Hooks and Crookes
Hooks and Crookes are shantymen based in Waterford in the southeast of Ireland. Our name comes from the Cromwellian saying, 'of getting there by Hook or by Crooke'. Hook and Crooke are the name of the headlands on either side of Waterford Harbour.
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Maritime Matters
2023
Cape Clear, west Cork 25th–28th August 2023
All six of us arrived in Baltimore by car (Pat, Tim and Shay) and public transport (Dec, Frank and Joe), having left Waterford at 10:30 and 9 am respectively. We had time for a pint in Bush’s and a song from Joe (Time Ashore) before getting the 5pm ferry to Cape where we were met by Mary and Ciarán O’Driscoll who brought all the gear to our accommodation and where we launched into a wonderful stew (and spuds) prepared by Mary. Down then to Cotter’s for the night’s entertainment. We sang several songs over the course of the evening and Mary’s daughter-in-law Eimer sang Summertime, accompanied by Frank. Mary herself did What in the World has come over You and Where have all the flowers gone (again accompanied by Frank). Ronan O’Driscoll sang The Hot Ash Felt. It was a great night and we had to end it over a few drams back at the house (Jameson no less and nice it was too).
On Saturday we did a rousing rendition of a live song in the morning for Peter O’Driscoll after which we went down to see and hear St Fachtna’s Silver Band arriving off the ferry at 12. The Concert in aid of Church renovations was on at 3:30 in Séipéal Naomh Ciarán where we sang several songs interspersed with contributions by Margaret O’Driscoll, Danny and Siobhán. We finished off with The Cape Clear Song, a song that Dónal O’Driscoll sang last year but who unfortunately passed away last November. That was poignant, especially for the O’Driscoll family (though we struggled with it initially, given the emotions of the afternoon and the memories of last year). After a hearty meal in Ciarán Danny Mikes (CDMs) we sang away for the evening. There were other contributions too: Ronan O’Driscoll did 2 songs (I Used to Love You and Delia). Mary O’Driscoll sang Hard Times and Where Have all the Flowers Gone and we did The Cape Clear Song again. Someone asked for Farewell to Carlingford and we duly obliged and we finished up with Rathlin Island.
We had a massive breakfast in Mary’s house on Sunday morning (thanks to Mary, Margaret and Frances for all the hard work, and Ciarán too). We were down at the graveyard in time for the annual cemetery mass at 3pm (or thereabouts) offered by Father Des. Danny was there and he did an instrumental piece on his banjo while we waited for Father Des to arrive fully attired in his vestments and Pat also sang The Lighthouse Song. During the mass we sang Ag Chríost an tSíol, Ár nAthair and Céad Mílte Fáilte Romhat when appropriate. Danny did an instrumental on the banjo during communion accompanied by Frank and after mass we sang The Farewell Shanty. It was a magical occasion, despite the uneven ground and the weather too was brilliant. Later on that evening we gathered in CDMs for food and more singing by us. Mary sang the 40 Shades of Green and Those were the Days and Shay inflicted The 50 shades of Grey on her. A man called Ignatius sang a song from The Godfather and his friend sang A Mother's love is a Blessing. Tim sang The Mary Ellen Carter and we finished off with The Parting Glass leaving just after 12. It was a quieter night but no less enjoyable for that.
We were up sharp to catch the 9am ferry and after a wheel change we headed for Casey’s for breakfast (four of us did anyway and the other two crew left on the 10am bus to Skib and from there on to Waterford). After fixing the wheel it was back home to Waterford.
As in every year that we have been here it was a wonderful weekend of music and song enjoyed in great weather and in good company. Once again, thanks to Mary and Ciarán for hosting us and for their wonderful hospitality over the few days. ‘Twas mighty, so it was.
Le Festival du Chant de Marin, Paimpol, France, 3rd-7th August 2023
We (Pat, Joe, Shay and Declan) travelled by train and bus to Dublin Airport for a flight to Nantes, from where a hired car got us to our accommodation by evening. Once unpacked we went down to the dockside and savoured the atmosphere in anticipation of the start of the festival. And what a festival: Ce festival à nul autre pareil, as it is the biggest Shanty Festival in Europe, with 160 groups and 2000 musicians of every description, playing on stages, on boats, on the quays, in the taverns and even just outside the main harbour area in the town itself (we did a stint in Place Matray). There were also over 200 boats of all sizes and shapes moored in the harbour and the atmosphere generated was superb with all the activities and comings and goings. It was breath-taking and was almost impossible to take it all in. But it was all very affable, relaxed, family-friendly and exciting.
In all we had eight performances: three on Friday, three on Saturday and two on Sunday and two of those gigs were concerts in La Taverne. We sang for well over five hours and enjoyed good and appreciative audiences everywhere we went. All our songs went down well, especially the French songs we sang. It was packed and completely sold out on Saturday, even though it was very windy and some of the larger stages were closed as a result for a while. Dining, as usual, was superb with two meals a day and plenty of vin rouge and vin blanc to wash it all down. There was the usual singing and playing at meal times in La Salle des Fête and we let fly with The Fields of Athenry on the Sunday night to finish off a memorable three days in France.
It was a fantastic weekend, great music, song and frolics, superbly organised, run and managed (what an operation!).
C'était vraiment magnifique (Bhí sé go h-iontach ar fad, gan dabht).
Woodstown, 5th July 2023
It was great to sing a few ballads and sea songs for an audience of young people from Waterford and Spain on an exchange visit to Ireland. They knew most of the songs too and joined in on several of them. It was also a good excuse for us sing songs that we rarely do (and that we must do more often!). The Saratoga nearby was good too for a pint afterwards.
Many thanks to Caitríona, Louise and staff for the hospitality.
more details on 2023 performances.....
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