So I'm sitting at the pub...

**beloitpiper** · 29th November 07, 05:22 AM

...and some guys gather in the corner and a small session starts. I didn't have any instruments on me, but I go over and listen. Nothing fancy, just a concertina and a banjo. But then one of them says something along the lines of "Iarraidh ar dhuine amhrán a rá" ("hey, somebody say a song"). You must realize that it's never "sing a song", it's always "say" because the words are more important than then melody.

Well, I take the bait and sit over by them and pull my cap over my brow (which is what a storyteller does) and start reciting the old song Oró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile. What I didn't expect was when one of the guys start winding me. Winding is when somebody will take the hand of a singer and start moving it clockwise. It's a symbol of solidarity and a way to tell the singer that you love the song and really 'feel' the lyrics.

Well, I'm done and people start clapping, and I'm brought over a pint and a man sits down and begins with the comhrá na Gaeilge (Gaelic conversation). I stop him, "Níos moille" (Slow down). He helps me a bit with the language, mind you, I'm still learning, and we have a good time. Eventually, somebody turns to him and says "Tomaltchach, a story! A story!" He just looks at them, and with a smile replies "Is tuísce deoch ná sceál!" (A drink first, then a story). They laugh, bring over the black stuff, and he goes into the wonderful story of his childhood in Kerry, but that'll have to wait for a different day...

**Howard Clark** · 29th November 07, 05:58 AM

Sounds lovely. I am envious.

**McMurdo** · 29th November 07, 06:05 AM

Greg thats just excellent, I'm glad you are enjoying your time over there so much, and getting all these stories that will last you a lifetime.

**thescot** · 29th November 07, 06:32 AM

Greg, thanks for sharing that with us. It's the kind of thing you can't plan, and it reminds me of good days in both Northern Ireland and Scotland when I have visited.

I envy you your time there. Make notes and take lots of pictures.

**James MacMillan** · 29th November 07, 08:00 AM

It's like stepping back in time to an earlier place of trust and good will. Where the clock moved at it's own pace, because no one tried to hurry it.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

**McGurk** · 29th November 07, 08:10 AM

That sounds like a wonderful evening. On my first visit to ireland, I fell in love with the place and the language when I heard the story of Finn McCool being told the first evening I was there. I tried to follow, but i've forgotten everything I've learned.

I'm envious of you!