Man of the World - Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

 Shall I tell you about my life
They say I'm a man of the world
I've flown across every tide
And I've seen lots of pretty girls

One thing the Band of Gypsies could never be accused of is not getting the maximum out of a gig. Yesterday's post was only the first part of the game but it was considered likely too long winded to publish both halves on the same day. So, here we are after Blarney Castle at about 14:00 entering the

 

SIN É Live Music Bar, Cork  for the afternoon céilidh.

I don't recall the band's name but they were already there and started playing soon after we had got our Murphy's.

A Whole Lotta Led always starts things off on the right note,

but one glimpse of the Uilleann Pipes (complete with elbow-bellow) did it for me. The undoubted maestro of this haunting instrument is Cumbrian Troy Donockley, to hear him at his best take a listen to the album Passengers by the band Mostly Autumn.

Acoustic Guitar and Flute

were joined by the Bodhrán, an Irish frame drum,

and a Guinness or three, followed by a visit to

for a couple bottles of decent vino

and a very tasty dinner before making for

The Bodega Night Club the other side of the River Lee. Time for a chat with Jim and a chance to straighten the hat. There had already been some mention of the Peter Green lookalike in Sin E

but it was about to be cranked up a few notches by these 2 gentlemen who simply wouldn't have it that I was not 'the man'.

They in turn introduced me to Kate O'Shea, Events and Promotions Manager both here and at the Crane Lane Theatre, with her and I hitting it off immediately,

while Craig and Jim had a little jig.

The next photo shot was 'in the round' but now time to spread ourselves about and meet more people. Mostly female (no complains there) but by now the days 'hellraising' was starting to take its toll. What a great vibe, a really exciting place to be

and I wouldn't be at all surprised if we don't all come back again, preferably SOON!

Some of the original manuscripts, ledgers and wine that was found in the vaults when being converted into this nightclub.

We also met up with David, in the blue shirt, and shared a couple of bottles of wine along with 3 members of the 'in-house' band Renegade.

Well, looks to me every bit as though someone is ready to leave

so as the City Hall bell struck 3a.m.

 we poured ourselves into a taxi and headed for bed. What a Day, What a Gig and What a Town!

 Sláinte Mhaith - Marillion

A hand held over a candle in angst fuelled bravado
A carbon trail scores a moist stretched palm
Trapped in the indecision of another fine menu
And you sit there and ask me to tell you the story so far
This is the story so far

From the dream on the barbed wire at Flanders and Bilston Glen
From a Clydeside that rusts from the tears of it's broken men
From the realisation that all we've been left behind
Is to stand like our fathers before us in the firing line
Waiting on the whistle to blow

Would the last one to leave please blow out the lights!

Sealed With A Kiss - Brian Hyland

Photographs can be viewed more clearly and in larger format by 'left clicking' on the first image then scrolling.

It would be safe to assimilate Cork with the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival in as much that if you can remember it you weren't there. Good job then that we had the cameras clicking away both day and night. This morning it was an early taxi ride to the outskirts of the city and to the world famous

 

 

On the way our driver pointed out the home of footballer Roy Keen.

 

 

Set in hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland

 

complete with lots of beautiful people who you would be able to see if those 2 idjuts (as the Paddy's say) would get out of the frekin' way!

 

 

Of course the Castle is mostly famous for the

which has the effect on he who kisses it thus

 

The un-eloquent (if there is such a word) were about to be converted, while

 

 already some were being initiated 

high above,

our turn would come later but first a look around the Castle Grounds.

 

Visiting the Troglodytes.

 

For unknown reasons, I had always imagined the Blarney Stone to be a well close to the river but as previously stated it is high on the castle ramparts, now began the long climb with fantastic sights en-route.

 

 

 

There were a good number of tourists but little of a wait as we finally approached the ritual site.

First problem for the 'Skinny Kids' amongst us was getting down on you back, not a problem in the days when I was suppose to have been working.

Today there was a bit of creaking before grabbing the support rails either side.

Finally,

 THE KISS (Gustav Klimt).

and on the subject of 'eloquence', there's always one who has to lower the tone. The sign quite clearly said NO TONGUES - Yuk!

We all passed with flying colours and just compare with the image above, OOZING ELOQUENCE or what? Final port of call within the Castle Grounds was a most interesting

 

 

DEADLY NIGHTSHADE.

Our Leader usually has a trick or two up his sleeve and we were now about to be led to a meeting with 

 The Man In Black himself, Johnny Cash who was known to visit a pub just across the road

THE MUSKERRY ARMS

It took a full 'four pints' before Jim came to the conclusion he had got it wrong and we decanted to the

 

just a few paces away. "Aye to be sure, to be sure this is the place", famous last words of Jim the Medic, no one within had a clue what the hell he was on about and also pointed out that Cash had past away a full 9 years ago. It was 13:00 as we entered the pub for a couple more and a bite to eat followed by a return to Garnish House to spruce up for the evening. As a footnote it would be appropriate to make mention of the hugely warm welcome we have received during the trip so far. The professionalism, kindness, help etc of taxi drivers, bar and restaurant staff, along with the general public and all else has made this a great visit, we were not to know there was even better to come that evening which will have to wait for tomorrow's post.

So pleased to be back in the saddle with service returned to normal.

Communication Breakdown - Led Zeppelin

Dear Reader

It is not known whether it's this Google Blog Site, my 'tablet' laptop or the Internet here, either way we are unable to 'upload' any photograph but it is hoped this will be rectified tomorrow. That cannot be made a promise, as sat here in Cork Airport my flight is once again delayed good reason maybe for never flying with Aer Lingus again! A THOUSAND apologies, talk soon.