Birthday in the Park

Here are a few photos from last wednesday. It was Janes birthday and we all took the day off and headed up to the park for a 7 hour breakfast/lunch. Here we all are unter a tree in Kings Park overlooking the river.

And here we are in Janes favourite japanese resteraunt Hanami (formerly Asahi) I was going to put up a few pictures of the lobsters that some folk were eating but my sister hates them (and prawns).

Phantom Band

Now, this one is going to take som explaining. We had a bit of a session in a bar in Durrus, and Peadar and me were sitting in front of the curtains. In a moment of pure inspiration we lepped in behind them but left our instruments out, much to the amusement of all. You HAD to have been there.

Not enough Pints?

Clearly with not enough booze on board the long arm of Owen Kelly comes in to save the day.

Kellys United

Finally, photographic proof that Owen Kelly and Eoghan Kelly are two different people.

More photos...

Here is Feargal, Pauline and John in the late bar, enjoying even MORE pints. Feargal drove down from Dublin for the night, incredible!

More pub photos

Heres a great one of Magz and Owen before we all headed off to the late bar.

Owen Kelly and I

Here I am with Owen Kelly, clearly I am standing on a large box in this picture :)

Viola players unite

Here is John, Feargal and I enjoying a few drinks in Counihans.

Family Photo

Here we all are in the front room after yet another turkey dish. I think it was curry that day.

I finally get to meet Jack Lynch

Taoiseach, hurling and gaelic football star and all-Ireland medals winner Jack Lynch. Recently had a tunnell named after him and now a statue in blackpool.

A rare photo opportunity!

The man himself, Mattie Keilly, purveyor of the worlds finest burgers & chips and with many a wise word for the wandering corkman. Older than cork itself, Mattie has been an institution for all of us at the CSM over the years and he is showing no signs of slowing down.

Finally get to catch up with Hally

It took a few days but finally we were able to catch up in Jim Cashmans pub behind the operahouse. Again, I wish we had more time but exhaustion from the festivities the night before was taking its toll. Great to see ya Hally and we'll meet up again soon!

Day at the races

Here is Margaret, Hugh and Fionn at the Durrus races. Great morning out watching the locals make fun of my hat. hilarious.

Baaaaaaaaaaaa

Emma Roche as the most exceptional sheep I have ever seen!

AaaEh Gringo

The lads look on as Komradski Gringo makes another successfull sale.

More Whikkky

The lads enjoy another heavy handed pour in west cork.

Fancy Dress in West Cork

Here is Margaret and Hugh in the Sheeps Head Bar in Durrus, west cork, the scene of the most riotous party ever known to local folklore. I only remembered half way down there that it was a fancy dress party.

More giggery

This was from the second gig in the Bodhran. Great night. All those annual rehearsals really pay off....

Eoin takes to the stage

Sorry about the quality of the photo, the lighting was bad but I had to post this one, its right before Eoin steals the show and performs the Sinatra number "I got you under my skin", in a style that made Sinatra look like a hobo

Cutting The Cake

Here is Eoin & Michelle cutting the cake at their wedding

The Lads

Here is a great one of the lads just before the wedding

Giggery

Within 1 hour of landing in the country I was faced with this stool full of pints and was mid gig! The fun never ends....

McCarthys Everywhere

Here are the lads, Sean and Declan again. Following me around the world it seems.....

Party Photo

Around 3am on new years day I believe this one was taken. That hat has come in handy on many an occasion!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Wow, where to start! It was an amazing trip back to Ireland, a bit shorter than I had hoped, but long enough to top up the accent and to dispel all nostalgia about the Irish weather. My first few days back here consisted of getting sunburned and being incomprehensible to understand on account of my distinctive rebel brogue.

I arrived on these sunny shores with 42 packets of chipsticks and 24 packets of cheese'n'onion, about 180 bags of barrys tea (for the Morris's) and a spare pair of socks. All but 2 of the packets of crisps is left!!!

Glad to be back now. in my absence Jane and co. had the bar painted and I had 2 kegs of beer waiting for me. Nice.

It was 40 degrees here yesterday! Scorching! Big change to the 4 degrees from back home.

Straight back into the full swing too, Perth doesn’t slow down for Christmas so I came back to a slew of gigs, 1 week behind at work and a lot of parties to catch up on.

Anyhoo, that’s all the craic. This photo is of me and recently betrothed Eoin Schmidt-Martin on location in Kerry. Ill slap a few more pictures up as the day progresses.

Cheers guys and a best wished throughout 2007!