Jammin' Reels from Tullamore to McLean Ave!!

I'm just recently back from a whirlwind trip, with my son Kevin, to the Fleadh Cheoil music competition in Tullamore! Our trip started out a bit rocky when we missed our flight and had to come into Shannon instead of Dublin. Kevin wasn't overly thrilled about the 3 hour train ride from Limerick to Dublin, but the 99 (soft vanilla ice cream w/a chocolate flake on the side) seemed to made it all better. We met up with my brother Ken, his wife Brenda, their son Kenny and my parents and we headed for Tullamore.

Its hard to describe the incredible vibe at the Fleadh Cheoil. The competitions take place during the day and in the evenings, the streets are packed with festivities. There are musicians jamming tunes at just about every street corner, bar room and hotel lobby! The international language of Irish music, never ceases to amaze me! A complete stranger can sit into a session, take out their instrument and join in on the tune that the group is belting out! It's amazing to think that so many of the traditional tunes are know world wide.

The competitions are extremely tough, and one youngster is better than the next. We were absolutely thrilled when my nephew Kenny placed 2nd in the under 12 tin whistle competition. He was one of only two American to win at the competition. Sarah Butuex, also from NY, took 2nd place in the fiddle competition. It has often been said that the judges never like to give an American an All-Ireland title, so you have to be that much better to place!

Keeping the Irish traditional music alive here in NY is what it's all about. Like Kenny, Sarah is part of a musical family and no stranger to the stage. Sarah has been performing with a wonderful group of young ladies called Girsa, which means "young girls" in Gaelic. This talented group of musicians hails from Pearl River, NY. Members of Girsa include Sarah Butuex, her sister Lindsay, Maeve and Bernadette Flanagan, Deirdre Brennan, Pamela Geraghty, Emily McShane, Blaithin Loughran, Margaret Dudasik, Kristen McShane and Neidin Loughran.

We are thrilled to be sharing the stage with them, for a very special concert at Rory Dolan's on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 8:00 pm. There will be lots of singing, dancing and Irish tunes jamming, so don't miss what promises to be a great night on McLean Avenue!

Slainte!

Sand and Tin Whistles!

Having these last few summer's in Montauk, Long Island, has always been something near and dear to my heart! Since I have met Montauk, I have nicknamed it, as so many other's do- "God's Country." For those who think thats a tall statement, just spend some time here, and I'm sure you will too.....come around!!

I've been a Jersey Girl all my life, but there was this spring, back in, oh, probaby 1994, that I met this fella that told me that "the Jersey Shore had nothin' on Long Island! " Skeptical, being the aqua-net hairspraying-proud Jersey girl that I was, I reluctantly headed East on the Long Island Expressway to Montauk.

Little did I know that when I got here, not only was it paradise, it was paradise with a spice of Ireland attached! WOW!!!

Every year, Montauk is fortunate to gather a few hundred "J1" college visa kids out here for a good time. They bring with them a taste of Ireland... a "how's it goin'" or "jees...where ya from" sorta, good feeling, that has always been a staple of a summer in Montauk for the past 15 years.

It doesn't get better than that!!

But shhhh, don't tell anyone...we don't want the word to get out!

So fast forward....10 years later and I am completely in love with this place.

I have spend so many nights around a Ditch Plains beach campfire. Smores, ghost stores, a full moon and a few songs, always makes for a perfect beach night. Kevin, my eldest son, often brings his tin whistle and rattles off a few jigs and reels. Tin whistles and sand don't go so well, but hey, he needs the practice and I couldn't be more proud!

So off we go, this weekend to Tullamore, Offaly, Ireland. I will be escorting Kevin to the Fleadh Cheoil. My brother Ken and sister-in-law, Brenda, will also be there, taking their son Kenny to the competition! We are so proud to pass the torch down and share the Fleadh Cheoil with the boys! It will be a special moment to have 2 first cousins represent the United States in the under 12 tin whistle competition!

Of course Nanna and Pappa couldn't miss this moment and will be along with us!

So stay tuned, as either way... I know the boys will make us all proud! We will post some pictures!

GO U.S. AND GO NARROWBACKS!!! :)