By Darragh Smith
For anybody interested in trad music, the most welcoming and fun trad session takes place every Thursday night in Bennett’s pub in Ardcath which is between Duleeek and Garristown.
The session is welcoming to people of all ages and skill levels and it’s a great place to go to test and improve your trad playing skills while in the company of many different kind and encouraging trad musician’s.
Musical novice Claire Smith said “the place has such a kind and encouraging feel to it” adding that she felt entirely comfortable while testing her tin whistle skills! Yesterday’s session began with a very popular hornpipe called “The Boys of Bluehill”.
“They play all kinds of songs and people can put in their own requests as to what’s played next so you should always be able to play at least a few songs you can keep up with.
They have a gathering of all sorts of different instruments too from people playing tin whistle to guitar to the uilleann pipes. Some people like to sing a song or two and the musicians at Bennetts make an effort to cater to everyone’s tastes.
“There are so many reasons to love trad” said Claire. “I love it for the social aspect, everyone is so kind and also because I find the music so upbeat.”
“Trad music is so gorgeous and there is always someone willing to help you with your playing and teach you new techniques you hadn’t previously known. “Some people say that trad music is dying out but it is certainly living on in places like Bennett’s where everyone in attendance so clearly feels so attached to their music.
“A few people even like to bring their children down once in a while, passing this tradition down to the younger generations who will keep it going strong for years to come.”
