Smallpipe sessions
on the 1st Thursday of each month.
Kidlington:
--The 6 Bells... Friday eves. It was quite cozy when I was
there, well kept beer, nice crowd response, small, free pints
(on the whim of the owners, which was quite generous when I
was there)
From: Edward A Beimborn <beimborn@CSD4.CSD.UWM.EDU>
Lancaster:
--Three Mariners, on Wednesday nights. Fiddles and banjoes
predominate, with the odd whistle and flute.
Leicester:
--Jolly Miller on Conduit Street, Leicester, England every
Tuesday. A variety of musicians attend, including two or three
flutes, two concertina players, and several whistle players.
Morpeth:
--The Tap and Spile has Sunday lunchtime (12-3pm) sessions.
Newcastle:
--The Feathers Inn in Hedley on the Hill in Stocksfield has a
session on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Phone 661 832614
for info
--The Cumberland Arms in Byker has irish sessions on Sunday
lunchtimes (at least). Excellent beers, friendly environment
and (now) a good floor.
--The Irish Centre near Blackfriars has Friday night sessions.
Phone 91 232 9422.
--The Tanners Arms, on New Bridge Street ( at the West end of
Byker Bridge). Unfortunately, the Rose and Crown was
demolished to make way for Newcastle's new quayside
development. Needless to say we did the decent thing and drank
the place thoroughly dry on the last night. The session is
still one of the best Northumbrian sessions for miles around
and it's still on odd mondays of the month i.e. 1st, 3rd and
5th. That way you don't have to know whether there was a
session last week to know if there'll be one this week. (Also,
it means we sometimes get to have one two weeks running!)
North London:
beginner/intermediate sessions:
weds the Stags Head
Camden
9-11pm
sat. Charles I
Northdown Street
Kings Cross
9-11pm
sunday The Steeles
Haverstock Hill
Belsize Park
9-11pm
very advanced sessions:
sat The Load of Hay
Haverstock Hill
Belsize Park
2-5pm
sunday The Powerhouse
Angel
1-3pm
Oxford: Lucy's club in Walton St, on Sunday lunchtimes every 5
weeks. Next one is on 10th July.
Nottingham:
--Brittannia Inn in Nottingham, England, also takes place on a
Thursday, and consists of several fiddle players, an excellent
banjo player, a concertina player and a couple of flute
players; with various visiting musicians usually passing
through.
--The Limelights Bar next to the Playhouse host L'Assemblie
Francaise on the first wednesday of each month. Phone 115 941
8467. A popular gathering of midlands pipers, hurdy gurdy and
box players who perform Massif Centrale type music.
--Behans Bar off Maid Marion way is a nouveau-irish pub in the
basement of the Forte Crest Hotel which has an irish jam
session on Wednesday nights anchored by local band Da Dog.
Dublin Guinness!
--O'Rourkes off Alfreton Road has an irish session on Monday
nights. Several fiddles, mandolins and flute players from the
local band scene and a nice cosy room make a good atmosphere.
Good selection of stouts and sympathetic management...
Sheffield:
--Fagan's Pub on Broad Lane. Tetley's and Guiness too!
Every day except Thursday(pub quiz!) 8-11pm plus |Sunday
lunch..Other sessions take place at the Red House, Solley St
and Dog&Partridge most nights, all Irish pubs. Manchester has
a big session scene but I don't have details,
Teeside:
--The Golden Lion in Sedgefield has a session run by the
Northumbrian Pipers Soc on the 2nd wednesday of the month.
Phone 740 20098
===========================================================================
FRANCE:
Cafe de la Fontaine, Verlinghem (59 Nord) near Lille
Traditional Irish Music Session on every last thursday of the month 8.00 pm
Run by "Grains de Celtes", fiddles, accordion, guitars, flutes; uillean pipes.
Paris:
Quiet Man (The) (1) 48 04 02 77
5 rue Haudriettes 75003
The best place in PARIS (Sure, I'll get a free
pint)
Session on
Tuesday from 8-9 PM until very late
Wednesday (singing)
Saturday from 5 PM until very late (not regular)
Ti Jos (1) 43 22 57 69
30 rue Delambre 75014
Thursday from 10:30 PM until late (not sure in summer).
You can meet members of the Irish association.
Molly Malone Lounge Bar (1) 47 42 07 77
21 r Godot de Mauroy 75009
Every Monday
Lille:
--Cafe de la Fontaine, Verlinghem (59 Nord) near Lille.
Traditional Irish Music Session on every last thursday of the
month 8.00 pm Run by "Grains de Celtes", fiddles, accordion,
guitars, flutes; uillean pipes
Contact: Christophe MARTIN - Phone 20 54 03 90
Lorient: (Brittany, France)
--Pub The Galway Inn 97 64 50 77
18 rue de Belgique 56100 LORIENT
Every Wednesday. (Every day but overcrowded
during the "Festival interceltique de Lorient")
Quimper: (Brittany, France)
Ceili 98 95 17 61
4 rue Aristide Briand 29000 QUIMPER
Session every month, last Sunday.
Most of the sessions are not very regular in summer. I just
mention the places where I've been. There are some other
places in Paris (Mulligan's, Johnny's) and a lot of sessions I
dont know in Brittany.
===========================================================================
GERMANY:
Cologne/Koeln:
-- Distel (=name of pub). Every third Saturday of the month.
Reportedly "very good."
Gustavsburg (near the city of Mainz / Rhine):
-- Gerber's Cafe, Am Gerberhaus 1, has a session the first monday
of every month. There's a some amateur and semi-professional
musicians (have you ever seen a professional German musician
playing Irish traditional music?). It's great crack with
mandolines, bouzoukies, fiddle, bodhran, guitar etc.
From: METZ@MZDMZA.ZDV.UNI-MAINZ.DE
===========================================================================
IRELAND:
DONEGAL:---------------------
Ballyshannon:
--Sweeney's White Horse Tavern. They have a session
Friday nights at 9:30 that is absolutely out of this
world. If our experience is any indication, it may
start slowly but eventually more and more locals will
join in and the place will be jumping in no
time. [and yes you can get beer there]. The session
is downstairs from the main bar [and yes they have a
downstairs bar as well]. The music is all traditional
and the age of the musicians varies from 12 to 82! A
great time overall.
and from Gavin Burnage:
<gavin.burnage@LANGUAGE-CENTRE.OXFORD.AC.UK>
This is a Donegal session run by Fermanagh men!
I think I went to it last August. I was taken to it from
Derrygonnelly, Co.Fermanagh, by Jim Hoy, the local box and
fiddle player (nephew of the venerable Mick Hoy who was a
stalwart for music in Fermanagh down the years). On the way,
we called into Belleek to collect John Gordon, a great old
fiddle player. Both these are excellent musicians, and well
worth a listen. John has a lot of Scottish tunes as well,
including some of those Scott Skinner "techno" jobbies, but I
wouldn't describe his music as Donegal style. The same is true
of Jim Hoy - he has loads of stuff, but is very much a
Fermanagh man. There was also a young piano accordion player
there - Lawrence ?MacQuaid (can't remember for sure).
I joined in and got a pint or two of beer for my trouble. A
good session indeed, though I was a bit worried by the cellar
when I first arrived. It soon warmed up nicely.
Bunbeg: (in the Gweedore area of Northwest Donegal.)
--Teach Hudi Beags, Mondays... Francie Mooney
(no Proinsias O Maonaigh) Last summer there was also Donal
Lunny and a few weeks later his brother Manus. It's always a
great session (or even concert) to hear, but - referring to
Francie's daughter Mairead - other, rather unexperienced
musicians like me and my friend are just "poor guys" (because
of the speed!!!)....
Kilcar: John Joe's (15 miles NW of Killybegs on the coast road),
on the main drag every Friday night. That session
features the finest Donegal music from people like James Byrne
(no relation) and Peter Carr. Everybody who goes through
Donegal stops there. Tell 'em David and Kim from Indiana sent
you.
Ed: I was here this past summer. Great tunes, great fiddle
playing (of course) and a very friendly environment. This is
the real thing, tradition-wise.
Ventilation could have been better though. As a non-smoker I
found it very uncomfortable after a couple hours...
CLARE:-----------------------
Doolin: -- O'Connors, and McGann's, every night, one or the other,
with, among others, Yvonne Casey and Mary & Tola Custy on
fiddle, Eoin O'Neill and Cyril O'Donoghue on Bouzouki, Jamie
Storer& Iain Lamb on guitar. Great nights, begins at 9, ends
well past 1.
From: UTWO@JHUVMS.HCF.JHU.EDU
Ennis:
-- Brogan's on Tuesday night,
-- Cruise's (Siobhan Peoples and P.J. King) and May Kearney's on
Wednesday night, and
-- Ciaran's on Thursday night (often includes the fellows who
recorded as 'Fisherstreet'). May Kearney's was most like what
I am accustomed to in U.S. sessions. There are many places in
Ennis that do this, I got a little brochure at the Bord Failte
office, put out by Guinness, of what places have traditional
music on what nights.
Feakle: -- with P.J. Hayes (no additional info)
CORK:------------------------
Cork:
--Corner House, Coburg Street
Monday nights: assorted members of the Lee Valley String Band
Thursday nights: various musicians inc. Mick Daly, uilleann
piper Denis Brooks and members of the Moynihan Family
--An Spailpin Fanach, South Main Street Tel.: 021-277949
Tunes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday night with Seamus
Creagh and Friends (inc. Mick Daly, Aidan Coffey, and Eoin
O'Riabhaigh)
--The Gables, Douglas Street Tel.: 021-313076
Tuesday nights: The Four Star Trio (Con O'Drisceoil, Johnny
MacCarthy, and Pat Ahern) Sunday nights: Traditional Songs
with a special guest singer every week.
--The Lobby (opposite the City Hall) Tel.: 021-311113
Mondays: folk and bluegrass
Tuesdays: Niall Vallely and Gerry McKee
Fridays: Derek Hickey and Liz Doherty
--An Tabhairne Caidrimh, North Main Street
Saturday and Sunday nights: Padraig Kelleher (flute) and Friends
--The Pier Head, Blackrock Tel.: 021-358401
Thursday nights: Seamus Creagh, Matty Teehan and Friends
--The Heron's Perch, Glanmire
Tuesday nights: Tomas O Canainn, Charlie Healy and Friends
Those who asked about sessions might like to know of a
great traditional irish session in glanmir village,
on the outskirts of cork city every tuesday evening.
We have both singing and playing.
It begins at 9.30 pm every tuesday evening of the year.
Glanmire is just under four miles from the centre of
Cork city. The session is held in the heron's perch pub.
Beidh failte mhor romhat!
From: Tomas_O_Canainn@IRUCCVAX.UCC.IE
DUBLIN:----------------------
From: Seamus Keleher <KJJ%NCCIBM1.bitnet@HEARN.nic.SURFnet.nl>
The Ferryman Wednsedays with uilleann Sir John Rogerson's Quay,
piper Mick O'Brien. Way down the south side
A daily session as well. of the Liffey river
O'Donoghue's Every night, 1st and 15 Merrion Road near
sometimes the 2nd floor St. Stephen's Green
Slattery's Sunday 11am. Have been 129 Capel Street, 3 blocks
on other nights as well left of O'Connel Street, 2
north from the Liffey river
Don't stray northward!
Gogarty's Sunday-Wednesday, Enter Fleet Street,
upstairs a few blocks into
the Templebar area
The Temple Bar Sundays, late afternoon Templebar, see above
From: Seamus Keleher <KJJ%NCCIBM1.bitnet@HEARN.nic.SURFnet.nl>
--Hughes's Pub, in Chancery Street (behind the Four Courts, on
the North side of the Liffey) has at least one session every
night of the week. For a few years, it has been a focal point
for traditional players.
GALWAY:----------------------
Flanagan's intersection Lower Dominick St and Helen St
Monroe's Tavern > Probably every night .. Dominick Street area
Taylor's Bar Lr Dominick St
Waterfront beside the canal
The Quays > Probably every night .. Quay Street area
Naughton's
Also the Crane Bar and Club A/ras na nGael (45 Dominick Street,
through the big wooden door) which is hard to find.
Taafe's Weekdays at 4:30pm Quay Street
The Crane Sundays 12 noon with Near Domenick Street
left at Flanagan's
on the right
The Lisheen Jackie Daly was playing At Taafe's bear
there on Tuesdays (gig) right, on the left
U/ras na nGael Club for Gaelic speakers 45 Dominick Street
(open to all, and late!) Enter through big
with impromptu sessions door to courtyard
Taylor's Bar, Monroe's Tavern, Busker Brown's, Flanagan's have had
sessions in the past, unsure about the present..
From: Seamus Keleher <KJJ%NCCIBM1.bitnet@HEARN.nic.SURFnet.nl>
and Frank Gibbons <FGIBBONS@neu.edu>
KERRY:---------------------
Dingle:
--An Droichead Beag pub--Eoin Duignan plays uillean
pipes and tin whistle on T, TH, F, Sat beeg. at 9 or 9:30
From: UTWO@JHUVMS.HCF.JHU.EDU
-- O'Flaherty's which is the place everyone starts when
looking for music) and at Maire De Barra's.
Killarney:
--Buckley's Session every night that College Street I believe
I've been there..
--Molly Maguire's, on road to (slightly past) Muckross, has
small ceilis on a weekend night on some regular basis, and
occasional sessions.
MAYO:----------------------
Westport: Matt Molloy's .. probably every night I would guess.
From: Seamus Keleher <KJJ%NCCIBM1.bitnet@HEARN.nic.SURFnet.nl>
KILLARNEY:----------------------
Kerry: Buckley's .. every night I'd say .. friendly place
From: Seamus Keleher <KJJ%NCCIBM1.bitnet@HEARN.nic.SURFnet.nl>
===========================================================================
JAPAN:
Tokyo:--Kashiwa Hall, 8-4-17 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku has a ceili
once a month, with a beginner session from 2-5 just before.
Email to pnakagaw@asij.ac.jp (Patty) for more info...
===========================================================================
THE NETHERLANDS:
Amsterdam:
-- Mulligan's, Amstel 100, (020)622 1330. Session every Sunday
evening starting around 6 pm or so, unless there is a concert
that conflicts. You can check the concert schedule on the Web
<http://www.nikhefk.nikhef.nl/~keeshu/mulligans/mulmonth.html>.
The sessions I visited in July 1995 were small but high-
quality, with some excellent Irish guests passing through.
The small size of the pub keeps the crowd size and noise down,
and offers great acoustics. Guiness on tap.
-- O'Reilly's. One block west of the Dam (west of Madame Tussaud's,
specifically). Session every Sunday evening, starts early,
peters out by 11:00. Although advertised as a session, the
atmosphere is more like a gig, with a set personnel of fiddle
or mandolin, bass guitar, bodhran, and guitar. Drop-ins are
welcome, but be ready for a mike to be placed in your vicinity
and to play some pre-arranged sets. Guiness on tap.
--Fiddler's Green, Schildwolde: every 3rd Saturday of the month from
21:00 onwards.
--O'Ceallaigh's, Groningen: every Sunday from 17:00 onwards.
--Durty Nelly's, Amsterdam: call for info
--Kroeg van Klaas, Groningen: call for info
--Toby's Bar, Winsum: call for info
For up to date information on sessions and concerts, call me or the
SO on: +31 5950 2420 and let us know you heard about it on Irtrad.
We're also always happy to find a place to stay for visiting
musicians.
From: Corine M. Nugteren <C.M.Nugteren@Rand.rug.nl>
============================================================================
NORWAY:
Oslo:
--Queens Pub, Stenersgate. Tuesdays from 9pm.
--Dubliner Folk Pub, Raadhusgate 28. Saturdays from 2pm.
From: daniel.papuga@ima.uio.no (Daniel Winfree Papuga)
============================================================================
SCOTLAND:
Dunblane (Scotland).
--Stirling Arms Hotel, Dunblane. (Town Centre) has an open
session, 8:30 to 11:30 every Sunday. Mostly Scottish or Irish,
but with almost anything thrown in. Fiddlers, Singers,
Squeeze-boxes, even an electric piano (me). Usually run as a
round with everyone who wants getting to play or sing: also
lots of plain session (the whole lot of musicians acting as a
band to whoever is playing). For fun.
Contact: Leslie Smith. lss@cs.stir.ac.uk.
Dundee:
--The Fisherman pub on Fort Street, Broughty Ferry near Dundee
Scotland, has a regular traditional music session every
Thursday night. This consists mostly of Irish music, with some
Scottish. Instrumentalists include Mike Ward on the fiddle
(founder ex-member of the Tannahill Weavers). Other instruments
include several fiddle players, two flute players (including
me!), a concertina player (also me!), and the occasional
appearance of Scottish lowland/border pipes. The session
starts late (around 10.00 PM) and is usually of a high
standard.
Glasgow:
--Sharkey's Pub, (phone: 041-429-3944) located behind the
Citizens' Theater in The Gorbals, has sessions every Monday
night. I made it to the session twice and both times there
were at least ten musicians in attendance, including Brendan
McHugh (who runs the session) and his father Jim--both of whom
are great fiddlers--and Brendan's brother, who, if I remember
correctly played the bodrhon. Brendan's mother served
pints. It was easily the friendliest session I ever attended,
but since it was in Glasgow, which has the most friendly
people per capita anywhere, this should not have come as a
surprise either. This was an Irish--Sligo-style music, as
opposed to a Scottish music session. I assume it is still
running, but have not corresponded with Brendan since
then. :-(
============================================================================
SWEDEN:
Malmoe:
--The Pickwick Arms, every Tuesday
============================================================================
SOUTH AFRICA:
Cape Town:
-- McGinty's Pub, Holiday Inn--Garden Court, Main Road,
Newlands, Cape Town. tel:(021) 61 1105.
Sessions are every Wednesday night, from 8:30 until 11:30pm.
To confirm telephone Dwight Muller at
(021) 938 1251 during working hours, Mon - Fri
(021) 26 1282 after working hours.
personal e-mail: dwightm@aztec.co.za
foschini e-maqil: foschdat@aztec.co.za
Recently a number of young ex-classical musicians have joined
us and are powering away at the tunes, relieved to discover
after so many years of classical slog that making music can be
such fun! (Most of them report that they had more or less
resigned themselves to giving up music altogether). We are
approx. 12 to 15 musicians nowadays with instruments ranging
from a predominance of fiddles to flutes, whistle, bouzouki,
guitar, mandolin and bodhran. We would welcome any trad
musicians passing through or visiting our beautiful city with
"ceol agus craic"!!
============================================================================
USA:
ALASKA: ------------------------
Anchorage:
--The Java Joint, at the corner of Spenard and Benson, has a
very active Irish Jam Session every Wednesday night at
8:00p.m.Some of the players are members of Gael Force and
Nightwind. Also, every January, Anchorage is host to the
Anchorage Folk Festival which also features many groups who
play traditional Irish tunes.
From:Postmaster@Skeeter.alaska.net
ARIZONA: -----------------------
--Folk Shop, (2525 N. Campbell Ave.) tel: (520)881-7147. Has a
"Celtic/Old-Time jam session" on Tuesday nights from 8-11 pm
(EXCEPT for 2nd Tuesdays -- Beware: 2nd Tuesdays are
Bluegrass). This is a very friendly, open group with fluid
membership and a fairly eclectic selection of tunes. Usually
10-20 people show up, with a good mixture of fiddle, mandolin,
guitar, banjo etc. Tunes being played depend on who's there,
but it's roughly half Irish and half American tunes. For more
information about the Celtic music scene generally,
Don Gest remains the best source of information at: (520) -
327-4809.
For those who want to play on nights when the Folk shop is
playing bluegrass:
Incipient Irish session - once a month - whichever week the
2nd Tuesday falls in, so usually the 2nd THURSDAY, 8-11 at the
Harp & Shamrock, 7002 E. Golf Links Rd. For more info -
contact Sharon Goldwasser (520) 298-3014. Friendly people,
newcomers welcome. For now we have mandolin, fiddle, banjo,
guitar, harp, bodhran, accordion & sometimes whistle/flute.
For more information: people can contact (me) Sharon
Goldwasser (520) 298-3014 or c/o my spouse:
CWilliamson@Pimacc.Pima.edu.
CALIFORNIA: ----------------------
Berkeley:
--The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck (2 blocks south of Ashby),
(510)841-2082. Monday evenings. A dance-centered activity,
which runs from 8:00 to 9:00 officially, then some dancers
remain on the floor while a session forms on the "stage," and
the dancers dance to whatever happens to come floating off of
the stage. Guinness and other ales on tap. The one night I
was there I got the impression most musicians were old-time
oriented, and played Irish on the side. Good mix of
instruments.
artrob@Csa2.LBL.Gov (A Robinson) adds:
The emphasis in your discription on dancing is correct. But I
believe the current schedule is Irish set dancing lessons (7pm
to a little before 9 pm). At 9 pm or thereabouts, there is
dancing to music provided by whoever is there. The Irish
fidders I know do not seem to regard this as a session spot.
They prefer the Plough and Stars in San Francisco (see next).
--Freight and Salvage CoffeeHouse (most Tuesday nights)
Addison off San Pablo in Berkeley
Telephone (510) 548-1761
(various, often Celtic, and they feature concerts other nights)
Chico:
Every Friday 4-7 pm at Duffy's Tavern (corner of 4th and Main)
in Chico, CA. Music is traditional Irish. Most regular
players are from the local group Reel Time, but all are
welcome. Instruments present usually include banjo, bodhran,
button accordian, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and whistle.
Generally a loud, but fun, crowd. We also have an informal
session every Tuesday evening at various locations in Chico.
Inquire on Fridays or email: taylgr@shasta.csuchico.edu
San Francisco:
--The Plough and Star, Sunday evenings. Very good, high
quality, completely traditional Irish with a good mix of
instruments.The night I was there, however, they didn't seem
particularly friendly. I minded my manners, laid back and kept
quiet on guitar, and enjoyed myself anyway. Perhaps I was
there on a bad night, or maybe they would rather see your face
a few times before they loosen up.
From: tacker@ceas2.keh.utulsa.edu (Chris Tacker)
artrob@Csa2.LBL.Gov (A Robinson) adds:
--The Plough and Stars, 116 Clement Street, San
Francisco 94118; tel: 415- 751-1122. I've not been to the
Plough on a session night, but as noted above, this seems to
be the main opportunity in the San Francisco area for
traditional Irish musicians to gather and play together.
Several Irish fiddlers I know attend regularly. I believe
things start around 9 pm.
Irelands 3a: Geary Blvd. -- ? Night
Molly Malones -- Night
Abbey - Every other Wednesday
The info on these three was from Pat Brack, a keyboard player
from San Francisco who stops by our sessiun when she is in town
on business. Sorry I didn't get addresses or numbers. Surely
someone in the SF area could fill in the details.
From: mallette@bcm.tmc.edu (Lawrence E Mallette)
Santa Barbara:
--Rusty's Pizza Parlor
I got this one a couple of years ago from a folk music
journal from SanDiego area - I haven't been myself.
From: mallette@bcm.tmc.edu (Lawrence E Mallette)
COLORADO:------------------
-- Aurora (Denver suburb): Sheabeen Irish Pub, East Iliff
Avenue at Chambers Road [tel: (303) 696-6131] open irish
session every Tuesday from 8:30 til midnight contact:
bartender at the above number very informal, everyone welcome,
lots of fun, and the best Guiness in Denver!
Boulder: (Does this still exist???)
--Giovanni's Pizza, on Table Mesa Rd. They play every Tuesday
from about 9:00PM until closing. From attending the "Boulder
Jam", I can tell you that they prefer experienced musicians,
but appreciate a good audience.
Colorado Springs:
--Poor Richard's Restaurant (324 N. Tejon). Open Celtic jam on
every Thursday. Playing starts around 8pm and goes 'til 10.
All Celtic styles and experience levels are welcome.
--Margarita at Pine Creek hosts a local celtic band, Blarney
Pilgram, on the first Friday of each month. No addmission or
cover. Starts at 7pm and runs until 10pm or so. Once in a
while this degenerates into a jam but usually it stays a
straight gig.
--Black Forest Community Center - The Black Rose Acoustic
Music Society meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at
the Black Forest Community Center on Black Forest Road, just
Northwest of Shoup road.
The evening is divided into two parts:
7:30-9:30 is reserved for 20-minute mini-concerts - sort
of an Open Mike Night.
9:30 until people give up is made up of jam sessions. There
have mainly been blurgrass/country sessions but other
styles are welcomed. There is a small Celtic contingent
there.
D.C.: ---------------------
Washington:
--Nanny O'Briens, 3319 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington 20008;
tel: 202-686-9189. When I was in there, they said that
traditional Irish music sessions are on Mondays at 9 pm or so,
but it's best to be a little early because it's often crowded.
Since I was only passing through town, I wasn't able to check
it out in person.
From: artrob@Csa2.LBL.Gov (A Robinson)
mallette@bcm.tmc.edu (Lawrence E Mallette) adds:
Nanny O'Brien's (3319 Connecticut Avenue NW) (Also near red
line Metro station.) Monday night 9PM. which is the only
session in the DC area; Zan McLeod hangs out at this session,
and there were two great uillean pipers as well.
FLORIDA: ----------------------
Delray Beach:
--The Irish Cottage, 2713 Federal Highway, Delray Beach, FL
407-272-2078. The session is Sunday evenings from
8:00pm. Serious musicians are welcome to sit in with the house
band during the Thursday-Saturday peformances.
Orlando:
--Session every Wednesday night, at a previously selected
home, starting at 7:30 P.M. and ending aroung 11:00 P.M.
Mostly Celtic tunes with a few Old Time thrown in. All levels
welcome!
Contact Kathy Bender
(kathy_bender.westinghouse-pgbu@notes.compuserv.com) or
KC King (kcking@interramp.comp) via e-mail,
or call (407) 679-5338 for more info and directions.
Tallahassee:
-- The Warehouse (706 W. Gaines St., 222-6188) has sessions
every first Saturday night of the month, beginning at 7:30
p.m. (beginners welcome, especially at that time) and ending
in the wee hours. Free beer for pickers, and the owner
sometimes orders pizzas if he's having a good night. Being a
provincial capital, we're not loaded down with hot celtic
players, but it's a nice mix of advanced intermediate,
beginning intermediate, and beginners (most of whom sit
obediently behind the more advanced players). We have fun, the
beer's on the house (even Guiness on tap), and I rarely miss
it (I'm the "alpha" guitarist).
The best way to be sure of a specific date would be to give
Gordon at Gordon's String Music a call at +1 (904) 386-7784.
From: Contact Steve Hodges (hodgess@freenet.fsu.edu) at 904/574-4115.
GEORGIA: ----------------------
Atlanta:
--Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., (404) 525-3447
has a session on the second Sunday of every month. This is
a Comhaltas session, led by piano accordion player Bernard Lane.
Other instruments include harp, fiddle, whistle, flute, guitar,
bouzouki, bohdran, and voice. The session starts at 4 pm and
goes until 6 or later. It is preceeded by an Irish music
workshop at 3 pm, with instruction on whistle, flute, fiddle,
guitar, and bodhran.
Contact: Bernard Lane (404)873-5621
--Fado Irish Pub, 3035 Peachtree Rd., (404) 841-0066
Session Monday nights, starts between 8-9 pm until closing.
Good whistle/flute mix, good number of fiddle players, bodhran,
guitar, have recently had uillean pipes, mandolin, concertina,
and bouzouki as well. High skill level, but willing to work with
beginners/intermediates during breaks and after session.
Contact: Peter Blayney (404)325-8188 newroad@mindspring.com
Mike Simpson (770)916-3736 whistler@mindspring.com
ILLINOIS: ----------------------
Brookfield: (western suburb of Chicago):
--Irish Times, 8869 Burlington,
has open sessions every Wednesday night, starting around
8-9pm. The attitude here is a less formal than at the
Abbey. The people who play here all know each other pretty
well, as well as each other's tunes. They don't get too
many new faces here, since it's not in the "Irish Music
Central" area of Chicago (up around the Abbey and Rogers
Park). This is really too bad, since it's a nice session
in general. They have a nice balance of instruments, and
the people who play them are good. There is also plenty of
room for the beginner, should he/she feel like starting a
tune. Several of the musicians here also like non-Irish
tunes, (American, Scottish, Macedonian, Rumanian, etc --
usually heard off the album of an Irish musician), but
there isn't usually more than one or two of these played
per night. Tempos are quite brisk (occaisionally exceeding
the limits of what some people consider good taste) and the
acoustics leave much to be desired (it's often difficult to
hear one's self). Still, it's one of the friendlier sessions
in the area.
Champaign:
--Phoney Mahoney's, 1206 N. Market St., 351-5855 An informal
Celtic jam session welcoming players of all levels--meets
every first and third Saturday from about 9-12. Schedule
subject to change, so call Phoney's or contact Siobhan at
ssen@students.uiuc.edu
Chicago, IL:
--The (Irish) Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace [(312)478-4408], has
sessions every Sunday night from 8pm on. This is the "hub" of
Irish music in Chicago. In spite of the acoustics, some of
the best musicians in town play here regularly: Larry Nugent
(flute-whistle), Brendan McKinney (pipes, flute, whistle),
Dennis Cahill (guitar), Jim Dewan (guitar), Joseph Sobol
(cittern), John Williams (accordion, concertina), Liz Carroll
(when she's not busy doing something else), Marty Fahy (piano
and accordion), Martin Hayes--before he moved to Seattle, and
just about anybody else who plays/played in the Broken Pledge
Ceili Band. This place has a reputation for technical
intensity (within the limits of good taste, of course). It
also has a reputation for a higher level of seriousness than
other local sessions, as the people here are interested in
"real Irish music", as opposed to "Irish-ish music" (An
example to clarify: Steeleye Span tunes would almost certainly
*not* be appreciated here). There is little singing, save for
the occaisional sean-nos song sung on distinguished invitation.
(one of the session anchors usually does the inviting...)
The Abbey can be intimidating for a novice, but is a *great*
place to go for the serious Irish musician, and a fine place
to learn new tunes.
--The Hidden Shamrock (on Halsted, a couple doors south of
Diversey) has sessions on Sundays starting at around 5:30pm (7pm,
if there's a game). This is one of the best sessions in town,
with a great mix of common and rare tunes together. It is
usually run by either Larry Nugent or John Williams, along
with a good back-up player (Joe Sobol, Dennis Cahill, or Jim
Dewan spring to mind). It can be noisy, but the atmosphere is
very friendly, and the room is usually comfortable. There is
also rarely more than 8 people, so it stays cozy.
--Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox St
[(312)282-7035] has sessions on Alternate Sundays around
2:00pm. The first couple times it was earlier,but they soon
thought better of it. This session is on the off-weekend for
the Nevin's session, neatly filling in the early-Sunday hole
when Nevin's isn't happening. The session is held down by
Liz, Jimmy Keane, and Pauline Knealley(sp?). Your milage may
vary on who shows up, of course.
Evanston:
--Tommy Nevin's Pub [1450 Sherman -- (708)869-0450] has
sessiuns every Sunday afternoon at around 2:30pm. These are
usually well-represented, with reasonably hard tunes and
strong musicians.
INDIANA: ----------------------
Bloomington:
Bear's Place, on 1316 E. 3rd St. Starting at 8pm on the 1st
and 3rd sundays of each month. Typically from 5 to 15
musicians show up, and from 50 to 120 people come to listen.
Guinness and Harp are on draft, and Bear's Place is well
air-conditioned, very necessary in an Indiana summer. An
unobtrusive sound system is used to throw more sound out to
the listeners.
From: Rick Gagne <RGAGNE@UCS.INDIANA.EDU>
--The Wild Beet, 4th and Walnut Streets in Bloomington, has
sessions every friday, from 6-8pm. The Wild Beet is a
non-smoking acoustic music club with excellent food, beer,
etc. They are calling this an "Irish Happy Hour". Each
Friday an experienced Irish musician will be on hand to lead
the session. Grey Larsen will lead on January 5th, 12, and
19th.
Porter:
--The Spa & Finn McCools: Has some of the best music you will
find in this area. David James (of hammered dulcimer fame)
hosts a show with friends every Thursday night around 8pm.
Each week, they bring in another musician or two. Guests that
have been there when I have have been Jimmy Keane, Larry
Nugent, John Williams, Bud Kelly, Liz Carroll etc... If you
would like to play along, just tell him you're a musician,
and he'll call you up for a few tunes. As the night
progresses, it will become more and more like a regular
session. This is only about an hour outside of
Downtown Chicago.
PS: If you should happen to go here, mention to David
that you heard about it here...
--Georgi
KANSAS: --------------------------
Wichita:
--The Artichoke, 811 North Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214,
316-263-9164 hosts a free, open Celtic jam on the first Monday
of each month. The session starts around 7:30pm and typically
goes to around 10pm or so. All normal, acoustic session
instruments are welcome. All styles and ability levels are
welcome.
Contact: (Dean) <karres@southwind.net> <316-263-7963>
LOUISIANA: -----------------------
New Orleans:
Kerry Pub Wednesday Nights This is a new traditional Irish
session. I was in N.O. at Thanksgiving and heard they had a
session there, so I went. There were two others there, a
guitar and a hammer dulcimer player, and it turns out this was
their first session. I haven't heard how it is going. The
Kerry Pub is in the French Quarter, about a block from (and on
the same street as) the old Jax Brewery (now an indoor mall).
From: mallette@bcm.tmc.edu (Lawrence E Mallette)
--O'Flahertie's
I heard it's on Friday evenings, so anyone in the area might
want to check it out and report on it. I'm not going to be
there for a while, so I can't.
From: tesuji@miso.wwa.com
MARYLAND: ------------------------
Baltimore:
--J. Patrick's Restaurant and Tavern, 1371 Andre Street,
Baltimore (Fort McHenry area); tel: 410-727-9482. Session
usually runs from about 9:30 pm until closing time at around
2. It is anchored by Peter Fitzgerald, a local resident of
Irish birth and a fine banjo player. No singing to speak of
at this session but a lot of very fine playing and room for
beginners to hang around the fringes (there are good people to
listen to even if you are not playing). Jesse Smith hangs out
at this session (18-year-old fiddle protege of Brendan
Mulvihill) and Kieran O'Hare a fine uilleann piper. I go to
this session and enjoy it very much
Contact: "H. Harrison Heath" <Harrison.Heath@jhu.edu>
MASSACHUSETTS: ----------------------
Amherst:
--Amherst Ale House, on Route 116 in South Amherst. A little
mini-mall on the left sode of the road going south, about 2-3
miles South of the center of Amherst. Sessions are on the
1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month. Playing seems to
start around 7:30pm, and goes 'till 11pm or later. A man
named David Delabar (though I'm not at all sure of the
spelling of the last name) seems to be one of the organizers
there, and is one of the best musicians (playing Northumbrian
pipes and whistles). As I said, it's fairly low-key, with
enough decent musicians to make for a good session without
anyone so overwhelmingly good to intimdate the less
experienced players. They made this out-of-towner feel
welcome! Great brews there, too.
From: "Mr. Paul Wells" <pfwells@KNUTH.MTSU.EDU>
Contact: William Tiernan <tiernan@phast.umass.edu>
Boston:
Soon after my last posting of the Boston session scene I of
the demise of a few more sessions here, including the Green
Dragon Saturdays cancelled for the summer. Sarsfield's in
cancelled both of their sessions (Friday and Saturday)
================================================================
Day/Time
4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 +
MON ( Green Briar -------------------+)
TUE ( Brendan Behan -----------------+)
( Irish Embassy-Norton ------------ )
( The Druid --------------------)
WED ( Mr. Dooley's ------------------+)
( O'Malley's --------------------+)
THU ( Paddy Burke's -----------------+)
FRI ( The Druid ------------------------)
SAT ( Brendan Behan --------------------)
( The Druid ------------------------)
SUN ( O'Leary's ----------------------+)
( Common Ground ------------------)
( Irish Embassy pub --------------+)
( The Druid ------------------------)
( Mr. Dooley's ------------------+)
==============================================================================
The Burren Sundays at 6pm 247 Elm Street, Davis
Tommy McCarthy:fiddle Square, Red Line Stop
Louise Costelloe:banjo Somerville
The Druid Tues. & Fri-Sun at 6pm 1357 Cambridge Street
Shay Walker:guitar/songs Inman Square
Noel Scott:accordion Cambridge
O'Leary's Sundays at 8:30pm 1010 Beacon Street
Jimmy Noonan:flute St.Mary's (T) Stop
Noel Scott:accordion Green Line C Train
Vin Costelloe:guitar/songs Brookline
McGann's Sundays at 4pm 197 Portland Street
Roger Burridge:fiddle Near North Station
Patrick Hutchinson:pipes Boston
Brendan Behan Tue: 9pm Larry Reynolds? 378 Centre Stree
Sat: 6pm Tommy & Louise? Jamaica Plain
Green Dragon Saturdays at 9pm 11 Marshall Street
Alan Loughnane:fidle on Freedom Trail
Mike Reynolds:accordion Boston
Green Briar Mondays at 9pm (Comhaltas) 304 Washington Street
Larry Reynolds:fiddle Brighton
Deeney O'Malley's Wednesdays at 9pm 110 Dorchester Street
Noel Scott:accordion at corner of Broadway
Cillian Vallely:pipes South Boston
--Irish Embassy pub, Friend Street, Boston
Cillian Vallely(uilleann pipes) & John Murphy(fiddle)
--Paddy Burke's, Portland Street, Boston.
Cillian (uilleann pipes) & Billy Kelly (banjo+guitar)
--Mr.Dooley's, #77 Broad Street, Boston (take haymarket exit
southeast expressway) (617) 338-5656 or (800) 560-5655.
Alan Loughnane (fiddle) & Shay Walker (guitar)
--Irish Embassy in Norton
Sheila Falls-Keohane (fiddle) and Tim Keohane (guitar)
Quincy (Suburb of Boston):
--Malachy's Pub, corner Granite St & President Lane, phone
number unknown; sessions every Wednesday starting 9:30pm; lots
of tunes, minimal singing; bright particular stars Aidan Maher
(Dublin - fiddle), Tommy Kierce (Clare - box), "The Horse"
(Clare - bodhran & spoons), Bill Black (New York / Cape Cod -
banjo); other visitors and regulars as well. Nice pub with
youngish but very respectful crowd. Contact zouki@aol.com for
further particulars.
Stow:
--Coffee Tea & Melody, (Stow Shopping Plaza, Rt. 117, Stow,
MA) tel: (508)897-3250. Sessions on Sundays:4-8pm.
nice group of players and listeners. The proprietor (John)
tries to get trad. musicians in on fridays and saturdays also.
MINNESOTA: ----------------------
Minneapolis:
--Kieran's Irish Pub, on Thursdays from
9-12. Most of the usual suspects from the Sunday sessions
show up, Jode Dowling is a regular, as is Martin McHugh.
Kieran's is at 330 2nd Ave S in downtown Minneapolis. The
session is not as solid as Sunday nights at The Well, but you
know how it is in Minnesota: the colder it gets, the more
people show up for sessions. :)
St. Paul:
--O'Gara's which is at Snelling and Selby. The Irish Well
closed in April. Your description is still apt - I played
there last Sunday with Laura Mackenzie, Daithi Sproule (just
done with the Altan tour!) and a couple of the Clumsy Lovers.
***CLOSED***:
--The Irish Well, on the corner or Prior and University Ave.
Sessions on Sunday nights starting around 9:30pm. Sean
O'Driscoll plays here regularly, and Laura MacKenzie
and Daithi Sproule have been known to stop by on
occaision. Some other regulars include members of the
local band "The Clumsy Lovers". Nice place.
NEW JERSEY: --------------------
-- The Grasshopper...an Irish bar right in back of the
meadowlands has a session every sunday night....
-- The American leigon in Union has a session/ceili the second
sunday of every month.... (not january)
sorry, but no phone #'s or addreses.....
Marty Langer
NEW YORK: ----------------------
Albany:
--Eighth Step Coffeehouse, 14 Willet Street, (corner of
Washington Park) The session is on the third Sunday of every
month from 4:00 until 8:00. Musicians of all levels are
welcome. Playing tends towards fast reels and jigs. There
are 14 to 20 regular musicians including a piper, a few flute
players, some fiddlers, a couple accordion players,as well as
others playing bouzoukis, banjos, guitars, and whistles. This
is the Sean O'Riada Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Erin. The
person to call is Ann Marie McGlaughlin at (518)370-3700.
Buffalo:
--Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road The session is
on the third Sunday of each month from 4:30 until 9:00. It
might be held on a different Sunday if the third is on or near
a holiday. There are usually from 15 to 25 musicians, step
and set dancers, and a bit of an audience. The person to call
is Bob Williams at (716)652-0368.
Ithaca:
--McCauber's Pub, just off of the corner of Aurora and East
Seneca on Aurora, also just off of the Northeast corner of the
Commons The session is on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th(when there is
one) Sundays of the month from 7:00 until 10:30 or 11:00.
Musicians of all levels are welcome. Playing tends
towards fast reels, but the group is quite open to any type of
and more than willing to play at moderate speeds. There are
five or so regular musicians playing concertina, accordion,
fiddle, flute, whistles, and banjo. The person to call is Mark
at (607)273-2093.
Kingston:
--During the summer, there is a "Fiddle and Folk traditional
music sessiun on the lawn of the Senate House Site in
Kingston, New York. 12 noon to 1 PM. All traditional
musicians are invited to join us for a lunchtime jam
session. It is held in the museum in case of rain. This is
not a performance. We just sit around and play tunes and sing
songs for an hour. All traditional instruments are
welcome. Contact BobLusk@AOL.com (914) 338-8587
New York City:-----
Sundays: --Ryan's Irish Pub 8:30pm+ Fiona Doherty and friends
its a bar, no cover, guinness, woodpecker, harp
room to dance, but people don't always
address 2nd Ave between 9th & 10th Streets , Manhattan, NYC
--Irish Rover, Just off Steinway St. on 28th AVe. in
Astoria, Queens. It starts around 8:00. All I know about
it is that Tom English, the best bodhran player in NYC, is
playing there.
--Lily's on 4th Ave. in Bayridge, Brooklyn, has a session
earlier in the day (5-9pm) run by Tom Dougherty. Tom is a
fabulous accordianist; I expect this session is very
traditional.
Mondays --Paddy Reilly's 2nd Ave. and 31st St. Manhattan, NYC
$5 cover charge 11:00pm+ Eileen Ivers and Seamus Egan are the
starters, oftern joined by talented folk passing through the city
like Jerry O'sullivan guiness, cider, harp, whatever
its a bar folks will dance worth the money
i'm there every monday
(Ed: this may not be much of a _Session_, and sounds
more like a concert to me.)
--Mona's (Avenue B between 13th and 14th Streets)
Tuesday Muldoon's ==> *****GONE*******
--St. Dymphna's Bar & Restaurant, 118 St. Mark's Place,
btw. 1st Ave. and Avenue A, in lower Manhattan. Traditional
Irish music session every Tuesday night from 9:30 p.m. until
about 1 a.m. For further information, call (212)
254-6636. FYI, St. Dymphna (sounds like nymph-na) lived in
Ireland in the seventh century and is the patron saint of
mental illness and nervous dispositions.
Wednesdays
-- Flannery's 7th Ave. & 14th St Manhattan, NYC (212) 929-9589
dancing and music 10:00 - 12:00 no cover also a bar, but has a
dance floor, always 30-50+ people are set dancing that's how i
started, dance if you know it beg for an experienced dancer to
lead you through if you don't. (Ed: According to Joshua
Mittleman, this is a "ceili session". Dancing is the main
focus, musicians are welcome to come and play.
--The Scratcher (5th Street @ Cooper/Bowery/Third Avenue)
-- Gloccamorra Bar - 3rd Ave and 23rd St.,Manhattan. Every
Wednesday - 7:30 This is a friendly session with no
professional-caliber players. All musicians are welcome,
especially players just getting started with Irish Traditional
Music.
Thursdays Paddy Reilly's 2nd Ave & 29th st Manhattan, NYC
@ 11:00pm no cover, never been to this sessiun, but
if they didn't have talent, they wouldn't be at Paddy Reilly's
most likely traditional
An Bheal Bocht (445 W. 238th St. Riverdale (Bronx),
starting around 10:30. It's not always on, and they have
no phone; you have to show up and take your chances.
They also have excellent performance Fridays and some
Saturdays.
--Kate Kearney's, located on 50th Street between Second and
Third Avenues. Brian Conway, one of the greatest fiddlers now
playing Irish music, and Don Meade, impressario of the Blarney
Star concert series that takes place on Fridays, are the
starters, and the sessions are always of high quality. (If
this information sounds familiar, it is because Brian and Don
used to run now-defunct Tuesday night sessions at Muldoon's).
The sessions start at 8:30 and finish at 12:30 a.m.
Fridays Blarney Star, on Church St. in Manhattan, (43 Murray
St. just off Church St.) NYC $10 cover, famous folk from
all over, thus the money 2 sets 9:00 & 10:30 never been
there, but these are the Friday night concerts that have
been happening for years at the Eagle until the lanlord
tried to double the rent with the lease renewal, so the
Eagle has landed but the flight continues at the Blarney
Star.
(Ed: Denis O'Driscoll pointed out that these are
strictly concerts, but also mentioned that they used
to turn into sessions at the Eagle, but was not
sure whether or not this carried on to the Blarney
Star)
Contributed by: connol@green.cooper.edu (Carolyn_Connolly)
--Kate Kearney's (50th St & 2nd Av) every Saturday. While not
necessarily an open session, Andy McGann usually alternates
who plays with him: one week, Gus Murray, a local accordion
player, and the other week, accordion player John Cronin and
myself on keyboard. Any musician he knows is in the place will
usually get called up to do a spot. (Unfortunately, I'll be
off for a few weeks to Ireland leaving August 13 so I may miss
your visit. Otherwise we could have tried to connect. Maybe
next time.)
Rochester:
--Rochester Brew Pub, 800 Jefferson Road, Henrietta The
session is on the last Sunday of the month from 4:00 until
7:00. Musicians of all levels are welcome. There are usually
about 20 musicians. The playing speed is a good one for most,
not fast, not to slow. A wide variety of tunes are played and
visitors are encouraged to throw in their favorites.
The person to call is Dave Halligan at (716)334-3345
--McGinnity's, 534 Ridge Rd. West at 9pm. on the 2nd Friday of
every month in their large back room. 15-25 people, some
dancers, good overall atmosphere. Some people arrive at 8:30,
in order to player slower and learn new tunes. contact: Lou
Hillman lbhndp@rit.edu
--The Rochester Brew Pub on Jefferson Rd. has a session on the
last Sunday of every month from about 4-7PM. It's a nice,
relaxed session with a good mix of instruments. Call the Irish
Events Hotline at (716)234-ERIN for more events and
information.
From: robn@vainamoinen.roc.servtech.com (Rob)
Syracuse:
--Limerick Pub, (Walton St. between Clinton and Franklin
Streets), <315/475-1819>, has sessions the first Sunday of the
month starting at 3 P.M. The group is so far under 8
musicians and we play a whole spectrum of styles and
speeds. The contact person plays flute. Other instruments
include fiddle, whistle, guitar. The club owner is a lover of
the mucic and all are welcome, players or not. This is a very
friendly place. Email contact is hnusbaum@mailbox.syr.edu but
the coordinator is Tom Hourican at 607/749-4223.
Utica:
--Slackers Coffee House, 20 Main Street, Yorkville,
(315)736-1931 The Session is the first Thursday of the month
from 7: until 10:00. Musicians of all levels are welcome. We
play a fairly wide variety of tunes (reels, jigs, polkas, slip
jigs, hornpipes, O'Carolan tunes). Playing tends towards dance
speed. There are usually four to eight regular musicians. Of
the better musicians, there is one accordion player, a few
fiddlers, a bohdran player and a guitarist. We also meet every
Thursday for most of the year for group practices. This is a
Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Erin). As for the session,
anyone is welcome, musician or not. Just call me for the
location. I can be reached at (315)339-4526 or
gruczad@rl.af.mil
NORTH CAROLINA: ----------------------
Charlotte: The Celtic Trader has jams on Thursday nights around 8.
From : Craig Whitehead (C_whitehead@queens.edu)
Greensboro:
The Blind Tiger: Walker Ave. at S. Elam Avenue attracts
musicians on the last sunday of each month. Music, ale, and
craic flow freely from 5 until 8.
OHIO: -------------------------
Columbus:
--Tara Hall Pub (social hall adjacent to St. Patrick's Church,
376 E. Naughten St. downtown; just off of Cleveland Ave. near
Columbus State Community College and the Columbus Convention
Center). Session is second Friday of the month starting at
about 8:30PM and ending around MN, 1AM, 2AM, depending on
who's there. Ged Foley of the House Band usually leads,
playing fiddle. Sometimes the adjacent room is cleared for
step dancers.
OREGON: -----------------------
Portland:
--East Avenue Tavern, East Burnside Ave., Monday nights.
the tavern is owned by Mike Beglan, a Cavan man who plays the
button box. He also hosts the session. The session usually
starts around 9 or 10pm.
From: Mick Mulcrone <mulcrone@UOFPORT.EDU>
--The County Cork Public House, on SE 37th & Hawthorne, has an
Irish session every Sunday afternoon beginning at 4:30 and
running until 7:30 or later. It's generally an all-levels
affair.
Contact: Dan Compton, at 233-9091,
e-mail at danfran@teleport.com.
PENNSYLVANIA: -----------------
Philadelphia:
--Mermaid Inn 6745 Germantown Ave. (@Mermaid Lane) Phila. PA
Wednesdays from about 9 PM to closing ( 1 to 2 AM). A fiddle
intense, friendly, mainly Irish session. There have been
nights when the lone tin whistle or banjo has played with a
string accompaniment of ten fiddles. On the average, seven or
eight players of fairly reasonable skill play for three or
four hours. More an organic session than an organized
session. New players and out-of-towners are more than welcome,
even if they are fiddlers .. :=)
For information call either (215) 247-9797 or Chris Brennan-Hagey
(215) 233-2077.
From: Jack Crowley <jcrowley@NETAXS.COM>
--Irish Center (Commodore Barry Club) Emlen St.@Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, PA Fridays from about 9 PM to closing (1 to 2 AM)
Occasionally a splendid session, just as occasionally a
washout. Certain evenings are predictable successes, such as
the Friday before the Philadelphia Irish Festival, and the
Friday of the Christmas Ceili. The best evenings are better
than the Mermaid sessions, with the same level of hospitality.
It's worth a try, in any event. It is more likely to attract
the older players, many of whom have jobs that conflict with
the late Wednesday night timing of the Mermaid session. The
Philadelphia area has more than its share of excellent
traditional musicians, many of whom prefer to play in the
comfort of private house sessions. If they venture out at all,
it's usually to the Irish Center.
From: Jack Crowley <jcrowley@NETAXS.COM>
The Session at the Philadelphia Irish Center (aka Commodore Barry
Club) Carpenter Lane and Emlen Lane, in the Mount Airy Section
of Philadelphia, Currently on Friday nights at 9pm till ?, but
will be moving to Sundays afternoons at 2pm starting 1/95. Great
facility, great music, beginers encouraged, dancers welcome. For
Information call (215) 843-8051 or Joan McKenty (215) 887-2574.
Pittsburgh:
--Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub, 2329 Penn Ave, in the
Strip District (downtown), phone (412) 642-6622, there's a
traditional Irish session every first and third Sunday of the
month, starting around 5pm. Attendance and skill level
vary--but it's always friendly and open, & usually small (you
can hear yourself). The pub-restaurant setting is congenial,
staff are very Irish and support the music and traditions
(ie-free drinks for musicians).
York:
--Charlie & Johnny's, 1500 South George St, York, (717)843-1994.
The session is on the third Sunday of even numbered months from 5:00
until 8:00. This is a bimonthly session as of February, 1996.
Sessions have been held here before, they just were not regular.
Previously, about ten musicians have shown up. The person to call
is either Jim or Cushla Srour at (717)792-3999.
RHODE ISLAND: -----------------
Providence:
"check out AS220; there's a session there once a week. "
(From rec.music.celtic, June 1994)
(Ed: More info on this would be appreciated)
From: mallette@bcm.tmc.edu (Lawrence E Mallette)
SOUTH CAROLINA: ---------------
Charleston:
-- Horse & Cart Cafe, 347 King St., Chareston, SC, (803)
722-0797 has open Irish jam sessions every Tuesday starting at
8:30pm and ending around 10:30.
Contacts: Bill Stillway, iopa@aol.com (803) 886-8360,
Carol Savage, carol_savage@macgate.musc.edu,
Rick Hamrick, ohamarick@awod.com.
Columbia:
--Publick House (2307 Devine St. 803.256.2207). A restraunt
bar that caters to the college/professional crowd during the
week, but has a nice session on Sundays at 7pm. An informal
mix of music, more like a house party than a typical session.
A nice feature is that each person playing gets to do a tune
or song in turn around the circle, so more experienced players
don't dominate the session. The turn taking also gives a nice
mix of tunes from Celtic, old-time, klez, and a few swing
tunes. Usually attended by various members of two local contra
bands, with players from Northern GA. and N.C. attending from
time to time. Good selection of Beers on tap, the owner and
the staff love the tunes, and slowly building a listening
base.
TENNESSEE: --------------------
Nashville:
Davis-Kidd Booksellers has a monthly session, on the 3rd
Saturday of every month, from 8-10pm.We have a diverse group
of players ranging from the best Nashville has to offer to
some pretty raw beginners. We have a great time every month
with a very appreciative crowd, and a smoke free environment.
For more information, contact Andi Wolfe:
wolfead@ctrvax.vanderbilt.edu
TEXAS: ------------------------
Austin:
--Colorado Street Cafe, 705 Colorado St. *** CLOSED ***
--Draught Horse Pub. 4112 Medical Parkway, Austin. MONDAY
nights, 8:30-? Hosted by Austin's own" Crazy Jane & the
Bishop." Austin's best session venue yet; Irish atmosphere in
a brew pub w/ more than 30 beers on tap (free for musicians)
Runs the gauntlet of the Celtic tradition: mostly Irish but also
Scottish, Welsh, quite a bit of Breton, even Gallician, & sometimes
Cajun(?!).Contact: Larry Rone (LRONE@HRW.COM) or (512) 443-5225
--O'Bryan's Pub & Grill. 619 Congress Ave. Austin. WEDNESDAY
nights from 8:30-? New Irish pub with full menu and bar. Sessions
just getting started, but looks like a good crowd most nights. Free
beer for musicians. Several of Austin's Celtic bands represented.
Tune in later for updates. (512) 476-4764 or (rarii@io.com)
--Senor O'Brien's Restaurant. 624 W. 34th St. Austin,
(512) 451-9555. Every SATURDAY night from 8:00-? Number &
proficiency of musicians varies widely, but sometimes a
really great session in which folks from all over show up.
Dallas:
--Session every Wednesday at George Wesby's Pub, 2713
Commerce at Crowdus. (214) 742-8318 The same group that used
to be at the Tipperary Inn - mostly local musicians and others
that pass through. Starts around 9."
When I went in mid-January the group was small (7 including
myself). Music was varied - mostly Irish, some bluegrassy
stuff, and a fair number of vocals.
Houston, Texas:
-- McGonigle's Mucky Duck Pub, 2425 Norfolk, phone
713-528-5999, located near the intersection of Kirby and the
Southwest Freeway (Hwy 59). Go 2 blocks north of Frwy to
Norfolk, turn right, go about 300 yards east to the pub. This
is the top acoustic music venue in Houston, with live music 6
nites a week. Moving the session here gave the owners another
night when they didn't have to worry about booking traveling
or local acts (Monday is open mike night), and yet could still
sell some beer (great Guiness on tap, etc). The Duck is
actually the top local venue for traditional Irish and
Scottish music.
The session is still on Wednesday nites, but now starts right
at 8 pm and goes until maybe 11 pm to 1 am. The players
actually sit on stage in a semicircle, with one central mike
to pick up the sound of all the players. The stage is actually
only a low riser in one corner, but to someone just coming in
it looks a bit formal and like a performance. Nevertheless, we
really do try to keep it very much like a session, and
visitors are truly welcome. A brief word of introduction will
surely get you a place in the circle (and a pint), or just get
out your instrument and make a noise.
Interestingly, with the change in venue and miking, attendance
is way up. Now maybe 60 to 80 non-players come by to hear the
music. Its great to see this level of interest in Irish music.
From: mallette@bcm.tmc.edu (Lawrence E Mallette)
(713.529.6508 for questions)
UTAH: ---------------------------
Salt Lake City:
--Crompton's roadside attraction--small canyon restaurant has
trad sessions usually every saturday night. Also in SLC,
there is step dancing every tuesday night at 6pm in the
basement of the Cathedral of the Madeline.
From: UTWO@JHUVMS.HCF.JHU.EDU
-- Gepetto's Restaurant (Holladay), 2340 E. Murray-Holladay
Road, 272-1061, first, third and fifth Monday of each month,
7:30 to 10 p.m. Mix of celtic and old-timey, all skill levels
welcomed.
Mary, 355-9288.
VERMONT: ----------------
Burlington:
--The Dockside Cafe, 209 Battery St., 802-864-5266.
Has sessions every Wednesday evening, starting at 7:30pm in the
winter and 8:30pm in the summer. This is an extremely friendly
session in a pleasant atmosphere.
Contact: Brian Blais bblais@cns.brown.edu
--The Cafe No No, 143 North Champlain Street, (802) 865-5066
Has sessions just about every saturday starting at 1pm and
ending at around 5pm
Contact: Paddy Mckenzie <PaddyMck@aol.com> (802) 863-9529
The Cafe has an e-mail address:
rchild@cafenono.com or kaxelson@cafenono.com
VIRGINIA: -----------------------
Alexandria:
--Tiffany Tavern, King Street, Old Town, - Tuesday Nights (I
don't know any specific times; probably starts around
8:30-ish) This just started a few weeks ago, by some folks who
wanted an alternative to the session at Nanny O'Brien's in
Washington DC on Monday nights. I think the plan is to have a
slow jam to start off with for the less experienced, then on
to the faster stuff. Since its a new thing, I don't know if
any particular format has developed, but I'm sure its mostly
Irish - with a good dose of Scottish courtesy of the Potomac
Valley Scottish Fiddle Club (plug plug). Tiffany Tavern is
usually a Bluegrass club, so this is a bit of a departure for
them. Hope it keeps going.
Charlottesville:
--Blue Ridge Ceilidh Club. Right now were are an intermediate
seisiun with a twist. We currently meet every Sunday from
1-5pm in the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library in
Charlottesville, VA. I encourage our people to play music from
the whole spectrum of Celtic music, although Irish and
Scottish predominate. We are small now and looking for new
members. I am currently looking into places to have real
seisiuns. I will e-mail any changes. People may reach me thru
snail at: The Blue Ridge Ceilidh Club c/o Michael Carr HCR 01,
Box 46A Dyke, VA 22935 or,(804)985-8469 or,
mcarr@onyx.pvcc.cc.va.us
--White Horse Pub, in Virginia Beach, has a session every Wednesday
night. Informal, group-of-friends type thing.
mail "John C Atkeson@NCG244@noaa" <JCAtkeson@RDC.NOAA.GOV> for info
Roanoke:
--Mill Mountain Coffee in the Market Square Monday nights in
Roanoke, VA. Starts around 8pm and hosted by Ullian Piper Bert
Mitchell.
WASHINGTON: ---------------------
Seattle:
--Conor Byrne's pub on Ballard Ave. in the Ballard
district. Sunday nights. Byrne, the owner/proprietor, plays
fiddle with the Suffering Gaels.
From: Mick Mulcrone <mulcrone@UOFPORT.EDU>
William Galloway <galloway@u.washington.edu> adds:
On Sunday nights from 9 or 9:30 p.m., there's a session at
Conor Byrne's pub in the Ballard neighborhood. I've seen
Martin Hayes there a couple of times. The caliber of
musicianship is high but everyone is welcome.
--The Old Pequliar 1722 NW Market Street, Seattle (Ballard)
They have live sessions every Sunday night, and feature other
live bands on other nights, particularly Fridays and
Saturdays. This pub seems to be the main hangout for Irish
immigrants in the Seattle area. #include <disclaimer.h>
From: shamus@eskimo.com (Jay Mottern)
Spokane:
--There is a Celtic jam every tuesday night at Cafe Espresso
Delicioso, N. 706 Monroe st. Running from 8-11pm the session
welcomes newcomers and players of all experience levels.
WISCONSIN: ----------------------
Delafield (between Milwaukee & Madison):
--The Carpenter's Pub (location unknown) has sessions on some
Fridays. Call the owner, Aelred Gannon for more info.
Madison:
--Mickey's Tavern, 1524 Williamson St., (608)251-9964
Wednesdays, 9:30-close. A small, rural-looking bar, offering
cheap beer, free for musicians. The weekly setting is usually
noisy, crowded, and smoky, even filling up to standing-room
capacity, but can occasionally be quiet enough to play
something besides jigs and reels en masse. Musicians: several
regulars of commendable repertoire, plus 5-10 intermediates.
Friendly, low-pressure, but 95% Irish, 100% traditional. 1
each of uillean pipes, banjo, bouzouki, flute, then lots of
fiddles, and sometimes a box or two.
From: Alan Ng, agng@students.wisc.edu, dated 9/95
Milwaukee:
--Nash's on (about) 13th and lincoln. South side of town. Every
weds and sun from about 9 pm till the wee hours. I think that
some are getting a bit bored with it there (not enough free
beer) but it goes on.
From: Edward A Beimborn <beimborn@CSD4.CSD.UWM.EDU>
--The Nomad World Pub, Just west of the Corner of Brady
St. and Farwell in Milwaukee's galmorously dingy east side,
(414) 224-8111 has sessions tuesday night, starting at 9:15pm
(ish) ending around midnight.
Contact: Dan Beimborn danb@execpc.com
(414) 332-9923
=========================================================================
WALES:
Newport, Gwent:
--Engineers Arms, Near the main railway station. Sessions
every Wednesday starting at about 9 pm - a mix of
Welsh,Irish,and English Tunes.
Contact: rgriffiths@cix.compulink.co.uk (Richard Griffiths)
Cardiff, Glamorgan:
--The Yellow Kangaroo, Off Newport Road, Opposite Clifton
Street. Sessions Wednesday 8:30 pm and Sunday 8:00 pm
Contact: rgriffiths@cix.compulink.co.uk (Richard Griffiths)