We barely had time to check into our hotel before heading off to Paddy Quinn's pub, in Ennis, to film Siobhan Peoples' regular Saturday night session. Josephine Marsh (accordion) joined in the session.
Paddy Quinn's is a small, intimate little pub and no one had ever filmed there before, so everyone was very surprised and excited by the film crew's presence. Folks of every age were there, including, to my surprise, quite a few very senior ladies. This is obviously a special place where music is the main focus. There were at least a dozen really brilliant musicians playing in the session. Local historian, Sean Spellisey graciously came down to the pub to say hello personally, along with Bernie Hagger, a Kerry born enthusiast of different traditional music styles from many parts of the West of Ireland.
Sean positively brims with joy and delight about life and the study of Irish history and, specifically, local Co. Clare history. He has several books published on the subject. He introduced me to Sean Reid II, son of a founder of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. |
