Remembering the good times in Shanaglish

VINCENY Keehan and Paddy Egan come together to play music in Shanaglish when they return to these shores from overseas.

 

Established in 1856, Whelan’s in Shanaglish is a rare pub which has been home to many sessions of song, music, story and dance over the years including a regular venue of mandolin player Vincey and concertina player Paddy.

Directed by Keehan, who grew up nearby but now lives in San Francisco, and Egan, from Wicklow but now living in London, Nights in Shanaglish is a forthcoming box set album which celebrates these sessions.

The aim was to record all 25 tracks live in Whelan’s, with minimal sound equipment present, contributing to a natural, session-like atmosphere.
“We wanted to capture the essence of what went on in Whelan’s over many years of nights experiencing yarn stories, dancing, music, songs and the good times with the local people,” Vincey said.

“Whelan’s Pub is situated in the most southern part of Galway, in the village of Shanaglish, in the parish of Beagh. It was my last stop on the night before I left home, bound for America. I traded in my hurley stick for a mandolin and got involved in the Irish music scene in San Francisco. It was there I met and struck up a friendship with concertina player Paddy Egan, from Park Bridge, County Wicklow.

“When I would return to Shanaglish for a few weeks every summer, Paddy Egan, myself and my long-time friend Colie Moran of Gort, would get together at Whelan’s. Many nights we were joined by other musicians we had met along the way. Mikey Whelan and later his daughter Kathy and Keith Murray always made us feel welcome,” Vincey explained.

He added that it was these sessions that laid the ground work for Nights in Shanaglish.

As part of the launch of the boxset on Wednesday, October 24, there will be a film viewing of the Nights in Shanaglish DVD at Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery followed by a session at 9pm.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, October 25 at Whelan’s Bar, Shanaglish there will be an official launch. Further events include a further DVD screening on Sunday, October 28 at 3pm in Gort Town Hall, as part of the Cooley Collins Festival and will be followed by a launch event that evening at 8pm.