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Wanderlust: Ireland Swings

Get on the dance Cork International Airport after a flight from Ireland's national airline, Aer Lingus, which first thing we notice is the smell of fresh manure – just a breath of fresh bovine manure almost liquid can be fresh, and the Celtic Tiger funkyreminder major agrarian roots. But the fresh sea air is a spike after 20 minutes south through the lush countryside of postal Kinsale. Here in this former fishing village to our arrival is heralded by a rainbow-arc wonderful full Irish breakfast. Back with pints of Guinness hello party's Wharf Hotel Trident's Tavern.

Elbow Slim River and I are here to attend the Annual Jazz Festival Kinsale Fringe, a rash of three days of live music in almost all bars, pubs and restaurants local – all day and totally free. The case was designed by RL reminders Kinsale 15 years ago as a fair alternative to the prestigious (and expensive) Guinness Jazz Festival, held in the nearby city of Cork. Initially, officials were hostile Corkfest. "We thought that maybe I could snatch a few crumbs from the rich man's table," said Kinsale PianoMan Billy Crosbie, a driving force. "But they saw that we go after their business." Individual events subsequently developed comfortable symbiosis
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Most of the year, Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland, is a quiet town, about 2000 souls who work in fishing and some light manufacturing. But his location on the Bandon River estuary in the southeast of Ireland gives also a place in history. San Multos the church dates from the 12th century. Charles Fort, built by the British in 1677, was burned by Irish nationalists in 1922. Filed Jaime II, last king of England, Catholic, landed at Kinsale in 1689 intended to resume his crown. It has never made it.

In the past 30 years, business Kinsale became a resort with a population increases in summer and a career of all special events throughout the year. A few weeks before our visit to the Fringe Jazz Festival in the city overflowed gourmet Kinsale Gourmet Festival. Hotels and B & B in the historic center of Kinsale knowingly increase their rates during the long weekend in October, but still full. So Slim and I'm out of town – another after 10 minutes of hair on the head, wall barriers Irish roads – in a cluster based on self-satisfied and rooms in the Bay of wind Oysterhaven. Our first night, we turn right and enter near Cork for beer and the blues at the Corner House pub in Cobourg Street. Tonight is the Dizzy Blues Band, led by guitarist Pat Horgan, with songs in the style of his native Cork compatriot Rory Gallagher.

The next morning, with stunning sea views of the Old Head of Kinsale, a fortified promontory were, in May 1915, the American Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine and sank in just 18 minutes, killing 1198 of 1959 on board. This is our day to visit the county of Cork's most popular tourist attraction, the Blarney Castle. However, a blue sky in the morning is not a promise for a day of Ireland, and soon the clouds roll in and then torrential rain. Forget kissing the Blarney Stone, however, to dig around a peat fire burning in Muskerry Arms Blarney Plaza to enjoy a good meal in a pub roast lamb, mashed potatoes and cabbage and Irish music turning to speak at nearby tables.

Later, back in Kinsale, rain be damned, the game starts without us. New York, saxophonist Ron Gozzo began early in the Muddy Maher Bar, Crazy Chester followed by Austin, Texas, and The Bad News Blues Band Tucson, Arizona. Dalton bar around the corner, the Knights of Chile, Boston Urban Stewart while Stoke City, United Kingdom are around the port of Bulman. Soon hot music in all directions. Loose Change, a dress of local commitment, such as R & B, rock Hamlet and The classroom door Blue Haven Hotel Kinsale following hosts jazz expert Sharon Crosbie. In Muddy Maher, Tim Lord and suitors a blues band in London, set to go dancing until dawn.

But Slim and I are outside the Trident Hotel, where musicians from Vancouver, Doc Fingers, Kim and Nishikawa Tom Keenlyside playing with Ian Briggs UK bluesman and his band The Supervampers. Nishikawa Keenlyside and saxophone pyrotechnics set the crowd well lubricated in Ireland on fire, and Slim and I could hardly escape the "Craigh" in a State responsible for the following day. I have a concert in the afternoon at the White House with the piano-man Doc and Slim sits at the "drop of iron (harmonica). Saxophones dual chip in Vancouver, and the band kicks in after serious. The place is jammed, overflowing satisfied customers through the door wide open on the narrow sidewalk, and pavement.

Then, unexpectedly, a funeral the coffin folded and upper corner, is a constant, from March to curb the center of Pearse Street near the Methodist Church. Steve Whitehouse waiter conscience seeking to preserve the solemnity of the situation, a step forward to close and lock the door -. There was reopened before the parade is sad is well beyond "Play Song, doctor," the singing waiter with a broad smile, to resume his duties carelessly collector "You know .." Doc comes back and has us all "Hi all, we have fun / You only live once, and when you're dead, you're done / So good times … "

About the Author

Lindsay Mitchell PhD is a writer, musician and composer. He is also associated with Bluestourism, a travel site with a live music focus, and TEGS, The Electric Guitar Store, an online source for guitars and guitar information.

Austin Celtic Festival