McDonnell's Traditional Irish Music Slow Session

Tuesday Nights, 7:30 - 11:00 pm, Melbourne, Australia

Note: We have moved this site to a new domain [http://irishsession.net].  Click here to go to the updated site.  Thank you for your cooperation.

News and Updates

November and December 2009

Antoin MacGabhann (fiddle) and Mick O'Connor (Banjo).

In October,  it was wonderful to have two exceptional gentleman, Antoin MacGabhann on fiddle and Mick O'Connor on Banjo visit Melbourne.  They impressed crowds at the Boite and again at Mechanics Hall in Trentham and where ever they played in Australia.   Both Antoin and Mick also gave successful workshops.   They are both well respected and are champion players in their own right, put together you  instantly notice the quality of their playing and the beautiful swing they bring to the music.  We hope they return to Oz soon.  If you didn't get to see them check out the video from the  Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2008 in Tullamore, Co. Offaly http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_277_6_session_with_mick_oconnor/  

Much thanks goes to Tony O'Rourke who arranged their visit and accompanied them at their gigs.

 Time to Sign Up for the 2010 LAKE SCHOOL

 The 2009 Lake School 

Time goes by quickly and there are only 2 months to go before the 2010 School starts.  As I have said in previous years, the only way to keep the tradition going is if we are able to recruit more young people and new musicians to the joys of playing Irish Music.  The School provides a fantastic opportunity for young and old folks to participate in playing Celtic music, singing, dancing and just having a good old time. This year it will run from January 3 - 8, 2010 and includes the old favorites and some new activities including Paddy Fitzgerald leading the sessions and the creation of the Maity Swallow Ceilidhe Band.  As in previous years there will be tuition in flute, fiddle, tin whistle, guitar, banjo, DADGAD guitar, uilleann pipes, bodhran, anglo concertina, Irish set dance, Irish Gaelic, songwriting and the kids program. They are all excellent teachers.   I will be running the popular slow session every morning as I did last year and we have added slow sessions at the Commercial Hotel from Monday through to Wednsday nights. This year the price of the week is a very reasonable $175 adults, $100 children under 16. Family- 2 adults & 5 children $485.  All prices include GST.  There is plenty of reasonably priced accommodations nearby but you need to book early. For addition information look at http://www.bushwahzee.com and follow the leads to the Lake School. If you have questions contact Felix 0413 801 294, felix@bushwahzee.com.

 

SESSION END-OF-YEAR PARTY

Our end-of-year session and party will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at Fr Flanagan's Pub.  The music will start at 3:30 pm.  At around 6 pm we will follow the session by a meal featuring Flanagan's famous $10 steak,  but you can chose from anything on the menu.  No doubt there will be more music after dinner.  Family and friends are  welcome to join us for the afternoon.  We would like to see as many folks as possible join us for the meal to show our continued support for Fr Flanagan's as a session venue. If you just want to come and play music that is fine.  Please be sure to bring your instruments. Our first formal session of 2010 will be held on Tuesday 2 February.

Beginner Session tune list

We have created a list of 25 tunes that we play on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month for the beginner session. Click here to get the  list of the tunes.

Flanagan's Mob Tune Set List

To get the most up-to-date Flanagan's Mob tune set list which we use for our performances click here or download a copy by clicking on one of these formats PDF or MSWord.

Celtic Music Events

Beechworth Celtic Festival 6 -8 November 2009. Austrailia's Premier U2 Cover Band The U2 Show - Achtung Baby! is the feature band this year.  In addition, Bhan Tre, Bremar, Colonials, McAlpine Fusiliers, Ploughboys, Rant and Ricketty Bridge will be performing more traditional celtic music during the weekend. They will mostly be appearing in the Hibernian, Tanswells and Nicholas Hotels. For additional information check out the festival website: http://www.beechworthcelticfestival.com.au/ 

13 November 2009, Christy Moore Tribute Show by Liam Byrne. Held at The Emerald Lounge Clifton Hill Hotel.  For additional information call 9489 8705 or check out their website: www.cliftonhillhotel.com

Guitar Gallery will be holding workshops on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout November.

Tues 10th November: MANDOLIN FOR BEGINNERS with Gerry Hale ($50

Tues 17th November: IRISH BOUZOUKI with Kate Burke ($50)

Workshops run from 7-9pm. Payment is required upon booking, either by credit card over the phone, or in the store. Call us on 9417 2252 to book your place – remember, numbers are limited, so book early! Locaated on 30 Johnston Street, Fitzroy VIC 306.  Check out their website:  http://www.guitargallery.com.au


28 November 2009 Danny Spooner 6 pm at the Boite World Music CafeDanny is one of Australia's premier traditional singer of traditional English and Australia folk songs. He is a regular performer at folk music festival throughout Australia and the world.   Don't miss his performance in this intimate enviroment. For bookings call 9417 1983 or go to their website: http://www.boite.com.au

HEADS UP FOR 2010

SHAM ROCK ‘N’ ROLL and THE IRISH ECHO PRESENTS THE WOLFE TONES LAST EVER AUSTRALIAN TOUR 22 JANUARY 2010 at the FORUM THEATRE Corner Russell & Flinders Streets Melbourne, 3000 Melways: Map 1A K11.  Starts at 7 pm and tickets are  $80. For tickets got to:

http://www.marrinertheatres.com.au/mtPublicAction.do?cmd=whatsOn

The Wolf Tones are one of the legendary Irish Folk groups of all time.  This is your last chance to experience their unique contribution to Celtic music live and in person in Australia. 

November 2009

Fr Flanagan's Pub, Tuesday, 7:30 - 11:00 pm

Slow: November 3 (Melbourne Cup Day)

Intermediate: November 10

Slow: November 17

Intermediate: November 24

December 2009

Slow: December 1

Mixed: December 6, 2009  Sunday, Session & Party at Fr Flanagan's Pub

Intermediate: December 8

Slow: December 15 [Last Slow Session of 2009]

Tune of the Month

The tune for November 2009 is commonly played march 'The Battle of Aughrim'.  Click on the name to hear it played.  To down load the sheet music click on Battle of Aughrim pdf.

Tune for September 2009 is O'Keefe's Slide. The sheet music can be found on Page 3 the Slow Session Music Booklet.

Click on the tune names to hear them played slowly.

For additional information about Celtic music events in the greater Melbourne area check out the Blarney Bulletin. If you would like to get on the Blarney Bulletin mailing list send Kevin McCarthy an email (macca@blarneybulletin.com). 

If you are a fiddler you definitely should check out Sean Kenan's website which is chock full of fiddle news and events. He also maintains an updated list of all types of music sessions in Victoria.

We highly recommend The Session website ( http://thesession.org ).  This is without a doubt the best site on the web if you are looking for tunes or music played at sessions.  It also provides an excellent forum for discussing all sorts of issues related to playing music at Irish sessions.