2023 Gallery
Tuesday 12th December 2023
We were back in Odhrán Lodge in Waterford for our final event of a very successful year, and it was great to see familiar faces as we sang our few songs after a Christmas dinner. Nice tea and tart afterwards too and it was a very enjoyable occasion for everyone, ourselves included. Once again thanks to Lesley Power for the invite and for taking the photos. Roll on next year!
Shackleton Autumn School, 20–22 October 2023, in Athy
We left Waterford at 1pm and arrived at our accommodation at 3:30. After dinner in The Old Shebeen in Athy, we attended the launch in the Abbey Hotel at 7:30, and where we sang two songs before and again after the speeches (we also sang a few more songs in O’Brien’s pub later on). We attended some of the enlightening lectures on Saturday and where we sang at the tea break and before Mike Robinson’s talk on the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Shackleton’s role in the Society. The dinner on Saturday night was a convivial occasion, where people talked and reminisced and of course enjoyed the various courses of fine food. We also sang four songs, which were very much appreciated, including Joe’s new song on Shackleton. We were at Nick Cox’s lecture on Sunday morning followed by Mensun Bound’s fascinating talk on his recent research on the conception and reconstruction of Endurance, after which we headed down the road for Waterford.
It was a great weekend which we enjoyed immensely. We have to thank Frank Taaffe and Joe O’Farrell for all their assistance over the weekend, and to Laura, Medbh and everyone else that we chatted to over the few days. Thanks too to Medbh Gillard and Peadar Doogue for the photos
Cape Clear, west Cork 25th–28th August 2023
All six of us arrived in Baltimore by car (Pat, Tim and Shay) and public transport (Dec, Frank and Joe), having left Waterford at 10:30 and 9 am respectively. We had time for a pint in Bush’s and a song from Joe (Time Ashore) before getting the 5pm ferry to Cape where we were met by Mary and Ciarán O’Driscoll who brought all the gear to our accommodation and where we launched into a wonderful stew (and spuds) prepared by Mary. Down then to Cotter’s for the night’s entertainment. We sang several songs over the course of the evening and Mary’s daughter-in-law Eimer sang Summertime, accompanied by Frank. Mary herself did What in the World has come over You and Where have all the flowers gone (again accompanied by Frank). Ronan O’Driscoll sang The Hot Ash Felt. It was a great night and we had to end it over a few drams back at the house (Jameson no less and nice it was too).
On Saturday we did a rousing rendition of a live song in the morning for Peter O’Driscoll after which we went down to see and hear St Fachtna’s Silver Band arriving off the ferry at 12. The Concert in aid of Church renovations was on at 3:30 in Séipéal Naomh Ciarán where we sang several songs interspersed with contributions by Margaret O’Driscoll, Danny and Siobhán. We finished off with The Cape Clear Song, a song that Dónal O’Driscoll sang last year but who unfortunately passed away last November. That was poignant, especially for the O’Driscoll family (though we struggled with it initially, given the emotions of the afternoon and the memories of last year). After a hearty meal in Ciarán Danny Mikes (CDMs) we sang away for the evening. There were other contributions too: Ronan O’Driscoll did 2 songs (I Used to Love You and Delia). Mary O’Driscoll sang Hard Times and Where Have all the Flowers Gone and we did The Cape Clear Song again. Someone asked for Farewell to Carlingford and we duly obliged and we finished up with Rathlin Island.
We had a massive breakfast in Mary’s house on Sunday morning (thanks to Mary, Margaret and Frances for all the hard work, and Ciarán too). We were down at the graveyard in time for the annual cemetery mass at 3pm (or thereabouts) offered by Father Des. Danny was there and he did an instrumental piece on his banjo while we waited for Father Des to arrive fully attired in his vestments and Pat also sang The Lighthouse Song. During the mass we sang Ag Chríost an tSíol, Ár nAthair and Céad Mílte Fáilte Romhat when appropriate. Danny did an instrumental on the banjo during communion accompanied by Frank and after mass we sang The Farewell Shanty. It was a magical occasion, despite the uneven ground and the weather too was brilliant. Later on that evening we gathered in CDMs for food and more singing by us. Mary sang the 40 Shades of Green and Those were the Days and Shay inflicted The 50 shades of Grey on her. A man called Ignatius sang a song from The Godfather and his friend sang A Mother's love is a Blessing. Tim sang The Mary Ellen Carter and we finished off with The Parting Glass leaving just after 12. It was a quieter night but no less enjoyable for that.
We were up sharp to catch the 9am ferry and after a wheel change we headed for Casey’s for breakfast (four of us did anyway and the other two crew left on the 10am bus to Skib and from there on to Waterford). After fixing the wheel it was back home to Waterford.
As in every year that we have been here it was a wonderful weekend of music and song enjoyed in great weather and in good company. Once again, thanks to Mary and Ciarán for hosting us and for their wonderful hospitality over the few days. ‘Twas mighty, so it was.
Le Festival du Chant de Marin, Paimpol, France, 3rd-7th August 2023
We (Pat, Joe, Shay and Declan) travelled by train and bus to Dublin Airport for a flight to Nantes, from where a hired car got us to our accommodation by evening. Once unpacked we went down to the dockside and savoured the atmosphere in anticipation of the start of the festival. And what a festival: Ce festival à nul autre pareil, as it is the biggest Shanty Festival in Europe, with 160 groups and 2000 musicians of every description, playing on stages, on boats, on the quays, in the taverns and even just outside the main harbour area in the town itself (we did a stint in Place Matray). There were also over 200 boats of all sizes and shapes moored in the harbour and the atmosphere generated was superb with all the activities and comings and goings. It was breath-taking and was almost impossible to take it all in. But it was all very affable, relaxed, family-friendly and exciting.
In all we had eight performances: three on Friday, three on Saturday and two on Sunday and two of those gigs were concerts in La Taverne. We sang for well over five hours and enjoyed good and appreciative audiences everywhere we went. All our songs went down well, especially the French songs we sang. It was packed and completely sold out on Saturday, even though it was very windy and some of the larger stages were closed as a result for a while. Dining, as usual, was superb with two meals a day and plenty of vin rouge and vin blanc to wash it all down. There was the usual singing and playing at meal times in La Salle des Fête and we let fly with The Fields of Athenry on the Sunday night to finish off a memorable three days in France.
It was a fantastic weekend, great music, song and frolics, superbly organised, run and managed (what an operation!).
C'était vraiment magnifique (Bhí sé go h-iontach ar fad, gan dabht).
Woodstown, 5th July 2023
It was great to sing a few ballads and sea songs for an audience of young people from Waterford and Spain on an exchange visit to Ireland. They knew most of the songs too and joined in on several of them. It was also a good excuse for us sing songs that we rarely do (and that we must do more often!). The Saratoga nearby was good too for a pint afterwards.
Many thanks to Caitríona, Louise and staff for the hospitality.
Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival, Rosses Point, 16th–18th June 2023
We left Waterford early on Friday morning, taking public transport to Dublin and then to Sligo by train where Kieran Phelan (Joe’s son) very kindly took us to our accommodation in the Raddison Blu hotel, just outside Sligo. We just had time to book in and put on our gear before leaving again for the Church of Ireland and a performance at 8pm at a fundraiser for the RNLI. The Church was full, and it was a wonderful venue for us to perform in with brilliant acoustics, a warm atmosphere and an appreciative audience. We would have like to have stayed on to listen to the other groups (Tom Lewis, All at Sea and The Buoys of Ballisodare) but there was no room at the inn for us so we left for Harry’s Bar, where we enjoyed a pint after our long day on the road. We were also performing there at 10:30 after Eight Bells, the Dollymount Drifters and Robert Hilton/Francoise Millard and we had a chance to savour some of those contributions. We were joined by Conall Doran (a former work colleague of some of us in Waterford) and, he fair play to him, went up and sang a few songs at the end of the night. He also ferried us back to the hotel, where he joined us and sang another few songs in the company of the Dollymount Drifters.
After breakfast (and coffee later) we got the bus to Rosses Point, where we had soup and chowder before performing outside Austies at 2:30. That was very enjoyable too and the large gathering enjoyed the music and the craic. Singing is very thirsty work of course so we retired to the Golf Club for a pint and to enjoy the flashes of lightning, the rattle of thunder and the sprinkling of rain before returning to Harry’s Bar for food (welcome it was too). Our last gig of the day was in the Driftwood Restaurant at around 10pm and that was magical as it was quiet and very relaxed. We sang some lovely quiet songs, and we had a great rapport with the audience. Paula, Elaine and Kieran Phelan were there to listen to their Daddy (Joe) performing and they had to be impressed. It was packed to the rafters in Harry’s Bar so we got a taxi back to the hotel instead where we finished off the night with a few more songs and a bit of chat.
Frank was up early to get the train back to Waterford but the rest of us had a leisurely breakfast (and coffee again later, courtesy of Joe). The bus brought us into Rosses Point just in time for the Pirate Parade from the RNLI Station to Harry’s bar and it was wonderful to see all the kids dressed up and their doting parents adjusting their hats and eye patches. We had no formal gig on Sunday so we decided that we would go and listen to Martin Travis (a Dunmore East man) and Peter Curran, but they had left for Dublin, so we listened to other groups instead. The Buoys of Ballisodare were performing last but there was a slight delay so the four of us went up and sand a song each (four in all) after which we listened to the Buoys (a mighty performance it was too). Joe then left with Kieran for Waterford, and the three remaining crew (Pat, Shay and Declan) went for a pint and food. We decided to have one drink in Harry’s at the Festival Finale before returning early to the Hotel. So much for that aspiration!! Hugh first and then Willie gave us tickets for dwink and sure we had to accept their hospitality and when we had dwink in us we had to sing a few songs and we did that too with gusto. A wonderful day and a wonderful night was rounded off by a wonderful act of hospitality by Ted who dropped us back to the hotel (otherwise we would have had to wait over an hour for a taxi). Thank you Ted!
We were up early on Monday morning with Shay and Pat heading for Waterford on the train and Declan heading for Galway on the bus.
It was a great weekend, and there was great music, great singing and great chat and we enjoyed it immensely. Many thanks to Hugh and Willie for all their help, support and assistance over the weekend. It was fantastic, so it was.
Dun Laoghaire, Friday 19th May 2023
We met Brian Denham on Rathlin Island last May and we were delighted to be invited by him to sing at his big roundy birthday celebration in Dun Laoghaire. What a wonderful evening it was in great company and in a splendid location with fine views of the harbour and Dublin Bay offshore. We thoroughly enjoyed it and many thanks to Brian and his wife Susan for their hospitality on the night. A great night indeed!
Piltown, Thursday 18th May 2023
St Herblain in France is twinned with Waterford City and there have been exchange visits more or less annually for many years. Guests from that lovely area arrived in Waterford for five days to meet with friends and to partake of the many attractions in our area here in Waterford and the hinterland. We were delighted to be asked to perform and sing a few songs prior to dinner in Piltown. And what a lovely evening it was in bright sunshine and balmy conditions. Our French guests enjoyed our performance and particularly the few French songs we sang. Many thanks to Marylin for the invite and Frances for the wonderful hospitality (and the French wine!).
Poetry Day, Waterford, Thursday 27th April
We were in Jordan's Bar on the Quay in Waterford at 9pm, performing a fine mix of sea songs and shanties over 90 minutes or so. We also threw in a few original songs (Sea Fever, Seahorse, By Hooke or by Crooke, Cessaire, Friend or Foe and The Bilberry Goat). A good night it was too and enjoyed by all
Christ Church Cathedral, Sunday 23rd April
Our first event of the year was in Christ Church Cathedral for the monthly Sunday Series from 12 to 1. We shared the event with Omega3 and Fallaway House and there was a fantastic variety of music and song. We definitely weren’t out of place with our mix of sea songs and shanties. What a wonderful venue in which to sing and very enjoyable too. A great morning’s entertainment.
Sea Fever is based on the original poem by John Masefield. Music and chorus added by Frank Walsh
All aboard
