I went to the Dublin, Ohio Irish Festival - as I like to do whenever I possibly can. This year it was held the weekend of Aug. 4th, on a soggy Friday... appropriate for the celebration of Ireland perhaps? We had our rain, mists, and green surroundings with a huge turnout of people seeking the good times to be found to the strains of Celtic music, and a county fair-like atmosphere. And guess what?!! I bought a bodhrán! Yes, I am let loose upon the countryside with my very own bodhrán now. Heh, heh, hee, hee! A sad sounding player I am, but am practicing with hope and faith. Many of the craftsmen at this festival are exceptionally fine. Beautifully carved wood, finely crafted musical instruments including dulcimers and harps, well-made flutes and pipes, a very fine jeweller from Canada (written about below), and other things that I wish I had to ability to purchase.
I have to write of the marvelous experience of buying from some most charming Irishmen. I find the Irish charming anyway...must have been that Lucky Charm cereal I ate as a kid. OK, sorry; my appreciation of Irish people is more seriously described on the previous page. But the beautiful bodhrán I purchased is most certainly a lasting reminder of two lovely Irishmen, both kind and helpful, and expert in making a product that will give years of enjoyment. Who, you may ask? Michael and Paul Vignoles of Claddagh, Galway, Ireland. These craftsmen create uillean pipes, as well as bodhráns of differing sizes, and were most gracious to offer on-the-spot instruction in playing and information on the instruments.
Claddagh Musical Instruments69 Fairhill Road |
