DAY 1
The journey was peaceful, at least from my point of view as I was only a passenger.
We made one stop for much needed coffee and cigarettes, then a straight run to Pembroke dock.
Nick drake serenaded us, singing about a pink moon, much like the one that graced our sky some nights ago. After that we chased the miles down easy.
We both slept through the ferry journey, but woke just in time to see dawn break across the sea, an omen for what is a sunny day here in cork.
One of the first things that struck me as we travelled across this country, was that it seemed to me that nature had allowed these cities to be built, rather than man taking over the land, a harmony between the natural and concreted world.
The second thing that caught me attention was that the birds here do not give a toss about cars, they refuse to move out of the road, it is a strange thing playing a game of chicken with a crow I tell you.
Me and Sarah have just checked in to our home for the next few days, currently (pre)rewarding ourselves with some rum and coke.
I will check in with you all later.
Dan x
DAY 2
"I used to this song towards the end of mt shows with this a really high note, and when it came to that point in the song I would go for it, I would then feel my heart strain and squeeze as if it was saying ""what the fuck are you playing at!"" I would then have to stop and abandon the number, and in the papers the next day it would read ""singer goes out on high note"".
These were the words of Sean o se, a singer who last night launched his autobiography at the cork opera house. We found ourselves there indulging on the free wine, and knowing little of why we were there.
I did however feel happy for this man to have his friends and family, fans and fellow musicians all there to celebrate his career.
We snuck out the back and found a trad session going at this place called the corner house, Mr Dixon bought me and Sarah our first pints of Irish guiness, he hands me and coin then pulls one out himself and taps the side of the glass "its dull" he says "give it a while, you want to hear it ping".
He was right.
The last venue we visited was a place called the pav. A renovated cinema were you enter the concert room by walking under the stage.
We order another guiness at the bar, Mr Dixon pulls out his coin and taps.
" not quite" he says
On that stage we witnessed an outstanding boohran solo, if you can imagine such a thing.
I'll check in again later.
Dan x
DAY 3
"You need to relax a bit" Mr Dixon kindly advises me.
We'd just come of stage at our first official gig of the festival, an amazing venue called the Oliver plunkett, which has an indoor smoking area (much to my delight)
Me and Sarah did play well, tight and rehearsed.
A few hours before we were invited to meet the lord mayor of cork. A pleasant man who seems to have a genuine passion for music.
He told us about the building we were standing, how it was built as a gift from the English government, some years after they sent the black & tans to burn it down.
He went on to say the he felt music was the universal langauge, we can all speak or interoperate to a degree.
Music here is definitely a way of healing and making amends with others.
You can hold a grudge to protect yourself and hold on to the hate.
But as he spoke I saw no hint of that.
instead you can choose to hold on to knowledge that any wrong doing can teach you, and pass that on, and breed compassion.
But what do I know I'm just a guitar player.
Check in again soon.
Dan x
DAY 4
Great gig supporting martin simpson, Too Much Rum.
That is all
Dan x