The End of Summer

Our summer ended with two weeks in Ireland.

We spent time in Donegal with our friends Mairead and Nia...lots of music, a couple concerts to see, some horseback riding with views of Mt. Errigal, and a ferry ride to Gola (Gabhla) Island complete with a walk around the island and a tea break.

Haley and Mia on Gola Island.

From Donegal we drove to Galway for a session with Haley's friend, Michael, who she met at the Folk Alliance Convention last year. Michael plays in a fun band called Baila An Salsa. In Ennis, we stayed with a lovely father and daughter outside of town. The Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis was very busy and the streets were crowded from the time we arrived on Wednesday until after we left on Sunday.

Haley with our hosts pup who was initially very afraid of us but as you can see  got over it.

Haley hosted two release events in Ennis for her Music for Mercy charity CD and many of the young musicians who donated tracks to the CD were able to be present as well as many wonderful musician friends who came out to support their efforts. (Haley's charity compilation CD can be purchased from her website www.haleyrichardsonmusic.com on the contact page.)

Photo by Bob Singer

Music for Mercy CD release event. Photo courtesy of Bob Singer.

Haley enjoyed a number of excellent sessions in Ennis. She spent an afternoon playing tunes with the wonderful musicians from Socks in the Frying Pan, late night hours in a crowded pub with musician friends from NY and Ireland, and another afternoon with Colman and Damien Connolly and fiddler, Senan Moran.

Haley also competed and won another championship in the Under 15 Fiddle Slow Airs category.

Photo taken by Martin Connolly.

We left Ennis on Sunday morning and drove to Malahide to visit the family of Haley's Studio2Stage partner in crime, Shauna. We had a fabulous couple days being shown the sites around Malahide, going on a viking tour, attending private concerts (by Picture This and The Script), and eating some delicious food. Funny how you can meet some people and feel like you've known them your entire life. 

Haley and I flew home from Ireland on a Wednesday. I worked Thursday and then we drove to Allentown to spend the weekend doing gigs with Dylan and Corey. A show at the Cooperage in Honesdale, PA where Haley learned to make "Jesus" toast afterward with our hosts for the night.

Then a private performance at a wedding anniversary for Haley's friend, Johan De Meij and his wife Dian. Finishing off the weekend with Dylan and Corey's regular Sunday morning gig in Bethlehem, PA.

The end of summer and the beginning of another year of school for Haley. 

10th grade is going to be a busy one. Haley is taking two dual enrollment courses through the community college this semester (Psychology and Art Appreciation- a visit to the National Gallery in London awoke an interest in art for Haley), continuing to learn Irish and French, and working with Miss Kathy on language arts. That takes us through December.