How the other half golf
I returned from Shropshire on the 24th; attended Shandon's centenary party on the 25th (no photos, but good craic); and went to my first Belfast Tradfest concert on the 26th (Mike McGoldrick and his band). On the 27th, I played at Royal Belfast Golf Club, seen through the trees from a tee box, below. I'm captain of the summer friendly league and this was our second of four outings.
My jaw literally dropped when I entered the front hall (we have tea and scones before we play).
This could be a painting.
From the foyer, you walk down a short hall then enter a four-story lightwell.
I don't play in the competition. I play with the other captains. Only one was present, our hostess, and we had a lovely round. Why is it "Royal" Belfast? Because they have a royal sponsor. On the landing where I'm standing are portraits of the current king and Queen Elizabeth. I asked who the sponsor is. They said his painting is in the attic, facing the wall. So you can guess who that is.
I attended two more Tradfest events, one at the Empire (below) and the other at Mandela hall – Four Men and a Dog, always great. I also went to two sessions (where groups of musicians play in pubs). The noise from the crowd talking in the pubs drown out the players so I decided that wasn't for me. One of the highlights of Tradfest was hearing the Donegal fiddler Brid Harper, who played with French flutist Sylvain Barou.
I bring this up because I'm struggling to understand the structure of Irish music. Brid's fiddle and Sylvain's flute were in perfect sync. Similarly, at Four Men and a Dog, the accordion player synced with the fiddlers. So it's hard to make out the fiddle, which is annoying because I love fiddle music. Anyway, here's an internet photo of Sylvain.
The heart of Tradfest are the workshops. I sat next to a woman from Dublin who was one of Sylvain's students. I can see where he would be a draw. LOL At another concert I sat next to a young man from Japan, who travelled to study with Brid.
Otherwise, much dog walking. This time of year is a pain due to the burrs and seeds that coat my poor dogs. Luckily, Daphne doesn't mind being groomed. My guess is she was an absolute mess when she came into the rescue and appreciated being groomed for possibly the first time.
1 August