Trip to Ireland: Where to shop?

wfredette · Post by **wfredette** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:41 pm

Hi, all. I joined this forum around the time that I started med school, having just bought my first low D whistle (a Howard that I sold to buy an Alba). I've really enjoyed the diversion it has provided. Med school is now behind me and my pediatrics residency is heading into the final turn.

The reward that has been the carrot at the end of this very long stick for me, my wife and three boys is a trip to Ireland. And this past weekend, we put down our deposit on a two week stay in the lightkeeper's houses at Galley Head in County Cork!

Now comes the intensified anticipation and planning - a part of which involves my desire to return with at least one new, good quality, low whistle and also a bodhrán to replace the one that my wife and I brought home from our honeymoon only to see it succumb to a light saber a couple of years ago.

So, I'm writing to see if anyone here can recommend good places to shop, and, while we're at it, places/things not to miss. The lighthouse is near Clonakilty, but we'll be venturing out on many day trips, so most of the southern part of the Republic is fair game.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Bill

weedie · Post by **weedie** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:09 am

I'm extremely envious of your dilemma Bill......green with envy.......better make that Emerald Green with envy....
Ireland AND a lighthouse......I reckon you'll need someone to carry your bags

...
Apart from my volunteering as a bag carrier,I cant offer any advice, as I've never been to Ireland although I'm sure that once you're there,things will fall into place,you'll get talking to someone who knows someone who's a good player,who knows of a good whistle etc. ....and soon you'll have your new whistle....
Hope you have a great holiday with your family....
regards fron OZ...weedie.

Ronnie · Post by **Ronnie** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:21 am

Hi Bill,
This is Ron mailing from Belgium. Nope, never been to Ireland yet but it will come this very year so I don't envy you because I will be there soon. I checked the map and indeed you're way down south. I would be more attracted to the West county of Clare where it all happens in terms of Irish trad music. My trip will begin in Shannon then off to Milltown bay where the trip begins in doing the coast up North and return to Shannon through the Burrens. My own choice. Having said this I think everywhere in Ireland is music and sights; they don't call it Emerald Isle for nothing! As for the Bodhran I can give you advice, because I am a Bodhran player as you can see by my avatar photo (its a Seamus O'Kane). I wouldn't recommend the cheap Bodhrans you can find in a tourist shop, allthough they tend to look good on a wall. If you are really into Bodhrans, buy a Bodhran of Seamus O'Kane who lives in the North or let you be advised in a good music store! If it is just for decoration buy cheap, if it is for playing buy tunable quality! I wish you a trip of a life time and take care! All the best,
Ron

Cayden · Post by **Cayden** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:48 am

I think everywhere in Ireland is music and sights; they don't call it Emerald Isle for nothing

a part of which involves my desire to return with at least one new, good quality, low whistle and also a bodhrán to replace the one that my wife

Like anywhere else, good instruments are not for sale on each streetcorner, you'd find lower and mid range instruments in local music shops (I remember seeing one in Kenmare on one of my rare travels south that stocked whistles and drums beside their electric guitars and keyboards, aiming at tourists more than anything else).

More specialised and relatively well stocked shops are rare. The Living Tradition in Cork has folded recently. Custy's in Ennis and the Traditional music shop in Doolin would be out of your range (Magnetic Music is another shop in Doolin, possibly the only shop stocking Overtons in the country but not much else, instrument wise) as is Powell's in Galway.

samiam590 · Post by **samiam590** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:01 pm

Peter Laban wrote:Kenmare

Oh what I wouldn't give to be there right now...what a lovely town. If you do stop by, go to Packy's (or is it Packie's:-?...hmm)for dinner..you won't be disappointed.

er, carry on!

flutey1 · Post by **flutey1** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:56 pm

Peter Laban wrote:More specialised and relatively well stocked shops are rare. The Living Tradition in Cork has folded recently.

nnnooooooo

I was looking forward to having that nearby when I'm in Cork. what happened?

wfredette · Post by **wfredette** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:51 pm

Thanks, all, for the good wishes and good advice. Sad though that I'll be arriving too late to find a good shop in Cork.

Bill

Fun Time Dub · Post by **Fun Time Dub** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:58 am

wfredette wrote:Thanks, all, for the good wishes and good advice. Sad though that I'll be arriving too late to find a good shop in Cork.

Bill

If you're passing through Dublin you could check out Walton's music shop. They sell their own brand bodhrans which aren't too bad. Not sure if they do a tunable one though. If you want more info on the trad scene or upcoming events in Ireland, post a question on thesession.org and also check out their event listings to see if there'll be a session anywhere near where you're staying.

MandoMark · Post by **MandoMark** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:03 pm

Fun Time Dub wrote:
wfredette wrote:Thanks, all, for the good wishes and good advice. Sad though that I'll be arriving too late to find a good shop in Cork.

Bill
If you're passing through Dublin you could check out Walton's music shop. They sell their own brand bodhrans which aren't too bad. Not sure if they do a tunable one though. If you want more info on the trad scene or upcoming events in Ireland, post a question on thesession.org and also check out their event listings to see if there'll be a session anywhere near where you're staying.

I'm pretty sure that they do... I visited the one on Grafton St and they had a couple dozen in stock, and there were several tunable ones there. Were it not for the exchange rate and the fact that I had several flights ahead of me I probably would have given into temptation.

Jeff_H · Post by **Jeff_H** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:32 pm

Cork to Dublin and back is a very long day on the road especially if you've never driven on the left side. That is unless you are planning to stay overnight in Dublin instead of driving back the same day. The 2 times I've been to Ireland I just bought a cheapie each time: a Walton and a Feadog. My wife's family is from Co. Waterford so we've centered our trips in the southeast. My favorite area was the Wicklow Mountains but I hope to return someday and see the western coastal areas.

Jeff

BigDavy · Post by **BigDavy** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:39 pm

Hi Bill

Bodhro is right, if you want a wall ornament get a drum from one of the irish shops. A decent instrument you will need to get from a proper maker

Have a look here http://www.bodojo.com/bodhran_makers.html

O'Kane, Maguire. Belgarth and Hedwitschak make nice drums.

Gurt Mint's drums look nice, but I have never played one, so cannot give definite opinion.

As you are in the US, I would have said go for Metloef, but as Rob Forkner is living in Holland now, it will be easier for me to get another of his drums

and harder for you.

Alberto Alponso is the only currrent US resident maker whose drums I have played, they are nice and responsive and can produce a wide range of tones.

Enjoy the holiday and I hope you get nice instruments out of it.

David

Guinness · Post by **Guinness** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:25 am

Peter Laban wrote:The Living Tradition in Cork has folded recently.

What a shame! I bought one of my flutes right from this very cabinet (0:12)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIclkw4gY18

Some speculation:

http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/18489

MaryC · Post by **MaryC** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:05 pm

Jeff_H wrote:Cork to Dublin and back is a very long day on the road especially if you've never driven on the left side.

Cork-Dublin by train takes 2h 45min, and you'd have far fewer traffic hassles. (The Celtic Tiger may have mellowed into a Celtic wild-cat, but some of the effects are still to be seen on the roads ever day.) Services run roughly once per hour.

There are various specials depending on when you travel and how you book. http://www.irishrail.ie/home/ is a very useful site for both booking and timetables.

Jeff_H · Post by **Jeff_H** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:37 am

MaryC wrote:
Jeff_H wrote:Cork to Dublin and back is a very long day on the road especially if you've never driven on the left side.
Cork-Dublin by train takes 2h 45min, and you'd have far fewer traffic hassles. (The Celtic Tiger may have mellowed into a Celtic wild-cat, but some of the effects are still to be seen on the roads ever day.) Services run roughly once per hour.

There are various specials depending on when you travel and how you book. http://www.irishrail.ie/home/ is a very useful site for both booking and timetables.

Yes take advantage of the train if you can...on my 1st trip I learned the hard way... drove from Shannon to Dublin on our 1st full day. Not a smart idea on my part. The Irish road system is much different that the US so it took much longer than we expected to get to Dublin.

Jeff

wvwhistler · Post by **wvwhistler** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:54 pm

MaryC wrote:
Jeff_H wrote:Cork to Dublin and back is a very long day on the road especially if you've never driven on the left side.
Cork-Dublin by train takes 2h 45min, and you'd have far fewer traffic hassles. (The Celtic Tiger may have mellowed into a Celtic wild-cat, but some of the effects are still to be seen on the roads ever day.) Services run roughly once per hour.

There are various specials depending on when you travel and how you book. http://www.irishrail.ie/home/ is a very useful site for both booking and timetables.

We just did Ireland in June. Dublin to Kilkenny to Cork and back to Dublin over a 12 day period. I think the rail from Cork to Dublin out of Kent Station Cork was about 33 yoyo's a person one-way.