Singers' Sessions (Seisiuns)
Singers' sessions (also known as singers' clubs or singers' circles) are slow variants of the Irish traditional music session; however the dominant mode is not instrumental music so much as the human voice in song. Each session is unique, with its own rules and dynamics. Some charge a fee, others are free of charge. Some do not allow musical instruments at all. Others do, provided they do not overpower the songs. Some sessions insist only Irish traditional songs be sung. Others are more lenient. If uncertain what the rules are for the session in your area, feel free to attend and ask. [email protected] [or] [email protected]
”Where everybody is a special gues
It is not possible for me to visit every session on this list. The information below comes from various sources: websites; magazines; email; and personal contact with attendees. Special thanks in particular go to Arnold Fieldman, who has been dogged in running down various contacts, addresses, phone numbers, etc. for me. I could not have had a list as full or as accurate without him. This information is as accurate as I could make it; still it is always advisable to confirm with the contact listed. All the information is subject to change. I offer no guarantees of completeness. If you know of other sessions that should be on this list but are not, feel free to contact me with the particulars. If you attend any singers' sessions (whether or not they are on this list), feel free to contact me and share your experiences.
Important dialing information for North Americans calling the island of Ireland: for sessions in Northern Ireland, calls from the western hemisphere should be dialed by using the international access code (011), the country code for the United Kingdom (44), the area code for Northern Ireland (028, omitting the initial zero), then the local number. So, for the Traditional Singers’ Club in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Americans and Canadians would dial 011-44-28-21771610. When calling within Northern Ireland, omit the 011 and 44, restore the initial 0 to 28 (thus, 028), then the local number. Thus the same Cushendall session from elsewhere in Northern Ireland could be reached by dialing 028-21771610.
The system works similarly when dialing the Republic of Ireland: from North America first dial the international code 011, then the country code for Ireland (353), then the area code (minus the initial 0) and the local number. For example, when calling the Crusheen Singers Session, dial 011-353-65-6827322. After one arrives in Ireland, omit the 011 and 353 and restore the area code’s initial 0. That same Crusheen session would be dialed 065-6827322 from another location in the Republic. Don’t be surprised if there is a recording indicating that the area code has been changed, as Ireland is in the process of upgrading their telephone system.
All county designations below are within the Republic of Ireland unless the notation “Northern Ireland” appears.
Co. Armagh
Ring of Gullion C.C.E.
The Welcome Inn
Forkhill, Co. Armagh
Northern Ireland
Contact: Martin Campbell
Email: [email protected]
Musicians and singers session meets each Tuesday night.
Co. Clare
Crusheen Singers' Club
The Highway Bar (Clarke's)
Ennis Road
Crusheen, Co. Clare
Contact: Frank Hayes
Phone: 86 8599957
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.myspace.com/ claregigs
Held on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 PM all year round. The session consists of unaccompanied singing of mainly traditional or folk songs. All singers and listeners are welcome. Occasionally instruments are allowed by pre-arrangement. From time to time they host special guest singers/musicians. The website above, while not strictly speaking for the Club itself, does report news of Club activities that may be of interest for the visitor.
Doonbeg Singers Club
Comerford's Bar
Doonbeg, Co. Clare
Contact: Ita Comerford
Phone: 065 905 5271
Email: [email protected]
Session is held October to April on the third Friday of the month.
Ennis Singers' Club
Cois na hAbhna (Clare Comhaltas Centre)
Gort Road
Ennis, Co. Clare
Contact: Peadar McNamara
Phone: 065 683 9139 (home) [or] 087 221 5571 (cell)
Email: [email protected]
Session meets around 9:00 PM the second Friday of each month. The club hosts four Singers Club sessions at the annual Fleadh Nua at the end of May.
Shannon Singers Club
Old GAA Bar (Wolfe Tone's)
Shannon, Co. Clare
Contact: Kieran Kirby
Phone: 061 360060 [OR] cell 087 7985158
Email: [email protected]
Session meets first Wednesday of the month around 9:30 PM. Unaccompanied
singers and singer/guitarists welcome. This is an
open session, so come on in and sing a song. Listeners also welcome.
Admission free.
Spancil Hill Singers' Club
Duggan's Bar
Spancil Hill, Co. Clare
Contact: Robbie McMahon
Phone: 065 682 9874
The Spancil Hill group meets the first Friday of the month. Duggan's is
about six miles east of Ennis on the road to Tulla.
Loch Deirge Singers Club
Lucas' Bar
Whitegate, Co. Clare
Contact: Peneleapaì Nì Tsung (Penelope Chung).
Phone: 087 743 7837
E-Mail: [email protected]
Meets in Lucas' Pub in Whitegate village on Saturday Night 9 pm until midnight during February, April, August, October, and December. In addition, meets in Keanes' Pub in Mountshannon as part of the Iniscealtra Festival of the Arts on the bank holiday in June (the first Monday). Please call or email to confirm session before heading out.
Co. Cork
Cork Singing Club
An Spailpin Fanach
28 South Main Street
Cork , Co. , Cork
Phone: 021 427 7949
The Singing Club meets upstairs every Sunday about 9:30 PM.
Skibbereen Singers' Club
Corner Bar
37 Bridge Street
Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Contact: Aine Meirbhic
Phone: 028 21522 or 028 22541
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.skibbsingers.com
Singers' session held first Friday of the month at 10 PM throughout the year.
Aine will introduce a special guest, who will contribute a number of
Songs throughout the night. This will be followed by invitations from the floor and renowned local singers. Admission free.
Co. Derry
Derry Traditional Singers' Club
Tinneys Pub
Patrick Street (off Strand Road )
Derry, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland
Contact: Jim MacFarland
Email: [email protected]
Meets the first Thursday of every month, 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM . The session host, Jim MacFarland, was involved in running the Goilin session in Dublin (see below) for many years. Respectful listeners and beginning singers are as welcome as long-time traditional singers.
Co. Donegal
Inishowen Traditional Singers Circle
Inishowen peninsula
Co. Donegal.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.inishowensinging. ie/monthlysession.html
The session is held monthly in either McFeeley's Bar (Market Square, Clonmany) or in the North Pole Bar (Drumfries). The session meets the second Friday of the month at 9:30 PM. Visitors are always welcome and encouraged to sing. There is
no fee or charge associated with the monthly sessions. The Session also
organizes an annual weekend-long seminar on the weekend following St. Patrick's weekend in March (see under Festivals).
Co. Dublin
An Goilin Traditional Singers Club
Teachers' Club,
Parnell Square.
Dublin 1, Ireland
Contact: Antaine O'Farachain
Phone: 085 773 9241
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.goilin.com
Begun in 1979, this is the daddy of all Irish singers' sessions. Meets every Friday, September to June at 9:30 PM Irish Time (around 10 PM) except the weekend of the Inishowen Festival (see Festivals and Workshops listings) and June Bank Holiday weekend. Features unaccompanied singing in English and Irish in varying styles. Recitations are sometimes offered as well. Session cost: 3.00 Euros. Guest singers also appear on a regular basis (usually every third week).
Fingal Singers' Club
Old Town House Pub
Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
Contact: Dave O' Connor, Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 8433691 (or cell phone 087 680 3860)
Email: [email protected]
Ballyboughal (sometimes spelled Ballyboghill) is 8 miles northwest of
Dublin airport. Session meets every Tuesday. Some
instrumental tunes are featured, but primarily good, solid fun singing.
Howth Singers' Club
Howth Sea Angling Club
West Pier
Howth, Co. Dublin
Contact: Francis Devine
Phone: 01-8393260
Email: [email protected]
Meets first Thursday of the month. No meeting in August. Sometimes have
special events on other evenings.
Most worthy of note is Burns Night on the third Thursday in January
(complete with haggis and the St. Lawrence Pipe Band).
They also run events during the Howth Festival, Beann Éadair Beo each July.
Co. Galway
Ballinasloe Singers Circle
Clarke's Dunloe Tavern
Dunloe Street
Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Contact: Thomas Corcoran .
Phone: 086 377532
Sponsored by the local Comhaltas session, the Singers Circle meets the second Thursday of the month September to June around 9:30 PM. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. The session frequently attracts singers from other places in Galway, Roscommon, even as far as Offaly and Tipperary.
Galway Singers Circle
The Crane Bar
Sea Road
Galway, Co. Galway
Contact: Dave Larkin
Email: [email protected]
Schedule for the session is irregular, about every second month, usually on a Saturday, 6:00-9:00 PM. Be in touch with Dave for the particulars in advance of visiting.
Kinvara Singers' Circle
Greene's Bar
Kinvara, Co. Galway
Contact: Martin Ryan
Phone: 872 405 987 (Martin cell) [or] 091 637110 (Greene's Bar)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.kamcollective.com/ listitem.asp?itemid=662
Session meets the first Monday of the month about 9:30 PM. Sessions are not held in July and August.
Na Fonnadoiri Galway Traditional Singers Circle
Crane Bar
Sea Road
Galway, Co. Galway
Email: [email protected] [or] [email protected]
Website: http://galwaysingers.tripod. com
Session meets the third Saturday of each month (except July and August).
Normal admission fee is two euros, although a
higher fee may be charged for guest singers (invited three to five times
per year).
Shanaglish Singers Club
Whalen's Bar
Shanaglish, Co. Galway
Contact: Joe Kearney
Phone: 091 633150
Session meets last Friday of the month. Shanaglish is between Crusheen
(Clare) and Gort (Co. Galway).
Kerry
Club an Dreoilin
Siar O'Thuaidh (Rear of Kane's Bar)
Ballyferriter (Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry)
Phone: 066 9156359
Email: [email protected]
Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month around 9:30 PM .
Co. Limerick
Castleconnell Folk Club
Bradshaw's Pub
Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Contact: Larry de Cleir
Phone: 086 8370034 (cell)
”Where everybody is a special guest!” Session meets weekly on Tuesday
nights from 9:30 until around midnight. An enjoyable and relaxed evening
of song, stories, poetry and even the odd tune.
Patrickswell Session
Punch's Bar
Main Street
Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
Contact: Denis Collins
Phone: 061 355142 (or cell) 087-1378552
Email: [email protected]
Singing every Thursday at 10 PM with resident accordionist.
West Limerick Singing Club
Ramble Inn Bar
Church St .
Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick
Phone: 068 31385
Meets the first Thursday of the month. All singers and storytellers are
welcome
Co. Offaly
Ballyboy Singers
Dan and Molly's Pub
Ballyboy, Co. Offaly
Contact: Paddy Heaney [OR] Sean Brown
Phone: 057 91 37956 (Paddy) [OR] 057 91 37231 (Sean)
Session meets the last Monday of the month
Banagher Singing Circle
Willie Lyons Pub
Main Street
Banagher, Co. Offaly
Contact: Peter Keane
Phone: 057 91 51663
Singing Club meets the third Monday of the month. The contact, Peter
Keane, is a knowledgeable, and willing, contact person
for info on all singing sessions in the vicinity--stretching out at
least as far as Ballinasloe, Co. Galway .
Bawler's Singers Club
Hiney's Pub
Ferbane, Co. Offaly
Contact: Joe Hiney
Phone: 087 7998 136
Email: [email protected]
Sessions are the second Tuesday of the month.
Offaly Singers' Circle
The Thatched Pub
Crinkill, Birr, Co. Offaly
Contact: Sean Cooke
Phone: 087 2621303 (Sean) OR 057 91 20682 (Pub)
Session meets first Monday of the month
Co. Roscommon
South Roscommon Singers Festival (October 22-24, 2010)
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Declan Coyne
Phone: 087 966 7029 (Declan, cell)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.southroscommon.ie
Performers include Ron Kavana and Annie Armstrong (Cork/Waterford), Billy Teare and Kathleen O'Sullivan (Antrim/London), Frank Brennan (Roscommon), Sean Cooke (Offaly), Tommy McCarthy (England), Sammy Lee (English singer of Scots travelers' songs), and Chris Miles and Barbara Dymock (Scotland). Chris will lead the master class this year. In addition, every year the festival also presents the Annie McNulty Award for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of traditional singing at home and abroad. The 2010 recipient will be Cork City singer Jimmy Crowley. Knockcroghery is midway between Athlone (Westmeath) and Roscommon town.
Boyle Singers' Circle
Dodd's Crescent Bar
Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Cliona O'Sullivan
Phone: 071 966 3244
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://boylesingers.blogspot .com/
Meeting the third Saturday of each month from 10 PM on, the session is
an informal group of singers who sing (mainly) unaccompanied in Irish or
English. Traditional, folk or other styles depend on the participants.
All singers and listeners are welcome. No standards are set and there is
no charge.
Co. Sligo
Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend (October 1-3, 2010)
Yeats Country Hotel and Spa
Rosses Point
Co. Sligo
Contact: Frank Finn
Phone: 071 9169202 (Home) [OR] 087-648-9057 (Mobile)
Email: [email protected] [OR] [email protected]
Website: http://www.sligotradsingers.ie
A weekend-long event of singing workshops, informal singing sessions, scholarly talks and field trips. Featured performers for 2010 include: Johnny Mháirtín Learaí Mac Donnacha (Connemara, Co. Galway), Mick Quinn (Co. Armagh), David Murphy (Carlow), and Virginia Stevens (American ex-pat now living in Kilkenny). Featured lecture is on Joe Heaney: “These Songs Will Live Forever.” Complete schedule and information on accommodations can be found on the website. Rosses Point is northwest of Sligo town.
Co. Tipperary
Killea Singers Club
O'Sullivan's Pub
Killea, Templemore, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Moll Tracey
Phone: 0505 43209
Session held on the second Monday of the month.
Silvermines Singers Circle
Hickey's Pub
Silvermines, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Jim Quirke
Phone: 67 25403 (Jim) or 067 25003 (Pub)
Silvermines has only one pub, so the session should not be hard to find.
This group gathers on the last Friday of the month, although the session may
be suspended in late summer. Check with the contact before setting out.
Sligo Traditional Singers Circle
Durkin’s Pub
Ballinacarrow, Co. Sligo
Website: http://sligotradsingers.ie/
The Circle meets the second Wednesday of each month, 9:30 PM to closing. The pub is located 12 miles from Sligo town on the N17 road to Galway.
Come and enjoy the warm welcome of Gerry and Kathleen, whether you want to participate or just listen.
Upperchurch Session
Jim O' the Mills' Pub
Upper Church, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Jim Ryan
Phone: 0504 54400
Mixed session (tunes and songs) held every Thursday."It is advisable to search for the pub in the daytime as it is difficult to find it at night without a prior visit. There is no sign on the pub, and it is located outside the village. Even so, it is well worth the effort to find."
Co. Wicklow
North Wicklow Singers' Circle
Strand Hotel
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Contact: George Henderson
Phone: 087 2302049
Email: [email protected]
Meets 3rd Saturday of every month (all year) at 9.30 PM sharp.
There is no standard set and no microphone is used. The event takes place in the back lounge of the hotel. There is no pressure to sing and listeners are especially welcome. Admission is free.
Co. Westmeath
Ballynahown Singing Session
Moran's Bar (AKA Flynn's)
Ballynahown, Co. Westmeath
Contact: Liam Hunt
Phone: 09 064 30032
Singing session meets third Thursday of the month,
September to June. All visitors and new members are heartily welcome.
Sessions in the United States:
Arizona
Tucson Irish Community Singing Session
Contact: Aine Ni Haralambie
Phone: (520) 327-6287
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www. tucsonirishcommunity.com
Session is held monthly at a private home in Tucson , Arizona . One Saturday night per month at 7 p.m. For more specific information, check the website above or phone the listed contact. There are no cover charges or restrictions on repertoire. Come and sing, bring an instrument, or just listen.
California
Cooley-Keegan Singing Seisiun
San Francisco , California
Contact: Michael Duffy
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://sf.ccewest.org/music/ singing.html
Sponsored by the Cooley-Keegan Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (the branch for the San Francisco area), the session is generally held on the first Friday of the Month at 8 PM. Repertoire is not limited to songs. Story tellers and poets also welcome. Location and hosts vary. To provide security, telephone numbers and directions to host homes are not posted. The details for any session are available by contacting the host via e-mail or by subscribing to the listserv. Directions for subscribing are available on the web page.
Indiana
Bloomington Singers Circle
The Runcible Spoon
412 East 6th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405
Contact: David Wood
Phone: 812-391-0355
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/472003162874008
The Circle meets every second Sunday from 8 to 10 PM.
BSC is an open singing circle for people who like to sing and listen to traditional songs of Ireland, Scotland, and England and their related traditions in Canada and the USA. The BSC follows the traditions of singing circles/sessions found in Ireland and the British Isles. The songs are primarily unaccompanied and sung from memory, but the occasional accompanied song is not out of the ordinary. The group has a Facebook page under its name.
Maryland
Baltimore Singers Club
Admiral Fell Inn
888 South Broadway
Baltimore , Maryland 21231
Contact: Severn Savage
Email: [email protected]
The club meets the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 7:30 PM.
All singers, accompanied or unaccompanied, are welcome as is anyone who
wishes to listen. There appears to be an official webpage for the group, but
it hasn’t been updated since 2010. The club is currently on hiatus following a major flood of their venue.
The page will be updated when they are able to meet again.The group does have a Facebook page,
however, for more current information.
Frank Harte Memorial Singers Circle
The Irish Inn
6119 Tulane Avenue
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812
Contact: Betsy O'Malley
Phone: 703-560-4719
Email: [email protected]
Bi-monthly meetings of a dedicated group who share traditional songs, mainly (though not strictly) unaccompanied and mainly (though not strictly) of Irish origin. They honor the memory, legacy and contributions of the great Irish singer Frank Harte, with whom several members were privileged to have studied. Meeting dates are ad hoc, and announced through email. To join the email list for such announcements, contact Betsy O’Malley as above.
Minnesota
Traditional Singers Club of the Twin Cities
W.A. Frost and Company (lower level)
374 Selby Ave.
Phone: 651-224-5715
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.singclub.org
Monthly singing sessions are held the last Sunday of the month from 3 PM until 5-ish. Emphasis is on Irish and Scottish traditions but can incorporate traditions (e.g., American Appalachian style singing) that relate to the older tradition. They tend to be informal affairs. In addition the club hosts concerts and workshops with guest singers. Frost’s is located at the corner of Selby Avenue and Western in historic Cathedral Hill.
New York
Rochester Singers Session
Johnny’s Irish Pub
1342 Culver Road
Rochester, New York
Contact: Chris Brennan
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://irishrochester.weebly.com
Group gathers on the last Sunday of the month, 3:00 to 5:00 PM, before the instrumental session. Repertoire is directed toward Irish songs or songs from the Celtic tradition (i.e., songs from Scotland, Wales, etc. are acceptable). Singing is mostly unaccompanied, but singers may bring an instrument if they help them sing. First time attendees are encouraged to email the contact, in case a change in schedule is necessary.
Texas
Austin Singers Session
Things Celtic
1806 W. 35th Street
Austin, Texas
Phone: 512-472-2358
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.austinsongsession. com
Directions: The session is held the first Sunday of the month from 2:30-5:00 p.m. Everyone who comes will have a chance to sing. Any song that is Irish, Scottish, or otherwise Celtic will do. Songs tend to be solo round-robin, but sing-alongs are great too. A cappella singing is preferred in the old Irish tradition. Just bring your voice. You may also bring a guitar or other instrument if you prefer to accompany yourself. Please bring a folding chair, as seating is limited. Also, bring some water or a non-alcoholic beverage to wet your whistle. Please kindly observe the no-smoking policy for the benefit of the singers. Things Celtic is just east of Mopac, on the north side of the street.
Wisconsin
Irish Fest Song Circle
O'Donoghue's Irish Pub
13336 Watertown Plank Road
Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Contact: Dan Vircks
Phone: (262) 691-2523
Email: [email protected]
Meets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, 7 to 9 PM. Focus is primarily on ballad singing, and instruments are welcome. Singers are encouraged to bring a song others can learn. There also appears to be regular Wednesdayevening sessions as well, hosted by the local set dancing group. Some of the dancers sing for an hour or more after dancing, normally before 9:30 and 10 PM. Contact Dan for more information.
Sessions in Canada:
Bytown Singer's Club
Rasputin's Folk Cafe
696 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa,ON Canada
Email: [email protected]
This is an accapella-only singing session open to all styles of singing. The idea is to sing a song meaningful to yourself, and give some background as to how you learned it, from whom, etc. They meet once a month at Rasputin's, starting at 7:30 pm . There's no cost to take part, although people are encourage to buy a cup of tea or a drink to support the cafe.
Siamsa Irish Song Circle
Kingston Brew Pub
34 Clarence St.
Kingston , Ontario , Canada
Contact: Robert MacDiarmid
Phone: 613-544-1055
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_Music.htm#IrishSiamsa
Sponsored by CCE Harp of Tara chapter, the Circle meets every third Sunday of the month, 2:00 to 5:00 PM , from October to May.
Singers gather upstairs. The Siamsa provides an occasion for songs, poetry, tunes, dancing, trying out your best 'party piece,' or whatever you wish to contribute.
All ages, all levels, all welcome. No charge.
England
Traditional Irish Singers Session
London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London NW1 9XB
England, United Kingdom
Contact: James McDonald
Email: [email protected]
Session meets the second Wednesday of each month at 8:30 PM (Irish time).
© 2016 Christopher Brennan
Singers' sessions (also known as singers' clubs or singers' circles) are slow variants of the Irish traditional music session; however the dominant mode is not instrumental music so much as the human voice in song. Each session is unique, with its own rules and dynamics. Some charge a fee, others are free of charge. Some do not allow musical instruments at all. Others do, provided they do not overpower the songs. Some sessions insist only Irish traditional songs be sung. Others are more lenient. If uncertain what the rules are for the session in your area, feel free to attend and ask. [email protected] [or] [email protected]
”Where everybody is a special gues
It is not possible for me to visit every session on this list. The information below comes from various sources: websites; magazines; email; and personal contact with attendees. Special thanks in particular go to Arnold Fieldman, who has been dogged in running down various contacts, addresses, phone numbers, etc. for me. I could not have had a list as full or as accurate without him. This information is as accurate as I could make it; still it is always advisable to confirm with the contact listed. All the information is subject to change. I offer no guarantees of completeness. If you know of other sessions that should be on this list but are not, feel free to contact me with the particulars. If you attend any singers' sessions (whether or not they are on this list), feel free to contact me and share your experiences.
Important dialing information for North Americans calling the island of Ireland: for sessions in Northern Ireland, calls from the western hemisphere should be dialed by using the international access code (011), the country code for the United Kingdom (44), the area code for Northern Ireland (028, omitting the initial zero), then the local number. So, for the Traditional Singers’ Club in Cushendall, Co. Antrim, Americans and Canadians would dial 011-44-28-21771610. When calling within Northern Ireland, omit the 011 and 44, restore the initial 0 to 28 (thus, 028), then the local number. Thus the same Cushendall session from elsewhere in Northern Ireland could be reached by dialing 028-21771610.
The system works similarly when dialing the Republic of Ireland: from North America first dial the international code 011, then the country code for Ireland (353), then the area code (minus the initial 0) and the local number. For example, when calling the Crusheen Singers Session, dial 011-353-65-6827322. After one arrives in Ireland, omit the 011 and 353 and restore the area code’s initial 0. That same Crusheen session would be dialed 065-6827322 from another location in the Republic. Don’t be surprised if there is a recording indicating that the area code has been changed, as Ireland is in the process of upgrading their telephone system.
All county designations below are within the Republic of Ireland unless the notation “Northern Ireland” appears.
Co. Armagh
Ring of Gullion C.C.E.
The Welcome Inn
Forkhill, Co. Armagh
Northern Ireland
Contact: Martin Campbell
Email: [email protected]
Musicians and singers session meets each Tuesday night.
Co. Clare
Crusheen Singers' Club
The Highway Bar (Clarke's)
Ennis Road
Crusheen, Co. Clare
Contact: Frank Hayes
Phone: 86 8599957
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.myspace.com/ claregigs
Held on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 PM all year round. The session consists of unaccompanied singing of mainly traditional or folk songs. All singers and listeners are welcome. Occasionally instruments are allowed by pre-arrangement. From time to time they host special guest singers/musicians. The website above, while not strictly speaking for the Club itself, does report news of Club activities that may be of interest for the visitor.
Doonbeg Singers Club
Comerford's Bar
Doonbeg, Co. Clare
Contact: Ita Comerford
Phone: 065 905 5271
Email: [email protected]
Session is held October to April on the third Friday of the month.
Ennis Singers' Club
Cois na hAbhna (Clare Comhaltas Centre)
Gort Road
Ennis, Co. Clare
Contact: Peadar McNamara
Phone: 065 683 9139 (home) [or] 087 221 5571 (cell)
Email: [email protected]
Session meets around 9:00 PM the second Friday of each month. The club hosts four Singers Club sessions at the annual Fleadh Nua at the end of May.
Shannon Singers Club
Old GAA Bar (Wolfe Tone's)
Shannon, Co. Clare
Contact: Kieran Kirby
Phone: 061 360060 [OR] cell 087 7985158
Email: [email protected]
Session meets first Wednesday of the month around 9:30 PM. Unaccompanied
singers and singer/guitarists welcome. This is an
open session, so come on in and sing a song. Listeners also welcome.
Admission free.
Spancil Hill Singers' Club
Duggan's Bar
Spancil Hill, Co. Clare
Contact: Robbie McMahon
Phone: 065 682 9874
The Spancil Hill group meets the first Friday of the month. Duggan's is
about six miles east of Ennis on the road to Tulla.
Loch Deirge Singers Club
Lucas' Bar
Whitegate, Co. Clare
Contact: Peneleapaì Nì Tsung (Penelope Chung).
Phone: 087 743 7837
E-Mail: [email protected]
Meets in Lucas' Pub in Whitegate village on Saturday Night 9 pm until midnight during February, April, August, October, and December. In addition, meets in Keanes' Pub in Mountshannon as part of the Iniscealtra Festival of the Arts on the bank holiday in June (the first Monday). Please call or email to confirm session before heading out.
Co. Cork
Cork Singing Club
An Spailpin Fanach
28 South Main Street
Cork , Co. , Cork
Phone: 021 427 7949
The Singing Club meets upstairs every Sunday about 9:30 PM.
Skibbereen Singers' Club
Corner Bar
37 Bridge Street
Skibbereen, Co. Cork
Contact: Aine Meirbhic
Phone: 028 21522 or 028 22541
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.skibbsingers.com
Singers' session held first Friday of the month at 10 PM throughout the year.
Aine will introduce a special guest, who will contribute a number of
Songs throughout the night. This will be followed by invitations from the floor and renowned local singers. Admission free.
Co. Derry
Derry Traditional Singers' Club
Tinneys Pub
Patrick Street (off Strand Road )
Derry, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland
Contact: Jim MacFarland
Email: [email protected]
Meets the first Thursday of every month, 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM . The session host, Jim MacFarland, was involved in running the Goilin session in Dublin (see below) for many years. Respectful listeners and beginning singers are as welcome as long-time traditional singers.
Co. Donegal
Inishowen Traditional Singers Circle
Inishowen peninsula
Co. Donegal.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.inishowensinging. ie/monthlysession.html
The session is held monthly in either McFeeley's Bar (Market Square, Clonmany) or in the North Pole Bar (Drumfries). The session meets the second Friday of the month at 9:30 PM. Visitors are always welcome and encouraged to sing. There is
no fee or charge associated with the monthly sessions. The Session also
organizes an annual weekend-long seminar on the weekend following St. Patrick's weekend in March (see under Festivals).
Co. Dublin
An Goilin Traditional Singers Club
Teachers' Club,
Parnell Square.
Dublin 1, Ireland
Contact: Antaine O'Farachain
Phone: 085 773 9241
Email: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.goilin.com
Begun in 1979, this is the daddy of all Irish singers' sessions. Meets every Friday, September to June at 9:30 PM Irish Time (around 10 PM) except the weekend of the Inishowen Festival (see Festivals and Workshops listings) and June Bank Holiday weekend. Features unaccompanied singing in English and Irish in varying styles. Recitations are sometimes offered as well. Session cost: 3.00 Euros. Guest singers also appear on a regular basis (usually every third week).
Fingal Singers' Club
Old Town House Pub
Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
Contact: Dave O' Connor, Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 8433691 (or cell phone 087 680 3860)
Email: [email protected]
Ballyboughal (sometimes spelled Ballyboghill) is 8 miles northwest of
Dublin airport. Session meets every Tuesday. Some
instrumental tunes are featured, but primarily good, solid fun singing.
Howth Singers' Club
Howth Sea Angling Club
West Pier
Howth, Co. Dublin
Contact: Francis Devine
Phone: 01-8393260
Email: [email protected]
Meets first Thursday of the month. No meeting in August. Sometimes have
special events on other evenings.
Most worthy of note is Burns Night on the third Thursday in January
(complete with haggis and the St. Lawrence Pipe Band).
They also run events during the Howth Festival, Beann Éadair Beo each July.
Co. Galway
Ballinasloe Singers Circle
Clarke's Dunloe Tavern
Dunloe Street
Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Contact: Thomas Corcoran .
Phone: 086 377532
Sponsored by the local Comhaltas session, the Singers Circle meets the second Thursday of the month September to June around 9:30 PM. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. The session frequently attracts singers from other places in Galway, Roscommon, even as far as Offaly and Tipperary.
Galway Singers Circle
The Crane Bar
Sea Road
Galway, Co. Galway
Contact: Dave Larkin
Email: [email protected]
Schedule for the session is irregular, about every second month, usually on a Saturday, 6:00-9:00 PM. Be in touch with Dave for the particulars in advance of visiting.
Kinvara Singers' Circle
Greene's Bar
Kinvara, Co. Galway
Contact: Martin Ryan
Phone: 872 405 987 (Martin cell) [or] 091 637110 (Greene's Bar)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.kamcollective.com/ listitem.asp?itemid=662
Session meets the first Monday of the month about 9:30 PM. Sessions are not held in July and August.
Na Fonnadoiri Galway Traditional Singers Circle
Crane Bar
Sea Road
Galway, Co. Galway
Email: [email protected] [or] [email protected]
Website: http://galwaysingers.tripod. com
Session meets the third Saturday of each month (except July and August).
Normal admission fee is two euros, although a
higher fee may be charged for guest singers (invited three to five times
per year).
Shanaglish Singers Club
Whalen's Bar
Shanaglish, Co. Galway
Contact: Joe Kearney
Phone: 091 633150
Session meets last Friday of the month. Shanaglish is between Crusheen
(Clare) and Gort (Co. Galway).
Kerry
Club an Dreoilin
Siar O'Thuaidh (Rear of Kane's Bar)
Ballyferriter (Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry)
Phone: 066 9156359
Email: [email protected]
Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month around 9:30 PM .
Co. Limerick
Castleconnell Folk Club
Bradshaw's Pub
Castleconnell, Co. Limerick
Contact: Larry de Cleir
Phone: 086 8370034 (cell)
”Where everybody is a special guest!” Session meets weekly on Tuesday
nights from 9:30 until around midnight. An enjoyable and relaxed evening
of song, stories, poetry and even the odd tune.
Patrickswell Session
Punch's Bar
Main Street
Patrickswell, Co. Limerick
Contact: Denis Collins
Phone: 061 355142 (or cell) 087-1378552
Email: [email protected]
Singing every Thursday at 10 PM with resident accordionist.
West Limerick Singing Club
Ramble Inn Bar
Church St .
Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick
Phone: 068 31385
Meets the first Thursday of the month. All singers and storytellers are
welcome
Co. Offaly
Ballyboy Singers
Dan and Molly's Pub
Ballyboy, Co. Offaly
Contact: Paddy Heaney [OR] Sean Brown
Phone: 057 91 37956 (Paddy) [OR] 057 91 37231 (Sean)
Session meets the last Monday of the month
Banagher Singing Circle
Willie Lyons Pub
Main Street
Banagher, Co. Offaly
Contact: Peter Keane
Phone: 057 91 51663
Singing Club meets the third Monday of the month. The contact, Peter
Keane, is a knowledgeable, and willing, contact person
for info on all singing sessions in the vicinity--stretching out at
least as far as Ballinasloe, Co. Galway .
Bawler's Singers Club
Hiney's Pub
Ferbane, Co. Offaly
Contact: Joe Hiney
Phone: 087 7998 136
Email: [email protected]
Sessions are the second Tuesday of the month.
Offaly Singers' Circle
The Thatched Pub
Crinkill, Birr, Co. Offaly
Contact: Sean Cooke
Phone: 087 2621303 (Sean) OR 057 91 20682 (Pub)
Session meets first Monday of the month
Co. Roscommon
South Roscommon Singers Festival (October 22-24, 2010)
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Declan Coyne
Phone: 087 966 7029 (Declan, cell)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.southroscommon.ie
Performers include Ron Kavana and Annie Armstrong (Cork/Waterford), Billy Teare and Kathleen O'Sullivan (Antrim/London), Frank Brennan (Roscommon), Sean Cooke (Offaly), Tommy McCarthy (England), Sammy Lee (English singer of Scots travelers' songs), and Chris Miles and Barbara Dymock (Scotland). Chris will lead the master class this year. In addition, every year the festival also presents the Annie McNulty Award for those who have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of traditional singing at home and abroad. The 2010 recipient will be Cork City singer Jimmy Crowley. Knockcroghery is midway between Athlone (Westmeath) and Roscommon town.
Boyle Singers' Circle
Dodd's Crescent Bar
Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Contact: Cliona O'Sullivan
Phone: 071 966 3244
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://boylesingers.blogspot .com/
Meeting the third Saturday of each month from 10 PM on, the session is
an informal group of singers who sing (mainly) unaccompanied in Irish or
English. Traditional, folk or other styles depend on the participants.
All singers and listeners are welcome. No standards are set and there is
no charge.
Co. Sligo
Sligo Traditional Singing Weekend (October 1-3, 2010)
Yeats Country Hotel and Spa
Rosses Point
Co. Sligo
Contact: Frank Finn
Phone: 071 9169202 (Home) [OR] 087-648-9057 (Mobile)
Email: [email protected] [OR] [email protected]
Website: http://www.sligotradsingers.ie
A weekend-long event of singing workshops, informal singing sessions, scholarly talks and field trips. Featured performers for 2010 include: Johnny Mháirtín Learaí Mac Donnacha (Connemara, Co. Galway), Mick Quinn (Co. Armagh), David Murphy (Carlow), and Virginia Stevens (American ex-pat now living in Kilkenny). Featured lecture is on Joe Heaney: “These Songs Will Live Forever.” Complete schedule and information on accommodations can be found on the website. Rosses Point is northwest of Sligo town.
Co. Tipperary
Killea Singers Club
O'Sullivan's Pub
Killea, Templemore, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Moll Tracey
Phone: 0505 43209
Session held on the second Monday of the month.
Silvermines Singers Circle
Hickey's Pub
Silvermines, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Jim Quirke
Phone: 67 25403 (Jim) or 067 25003 (Pub)
Silvermines has only one pub, so the session should not be hard to find.
This group gathers on the last Friday of the month, although the session may
be suspended in late summer. Check with the contact before setting out.
Sligo Traditional Singers Circle
Durkin’s Pub
Ballinacarrow, Co. Sligo
Website: http://sligotradsingers.ie/
The Circle meets the second Wednesday of each month, 9:30 PM to closing. The pub is located 12 miles from Sligo town on the N17 road to Galway.
Come and enjoy the warm welcome of Gerry and Kathleen, whether you want to participate or just listen.
Upperchurch Session
Jim O' the Mills' Pub
Upper Church, Co. Tipperary
Contact: Jim Ryan
Phone: 0504 54400
Mixed session (tunes and songs) held every Thursday."It is advisable to search for the pub in the daytime as it is difficult to find it at night without a prior visit. There is no sign on the pub, and it is located outside the village. Even so, it is well worth the effort to find."
Co. Wicklow
North Wicklow Singers' Circle
Strand Hotel
Bray, Co Wicklow.
Contact: George Henderson
Phone: 087 2302049
Email: [email protected]
Meets 3rd Saturday of every month (all year) at 9.30 PM sharp.
There is no standard set and no microphone is used. The event takes place in the back lounge of the hotel. There is no pressure to sing and listeners are especially welcome. Admission is free.
Co. Westmeath
Ballynahown Singing Session
Moran's Bar (AKA Flynn's)
Ballynahown, Co. Westmeath
Contact: Liam Hunt
Phone: 09 064 30032
Singing session meets third Thursday of the month,
September to June. All visitors and new members are heartily welcome.
Sessions in the United States:
Arizona
Tucson Irish Community Singing Session
Contact: Aine Ni Haralambie
Phone: (520) 327-6287
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www. tucsonirishcommunity.com
Session is held monthly at a private home in Tucson , Arizona . One Saturday night per month at 7 p.m. For more specific information, check the website above or phone the listed contact. There are no cover charges or restrictions on repertoire. Come and sing, bring an instrument, or just listen.
California
Cooley-Keegan Singing Seisiun
San Francisco , California
Contact: Michael Duffy
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://sf.ccewest.org/music/ singing.html
Sponsored by the Cooley-Keegan Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (the branch for the San Francisco area), the session is generally held on the first Friday of the Month at 8 PM. Repertoire is not limited to songs. Story tellers and poets also welcome. Location and hosts vary. To provide security, telephone numbers and directions to host homes are not posted. The details for any session are available by contacting the host via e-mail or by subscribing to the listserv. Directions for subscribing are available on the web page.
Indiana
Bloomington Singers Circle
The Runcible Spoon
412 East 6th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405
Contact: David Wood
Phone: 812-391-0355
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/472003162874008
The Circle meets every second Sunday from 8 to 10 PM.
BSC is an open singing circle for people who like to sing and listen to traditional songs of Ireland, Scotland, and England and their related traditions in Canada and the USA. The BSC follows the traditions of singing circles/sessions found in Ireland and the British Isles. The songs are primarily unaccompanied and sung from memory, but the occasional accompanied song is not out of the ordinary. The group has a Facebook page under its name.
Maryland
Baltimore Singers Club
Admiral Fell Inn
888 South Broadway
Baltimore , Maryland 21231
Contact: Severn Savage
Email: [email protected]
The club meets the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 7:30 PM.
All singers, accompanied or unaccompanied, are welcome as is anyone who
wishes to listen. There appears to be an official webpage for the group, but
it hasn’t been updated since 2010. The club is currently on hiatus following a major flood of their venue.
The page will be updated when they are able to meet again.The group does have a Facebook page,
however, for more current information.
Frank Harte Memorial Singers Circle
The Irish Inn
6119 Tulane Avenue
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812
Contact: Betsy O'Malley
Phone: 703-560-4719
Email: [email protected]
Bi-monthly meetings of a dedicated group who share traditional songs, mainly (though not strictly) unaccompanied and mainly (though not strictly) of Irish origin. They honor the memory, legacy and contributions of the great Irish singer Frank Harte, with whom several members were privileged to have studied. Meeting dates are ad hoc, and announced through email. To join the email list for such announcements, contact Betsy O’Malley as above.
Minnesota
Traditional Singers Club of the Twin Cities
W.A. Frost and Company (lower level)
374 Selby Ave.
Phone: 651-224-5715
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.singclub.org
Monthly singing sessions are held the last Sunday of the month from 3 PM until 5-ish. Emphasis is on Irish and Scottish traditions but can incorporate traditions (e.g., American Appalachian style singing) that relate to the older tradition. They tend to be informal affairs. In addition the club hosts concerts and workshops with guest singers. Frost’s is located at the corner of Selby Avenue and Western in historic Cathedral Hill.
New York
Rochester Singers Session
Johnny’s Irish Pub
1342 Culver Road
Rochester, New York
Contact: Chris Brennan
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://irishrochester.weebly.com
Group gathers on the last Sunday of the month, 3:00 to 5:00 PM, before the instrumental session. Repertoire is directed toward Irish songs or songs from the Celtic tradition (i.e., songs from Scotland, Wales, etc. are acceptable). Singing is mostly unaccompanied, but singers may bring an instrument if they help them sing. First time attendees are encouraged to email the contact, in case a change in schedule is necessary.
Texas
Austin Singers Session
Things Celtic
1806 W. 35th Street
Austin, Texas
Phone: 512-472-2358
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.austinsongsession. com
Directions: The session is held the first Sunday of the month from 2:30-5:00 p.m. Everyone who comes will have a chance to sing. Any song that is Irish, Scottish, or otherwise Celtic will do. Songs tend to be solo round-robin, but sing-alongs are great too. A cappella singing is preferred in the old Irish tradition. Just bring your voice. You may also bring a guitar or other instrument if you prefer to accompany yourself. Please bring a folding chair, as seating is limited. Also, bring some water or a non-alcoholic beverage to wet your whistle. Please kindly observe the no-smoking policy for the benefit of the singers. Things Celtic is just east of Mopac, on the north side of the street.
Wisconsin
Irish Fest Song Circle
O'Donoghue's Irish Pub
13336 Watertown Plank Road
Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Contact: Dan Vircks
Phone: (262) 691-2523
Email: [email protected]
Meets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, 7 to 9 PM. Focus is primarily on ballad singing, and instruments are welcome. Singers are encouraged to bring a song others can learn. There also appears to be regular Wednesdayevening sessions as well, hosted by the local set dancing group. Some of the dancers sing for an hour or more after dancing, normally before 9:30 and 10 PM. Contact Dan for more information.
Sessions in Canada:
Bytown Singer's Club
Rasputin's Folk Cafe
696 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa,ON Canada
Email: [email protected]
This is an accapella-only singing session open to all styles of singing. The idea is to sing a song meaningful to yourself, and give some background as to how you learned it, from whom, etc. They meet once a month at Rasputin's, starting at 7:30 pm . There's no cost to take part, although people are encourage to buy a cup of tea or a drink to support the cafe.
Siamsa Irish Song Circle
Kingston Brew Pub
34 Clarence St.
Kingston , Ontario , Canada
Contact: Robert MacDiarmid
Phone: 613-544-1055
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.srayner.ca/comhaltas/M_Music.htm#IrishSiamsa
Sponsored by CCE Harp of Tara chapter, the Circle meets every third Sunday of the month, 2:00 to 5:00 PM , from October to May.
Singers gather upstairs. The Siamsa provides an occasion for songs, poetry, tunes, dancing, trying out your best 'party piece,' or whatever you wish to contribute.
All ages, all levels, all welcome. No charge.
England
Traditional Irish Singers Session
London Irish Centre
50-52 Camden Square
London NW1 9XB
England, United Kingdom
Contact: James McDonald
Email: [email protected]
Session meets the second Wednesday of each month at 8:30 PM (Irish time).
© 2016 Christopher Brennan
