Two years of sessions at Rosie's

In the autumn of 2004 Gerry Fitzpatrick and Danny McCarthy contacted me about the possibility of our running a regular Dublin session for American 'roots music', including bluegrass, in the Wooden Room upstairs at Rosie O'Grady's pub in Harold's Cross - a location that Danny knew from long involvement in traditional music sessions there. Dublin lacks a bluegrass equivalent to the vigorous old-time music session hosted by the Rough Deal String Band at the Cobblestone; so the idea had great appeal, and the room had very suitable acoustics and ambiance. We hadn't decided how often to meet; but the first time, in February 2005, went so well that 'weekly' was the obvious answer.

From the outset, the session has been (for good and ill) unpredictable. Many people have come often, to play or to listen; and their support has been greatly appreciated. But from one week to the next, who would be there, and how things would go, was always uncertain. Moreover, although it was originally conceived as a place for any kind of acoustic Americana, the Rosie's session has generally been called 'bluegrass' - I've done so myself, with the idea of encouraging more bluegrass people to attend. This has proved to be counterproductive: people who came expecting a solidly bluegrass session have been disappointed.

One side of things paid off very well - the opportunity to pick with others for several hours every week has been a great asset for those who have been able to avail of it. This is one benefit that can be continued whatever other developments take place, by (for instance) the holding of private picking parties. To sum up: we've had a lot of good times, and several musical relationships have begun at Rosie's; but the session has not become an effective focus for bluegrass in Dublin, and has not been able to attract, or retain, all the local bluegrass community. Nor has it, apparently, served to develop or mobilise support for events in the city. Bluegrass in Dublin needs a better outlet; and all suggestions for achieving this goal will be welcome. In future, I shall not be involved in running any session that is not bluegrass to the backbone.

Finally: thanks to all the players and listeners who made the session possible over the last two years; especially Gerry and Danny, who launched the idea in the first place. And - whatever happens to the session - Fair City Grass, the Tin Box Co., Prison Love, and the organisers of other sessions (listed on the BIB calendar) are out there doing their best to make the music heard here, and they deserve support.