Irish Music: Bru Boru or Glor
 

Wondering if anyone's attended one of the evening shows at Bru Boru in Cashel or at Glor in Ennis? I don't tend to enjoy things designed just for tourists (would hate a castle banquet). Would you recommend (or not) either of these venues? Thanks.

Mary:

Have you been to a castle banquet? I thought that they would be stupid, but my wife insisted. They turned out to be great. The musicians were extremely talented (I'm a professional musician myself, so I at least have a clue). The one at Bunratty seemed a bit more touristy, but still quite well done. The violinist was a graduate of the Julliard School. That said, the music performed is not Irish Trad, though Dunguaire had a couple of tradition ballads and pub songs.

I haven't been to either Glor or Bru Boru but it appears that also cater to tourists. They seem to specialize in more of an Irish trad genre, but they appear to be in a concert hall setting which loses a bit of the feel. It seems hard to listen to trad without a Guinness in you hand.

Bill

No, Bill, you've caught me. I've never been to a castle banquet. Although your powers of persuasion are formidable, I still just can't picture myself using a precious night in Ireland to go to one!
The show at Glor that's scheduled for our visit to Ennis is called 'Leaving Home'. Supposed to focus on the portability of Irish music and its influence on American music. That sounds interesting to me and I'll be traveling with my son who studied ethnomusicology in college. (Thankfully, he also learned how to tend bar.)

Mary-I agree with Bill on this one. I forced my husband to go to the banquet at Bunratty becaues my sister visiting from the US really wanted to go. He's from Ireland, and went kicking and screaming. I was apprehensive myself, and thought it would be ridiculously touristy. We ended up having a great time (and were asked by the staff at one point to behave ourselves), and he even discovered that he had gone to primary school with one of the performers.

Both my parents are Irish, my mom lives in Ireland-I grew up with real Irish ballads ("Irish Eyes" was not allowed to be sung at our house!). I even studied Irish Dancing and competed. And, I LOVED Bru Boru! There is good Irish step dancing and wonderful singing and music.....its an enjoyable evening for anyone.
Shadow

Hi Mary - Did you ever attend the Bru Boru? Did you like it? I am interested in attending but I am not certain the show is running on May 25, the night we will be in Cashel. I am trying to find a website with a schedule, but no luck so far.....

No, we didn't get there. We spent the night in Cashel, but I'm ashamed to say that we ended up spending yet another night in a pub. (Try www.comhaltas.com. I think that will get you to some info, or an email address, for Bru Boru.)

While in Cashel last June we spent an evening at the Bru Boru Centre and loved it. The show took you thru the history of Irish music and was interesting and entertaining. The fun part was after the show...you could enjoy a Guinness or two...where the singers/dancers/and audience volunteers put on a session.
It may have been touristy, but we are tourists. We noticed that most of the "tourists" were from other parts of Ireland.
We spent almost every evening in Ireland listening to music in pubs. This was different but equally enjoyable.
P.S. for non-smokers this is a way to enjoy music in a smoke free environment.

Thanks so much for the responses. I did find an email link in that site, Mary! I sadly suspect, however, that I will be missing the opening performances by a few days

I agree with Chip that most of the "audience" at Bru Boru when we were there were Irish, not Americans or other tourists. The casual session that followed the performance was certainly the best part...go prepared tostay late if you can. It was still going strong when we had to leave.

I got a quick response from the Bru Boru organization, and too bad for me, the performances in 2004 do not begin until June 15. Thanks anyway for the replies!

ttt

Wow, great info, and thanks to MaryZ for asking the question.

Shadow, Bru Boru sounds great from your description. Good to hear from some people who know music. (My hubby used to play the drums and harmonize in a band, plus he played the guitar for years, so I can't enjoy music if he's sitting there complaining, it has to be good!)

From what you all say it sounds like the casual sessions following the performance are fun. This is an old post from 2004 but if anyone has been to Bru Boru this year I'd love to hear from you as well to get an update.

I don't know about Glor, but we are considering the Bru boru performance, or some music/dance in Dunguaire, Bunratty, Galway, or Ragus on Aran Islands... Whatever we can fit in itinerary which sounds worthwhile and not too touristy.

Thanks.

Many of our visitors come to view the Rock of Cashel. May I tell you a little story as to how the 'rock'came to be in Cashel.
the story goes that the devil was near the area with a hugh rock he took from a hill near Templemore (appox 10 miles to the north of Cashel)and on seeing St Patrick he dropped the Rock to where the Rock of Cashel is today. If you look to the north of Cashel you will see a range of hills with a hugh chunk missing. This is known as 'the Devil's Bit'
It is also said that it was at Cashel that St Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Blessed Trinity.
If you wold like to listen and watchIrish music in the comfort of your own home go to www.comhaltaslive.ie where there is a free sample.
If in Ennis enquire about Cois na hAbhanna on the Gort Road where everyone takes to the floor for the dancing. If you do not know how you will be brought out and shown. Mighty fun. 'Around the house there Nellie and mind the dresser'

Hello,
I will be in Ireland between Oct 17 and Oct 30th, if anyone knows of a castle banquet or evening show (except Bunratty) that is available on the above dates I would be extremely interested. Bru Boru and Dunguaire are closed for the season and I can't seem to find anything in Galway.

We will be in Cashel, Killarney, Galway (4 days) and Dublin. I have not researched any type of show in Dublin as of yet figuring that we would "wing it" if I found nothing elsewhere.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Dawn

CU: What great fun, thanks for the link to the free sample of Irish trad music from comhaltas! Okay, nobody give me a black eye, but when the Irish music gets going fast like that, it's impossible to be in a bad mood, and that reminds me of fast bluegrass, which seems to have the same effect on the spirits. (I love bluegrass but my kids never liked it. So if they were too noisy in the car I'd threaten to turn on bluegrass!)

I know what my Irish souveneir is going to be...CDs of Irish music to take home with me...

I've a great interest in story-telling as well, CU, thanks for the story.

I hope I'm in Ennis and can remember how to spell "Cois na hAbhanna", no chance I can pronounce it. I'll be needing to type up a list of interesting places to hunt for and carry it with me. (I'm a list maker and it comes in handy.) Thanks, CU!

I want to take a few Gaelic lessons which are available in my home-town through an Irish club. Haven't started yet but I want to learn a little. Might help me not to mis-pronounce everything. Maybe I can learn a few greetings (nobody will understand me!)

MaryZ, what did you decide about Bru Boru or Glor? Good luck.