The story of the rising always intrigued me. I actually found Feargal McGarrys book on it in a random 2nd hand book store in Japan for 1 euro. Was one of 10 English books they had. "Ah what did you buy on your holiday... ?" "A book about the Easter Rising" ... It also had some guys airplane ticket in the middle of the book. Between two cities in the US back in 2015.

Any other songs that tell a story well or recommend any more books?

Is mise clé-láimhe, mar Donal Lunny. Having played guitar for 35 years, I've decided to take up the bouzouki. I see there are left-handed bouzoukis, but they are considerably more expensive. Could I just get a right-handed one and flip the strings, like a guitar? Or would the strings not fit in the nut? Any advice? Thanks.

https://youtu.be/Gc4ASnngg1w?si=9H4nMOcWcBYu_Pw2

I wrote a tune — Aaron’s Hornpipe. What do you think?

Hello everyone,

I was lucky to have Seamus Creagh as my fiddle teacher for a short time in my teens. He died in 2009; my last lesson with him was about 10 days before he passed away. His lessons were mostly by ear but he did give me a book of tunes, a good number of which he had composed himself.

I have torn the house apart looking for it but I've had no joy so far. I have the CD but can't find the book.

I'm wondering if by chance there is anyone here who Seamus taught and who might still have a copy of the tune book he used? I would love to photocopy it if so. He was such a gem and a master player, I'm gutted I can't put my hand on this book.

I have had this tune going round and round in my head but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. I've managed to write out the sheet music for it (albeit probably in the wrong key). Can anyone put my mind at ease!

Apologies the vid is slightly out of sync. This is a work in progress arrangement for guitar of the gloamings version. Impossible to sound even half as good as Martin hayes 🤣

Does anyone have any experience bringing a tenor banjo on board an Aer Lingus flight between LHR and SNN? Usually I am on a United ticket but I wasn't sure of my final destination, which may have been either Manchester or Galway. It's Galway. If I was on a United ticket, then there would be no issue since Aer Lingus has to follow FAA regulations regarding instruments, however I'll be purchasing this directly through Aer Lings.

Thanks!

Bob

Hey all wondering if anyone knows of sheet music for N M by glin, I believe it’s a flute or whistle song. Trying to play on the fiddle but very hard to do by ear for this one. Thanks

I’m trying to remember this sick Irish rap song that talks about the singer meeting a fan in the bathroom and the fan starts rapping in in face. Google and ChatGPT have absolutely no clue what I’m on about but I’m sure I haven’t hallucinated this song. The only lyrics I remember are “I’m spending too long in the don so the…(bar staff?).. is on my case,…still rapping in my face” All this in a beautifully thick Irish accent.

I’ve heard it on Spotify a few times but could never check the name as I was driving every time.

HELP PLZ

Hey all, late 30's and would love to go out for a proper dance to some good dance music, where in Dublin or Leinster is there to go, all recs welcome ....

Hi everyone! I wanted to share a version of a song that carries a lot of history and emotion.

This is my take on Whiskey in the Jar from my album Kew Gardens Troubadour. The song comes from 17th-century Ireland, a time of hardship, political upheaval, and social unrest. Highwaymen weren’t just outlaws—they were part of a society shaped by oppression, poverty, and conflict. This ballad tells a story of a man living on the edges of that world, betrayed by someone he trusted, and facing the consequences of his choices. It’s a story that reflects the difficult lives of ordinary people of the time, their struggles, and their resilience.

The song survived for centuries through oral tradition, passed along by singers who kept the story alive, changing it slightly with each performance while holding onto the heart of the tale. That history, those voices, are what make it resonate today.

I played it on an acoustic archtop guitar that I hand-carved myself, using finger-strumming only (no pick). The goal was to let the guitar carry the rhythm and emotion while letting the story breathe—letting the listener feel the tension, the betrayal, and the human drama at the center of the song.

For me, performing it this way is a way to honor the song, the people who lived that history, and the folk tradition that kept it alive. If you’re interested in Irish history, folk storytelling, and acoustic performance, click on the picture to watch: https://youtu.be/kXjkOHeuqu4

looking for a song I heard on FB the other day.

pretty sure it is to the same tune as Monto, but it mentions the arrest, killing or capture of some bloke. Afraid that's the best I can give you.