A List of Traditional Music Sessions in Donegal

This list was provided in July 1997 by Caoimhín Mac Aoidh; with one addition since then (others are welcome to add to/update the list; contact Larry Sanger).

Bundoran:
The Chasing Bull. Monday nights with Brian McGovern on flute and Pat Kelly on fiddle. Ballyshannon and north Leitrim players often drop in. During the summer Lorraine O'Brien, fiddle often plays there.
The Bridge Bar. Thursday nights. Brian McGovern and Pat Kelly.

Ballyshannon:
Sweeney's White Horse. Friday nights downstairs in the wine cellar -- stone floor, ceiling, walls. The sound is brilliant. John Gordon, Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, Terry McIntyre, and Pat Kelly on fiddles.
Fin McCool's. Monday and Thursday nights with James McNamee, Bianca Rohleder, and Caoimhin Mac Aoidh on fiddles.
There is also music in The Thatch on an irregular basis, but a good venue for playing.
For a quiet session with good sound - McIntyre's Saloon Bar, The Mall. The owner, Terry, is a fiddler.

Donegal Town:
Sessions regularly take place in the pubs on the left hand side going out the Killybegs road. These are small venues and have good sound. The musicians are usually Tommy Burke on box, Joe Freely on fiddle and Rosabelle Kerrigan (Danny Meehan's sister) on fiddle or mandolin.

Killybegs:
Only one place to go, but what a place!!
The Sail Inn almost any night of the week but certainly weekend nights. The owner is Martin McGinley, one of the best living exponents of the Donegal fiddle. (And a gracious host.) If anyone is passing through you are certain to find them in Martin's. Local fiddlers include Paddy The Doc Hegarty. Occasionally James Byrne and Connie Drost or Caoimhin Mac Aoidh drop in.

Kilcar:
Most nights in the summer. The venues are either The Piper's Rest or John Joes. Typical players include Peter Carr, Columba Mac a' Bhaird, Frank McHugh as well as several other of the younger local players. The brilliant Stephen Gallagher often plays in the town with Micheal Carr on box.

Carrick:
During the summer McGinley's or The Sliabh Liag have music on most nights.

Glencolmcille:
Roarty's hosts James Byrne & friends.

Glenties:
The Campbell brothers, Vincent and Jimmy, regularly play in The Glen Tavern in Eadaninfagh. The Highlands Hotel regularly hosts music featuring Denise Boyle on fiddle.

Ardara:
Nancy's bar and Peter Oliver's regularly host sessions with the brilliant John Gallagher, Briain Og McGill and the Gallagher sisters on fiddles.

Gweedore:
Hiuidai Beag's. Francie Mooney & friends Monday nights.

Dunlewey:
Ionad Cois Loucha (The Lakeside Centre) holds a series of concerts and sessions on Tuesday nights throughout the summer. These feature national, international and local artists. A wine license restaurant is on site. A youth hostel is just up the road.

Ballybofey:
The Claddagh bar

Raphoe:
The Central Hotel

Culdaff:
Mc Rory's Hotel. Featuring Roisin and Damian Harrigan on fiddles.

Muladuff:
Bonner's Bar. Featuring Stephen Campbell on fiddle. Writes Sean Davidson: "The Guinness is the best in the country and is always plentiful for those that are playing."

Some additional information posted October 29, 2000, courtesy a helpful internet correspondent:

Monday: The Loft Bar, Falcarrach (generally students from the new course at Ballyconnell House)
Tuesday: Teach Billie's, Gortahork
Wednesday: The Downtown, Letterkenny
Thursday: Teach Ruairi's, Bealtaine

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