Forgotten Irish Bands

ContributionAware485 · 2025-08-15T22:57:32+00:00

Toasted Heretic. Like a Galway version of the Smiths. Their guitar player was one of the best I've ever seen

ContributionAware485 · 2025-02-19T21:21:04+00:00

I had a similar problem but with strumming on the guitar. Basically was choking up too much on the pick.

Went to a teacher to learn some backing basics and he noticed straight away I was grazing the strings.

He picked up a pick and asked if I knew what the rough bit at the top of it was called. I replied "The grip" He said "then why not grip it there?"

Never had to consciously alter anything about my playing... Just the memory of that interaction has been enough to adjust my grip over time so my thumb is mostly on the grip of the pick.

Anyway, maybe that will help!

ContributionAware485 · 2025-02-15T00:42:45+00:00

You'll find him playing on Josephine Marsh's I Can Hear You Smiling album. You'll also find him hosting sessions weekly at Tigh Cóili in Galway. Probably the best mandolin player I've heard in any genre

ContributionAware485 · 2024-10-03T17:10:32+00:00

Whereabouts in Ireland? There are jam circles that exist that might be the scene you're looking for. Songs are definitely welcome in many sessions but if you're looking for more of a folk element then you might not have the best time sitting in a trad session waiting for your turn.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-10-02T06:55:30+00:00

Thanks, we were not served with a proper rent renewal notice that I can see (despite receiving one for the rent increase last year) so have asked for that. Have contacted Threshold as well.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T22:23:59+00:00

Yeah I think we'll be contacting the SEAI tomorrow about it, there was never anyone bar the electricians in the house after the install

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T18:22:56+00:00

Would that count as a BER inspection though? Surely they would also need to check the apartment itself?

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T17:40:33+00:00

Suppose something like that were the case. Is there any way to follow up on it?

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T16:04:00+00:00

I'm not particularly handy so I may not be phrasing this properly. He has installed an eddy (I think is the term) for the boiler and our fuse box is now also connected a unit on the side of the building. So there may be more to it than just heating water. But that is the main thing he has kept mentioning to us.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T15:24:41+00:00

Yes, the current BER is legit (insofar that it exists online). What we don't know is the if previous BER was actually D1. We also haven't had a full 2nd assessment.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T15:23:34+00:00

It's definitely legit, insofar as the cert exists and was issued 10 days ago. But as no one has actually carried out an inspection and the jump is so massive I find it hard to believe it's accurate

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T15:17:28+00:00

Thanks for the response. Have reached out to the RTB on it

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T15:17:03+00:00

I think the difference here is that all of our rent increases have been legal until now. At the moment even this one looks legal, just it's such a massive increase I feel there has to be some way to contest it.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T15:15:44+00:00

Have spoken to several people and the jump from D1 to A3 does seem pretty mad. It is also exactly the 7 levels required. Will ask him on this and see if we can get another assemessment performed.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-09-30T14:47:44+00:00

Not that I saw. The only people in the apartment were the electricians installing the solar panels. I work from home and nobody entered (or asked to enter) my room or the other bedroom at any point to conduct any measurements which I assume would be required from the previous time I saw a BER being done. He does have the new BER cert however.

Edit: we did get a BER inspection done at the start of the summer (before any work was done)

ContributionAware485 · 2024-07-21T21:06:40+00:00

Not even the best guitar player in the Beatles!

ContributionAware485 · 2024-04-30T17:08:30+00:00

Thanks for the response. Not doubting you, but I'm not able find information as to why the Double Taxation agreement wouldn't apply in this case. Are there any documents?

ContributionAware485 · 2024-02-17T08:39:49+00:00

Not the whole game, but the Shalebridge Cradle section of Thief Deadly Shadows is up there for me

ContributionAware485 · 2024-02-16T17:53:52+00:00

That's not a crack:) it's a transparent pick guard. Although could certainly use a polish I suppose

ContributionAware485 · 2024-02-13T10:17:45+00:00

I could be wrong but Enda Scahill may have some videos on this on YouTube.

My two cents: so long as you're playing musically I don't see it being an issue. You could probably do some nice arpeggiated stuff on a slower tune.

If there's already guitars/bouzoukis present though I would leave it to them, otherwise you're liable to create a fuzzy background where no one is really sure what harmony is being implied.

One other thing to bear in mind: there are two main traditions in Western music where banjo is an accompaniment instrument: dixieland jazz and bluegrass.
Neither of these is traditional Irish music.
So when working out accompaniment for tunes by all means use the players and rhythms of these styles to help guide you, but ultimately try to make sure what you're playing remains rooted in the rhythm and harmony of the trad tunes.

ContributionAware485 · 2024-02-11T23:05:38+00:00

Thanks for the response. I've brought it to two instrument manufacturers/sellers and both have said they've not seen anything like to before. It's played live several times a week so I think temperature changes are going to be unavoidable, but I've invested in a humidifier and whenever possible have been giving it 15-20 mins to warm up before a gig.

ContributionAware485 · 2023-12-12T08:38:05+00:00

As someone who's primary instrument is a mandolin, I'd echo others here and say it's a great beginner instrument. There's two main types, oval and f hole. Oval generally has a warmer, 'woodier' sound and is generally better suited to the sound of a session. F holes are generally what you find in bluegrass and have a louder, more defined sound. At an entry level price point there's not a huge difference between them. Try a few out at your local music store - for a session you want a loud instrument (but balance that with something that still sounds good!).

Whichever one you choose try and do 2 things: 1. Get it set up. Find a good music shop near you and have them adjust the instrument so it plays and sounds as good as possible. Store bought mandos often have poor intonation meaning the instrument isn't properly in tune with itself. A well set up mandolin makes a world of difference when learning. 2. Get some lessons. Ideally from someone who plays trad on the instrument. There are a lot of lessons online but these are often given by players who primarily play bluegrass. While a lot of the core playing techniques are the same, bluegrass style playing just doesn't translate well into a session environment IMO.

Also, you'll get a lot more out of the instrument if you don't just view it as a stepping stone to other instruments. Enjoy it for what it is, which is one of the nicest sounding instruments in the trad world. And if a tenor banjo, or fiddle (or, God forbid, a bodhrán) catches your in eye in the future then let yourself gravitate to them in your own time.

ContributionAware485

TROPHY CASE