Remond Park hosts lively Roving Session
Sunday evening visitors to Wexford's Redmond Park were treated to a feast of traditional music as Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas held its second pop-up roving session of the Summer. Bean an Tí Barbara Walsh ensured that the evening ran smoothly with a good mix of dance tunes and songs, starting with two jigs, Behind the Haystack and The Battering Ram. Outgoing Mayor and Councillor George Lawlor, sought, and was granted, permission by branch Chairman Matt Murphy to sing 'Cúchulainn's Son'. Written by the late Tom Williams, it is one of Matt's favourite songs.
Barbara and Úna Walsh, on tin whistle and harp respectively, provided one of the evening's highlights as mother and daughter played Cherish The Ladies tune 'The Waves of Kilkee' and the Reconciliation Reel. Accordion player John Stamp followed with a couple of Marches: 'O'Sullivan's' and the 'Centenary Set'. Liam Collins led on a set of jigs which included 'Trip to Athlone' and 'The Connaughtman's Rambles'. Niall McGuigan played the lively and lovely slip jig 'Girl with the Buckle on her Shoe'. Niall stayed on as Pat Collins, accompanying himself on mandolin, sang the traditional American song 'Oh Susanna'.
Aoife Clancy Caulfield gave a beautiful rendition of PJ McCaul 'Isle of Hope'. Catherine & Louise Comer (flute and concertina) provided the second mother and daughter pairing of the evening. They showed no sign of post-holiday rustiness as they lashed out a lively set of reels, finishing with a 2-keyed 'Trip to Cullenstown'. Young Lucy Caulfield did not take much persuading to sing 'I have a Bonnet trimmed with blue'. Fiddle player Róisín O’Reilly played the Honeymoon Reel, a tune she picked up during lockdown from a Martin Hayes tutorial.
She was followed followed by Lucy’s grandad Liam Clancy who put aside the bodhrán to give a rousing version of 'Whiskey in the Jar'. With the light fading John O'Byrne on tin whistle took the tempo down with a duo of slow airs. Regina Kehoe on flute continued in the same vein with 'The Coolin'. Then it was back to dance tunes compliments of Jim Lacey, Richie Mahony, Anne Guerin, Bill Considine and Ann McClean. Bill put aside his banjo for a self-composed song about doctors and remedies - very appropriate for the times we live in. Jim O'Neill, whose harmonious mouth organ playing was in evidence in the liveliest of dance sets, also sang. Emer Mullhall performed a beautiful new song, 'Kitty’s Song'. John Parle sang a Luke Kelly fav, The Night Visiting Song. Sean nós dancer Niamh Page displayed some nifty footwork before the branch's inimitable Chairman Matt Murphy brought proceedings to a close with a duo of songs - Carrick River and Red Haired Mary. Úna Walsh made it an extra special evening for two people when she presented birthday (cup)cakes to Aoife and Matt.
Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas returns to Redmond Park on Sunday, August 16th (3pm) for the final outdoor session of the Summer. Given the continuing need for safe distancing, the park is the ideal location for such an event. Matt Murphy is hoping that the earlier start time will lead to this being a more family-friendly event. He also hopes to see a greater number of young musicians, singers and dancers.