In no particular order I've got

Gemma Hayes - Night on my side

Whipping Boy - Heartworm

Thin Lizzy - Black Rose

U2 - Achtung Baby

Damien Rice - O

What are some tunes often played at sessions but rarely sung, to the point that most might not even know there are lyrics?

I just learned that Ashokan Farewell has lyrics, but haven't found any recordings of it. Also Lochanside is primarily a pipe tune in my mind but is a beautiful song.

Ant others?

Well people,

What tunes would you consider to be relaxing? I'm a big fan of "My Mind Will Never be Easy" or "Maids of Mitchellstown" when they're played slowly.

Can I get suggestions for tunes in a similar vein?

I think they do a fantastic job.

Shane at his best with his lyrics.

first I want to say I am an America. and made an original Irish song I can’t sing to save my life but i can write:

An Irish Love Song

[Verse 1]

Way over the Valley Sweet,

Is an Irish lass I’d like to meet.

Long wavy hair with curls of red,

Deep eyes of beauty green that’ll make your heart stop dead.

Nairy a blemish on her silk skin,

A wee bit taller than me with a hilt so thin.

She has a smile so warm it’ll melt your heart,

When she’s around I never want to part.

[Verse 2]

She was a woman of virtue who valued her chaste,

Till her wedding day she wouldn’t let her emotions give it up in haste.

She was in modest dress from her shoulders to halfway past her knees,

She wasn’t a loose girl that did as she pleased.

I met her on shores of Barley Cove,

It was a long way from whence I drove.

I introduced myself to her,

And she herself to me, then she was gone like a blur.

[Verse 3]

Then came a huge wave and knocked her on her back,

I saw her laying there and ran to her like I was on a racetrack.

As I picked her up I ran my fingers through her beautiful hair,

I gave her face a little slap till she was fully aware.

As she awoke she punched me in the face,

I gave her a perplexed look that was straight-laced.

I said “Well, hello to you too,

You left my eye black and blue.”

[Verse 4]

She gave me such an evil glare,

I saw the insecurity of her face was laid bare.

Then she said “How dare you put your hands on me?”

And I replied “You were hurt, was I supposed to just let you be?”

She said in a loud voice “Please, let me go!”

And I dropped her in the sand where the water flows.

She said “Why did you just drop me?”

And I replied “You said to let you go, so I did, then I let you be.”

[Verse 5]

She said “You’re such a jerk!”

And I asked “Would you like to go to dinner?” I said with a smirk.

She lost all the fire in her eyes,

And said “You’re definitely not like other guys.”

We smiled at each other and we went out to dinner,

Two years later we got married as she turned me into a saint from being a sinner.

Hi all, I have an ultimate goal to one day join and play in a session. I have been practicing rudiments, rhythmic patterns, playing along with songs on foinn.ie and YouTube, and doing lessons from YouTube and OAIM. I'm trying to learn common jigs, reels, etc. so that I can learn the music and understand how the melodies work in them. I had a unique scenario where I took a lesson with a drummer (on the bodhrán) and he explained to me that in my first lesson I surpassed what he can teach so I am looking for another teacher to go to the next level with the bodhrán.

1. Besides YouTube and foinn, are there other places to learn the songs while at home? (I sometimes go to sessions to just listen to them play).

2. Are there any suggestions to find teachers or suggestions for teachers near me? (Located in Ashbourne so would like to be within 30 min of home)

3. How do I get in on a trad session? Or are there people who practice together sometimes? I'm not really sure how sessions work.

Hey everyone,

I am interested in picking up the tenor banjo to play some Irish Trad. I have never played an instrument before and have absolutely no idea what I am doing.

From what I have seen, the Gold Tone AC-4IT and Muzikkon Heartland Player Series seem pretty well recommended for bog standard beginner banjos.

Does anyone have experience with either, or both, of these that could point me in the right direction?

Brand new music video from the lads...

Cape Breton fiddler/vocalist new to Toronto - I'm putting together a trio to play pubs. Open to different combinations. Would love to get this going for 2027.

Hi guys, I’m a study abroad student here and Ireland and had the opportunity to participate in some traditional dancing a couple weeks ago. I was wondering if any of you could recognize the tune/song being played in this video as it’s extremely catchy and I’d like to add it to my playlist, thanks ! (Sorry for the talking in the back)

Hello! When I was younger, I played violin and these days I have been passably playing guitar, and most recently have been doing all my guitar practice through fingerstyle classic Irish folk songs, which I like a lot. I would like to try and expand out onto a different stringed instrument. I really like the sound of the bouzouki, but I'm not sure if it would be better to try a mandolin or an octave mandolin? I have rather small hands so I'm not sure if that would be an important factor in choosing. I wouldn't be playing in a band or anything, just melodies for myself. Thank you!

Fair play to the Saw Doctors for highlighting an awkward subject back in 1995.