Refuge from a "Nor'easter"

It was a terrible night out last night, but inside CONNOLLY STATION it was warm and friendly for those who braved the elements. On short e-mail notice, many of our friends and family came out to join us for an evening of Irish music. Sheila & Jim met Liz (who took this photo) & Don for dinner. Anne, Mark and Chris came in out of the weather, too. As did Barbara & Paul and Pam & Mark. A group of friends and former colleagues from school joined us: Shirley, Gigi and Andy & David. Fellow-teacher Maryann and her husband came along with long-time friends, Eileen and her husband. Some of my Second Graders and their moms surprised us! The children joined us on stage for "The Rattlin' Bog" and "A Place in the Choir." They came up and clapped along on a couple of others. Children's participation is becoming a regular part of our routine, it seems. It's such fun having them there! We made some new friends, too: Steve and Patricia who recently relocated to the Shore area from New York. Tom and his wife knew most of the songs we performed, though some were new to them. Mike and Amy thought they'd be able to join us at THE IRISH RAIL on October 29. We hope you will, too!

Newsflash! Newsflash! Newsflash!

Yesterday, we had a call from CONNOLLY STATION (Main Street, Belmar) asking us to fill-in on Thursday, October 15, from 6:00-9:00 PM.

We know it's a bit last-minute, but if you can make it, we'd be delighted to see you there!

September Gigs Revisited

Yesterday afternoon, we had a great time performing for The Irish Rail's "Half-Way to St. Patrick's Day" bash. On Thursday, we were joined by many friends -- old and new -- at Connolly Station in Belmar. Watch a slideshow here to see the fun.

Watch this space for more dates as they are announced. In the meantime, mark your calendar to join us on Thursday, October 29 at THE IRISH RAIL (6-9pm) and Tuesday, December 29 at FARRELL'S (Point Pleasant Beach) 6:30-9:30pm.

Back at The Irish Rail -- Tomorrow!

Just had a call from Becky, the manager at THE IRISH RAIL in Manasquan, inviting us to play at their "Half-Way to St. Paddy's Day" bash tomorrow. We'll be performing from 3-6 pm. We know it's short notice, but we'd love to see some of you there. Pass the word. No time today to post photos from last night's gig at CONNOLLY, but watch for them soon.

Greg & Liz

GRSI "Groupies"

True fans -- and good friends -- at a recent performance at The Irish Rail. Lots of fun at Connolly Station tonight! Watch for photos of the night and news soon.

This Thursday: CONNOLLY STATION

We hope you'll be able to join us on Thursday for our first appearance at CONNOLLY STATION in Belmar. We'll be performing there from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. You'll hear many of your favorites, for sure, and some that may not be as familiar to you -- yet. Please pass the word to your friends. The more the merrier!

See you soon!
Liz & Greg

More at The Rail | Video

Another video excerpt by Ruairi Clare.

Join us at CONNOLLY STATION in Belmar on Sept. 17 (6-9pm).

Irish Rail Video | "The Star of the County Down"

Thanks for this video, Ruairi! (Read story below.)

A Night at The Rail

[Photo by Ruairi Clare. More to follow.]
Liz and I had a great time at THE IRISH RAIL last night. We saw lots of friends -- old and new! It was great seeing the legendary Jersey Shore entertainer, Timmy Gough, again after all these years! Sea Girt was well represented with a large group of merry revelers celebrating a special birthday. St. Rose Grammar School teachers were out in force -- and in good voice, too! We hope they'll all come back next month. Cliff and Carol were back and caught up on the latest happenings with friends, Ron and Geri. Kay and Bill are always "fan"tastic! Liz's brother Glenn and his wife Stella joined us -- before leaving for vacation in Myrtle Beach next week. Sheila & Jim brought along the evening's littlest "party animal" and the newest addition to our family to the festivities: "Nicolas James Briggs Sullivan" who made the trip all the way from Santiago, Chile. (Grandparents, Jerry and Kathleen, were beaming.) Maureen and Tim and I were the first Ryans to see the Little Angel. Nico and his mom, Kerry (Sheila's daughter), and dad (Ricardo) had flown into Newark Airport earlier yesterday afternoon and came directly to The Irish Rail. Not bad for just 10 weeks old! Siobhan brought along little Gerry and Kara to join in the fun with Aunt Meg and "Baby on Board." Liz was happy to greet her friend Erika -- and her friend.

We'll be back at The Rail on Thursday, October 29 (6-9pm). In the meantime, mark your calendar to join us at CONNOLLY STATION in Belmar on September 17 (6-9pm). Some folks -- like my Superintendent and his family -- weren't able to stay last night since there was an hour's wait for a table! So plan on arriving early. Hope to see you soon!

BTW: Yes, that's a real Irish potato sitting on the counter. :-)

The Irish Rail & Connolly Station

Just a reminder that we will be at THE IRISH RAIL (Manasquan) on Thursdays, September 3 & October 29, from 6:00-9:00 PM. We hope to see many of you there. We're happy to announce that we will also be playing at CONNOLLY STATION in Belmar on Thursday, September 17, from 6:00-9:00 PM. It's a beautiful restaurant and pub with a tradition of Irish music on Thursday nights. We hope you'll be able to join us!

"My Johnny Lad" (Excerpt)

A Good Time Was Had By All! | Video

The Wild Rovers Return (Thanks for the video, Cait!)

We had a great time at St. Stephen's Green again last night. (View a slideshow here.) Thanks to all those who came out to join us. My sister and her extended family were there (with friends, Don and Liz C.), just having gotten back from a month in Chile visiting the latest addition to our clan, Nicholas Briggs. Meghan and "Baby On Board" were there with Auntie Ruairi. My friend and musical mentor, Ed Finn (that's right: FINN) and his wife Dorothy were there, as were several friends from both our meditation group and Merton Discussion Group in Belmar. For the first time in public I sang "Danny Boy" for Bill and Kay Pentony who were there with their friends, the Whitman family, whose daughter, Wynne, will be moving back to Spring Lake soon. (So we'll expect to see her in The Green more often.) Peggy Sullivan (not Danny, this time) came with Frank and Suzie Carey. Carol and husband-local entertainer Cliff Bloodgood were back again, too. Several families of former students were there. The children even got up on stage to join me in "The Garden Song." That was so much fun. I hope someone will share the video clips of that one! It was great to have Cait & Steve and Abbey with us again, though it's such a long trip for them. (This morning Cait told me they had counted 80 people that they recognized in the crowd.) One of their friend's mom was there, too -- born and bred in Mayo she was. ("Up Mayo!") Maureen and Tim brought Aileen along. Tim will be hosting a "cousins party" next week, so that will be a lot of fun for the younger set. Frank and Mary Dunn were there. Their daughter, Bridget, played grammar school basketball with Abbey at St Rose. It was great to see Liz's friend, Judy, and her family. Anne and son, Mark, stopped in to see us again. Bob & Helen Tuffy (friends since Marriage Encounter days) arrived in the area on Saturday so they could avoid the Sunday traffic on the Parkway, staying over with the Brady Bunch in Manasquan. ... That's enough for now. I'll write more and post more videos soon.

We'll be at The Irish Rail in Manasquan September 3 and October 29 (6-9 pm). Watch this space or look on our Calendar page for future engagements as they are booked. Feel free to drop us an email or leave a message below.

It's a Small World!

This week we had some interesting emails from people who had visited our Web site and Blog. For example:

Hi, Greg!

My name is Charles and I was recently exploring my Irish roots, especially the music. I came across your website.

I really like your genre of music.

I have to compliment you on your talent. You are very good and your story on your blog is very touching.

I grew up not far from where you play at St Stephen's Green Publick House. We moved from Newark in the early sixties to West Belmar. I was very young. My older brothers may know of the places in Newark you speak of.

Since then, I've moved away from New Jersey and currently am living in California with my family, but soon we're to move back to the Jersey Shore.

I will make it a point to come listen to you play when I get back home.

Also from your blog I see a hint that you may be a man of faith... I, too.

Peace and Blessings!
Charles Farrell

Feel free to leave a comment below about yourself -- and your interest in Irish music. Hope to see you tonight at The Green!

August, September & October Dates

Mark your calendar!
Liz and I will be at St. Stephen's Green Publick House this Sunday, August 16, from 6:00-9:00 PM. We'd love to see you there. If you are unable to make it Sunday, we will be at the The Irish Rail in Manasquan on September 3 and October 29 (Thursdays) from 6:00-9:00 PM. Check the Web links above for menus, directions, et cetera. Spread the word!

Summer Break & Rehearsal Video

While Liz and I are off-line for a bit, mark your calendar to join us at St. Stephen's Green on Sunday, August 16th from 6:00 till 9:00 PM. We'd love to see you there!
"The October Winds" Rehearsal. [2:57]

Video: Sweet Sixteen & Mountain Dew [6:12]

St. Stephen's Green; July 2009 (Excerpt)

Cousin Peg ("Peg o' My Heart")

Here's a photo of my cousin Peggy (AKA Peg, Meg, Meggie, and more). On a previous post I told how her son, Paddy (now Fr. Pat), is the one who taught me how to play the guitar. We spent untold hours playing and singing at his house which was right across the street from our house. Through it all, Peggy never complained. She was -- and is -- a singer herself. Some of my earliest memories of family gatherings were of Peg and her sisters dressing up in the men-folk's army fatigues and singing "close harmonies" just like the Andrews Sisters. (Watch them below.) They not only had the songs down pat, but they had all the moves, too. They were terrific! Whenever Paddy and I played for family members, we'd seem (to her) to spend an inordinate amount of time tuning our guitars -- we wanted the sound to be right. Peggy would say: "Why do you have to do that? You never see them doing that on TV! Can't you just play?" For years, Peg has been a faithful follower of Bobby Byrne and she invariably gets up to do a few numbers during his show. She's a real show-stopper!

Video: "The Orange and the Green" [2:00]

St. Stephen's Green; July 2009 (Excerpt)

Video: "Dublin in the Rare Old Times" [5:57]

St. Stephen's Green; July 2009

Video: "Dirty Old Town" [0:50]

St. Stephen's Green; July 2009 (Excerpt)

Video: "Four Green Fields" [1:44]

St. Stephen's Green; July 2009 (Excerpt)

Video: "The Star of the County Down" [1:16]

St. Stephen's Green; July 2009 (Excerpt)

Video: "Moonshiner / Whistling Gypsy" [8:12]

Here's a video clip that Abbey took at St. Stephen's Green last Sunday. More clips to follow.

St. Stephen's Green Debut | Slide Show

Liz and I had a wonderful time performing at St. Stephen's Green last night. We could not have hoped for a nicer place to play. While we met a lot of new people, the best part was seeing many of our friends who were able to make it to the gig.

Abbey and Jury were able to be with us, even though they've been so busy taking such good care of their ailing dog, Cale. Jury took the photos in this slide show. Abbey shot some videos which I will post soon.

Liz and I will be back at The Green on August 16. We'd love to see you there if you can make it. Until then, you're welcome to leave a comment below.

Latest Gigs Announced!

Liz and I will be performing at St. Stephen's Green Publick House on Route 71 in Spring Lake Heights on July 12 and August 16. We'll play three sets starting at 6:00 PM. Other dates to follow. Watch this space.

Please pass the word to anyone you think might be interested.

We hope to see you there!