March 17, 2014

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Whenever this holiday comes around, I can’t help but fondly remember our two trips to Ireland in 1999 and 2001. We went on a tour the first time. The second time, we bravely planned out an itinerary went on our own. After we arrived at the Shannon airport and picked up a rental car, we headed to the charming town of Ennis, where we had reservations at the Old Ground Hotel. We checked in, took a good long nap (to recover flying over the “pond” during the night), and then ventured into the Ennis streets.

We arrived on a Saturday, and the little town was bustling with activity. It wasn’t long before we decided to abandon the crowded sidewalks and explore some shops. We spotted a sign for Custy’s Traditional Music Shop and ducked inside. Since we were going to be touring around (risking life and limb driving on the wrong side of the road), we wanted to buy an assortment of CDs with Irish music to keep us company and set the proper mood for touring. So we proceeded to ask the young man behind the counter for some recommendations on “jiggy music.”

It turned out that the man was Eoin O’Neill, a professional musician and founder of the Ceili Bandits, a popular County Clare band. Of course, we had to buy some of his band’s CDs, and we asked him if he could autograph them, since he was famous. He gave a hearty laugh and said that he would be famous only if he became a mass murderer. Ha-ha! Of course, he obliged and signed our CD purchases.

Eoin has apparently done well with his band over the years, and he hasn’t become a mass murderer, thank goodness. To celebrate this fine St. Patrick’s Day, I hope you enjoy this recent Ceili Bandits music video.



And, which one of the band members is Eoin? He’s the one with the kindly face and mischievous grin.



19 comments:

  1. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! Hope you enjoy your day.

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  2. Can we just tag along on your next adventure? You all have so much fun. I felt like i was reading the beginning of a story.
    HUGS!
    Kim

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  3. How neat! Crystal is busting a Gut to get to Ireland...She's a member of the McCloud Clan I believe...(she's not at work yet for me to ask)...
    Happy St Paddy's Day!
    hughugs

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  4. OMG!Hahaaa....watched the video...he really got even!!Hahaaa...
    hughugs

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  5. Happy St. Patrick's Day Donna.

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  6. Top of the morning to yee Donna !
    Loved that you went to Ireland and listened to jiggy music while remembering to drive on the wrong side of the road ~ lol

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  7. Hello to you and Happy St. Patrick's Day. Be sure to wear your green today!!

    It's too COLD, icy, and very foggy here on the Plateau this morning to be out looking for that Pot of Gold. SO-I'll just stay inside and enjoy our fireplace.

    How wonderful that you all have gotten to travel so much. I'd love to go to Ireland someday. George was there BRIEFLY on business once --but didn't see much of the country...

    Have a great day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Some Irish music is just what we need today! What fun memories of your trips. Enjoy your day my friend! Best o' luck!

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  9. enjoyed the tune, although i'm not advocating killing your spouse. ;)

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  10. Yikes! Divorce wasn't an option? =D Did it keep you calm while driving on the wrong side of the road?

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  11. Happy St. Patrick's day. Always enjoy your stories and hearing about the trips.

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  12. Loved the music, the story not so much. Seems like a rather drastic solution. He could have just left.

    Ireland looks like such a beautiful land to visit. Did you enjoy the tour or adventuring on your own more?

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  13. I love that style of music...I'll have to add them to my Pandora play list...thanks!

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  14. How wonderful that you've gone to Ireland twice, Donna! I'd love to visit Ireland some day. What a cute band. That's so nice that you got to meet the musician! I wonder if your Irish friend knows Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club, another Irish band. They used my daughter's artwork on the cover of their CD, The Beautiful Untrue. You can see it here if you'd like:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjdaVYB3-sk
    Happy St. Patrick's Day, Donna!!
    The other Donna

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  15. LOL! That's what friends are for, I guess! Sounds like a great trip!

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  16. Well that was catchy music but I'm glad that kind-looking Eoin didn't do the dastardly deed!!!
    We hope to go to Ireland next year……………

    Hugs, Mary

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  17. Donna, have you read Maeve Binchy's last book, A Week in Winter? I want to find that little stone inn on the west coast and use it as a point from which to traipse around Ireland.

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!