Packing up this morning to leave for Mullingar was intense! We knew we would be away from the house from about 9 a.m. until at least 11 p.m. and the girls had two scheduled performances after Scoil Eigse classes.
We had a delightful morning and early afternoon of classes. Gwen’s Groupai Cheoil practiced during lunch so she didn’t get to eat but they had a good practice! In the afternoon the Irish singing teacher came in and they announced that all the singing classes were coming together on Thursday for the Big Session...and we had to sing a song in Irish. I couldn't even sing the first time...or the second time...the teacher had the class repeat after him. It's been a while since I've had to sing in a foreign language I don't know how to pronounce. I don't even know how to write out the IPA for it! He went so
Jennifer Harkey
17 chapters
24 Jul 2022
August 02, 2022
|
Mullingar, Ireland
Packing up this morning to leave for Mullingar was intense! We knew we would be away from the house from about 9 a.m. until at least 11 p.m. and the girls had two scheduled performances after Scoil Eigse classes.
We had a delightful morning and early afternoon of classes. Gwen’s Groupai Cheoil practiced during lunch so she didn’t get to eat but they had a good practice! In the afternoon the Irish singing teacher came in and they announced that all the singing classes were coming together on Thursday for the Big Session...and we had to sing a song in Irish. I couldn't even sing the first time...or the second time...the teacher had the class repeat after him. It's been a while since I've had to sing in a foreign language I don't know how to pronounce. I don't even know how to write out the IPA for it! He went so
fast...and I was Lost. This is really terrifying and good for me.
After classes we headed to the Mullingar Arts Center for the daily Tutor Recital. One of Jay and my singing teachers was performing and we had to stay in town anyway so we figured we’d see what the recital was all about. The Arts Center concert hall is so beautiful!
All of the tutors were amazing musicians but we were all especially blown away by the Whistling teacher. Yes, apparently Whistling is a competitive traditional music event in Ireland! It was really sort of jaw-dropping to hear him whistle—I’ve never heard anyone whistle as well as him. He is actually soon releasing a book and album of whistling. The book brings together his research of the
history of Whistling in Ireland—something that I’m sure is actually fascinating and something I’ve never given any thought to before.
The girls wanted to do some shopping after they recital and Gwen finally got to go in a yarn shop and have some quiet time and browse. She found some yarn to make a beanie and was lamenting over the fact that she only brought crochet hooks with her and not knitting needles. The shop owner overheard her and asked her what size she needed. When Gwen told her, she pulled some out of a drawer and told Gwen to return them by the time we leave Mullingar. It seemed so natural—I think it would be hard to find a place in the States that would be so trusting. It was so cool!
We bought the girls their official Fleadh hoodies and they’re super cute! We love the embroidery. Mom and Dad found their way to Mullingar for the first time and magically found parking no problem. They walked around with us for a bit and marveled at all of the street musicians and dancers! We snagged a table and got some fish and chips and burgers and rested a bit.
SLIA was asked by RTE (Ireland’s National television station) to film a couple of tunes out in the street for an upcoming segment/documentary on the Fleadh! So we met up with our SLIA contingent and had a blast filming. It was such a unique experience!
After the filming it was time to change for the big performance of the day on the Gig Rig! I thought that I had everything well organized for performance clothes. . .but it turned out that the only pair of black tights I had packed for Gwen were her “back up for the back up” pair—the pair that had a giant run down the front. Oops. Her good ones were still back in suitcase at the house. Luckily her friend Ella was on the ball and had a spare pair to layer over the ones with the run. Whew.
As we followed the signs for the Gig Rig, we saw it in the distance and we all went “OH! It’s the BIG stage!” So SO exciting to get to perform in such a giant setting! That really pumped the girls up and we headed backstage to warm up and practice. And we waited and waited because the stage was running late of course. They were originally supposed to perform at 9 p.m. but didn’t end up going on till 9:45. The wind was whipping and it in the upper 50’s so we were definitely chilly but it was worth the wait. SLIA performed so well and were so received by the crowd! Everyone seems to love that we are here from the States and are so friendly and supportive.
After I collected the girls from backstage all I wanted was a hot shower and warm bed. . .but Eimear and Eileen and Nuala and friends were making some beautiful music on
the Gig Rig and the girls wanted slushees (how on earth could they possibly want a frozen slushee when I was already uncontrollably shivering???) so we stayed for a while and shivered, and drank slushies, and listened to a fabulous girl-power set on the Gig Rig.
Then, all of us with sore feet and tired bones, headed back to the car for the 40 minute drive back to our sweet home in Termonbarry. We didn’t get home till after midnight. . .exhausted but elated after a fabulous day at the Fleadh.
1.
Oh Canada
2.
An Unexpected 24 Hours
3.
At Last
4.
A Beach and a Glacial Valley
5.
Sr. Katie Day
6.
Cashel
7.
An Island Adventure
8.
Rain Day
9.
Moving to Mullingar
10.
Scoil Eigse
11.
Performance Day
12.
First Busking
13.
Recital Day
14.
World Championships Day 1
15.
World Championships Day 2
16.
Final Day of Fun
17.
Going Home
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