Paddy’s Weekend (cuid a haon)

They may not turn the Liffey green, but sure, there’s no harm in putting out a few green bulbs to light some city buildings in Dublin this Féile Pádraig.

Turning the town green

I simply cannot think of a better way to start the long weekend celebration than with some top notch Irish music. 

Given my own choice of artists, there is no doubt Liam Ó Maonlaí would be right at the top, with Tríona Ní Dhomnhaill in the upper echelon, as well (her CD of trad on harpsichord is still one of my favorites).  That’s exactly what the crowd of several hundred, who braved a chilly but thankfully dry evening in Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square, received.  Whilst those two performers make a stellar combination on their own, they were actually guests of Guidewires, an Irish trad band.

Temple Bar Meeting House Square

Had Liam not mentioned it, you’d never have known this combination of artists had only rehearsed hours before the show. They moved seamlessly through traditional tunes, a few from Hothouse Flowers, and a selection from Triona’s Bothy Band days.  The high energy band had no trouble keeping warm, and for those in the crowd, it would have been nearly impossible to not at least be tapping your toes to the tunes.

Tríona Ní Dhomnhaill

Karol Lynch of Guidewires on Bouzouki, Liam O’Maonlai on keyboards (with his gorgeous harp to his right)

Guidewires Tóla Custy on fiddle, Pádraig Rynne on concertina, and Sylvain Barou on pipes and flute

Liam O’Maonlai on keyboards and vocals and Tóla Custy on fiddle

Time comes in finite quantities, but it always seems to go by too quickly when you’re enjoying something as magical as a great performance. 

To top it all off, the event was FREE.  Just one of many fun, free events going on this weekend. It’s not often that you get to see this caliber of musicians without a ticket (for those in Belfast on Saturday and Cork on Sunday, it will cost you a few Sterling/Euro to see this musical combination – but it will be money well spent). 

If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know of my harp obsession.  I am still kicking myself along the Liffey for not being quick enough to get a ticket to the Sacred Harp event with Liam Ó Maonlaí and Donal Dineen at Trinity College on Friday.  I’ve seen Liam bring his harp to gigs, but rarely get to hear him play the beautiful instrument.  Hopefully another time…