Healyfest

Summer 2013 marks the year when the small independent music festival won out to the big commercial superfestivals.  Oxegen ticket sales were slow this year prompting rumours that MCD the main organisers are going to pull our of next years festival and there are still tickets for the usually very popular Electric Picnic. On the other hand boutique festivals are doing really well- Forbidden Fruit and Castlepalooza sold well, while Longitude and Indiependence sold out.  Why are people shunning the larger, well publicised festivals in favour of the smaller festivals?   The unusually good weather this summer is probably a factor- what better way to spend a sunny weekend than in a field with friends listening to tunes?  The recession is also a factor- Weekend tickets for Electric Picnic cost 229 Euro, Oxegen cost 149Euro for the 3 days whereas 3 days at Castlepalooza costs just 79Euro.  The smaller festivals might not have enough clout to attract huge names but the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed and friendly than bigger festivals.

Last Sunday Library Diva headed to Ballycastle in Co. Mayo for a festival with a difference.  Tagged as 'Killinascully meets Woodstock',  Healyfest takes place at the back of Healy's pub every year on the first weekend in August.  Tickets cost 5 euro per day and camping is free.  There is only one stage at the festival and no security which leads to a very relaxed atmosphere among the crowd.  The music kicked off after Mayo won the match around 6.30pm and continued to the early hours.  Among the bands playing were Senor Spiffy Penguino, The Guilty Optics, The Noisy Villagers and Madra.  All of the bands rocked the village playing a mixture of rock, heavy metal and indie tunes.  Madra of course were the highlight, but then again maybe I'm biased!

The festival concluded in the early hours with a DJ Set and Foam party.  After the official festival came the houseparties and then it was a matter of rolling into your tent for a few hours sleep before heading back to Dublin

Culture night Galway at Bell, Book and Candle

 Around Galway For Culture night this Friday?
Pop down to Bell, Book and Candle for a fantastic day of Music....

COMING UP FOR AIR
By Celine Hughes

Bell, Book and Candle Book and Music Store in the West End of Galway will be celebrating Culture Day by saying a big ‘thank you’ to everybody who is, and has been, involved with us over the years by hosting a day long event showcasing some of the best established and up-and-coming artists, independent music labels, and musicians in Galway and beyond.

The day will be run in association with Wingnut Records, an independent music shop that is ran on enthusiasm within the store itself which now hosts approximately 500 releases of new Irish music on tape, CD and vinyl.

We will be releasing a CD with booklet (limited edition and only available on the day in the store). The CD will feature 15 different tracks covering the most diverse and talented artists on this isle and the booklet accompanying it in a very old music/fanzine style gives a chance for everyone involved in the project and those represented by us to get together, tell our story, share ideas and be unified in our vision of expression. The following are the people and bands featuring on the CD:
The Driftwood Manor, Strange Crow, Squarehead, Windings, Landlovers, Lamp, Lafaro, Strider, Brain Kelly, Them Martyrs, Austin D H Ivers, Rites, Jimmy Penguin, Christians Vs Lions and Bitwise Operator.

Some of the labels represented on the CD include Rusted Rail, O.O.A.L, Richter Collective, Popical Island and Randal Records.

Also on the day there will be a showing of paintings by artist Cecilia Danell and ceramic work from Sinead O’Toole of Forge Ceramic Studio, along with some visuals by the super 8 hero Julien Dorgere of Super8 Shots who will also have a stall featuring super 8 cameras and equipment for those who may like to get interested in this medium.

The live performance aspect will be taking place in the early evening and feature live spoken word by emerging poet/writer Elaine Cosgrove and a performance by up-and-coming slam poet Lisa Keegan. There will also in the evening be vibrant live music by The Driftwood Manor, Brain Kelly of so cow, Jimmy Penguin and Them Martyrs.

Being an underground book and music store in the West End of Galway our survival has depended on the diverse community that has come through our door to support us and that we are so grateful to be a part of. The store has become a hub for all that is great about the constantly evolving art and music scene in Galway, a crossover point for all the sub-cultures coexisting in this town. The local musicians, artists and writers are the life-blood of the store, they are what gives Galway colour. On Friday the 23rd of September we will be celebrating this and coming up for air. Come join us.

Cape Clear Storytelling Festival

Cape Clear is an unspoilt piece of heaven off the west coast of Cork.  For the last 17 years,
Cape Clear has hosted the Cape Clear Storytelling festival.  Dublin Library Diva went along
to this years international Storytelling festival to hear some stories and check out the beautiful
scenery.

How to get there:
A ferry can be gotten from Baltimore in West Cork (the Wire reference was not
lost on me).  A pleasant 45 mins later and you are in Cape clear.  A return journey from
Baltimore to Cape Clear costs 15 euro.  A 10% discount is available if you book online.

Population:
About 130 people inhabit Cape Clear.  All of the locals i met were very friendly and
hospitable towards visitors.  The Storytelling festival attracts a couple of hundred people
onto the island every year.

Accommodation:
Visitors wishing to stay over night have a variety of options available to them.  Looking for
comfort and privacy:  B and B's and Guesthouses are the way to go.  Looking for comfort and
good value for money?  Tir na nog hostel ran by Michael O' Driscoll is an excellent Choice.
Geraldine stayed here and availed of Bed and Breakfast for 25 euro.  The rooms are basic but
comfortable and the breakfast was excellent.  Proper full Irish with all the trimmings was served
in a buzzing breakfast room.  Busy weekend in Cape Clear.  Maeve and the rest of the girls were hardier
and opted to Camp in the camp site.  Visitors to the campsite have the option to bring their own tent
or hire the use of a tipee or a yurt.  Hire of a tipee is 20 euro per person per night.

Food and Drink:
Feeling peckish after pitching your tent? Sean rua's cafe bar on the north side of the harbour
serve tasty hearty meals and delicious desserts with a friendly service.  Tip: you have to
be up pretty early in the morning to get the berry crumble which seemed to be constantly
sold out.  The chocolate fudge cake is pretty good too.

Story Telling Festival:
The festival is a 3 day extravaganza of international renown.  A great programme
of story swaps, concerts, historical walks and talks are organized every year.
Interested in history and nature?  Join the heritage walk with Diarmuid O'Drisceoill.
Want to improve your storytelling performance skills?  take part in the workshop in emotion and
intuition in performance storytelling.  Wondering how to entertain the kids?  take them along to
children workshops.  More intereted in Music and dancing than storytelling?  Banjo sessions and set
dancing afternoons abound.

Dublin Library Diva loved Storyswap at Ciaran Danny Mike's on Saturday afternoon.  Sitting out
in the beer garden, drink in hand, being entertained by talented storytellers from around the globe
who generously share their tales with the audience.  The inimitable Pat Speight presided over the
event with warmth and quick wit.  The relaxed atmosphere meant that people could come and go as
they pleased listening to a story or three on their way. Dublin Library diva loved the glamourous
Storyteller from Dublin and her rap to 50year old women everywhere.

                                                                   David Holt 


Saturday Evening Concert:
Mc Jack Lynch presided over the evenings entertainment.  Roy Arbuckle, Graham
langley, Kate Corkery, David Holt and Sheila Stewart performed to a full house.
Unfortunately Geraldine missed half the concert because she was doing her make up
and trying to decide what shoes to wear, leading Maeve to quip that she was the
'champagne backpacker'. At the intermission mugs of tea, glasses of wine and tubs
of goats milk ice cream were served for a small donation.
The secound half of the Concert was brilliant:  David Holt entertained the
crowd with his stories and his banjo playing.  The song 'let it slide' entertained
an appreciative crowd who empathised with the advice on how to deal with a marital skirmish.
David Holt travels around the world with his Banjo and his tales.  Join him for an evening
of entertainment this Saturday at the Odessa.
Sheila Stewart comes from a long line of scottish travellers and regalled the chrowd with
ancient ballads when are in danger of being lost forever.

Nightlife:
Cape clear was buzzing this weekend, there are two bars on the island, Ciaran Danny
Mike's near the South Harbour and Sean Rua's cafe bar on the North Harbour.  Both bars
were hopping to the early hours.  Sean Rua's bar had a brass band pumping out tunes,
Ciaran Danny Mike's had an impromptu sessiun with a few guitars.  Dublin library diva
hopped between venues via a vino fueled ramble down the harbour.

Walking:
The island is an area of great beauty and it would be a shame to go home without
seeing this part of the country properly.  Sunday was spent hiking round the majestic
gleann rua loop.  The rocky landscape and the panoramic views were awesome.  After
packing up our bags we wandered uphill towards the lake at the centre of the island.
The rocky, hilly landscape may be great for walking but cycling would not be advisable.

Tempted:
Tempted to check out cape clear?  Library diva recommends checking it out at festival
time.  There is the storytelling festival on every September and a Walking-talking festival on
every may.

Zombie Squirrels and One Liners: My adventures at the Edinburgh Fringe

Zombie Squirrels and One Liners: My adventures at the

Edinburgh Fringe

By

Lyndsey Connell

It’s the 20^th August 2011. The sun is blazing, the streets are thronged and I am more than a little sleep deprived. I am in Edinburgh with my friends Jacqui and Clare and within minutes we have decided that we are going to pack in our jobs and move to this pretty, sunny energy-filled city. Maybe we wouldn’t have felt the same had we landed on a bitterly cold, wet, miserable day in November, but for now, we are on our holidays and there are sights to see and shows to attend!

Our first day contained only one show, and I shall not speak of it as it was an utter shambles. Let me tell you though- the shambolic ones only increase your appreciation for the well thought out and entertaining ones. I will try not to bore you too much and give you instead the Highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe According to Me.

Celebrity Stalking

Of course that’s a joke! I would never stalk anyone! Ever! Honest….

Anyway, if you were so inclined, being that pretty much every comedian in the UK and Ireland decamp to Edinburgh (as well as hundreds of other performers) for the month of August, this is the time and place to indulge. Gasp as you spot Paul Merton walking back from the loos in the Pleasance Courtyard! Gape as you clock David O’Doherty walking down the street! Faint with excitement as you notice Anneka Rice in the window of a restaurant you’re passing by!

All that’s pretty impressive right? Well prepare to puke with jealousy when I tell you that we met and had our photo taken with Tim Vine after his show in the Pleasance AND met and had our photo taken with Dave Gorman (my second favourite Jewish comedian) Both lovely, both absolute gentlemen.

Recovered from that? Then it’s time to let you in on another:

Lashings and Lashings of Ginger Beer!

What can you drink when the Bulmers Pear Cider tastes distinctly of apple? When beer is making your tummy upset? Why, Crabbie’s Ginger Beer of course! And, no, I am not being paid by the company to advertise its tasty beverage (more’s the pity). To our delight, fizzy gingery goodness was available in most pubs and if you have any respect for your tastebuds I urge you to join me in campaigning to bring these bottles of happiness to every pub in Dublin. You have the power!

People

The public. I deal with them every day in my job. They’re the worst. Really. They are awful. Obnoxious, self-important, boorish gits, every single one. Did I encounter such horrors in Edinburgh? Happily, no! I’m not saying they don’t exist, and perhaps if I was working behind one of the many bars, or at the box office, I might have a different story to tell. But considering the population of Edinburgh swells massively during August, to not encounter the worst traits in the general public is pretty impressive, I think. Not to mention, the fun to be had and seriously good tips to be gleaned from chatting to complete strangers. Without doing so I would have missed out on the daft, but extremely enjoyable ‘This is Soap’, not to mention the sublime Luke Wright’s Cynical Ballads.

Graveyard Tour

This doesn’t have anything to do with the Fringe, and can be done any time you visit the city, but I had to give it a mention as we did it on our last night in Edinburgh and it was the perfect way to end our holiday (and contained the zombie squirrels of the title). A mix of historical facts and storytelling, it was a scream (quite literally) and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Our guide (Gerry, with a ‘G’) IS awesome.

I will finish up now with my favourite shows and particularly where the comedians are concerned, if they show up at a venue near you in the future, you should absolutely check them out! I will definitely be making a return visit next year- maybe I’ll see you there?

Barry and Stuart: Show and Tell    http://www.barryandstuart.com/

The Tim Vine Chat Show     http://www.timvine.com/

Dave Gorman: Powerpoint Presentation  http://www.davegorman.com/

Luke Wright’s Cynical Ballads        http://www.lukewright.co.uk/

Joe Wilkinson: My Mum’s Called Stella and My Dad’s Called Brian            http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/83311/Joe_Wilkinson.html

Flayed by the Fleadh!

Flayed by The Fleadh

By

Dympna Reilly 

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2011 was officially over last Monday night. But as I left it on Tuesday trad music still twirled on the night air. Die hard revellers determined to drain every last drop hovered round pub doorways as the odd player with giddy gait hustled by them music case in hand still hungry for tunes. Time may have been called Fleadh 2011 but it wasn’t buried just yet.

The annual Fleadh Cheoil is organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an organisation established to promote Irish music, culture and language. For ten days during the Fleadh there are workshops, performances, concerts and competitions.

Cavan has been its home for the last two years and is bidding to host it for a third time in 2012. In its’ 60 year existence the Fleadh has travelled all over the country from Listowel to Letterkenny. It is estimated it will generate over €30 million for the local economy as over a quarter of a million people poured into Cavan last weekend.

The pubs were so crammed on Saturday night you couldn’t turn a sweet in your mouth. Hordes of people took to the streets for a breath of fresh air and an earful of tunes. Trad heads mad for music flitted round the town as texts told of a session flying in this pub or the next. Newcomers caught the Fleadh bug. Regular Fleadh goers caught some tunes eventually by playing the waiting game and staying for Sunday and Monday night. Stories were told of the drunkest/most obnoxious/ broadest/ prettiest person in the pub stunning everyone into silence with some of the most beautiful music and/or singing you’ve ever heard.

The Fleadh has its share of Aran sweaters and purists but banish any ideas you may have of a staid scene. There were plays, pageants, art exhibitions, storytelling and quirky asides like (I kid you not) the West Cavan Trad/Samba band. Cavan Obscura by local artist Siobhan Harton was another highlight. She transformed a double decker bus into a camera obscura. It was a feast for the senses as the blacked out bus provided wonderfully warped views and sounds of Cavan travelling through the town and its environs.

Boats ferried people across a lake to an island with castle ruins to listen to ghost stories. There were walking tours, flash mobs, lectures, lilting. But the Fleadh’s ultimate Father Ted moment occurred when hundreds of people took part in a Guinness Record attempt for brush dancing- worth checking out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4nZykWks7s

When you wake up at six in the morning on a campsite at other festivals it’s cos someone is havin a whizz on and/or setting fire to your tent. At the Fleadh it’s cos some loon Scot is belting out the bagpipes. With the session at full tilt as other musicians join in you may decide to get up to check it out- but bewarned even if diddly-ei isn’t your scene don’t expect to get back to bed for a few days. Fleadh 2011 is dead, long live the Fleadh.

Sunday Funday!

Excuse the cheesy title, its the best i could come up with im afraid!
Here is a roundup of the best places to go in the dublin surrounds when
you need to get out of the city and into the fresh air.

Dun-laoghaire-
Wander up the pier to Joyce's tower, where Mr. James Joyce found his inspiration,
Take a dip in the forty foot or meander around the Sunday farmers market in the people's park.
Only 30 Mins away from the city, with breath taking scenery and an abundance of
cafes and restaurants, Dun laoghaire is the perfect place to spend a sunday afternoon.
Over the Summer the area morphs into festival central- from chalk festivals to classical music
in the park, there is something going  on every weekend.
Coming up soon is the Dublin bay Taste and music festival from the 25th- 28th August.
This is followed by the Mountains to sea book festival from 1st-11th September.
Check out http://www.dublintasteandmusicfest.com/
http://www.mountainstosea.ie/

Howth:
A short dart journey out of Dublin, Howth is the fishing and yachting capital
of Dublin.  Take a walk on the pier or a hike up the nearby mountains.
Alternatively kick back and relax with a coffee or tapas in one of the
prom side restaurants.

Bray
Another excuse to hop on the dart! visit this cute and quirky seaside town
for a swim or a sunbathe.  Feeling adventurous? Last sunday I walked cliff side
walk from bray to greystones, the views were amazing! I finished the day by hopping
on the dart back to Bray for fish and chips in the beach house restaurant.  Yummy!

Glendalough:
St. Kevin's bus leaves from Dawson street twice a day and takes you into the heart of
wicklow mountains.  A peaceful idyll, Library Diva strongly recommends that everyone visits Glendalough
and takes a walk around the beautiful unspoilt landscape. Visit the lake and monastic settlement, have a picnic in the mountains and go on a walking trail.  Trails range from gentle strolls to challenging hikes
into the Wicklow way.  If your lucky, you might catch the brilliant Alan bailey dressed up in Medieval
gear, playing the bag pipes.  Well worth seeing.  There are no cafes or restaurants around Glendalough
so pack some sandwiches and bring a flask.
For transport information and bus timetables check out http://www.glendaloughbus.com/

Dublin Mountains:
Rugged, unspoilt landscape, perfect for a drive, a hike or a cycle.
The views are spectacular and so close to the city.  After a long
hike, pop into Johnny Foxes the highest pub in Ireland for a dinner
and a pint. Perfect.

Other places to visit:
Not in the mood to go very far out of town?
Coco Markets in Marley park and the people's park dun laoghaire are worth a look.
On Saturday there is a market in Temple bar which is pretty good, alternatively wander into
the iveagh gardens

Gemma Hayes at the Galway Arts Festival

Gemma Hayes returned to the Roisin Dubh for this years Galway Arts festival.
Support was provided by up and coming singer songwriter Elaine Mai.  Check out
http://breakingtunes.com/elainemai to listen to or download her music.

Gemma Hayes showcased songs from her new album 'let it break' and performed
old favourites interspersed with anecdotes to an appreciative audience.  Her tale of
when she met Louis Walsh was particularly funny.  Thankfully Louis didn't persuade
her to sign away her soul to him but she did dedicate her version of a commercial pop
song to him!

Old skool hip hop and party tunes were provided by the in house dj
http://www.roisindubh.net/
 http://www.gemmahayes.com/

Lough Derg House, Dromineer Harbour, Co Tipp.

Lough Derg House, Domineer habour

Having recently visited Dromineer with friends, we were delight to stay in Lough Derg House on the shore of Dromineer Harbour. A home away from home, the hostel owners provided a warm welcome and a great breakfast in the morning. Once a barge store, this beautiful renovated stone building now provides six en suite four person rooms with views of the marina and Dromineer Harbour.Lough Derg House is a Failte Ireland registered Hostel situated in the lakeside village of Dromineer,popular with sailors (we are 15 meters from Lough Derg Yacht Club) and walkers, the Lough Derg Way and the Sli Eala Way both start in Dromineer. We would rocommend this hostel to anyone staying in North Tipperary.

Croake Patrick and Westport

A weekend in the west, what could be more relaxing?  the clean air, the rolling green fields, the quiet pubs, the slow pace of life.....
If that was true, my joints wouldn't be aching and my muscles wouldn't be sore, right?  I mean, how high could croake patrick be?  A little reek in the middle of mayo, people climb that thing in their bare feet after all. Ha!  reek my foot, the mountain's an unforgiving monster which challenges the climber to push on through the loose rock, the steep incline and the sudden twists and turns to make it to the top.
Once you do make it to the top, the sense of achievement is awesome as are the views.  Overlooking 365 little islands, one for each day of the year, on a clear, sunny day you could be overlooking the greek islands.  From the top of the reek you can see clew bay, clare island, and 364 other islands.  Its truly georgeous and definitely worth the hard work and aching muscles.

Tips for climbing croake Patrick:

1. Pick a sunny day: Maybe not so easy in the west of Ireland, but necessary for the beautiful views.

2. Wear hiking boots:  The first time i climbed croake patrick, i did it in runners.  Big mistake.  The stones are slippy and the descent are steep.  Wearing hiking boots helps with the traction.

3.  Take your time and enjoy the views:  The views on the way up to the top are stunning, enjoy them.

4. Pack sandwiches, a flask of tea and lots of water.  You'll need them at the top.

5. Try to make it down in one piece, the first third of the way down is seriously scary.  When you do get, down head to the nearest pub for dinner and a well deserved pint.

Westport Town and Nightlife

Westport is a scenic rural town in Mayo which attracts tourists every summer.  I hadn't been in Westport for about 15 years, a praticularly bleak summer holiday with my family where it rained all day every day and myself and my sister were cooped up inside a guest house, wishing we were at home where we could at least watch the den or home and away. 

Thankfully the weather was far more amenable this time round and a lovely weekend was spent in westport where we got to know the local hot spots.

Friday night was spent in Henehan's bar, a funky late bar with cosy seating areas, a generous smoking area and plenty of dancing room.  The music was pretty good as was the talent.  A good place to find a mayo man or even a brazillian! 

Saturday night in Westport belongs to the Hen's and Stag' s, we lost count of the number of parties we spotted around the town, particularly in Matt Malloy's where walking into a room at the back of the pub was like walking into an alternate universe with all the random costumes floating about.  If you're looking for a quiet pint away from the madness, Conway's on the main street is a good choice. 

Moore Hall

A hidden gem near castlebar, Moore hall is the ruins and surrounding of a mansion burned down during the independance war.  look around the remains of the gardens, take a stroll around the walkways and pick wild strawberries in the bushes or rent a row boat on the lake near the house and have a picnic.  A lovely place to spend a sunday afternoon. 



Accommodation
Accommodation options in westport consist mainly of hotels, B&B's and guest houses.  Unfortunately for us we decided to stay in the Old Mill Hostel in Westport town.  A fawlty towers style affair where you book a twin bed and get a double instead, you are promised breakfast and get dry bread, the shower room is located outside of the hostel and you have to share one shower between 6 people and the toilet room beside the room is missing soap.  All of the complaints mentioned above would be acceptable if not for the stingy, money grabbing attitude of the hostel.  Charging guests 20 euro per person is a tad steep when you consider the excellent quality, service and value offered by other hostels around the country.  To add insult to injury, we were charged 6 euro each upon checking out 2 hours after check out time even though we were not told about the penalty when we checked in.  My advice: book a B&B.