Ramblings
Hello there,
Thanks for stopping by. There are still a few weeks of summer left, I hope you're enjoying the longer days and nice (depending on where you live) weather. It's a fairly normal summer here in Savannah...hot and humid, which is not, contrary to what some folks think, something one gets used to, especially at night.
I don't mind it too much myself, in fact there's nothing quite like spending a few hours doing yard work to make you feel alive and tingly all over. Plenty of water, a nice looking back yard and front garden, a good sweat, and a long cool shower is enough reward...and you feel like you've accomplished something.
Those of us from a more northerly climate are more easily afflicted with skin disorders and I noticed many years ago that the humidity here in the South eased my own occasional outbreaks...so I embrace the summer warmth while remaining heartfully thankful for the invention of air conditioning.
Speaking of weather and summertime, over on Keem beach on the far western reaches of Achill Island our tour group had a picnic in June while we were there (duh)...the day was lovely with the sun dancing in and out from behind the clouds...we stopped for lunch supplies in a local supermarket and made our way out along the breathtaking drive to this secluded spot on Irelands western shore...all was in order, everything was beautiful...and then we got off the coach...Lordy, Lordy, but there comes a biting wind in off the Atlantic way out there. Brave souls that we were, we didn't let it bother us in the slightest...but on reflection the lunch was short lived!
There were only two other similar days during the two tours...one when we were up on the Hill of Tara (biting wind again!) and the other in Limerick on our very first night...I still chuckle when I think about it...a young couple I met in the hotel elevator tried to sell me tickets for the Elton John concert that had just begun in the new Stadium down the street. I declined the offer and asked why they were giving up the much sought after tickets. “Have you been outside? It's lashin' rain and it's an outdoor gig...candle in the wind me arse, we're off to the bar” was the reply. Ah, the Irish.
Shortly thereafter we made our way out to Durty Nelly's in Bunratty where I sang with some locals and later while passing by the stadium on our way back we heard the one Elton soldiering on through the rain, belting out the very same Candle in the Wind.
Technically we heard Elton John in concert (!) while we were in Ireland...cool!!
My thanks to those who came to Ireland with me this year and especially to Jack and Jen McDermott. We had a blast...that's a saying that I use frequently because I don't really know how to describe our tours. It's great fun and for many it's a lifelong ambition and the fact that people choose to come with me is humbling...so we do the very best we can to make each tour special for the group. People tell us that they love it and have never been on one like ours so we're doing something right.
We are currently planning next year's trips...leaving in July 2010.
More details to follow...
Here's the information on upcoming cruises. First the January one with Seamus Kennedy and Fiona Molloy:
It’s an Isle Inn Cruise, in conjunction with Carnival Cruise Lines and they are calling it Ireland at Sea. The flyer is here on the website but briefly to cut through the verbiage, here’s the deal:
Jan 24 -30, 2010
From Ft Lauderdale to Cayman Islands, Jamaica and home by Key West.
Cost: The brochure says $839.00*
God how I hate that *
With port taxes and stuff here we go:
Inside cabin:……………………………….. $1,124.00
Ocean View cabin…………………………...$1,214.00
Balcony Cabin……………………………….$1,324.00
Upper deck balcony Cabin………………..$1,344.00.
Call Isle Inn Tours for more information, but what more info do you need…January in the Caribbean…hello mama !
Here’s the number: 1-800-237-9376 ext 17.
Tell them I sent you, it won’t cost a penny more, I promise.
Look at the Cruise page for the full itinerary.
I received word last week that Norwegan Cruise Line wants me to perform again this September on three sailings from Philadelphia to Canada and New England. This will be my fifth year working with NCL and I'm delighted that the ship is The Majesty. I've worked on her three times before and she's being decommissioned at the end of October. She's a smaller vessel but very comfy and I've grown to love her. The sailing dates are:
September 3, 13, 23. See the calendar for specific itinerary for each travel date.
Contact your local travel agent, cruise specialist or favourite travel website to book a cabin and come on to Canada, Prince Edward Island, Halifax and Portland...should be a terrific trip and you have several dates to choose from.
The Fourth Gaels of Music concert is scheduled for Tuesday October 13 at the Averitt Center for Performing Arts in Statesboro, Georgia. All proceeds go to the Eddie Ivie Scholarship for Studies in Ireland and the lineup this year includes Frank Emerson, myself, the Irish Dancers of Savannah, Danny Ray Cole and Gabriel Donahue.
There will be coach transport to and from Statesboro from Savannah, a raffle to help swell the scholarship fund and a meet and greet social hour before the concert. All in all a great evening.
My friend Butch Elmgren hosts a scholarship benefit event in Atlanta each year and this year it's a Halfway to St. Paddy's Day party on September 18 th at the Harp Irish Pub. Musical guests include Carroll Brown and Danny Ray Cole. More information can be found at: www.emeraldeddie.com
Carroll Brown and myself will again embark on our annual Celtic Christmas Concert Tour beginning in Pinckney Hall, Sun City, South Carolina on November 30th. This will be our seventh (or eighth?) Christmas tour and we have some dates still available, limited though they may be. Please get in touch if you would like us to bring this show to your church or community hall or Performing arts Centre.
The Green Island Radio Show is still being broadcast on Saturday nights at nine and now it's being re-broadcast on Wednesday nights at eleven on all GPB member stations. It streams live on the internet as well.
Under the 'better late than never' banner I am trying to confirm recording dates in November. A new project has been a long time coming and I'm flying to New York to record with Gabriel Donahue. The finished project should be released before March.
Kristina Beatty, now Train...she married last year...is all set to release her first CD on October 20. It's called ‘Spilt Milk’ and it's on the Blue Note Record label.Recorded in London the project is a lovely blend of soul/pop originals and lovely sparse production values which highlight this young lady's beautiful voice. Kristina sang on a couple of my albums and offered an inspired version of Danny Boy on the Kevin Barry's 25 th Anniversary CD. One of my favourites is our duet of ‘Black is the Colour’ on the ‘How's it Goin'’? recording. She's all set for stardom and her new album can be heard at: www.bluenote.com/kristinatrain/
We're still tweaking the new website and now we can offer single song downloads. We're trying hard to get our photo galleries back to the way we had them so bear with us, everything takes time.
Please share your thoughts with us on our Guestbook page and if you are interested in booking an O'Donoghue performance, a Celtic Christmas performance or have questions I may be able to answer please feel free to get in touch.
As ever thanks for your support.
See you out there.
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