Irish Traditional Music

Monday Night Traditional Music Session

The musicians representing Naomh Gall in the semi-final of the Ulster Scór can be heard along with many other musicians in what must be Belfast's biggest traditional session every Monday night in the club which is played under the guidance of the renowned Patrick Davey. Up to twenty to thirty musicians can be heard playing across the whole spectrum of traditional music from reels, jigs, slip jigs, double jigs, polkas, hornpipes, slides, marches, airs to their own high quality compositions.

The character and expertise of the musicians is a credit to themselves, to their families and others who have guided them. With one or two exceptions the musicians are mostly young. Some are studying music at school or university while others are playing for sheer fun. Maybe it's because of the large youthful element of the session that the music is played with a smile and vibrancy.

But not only are these musicians a credit to themselves but a credit to Naomh Gall and to the whole of Belfast but in particular to west Belfast. They have played in Clonard Monastery with other during Feile an Phobal, played on RTE last St Patrick's Day in a special mass with music composed by Patrick Davey, have recently played for Mary McAleese and will soon playing the council chambers of Belfast city hall in a festival about the Titanic. And the last couple of years have seen them play in festivals in France after having been invited to do so by French tourist boards. Some of the girls who attend St. Dominic's Grammar School where they have their own traditional group only recently played in the Albert Hall in London during a festival of music.

On Monday nights the sounds of practically every traditional instrument can be heard - fiddles, wooded flutes, uillean pipes, tin whistles, harps, concertinas, bodhran, banjo and guitar with most musicians playing at least two instruments and throughout the evening they will be seen swapping instruments with each other. The term "craic agus ceal" is a very apt description for the Monday night session and whether it be the seasoned session fan or the less knowledgeable; a definite impression will be left on those who see and hear this feast of music in Naomh Gall every Monday night.

Most of the musicians also belong to Ceoltóirí Loch Lao and anyone seeking advice about playing or perhaps introducing a child to playing need only call on a Monday night. So if you are a fan of traditional music come and enjoy and if you're not up to scratch on it, come and enjoy an experience you'll want to repeat again and again. And if you're a visitor from elsewhere in Ireland or further a field drop in and enjoy a night of great music!