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Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught
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Subject: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 03 Sep 01 - 05:58 AM Well, myself and Fibula met up with Claymore in Listowel at the Fleadh. Met a huge bunch of his group all having a great time in the market square of Listowel. Making lovely music and attracting the crowds. However, I have been wondering since I got back from Ireland whether Claymore has been heard of again. As I am sure (and know) he has many tales to tell you all. But little did he think his words would come true... quote from other thread....... 'And yes we're a saucy lot, but the teenagers are well behaved, and know enough to drag Unca Donald out of the pub face up, to avoid ruining my good looks... particularly the next bit... I'll be the one in the ditch with my clothes still on...(damn!). ' Lets just say, Claymore has been having a hoot of a time. But has anyone heard from him lately - me and Fib would be interested to hear if he's made it back in one piece yet... Carol C... any n |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 03 Sep 01 - 05:59 AM news.. that bit was... Can't wait to hear from Claymore. What a laugh! Ella |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: CarolC Date: 03 Sep 01 - 07:29 AM He just got home last night. I haven't spoken to him about the trip yet. He was rather tied up when I saw him. But he looked like he was all in one piece, and none the worse for wear.
And I didn't hear about any major disasters taking place in Northern Ireland while he was there, so I guess he didn't cause too much of a disturbance to the local populace. That was quite a crew you guys took on board there. I'm guessing they all had a really fine time. Those are some of my favorite people, so I'm glad you all took such good care of them. |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 03 Sep 01 - 08:25 AM Yes, they were a huge crew of people, very talented bunch too. Well, all I can say without ruining stories, is that Irelands car rental firms are probably quaking in their boots. They all certainly looked like they were enjoying them. My mum and dad captured them on video too for a brief couple of minutes - and there was Claymore, the man in the hat with his long neck banjo. And all the others, including the dancers have such a good time. Had a go on Claymore's Native American Shamen drum - what a lovely instrument! So, come on Claymore, what's the story/ies... Regards Ella |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: CarolC Date: 03 Sep 01 - 05:54 PM I should probably have mentioned this in my previous post. Claymore will probably not post until some time on Tuesday at the earliest. His computer access is at work and today (Monday) is a work holiday here. So he probably won't have computer access until tomorrow (Tuesday) at the earliest. |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: CarolC Date: 03 Sep 01 - 07:25 PM Ok. I've just heard the complete story. Apparently he took out two entire herds of sheep, three shepherds, a farmer's wife, and a half mile of stone wall. All with his itty bitty rental car. My understanding is that he was escorted out of the country under armed guard and has been declared a public menace. He said he'll probably be posting tomorrow (Tuesday). I expect he'll probably deny everything. |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 04 Sep 01 - 03:32 AM Well we went through customs passing a sign, saying... Wanted any information regarding this man.... picture of a man not too far away from Claymore (one of them there photo fit pictures). And underneath was a list of things about 10 sides of A4 worth. He heee... That's what all the lawyers say, deny EVERYTHING. I know nathink! Except maybe, there's not a sheep, or local farmer that doesn't quake at the tales of Claymore and clan... Regards Ella |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 04 Sep 01 - 04:10 PM Yes it is I, he who went through gates in wooden fences that didn't exist, and stone walls that did. A simple man who, after making the choice between a parked lorry or an oncoming tour bus, chose the lorry (and was later congratulated by its driver for the way I recovered my steering after the impact) simply realized that I had more insurance than God, a new Mitsubishi Lancer (less than 3,000 miles), air bags, and a death wish. The man at the National car rental stop, next to Dublin airport, could not believe I had been in three seperate collisions (all of them side impacts, none frontal) no glass breakage, never deployed an air bag, and had the gratitude of sheep and tour bus drivers throughout the island, not to speak of the farmer whose stone wall I pointed up, smoothing out the side of the wall for some fifty feet while not spilling a stone off the wall. And once I pulled out the quarter panel, I could still steer from lock to lock. I paid not a cent in damages, though I think that the rental man believed I rolled the car, and simply did not want to admit it. For the record, the second acident was as I was trying to make the Giants Causeway before dark and a herd of sheep stepped out in front of me. (The only damage was a B&B sign snapped off at the ground, which I replaced two feet lower, after digging out the stub with my tire iron). And the third was into a stone wall after some woman with a baby carriage stepped out from behind TWO DOUBLE PARKED vehicles and started to cross the street. That was the only accident I did not stop for, as I was so angry I was afraid of what I would say to her. (I was also a bit concerned that all the sparks from my doors on the stone wall might start a fire, but I figured that even that twit could report a fire.)
As you noted, we Americans had an unbelieveable time, being on three TV productions and an a half an hour of live Radio Ireland. We played en masse in pubs throughout the country, arriving in Enniscorthy to a pub street sign that stated "the American Musicians and Dancers will be Here at 8:30" without us knowing we would. That evening we not only gave them Appalachian/Old Time/Irish at its best, we also gave them belly dancing. One of our cloggers who has taught belly dancing in the past found someone in town with a belly dancing outfit. The only other person who knew, was our Dysfunctional Goddess of the Fiddle, Sharon Hall. At an appropriate moment, she slid over to Jan and I, and told us to get our drums and follow her. I grabbed the Bodhran of Death, and moved into the dark beside her. As she set a Middle Eastern wail on the fiddle, Jan and I took the high and low roads on the beat. After the crowd quieted in puzzlement, Candy danced out of the Ladies room in a Harem outfit, complete to the last detail, and began to undulate around the pub. In a scene for the ages, a drunk young man exited the Mens Room, zipping up his fly, spotted Candy dancing towards him, and zipped his finger into his pants. As he tried to pull it out, the Irish gave him hell. The scene ended with many of the women in the crowd dancing with Candy in the finale. (I have pictures of all of this and Carol C will help me post them as soon as they are developed). Since I can only post while at work, I will continue this saga for several days barring a universal effort to shut me down. I will close todays effort with a story that stunned every dancer we brought. And Fib, I will need your anthropological background in this tale. As you might know, we became increasingly popular every day we played, with people from the town recognizing us from our West Virginia dress and stopping our cloggers everywhere they went, to buy them drinks. The musicians fared no different, with Sharon being stopped by a man who had heard her teach at the Augusta Festival in Elkins WV. and I was interviewed for the Fleadh documentary film. After several days, Raidio na Gaeltachta contacted us and asked if we wouldn't do a segment on early Irish music as it went to the States. We agreed and after setting up and an introduction in Gaelic, we were off and running. After several minutes of dancing, which the announcer was giving some sort of play by play to the audience, the cloggers stood down for a minute as we reset the tempo with a bridge tune. As we were doing this, an old man stepped out of the crowd which by then was fifteen or twenty deep, and gingerly approached the board which the cloggers had been using. Hopping to the rhythm, he steped onto the board and began to clog with slightly different steps and softer arm movements (almost soft-shoe). I raised an eyebrow at Sharon and she indicated "play through". He was clogging with the best of them. Finally one of the dancers recovered enough to realize he was tiring, and called out "Bring it home on the next one", and the two women jumped on the board to close the set. Everyone was stunned, and the announcer began to interview him in Gaelic, in which he quickly responded. The story as I got it from the announcer later, was that this dance form was called "sean nos" and was the dance form done in Connemara many years ago. The old man claimed was it was repressed by the Comhaltas back in the fifties, in favor of the step dancing style of Munster and the ceili style of Kerry. Apparently Comhaltas regarded it as "not stylish" enough, and allowed only the older forms of ballad singing to compete, but not the dance. The old man had closed by saying to the announcer, "These Americans are the only ones doing it right." He had seen us on TV and had come to make his point in Listowel. It is possible that the old man got it wrong, but I must say that the people that never left us were the old folks, who repeatedly said that they remember their fathers dancing in the same way, in the living room to the radio. Our cloggers are gentle people, not of my ilk, and many times I would look up to see them dancing with very old people, holding them by the hand and supporting them in the steps. We do many things different than the Irish, playing "Star of the County Down" as a majestic waltz, for example. And while the youngsters came and went, the old folks sat and waited for their turn to waltz or clog, even unto the late night. This happened everywhere we went, and I will never forget it. (I apologize for spelling and syntax - Moore later) |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 05 Sep 01 - 03:30 AM Hallooo... Great to hear from you Claymore... Well, about the dancing, yes... Sean nos dancing was the one of the original dancing style. I actually commented to fib that your dancing was similar to Sean Nos. I have seen plenty of very good sean nos dancers around. Especially in the Sligo, Galway and Enniscorthy areas. I have had a go myself and enjoyed it immensly. Alot of it was combined as I was told from spanish dance steps that were brought over by sailors, and combined into the dances that were already being done. It is a much more relaxed style of dancing and is enjoyable to watch. I attended a dance class in it up near Sligo, and had such a good time. I can see why the man bugded into your dancing, yes he wanted to make a point, Sean nos is becoming more popular now and I reckon it won't be long before it gets more so! Anyways, I too am at work, so from one Moore to another, catch you laters Ella |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 06 Sep 01 - 04:45 PM Part the Second As a been further covered in previous threads, the 14 of us gathered at Baltimore-Washington Airport for our flight out (BWI is highly recommended for flights in and out of Ireland. I've done the NY thing and that's an IQ test; the smart ones don't do that again.) A moment of off-the-cuff, but naughty humor occurred just as they were calling my row to board the aircraft. One of the teenagers had just heard the flight announced and turned to one of the others, as we were queuing up. (Names are not revealed in order to protect the guilty from their mother's wrath). "Air Lingus… what's that? "I dunno, I think that's when you lick a woman…" I managed to keep something of a straight face as I gave the ticket agent my boarding pass, but as I glanced back at Jan, I collapsed in the jet-way, howling with laughter. The sight of the two of us with tears in our eyes and grabbing each other for support, must have set the flight attendant back, but she allowed us to board anyway. Six hours later we were in Eire, and lined up for our rental cars. We got six in all, partly because some of the couples wanted to be able to travel on their own and partly because of all the instruments. My Lancer held one long neck banjo, one auto harp, one hammered dulcimer, one 24" shaman drum, three suitcases, two teenagers, and me. We started out in a line, each of us making peace with our God and an appreciation why the original name for the left was "Sinister". After the first round-about from Shannon Airport we had to all get out of cars and wipe the fog and spittle from the inside of our windshields. We passed around cigarettes to the nonsmokers, a nip of the duty free, and strapped ourselves back in for the next couple of blocks. We rapidly learned several things about driving in Ireland: Unlike America where you are advised to keep your arms inside the car, in Ireland you keep your fingers in the car. They pass so close that you could not litter if you wanted to, you just exchange garbage as they suck yours out of the car. The Irish do not give directions, they give opinions… The Irish do not park their cars, they abandon them… An automobile is smarter than sheep; Hell, rocks are smarter than sheep… When Americans hit sheep they are convinced they killed the Lamb of God, and immediately hold roadside services… Cows are God's way at getting back at Americans about the sheep killing… Irish cows do not understand a word of English… Everything makes sense over a pint… (Moore later) |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 06 Sep 01 - 07:18 PM Claymore, I took a walk out in the country, where I was staying with my friend in Listowel - about 4 miles out of town. I got to his neighbours farm, saw one nice cow looking at me, said hello to it, and before I could do anything else, I heard the sound of thunder, looked up. I saw a stampeed of 20 others, they were looking at me, I wuz looking at them looking at me looking at them... I had an audience of 20 ruminators, I spoke to them in a low murmour and walked on.... watched by 20 pairs of eyes... Then met a local - who was so broad country... or countthhry I could hardly understand him, just answered yes, smiled sweetly and nodded... I just hope I didn't make him any promises... yes, sheep are dumb as! of course, a distinct lack of them at the moment near me. But still they are dumb as, AND they get to wander free range near me - no fields, no walls, they go where ever they want... Ella |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 07 Sep 01 - 04:48 PM Ella, I do believe that sheep go through their whole lives thinking just two thoughts, "Eat" and "Huh?" I was sorry about Fibs break in, but I didn't get to the thread until after the wackoids had launched, and being probably the only police officer in the bunch, I thought it would have been like taking a tea break during a St. Vitus Dance. I am also reliably informed that Fib's specialty is Archeology and not Anthropology. I attribute that to an old mans hearing and the din in Listowel. However, I truly appreciate the response you sent on "sean nos", as it dovetails nicely with a book I'm reading on Irish Music history, " A Pocket History of Irish traditional Music, by Geaeroid O hAllmhurain, O'Brien Press, ISBN 0-86278-555-3. In a paragraph devoted to the founding of the Gaelic League, he writes: "Determined to ignore the archaic common ground between Scottish and Irish dances, a group from the London branch of the Gaelic League came to Ireland to collect various dances from 'authentic' sources. Much of their field trip was confined to Kerry, because of its traditional association with dancing masters since the late eighteenth century. In their resulting evaluation, the group came to regard the Munster dances and stepping styles as being 'superior', while northern and western dances were discouraged. The "sean nos" dancing style of Connemara, which was more flat-footed than its Munster counterpart, and involved grandiose arm movements, was seriously frowned upon. Quadrille sets, waltzes, barn dances and schottisches, which were regarded as 'foreign imports' also met with disapproval. Henceforth, the Munster style of dancing became a prime barometer for an emerging canon of national dances – a canon which has endured for most of a century." (page 94) He closes the section by writing, "Much of the dances of the Irish Diaspora still await serious investigation". I agree. If the Comhaltas movement deliberately ignored or discouraged a legitimate and distinctly Irish form of dance, which is still being done in Appalachia, as brought over 200 years ago, because it was regarded as "not stylish enough" I think it's a shame. And I would note the same thing has occurred in America. When I went to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, I noted that they were introducing what we call "White shoes clogging" as "Clogging". "White shoes" is to clogging, as Kerry polkas are to step dancing. In West Virginia, clogging is also known as "flat-footing" and is done individually or with one partner, and not eight to the square (In fact, many of the moves are confined to what would be a table top, which would have been done in the early days). In the Carolinas clogging became like baton twirling in Texas, with matching outfits, group movements, coaches, and white shoes (to show off the footwork). We didn't fall far from the tree… And to move the narrative along for the weekend, I give you Chapter 3, "A Long Neck in Eire." Our first stop was in Doolin, the town which carries the reputation as a traditional music sanctuary in Ireland, based upon the offerings of three pubs, O'Conners, McGanns, and McDermotts. I found the music good but not great, with the possible exception of the tenor banjo player at McGanns. Arjuna, our entry for the Fleadh in flute and whistle, sat in on several sessions there, but in general, the pubs were way too crowded to hear much of the music. On the second night, we decided to set down at the Aille River Hostel (a bargain, in a truly beautiful location on the banks of the river), and just stir something up. In short order the place was packed, and the cloggers began the first of daily clogging lessons to anyone who asked, together with joint appearances with the Sicilian International Clogging Chorus Line, the Free French Female Invitational Cloggers, the Alpine Hop and Yodel Dancers, (You get the idea). Lessons were quickly held in the shower rooms, groups formed in the hallway, and performances conducted with appropriate introduction and musical pretense, to the merriment of all but the German guests, who maintained a constipated mien, but never left the room. The large kitchen faced the room and those who were cooking could be seen "clogging" or other folk dances as they moved around the kitchen, carrying pots or plates of food. It was so steamy that half my photos have a gauzy look from the humidity. And while the first night was not playing in a pub exactly, it set the stage for the rest of the times we did. The next day the man who owned the B&B we were staying at approached us and mentioned that much of the town was talking about the "American Barn Dance" held at the hostel, and since he had a brother who played regularly at McDermotts, he was wondering if we would mind playing during the intermissions, to give the regular band a break. The game was on! That night, we were introduced, not for the last time, as "The American Musicians and Dancers," an appellation which we would see and hear until the day we left. It also inadvertently provided me with the best one liner about my long neck banjo. As most people know, the Irish play a short neck tenor banjo about two feet long. When I would haul out my long neck at almost four feet in length, there was often an audible gasp from the crowd. That night, a patron obviously under the influence of some Irish Truth Serum, hollered out, "Why's that banjo neck so long?" After waiting for the laughter to subside, I hollered back, "I guess it's cause I play with it a lot…" That alone was worth several pints… (Moore later) |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: GUEST Date: 07 Sep 01 - 07:53 PM I have a story to share about my adventure in Ireland as part of the gang traveling with Uncle Don Claymore. My husband and I were coming back from Dingle, driving through Listowel. We stopped at a traffic light and noticed a military truck pulled in close to the curb on the left side. Standing next to the truck were armed soldiers with machine guns. The guns were lying across their arms pointed towards the square. As I looked to my right, in the square, I saw the big straw hat, there was Donald O'Moore with his back turned to us. It looked liked the soldiers were watching the activity that Don was heading towards. I wanted to take a picture of the soldier pointing his gun at Don's back, but my husband had a fit. We didn't know what was going on. If you really knew Don like I do...if he suspected trouble, he would have everyone lying face down in the square with their arms behind their backs! Then he would direct the troops in to the problem area. Since Don seemed to be acting pretty cool we figured everything was okay. But I have to admit I was very frightened by seeing the guns. We did not stop in town, Sonny wanted to get the hell out of Listowel. When we got to the B&B we asked Tom if he knew what was going on. "Yes, the lads are just bringing in the money for the bank".! Damn did I miss a good picture. We had a wonderful visit in Ireland. It was the first time for several of us. We were charmed by the beauty of the countyside, delighted by the smiles we saw as we played , and enjoyed the wonderful conversations with the locals. As soon as they found out I was from West Virginia, they would start humming "Country Roads, take me home..." We came to Ireland as strangers and left as friends.Ireland has changed my life. |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: GUEST,shall Date: 07 Sep 01 - 07:55 PM By the way I am not a guest, I am the Dysfunctial Fiddle Goddess of West Virginia Sharon |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: CarolC Date: 08 Sep 01 - 01:15 AM Sharon, do you need help resetting your cookie so you don't show up as 'guest'? |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: GUEST,shall Date: 08 Sep 01 - 10:45 AM Carol, Maybe that is what is wrong, I'll hit the reset. Thanks. Concert tonight (Sept. 8) with Maggie Sansone & Scott Reiss (I call him Pan), at the Frank Center in campus. It would be great to see you.... |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: CarolC Date: 08 Sep 01 - 11:00 AM Thanks Sharon. I took a recorder workshop with Scott at the dulcimer festival a couple of years ago. Do you know what he said his philosophy for playing the recorder is? He said, "Do what the fiddler does". Imagine that.
Probably won't be able to make it tonight, though. Have a great time. I noticed we've got four different groups coming down from Canada this season, including one from Cape Breton. I'll probably be going to those concerts. Hope to see you then. |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Fibula Mattock Date: 08 Sep 01 - 12:15 PM Hi guys - Claymore, I'm really enjoying your stories! Just to clear up much confucion, I haven't had a break in since May, but someone refreshed the thread and suddenly it got loooooooong-winded. Anyway, the fleadh photos are on the Mudcat Events page for all to peruse. I'm off to a conference in Edinburgh for a few days, so I'll catch up on more stories when I return! |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Fibula Mattock Date: 08 Sep 01 - 01:27 PM "confucion", er yes, with my spelling, that much is evident... |
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Subject: RE: Has Eire survived the Claymore anslaught From: Ella who is Sooze Date: 08 Sep 01 - 07:19 PM yay, great to hear Moore stories (from one to another) I am just about getting to grips with NON fleadh life, and times... Keep em coming... And no problem about the sean nos response, you're welcome! As for clogging round the kitchen, I always seem to end up 'cloggin' places when I am drunk... My Grannie would think it great. She bought me my first pair of old style clogs when I was 1 - I still have them... they are amazing, to think people wore em... I can of course only get my big toe in them now... All the best... Ella... drunk in charge of a keyboard... guilty officer! :) |
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