Birthdays, marching bands and The Cure

One of those nasty summer colds took a hold of me this week and I wasn"t my usual energetic self. Thankfully I was sufficiently recovered by Friday night and was able to head out on the town. This weekend I met a pair of birthday celebrants who were both having fantastic nights. Friday night I went to The Shack which as usual was packed. Eddie Costello and Pauric Hynes were enjoying the music provided by Athlone and Ballymahon triumvirate Agitated Resurrection Manor. (Not their real name, sorry lads this way is just easier!) A guy who goes under the alias of Felix Sonnyboy Williamson was unable to play due to being ill but his place was ably filled by Annie Hynes (and that"s her real name!),who was getting ready for a pretty high profile gig. Johnny and Trina Duncan were having great craic with Sharon and Noel Sherriff. Dominik Kirf who hails from Germany and is studying in AIT was beginning his weekend of partying to mark his arrival at the big three zero. Tricia, Mary and Noel Garvey were making sure he enjoyed himself. That was the extent of my travels for Friday. Michelle Conlon from Tang was all of twenty one on Saturday. Her friends and family gathered in The Dog and Duck in Ballykeeran to wish her all the best. Both of her grandmothers; Mary Healy and Phyllis Conlon were very proud. I arrived just as the party was starting, I"m sure it didn"t stop until the wee small hours. I hope it was a night to remember Michelle! Thanks to Danielle Donoghue for telling me about the party. The Dog and Duck is a grand spot I"ll have to make sure and visit again! The Tack Room was the first place I hit on arriving back in town. Dominik Kirf"s official thirtieth birthday party was in full swing. Tricia Garvey and Noel Garvey were once again along for the ride. They were in great spirits. OllieFallon and Emma Lynch were also enjoying the party. Potter"s was my next port of call. The Cloughaneely Marching Band"s Committee were staying in Athlone on the eve of their charges"appearance in Tullamore"s Fleadh Ceoil. The whole crew had journeyed down from Donegal for the weekend. I have a sneaky feeling that the committee might be a front for socialising. They were having way too much fun! I also met Bernie Coleman who was home from Manchester for the weekend. Her sisters, brothers and in-laws were all out for the night and there was some serious catching up being done. Mary Jameson,Tina Slevin and Fergie Jameson who would normally frequent the Dog and Duck were in Potter"s for a change and as the fella says a change is as good as a rest. Sunday evening I stepped into Flannery"s and caught the tail end of the music there. A couple of French lads were playing classic songs by The Cure. Now there"s something you don"t see at every traditional Irish session! That"s me for this week, see you all next time