Dear Reader –
Summer is here and the ‘letter tree’ (as one reader has christened it) is in full leaf…
The Big Thing
We have some availability for summer lessons starting next week. No commitment required. Come week-to-week or book a small block of lessons. It’s a great time of year to try it out - to give yourself a gentle introduction to playing piano, or indeed to ease yourself back into it after a few years.
Email kieran@kieranquinn.ie for more details.
Where else but Sligo?
An evening out in Bunnanadden for the family last night. Coolera U-12 girls vs St. Nathy’s. I met a friend who broke our hearts in the county final 23 years ago. We weren’t friends that day, but had great times together on football pitches all over the country after that. His daughter comes to me for piano now. She’s a lovely player. But you never forget these days. Even when they end in defeat. Glory days.
And the girls may never forget last night. They lost by 2 points to 1. Yes you read that correctly. One of the strangest games I have ever seen. Our girls must have had 25 wides. The ball just wouldn’t go over. But how we were proud of their spirit, their heart, their courage to keep shooting and trying even when the ball kept finding a way to go wide. Tears in defeat but character built. And that character will stand to them long after the match is over.
Chatting with the referee. We first met in a bar in New York after a match in 2002. Now he’s refereeing my daughter on a Monday evening in South Sligo. We have come across him a few times now. He’s excellent in fairness and is very good with the girls.
A glorious evening. Best of the year so far. Shorts and flip-flops. Watching the game with friends on the sideline. Younger siblings messing and playing football together beside us. “Daddy will you go in goals?” Ice-cream in Ballymote on the way back. Trying to comfort and also trying to give space.
Glory days. Don’t let them pass you by.
What’s New?
THE POWER OF LOVE SONG SUGGESTIONS: Thanks so much to everyone who sent in these. I have a HUGE list of songs and singers to consider in the month of June now. Any more please send them in ASAP.
GREAT FOLK GIG: Slow Moving Clouds are a post-folk band that mixes Irish and Nordic folk traditions. They've just released their third album, Kolmas, and will be coming to The Dock on Friday June 9.
GROOVELINE: Listen to this - what a groove! And the horn lines…it’s actually a great summer tune. Maze - the new single from last year’s Teenage Theme Night graduates Grooveline.
Finally…
This is why they call him The Boss. What a performance…
Till next time - Kieran.
