Sean Ryan Session in Galway

A good friend of mine living in Dublin emailed me this:

I was up in Galway 2 weeks ago at a wedding and I got to go to Sean Ryan's session in the Crane Bar. He play's there every Sunday and the music was absolutely beautiful. There was some lovely piping at it too and a great 5 string banjo player from the US. The session was going for six hours before I had to leave for Dublin - it probably went on into the night. Anyway we have to go up there for the Sunday session when you come over here next year.

Later, after I pressed him for more information:

The Sean Ryan gig was amazing. We got to the Crane bar just before 1pm and the musicians were already in full flight. Musicians were coming in and out and it went from 5 musicians to about 9 at one stage. There was an amazing piper there and another joined in a couple of hours later and they both started hammering out the tunes. There were also families there and a couple of 2-4 year olds dancing in amongst the tables to the amusement of the adults. I didn't want to leave but it had to be done.

For those that don't know, Sean Ryan's a great whistle player in Galway. He attends a session at the Crane Bar every Sunday. Sean is probably my favorite whistle player. He has an amazing talent, nice crisp rolls and clear fingering - really something to strive for. My favorite Sean Ryan CD: Minstrel's Fancy

There is no question in my mind that the greatest thing about being in Ireland is that you listen live to some of the world's greatest Irish musicians just by walking into a pub. Access like that can't be duplicated anywhere. Music like this is why Ireland gets under your skin; you can't be around this and not get swept up in it.

I'll never see the light of day once I go there, not because it is cloudy, but because I'll be in one pub or another listening to music.