...The rough 'n' ready guide to Inishowen

(NB - These pages are intended for viewers who are 18+, Cheers!)

(For Derry spots, click here)

 

Inishowen has much to offer those who appreciate good live music, or for those who just want a good night out in the pub. Pubs in towns like Carndonagh, such as the Persian, or the Arch Inn, will usually have a band or a few musicians performing at least two nights of the weekend.

Culdaff, a small village about 10 minutes drive from Carndonagh, has one particular offering to live music: McGrory’s of Culdaff, one of the best small venues for live bands in this part of the country.  Ranging from great tribute bands covering acts such as REM, Led Zeppelin, U2 and the Eagles, to original music from acts like Tommy Emmanuel and Thom Bresh, and the Shrine Synchro System.

TOMMY EMMANUEL
"I hesitate to refer to Tommy Emmanuel simply as a guitar player, because he is unquestionably one of the most gifted artists of our time."
- Acoustic Guitar Magazine

“I think he’s probably the greatest finger-picker in the World today. He’s inventive, fearless and has a flawless sense of rhythm. He’s a great showman, too. You can’t watch Tommy perform and not feel happy. I just love him” …Chet Atkins

 “The Shrine Synchro System is a seamless mix of slamming sounds and dazzling visuals and weaving in and out of the soundscape come stunning live contributions from musicians. Over the past few years the Shrine DJ's have featured a wide range of live musicians blowing, strumming, bowing, singing and drumming over their beats, from Osibisa to Eliza Carthy. It's a new musical form they've been developing for over four years. Since 2000 they've been touring internationally as The Shrine Synchro System, working with artists who reflect the principal elements of Afrobeat: culturally conscious poetry, radical politics, West African rhythms and melodies colliding with jazz, blues and funk.”

McGrory’s also have their very own band, the Cjam, who have a regular slot every Wednesday night in Mac’s Backroom Bar. They are a rock covers band, and are usually a good act to go to see. However, their set list doesn’t change too often, so I personally wouldn’t go to see them on a regular basis.

Ballyliffin, my home village, has recently added a new contender to the live music scene: the Trasna House Hotel, or the Trasna, as it has come to be known. Providing local bands and musicians with a fresh stage, it has been a welcome addition to local nightlife and a long list of drinking establishments within the peninsula.

Home