When one door opens, another closes
<<sigh>>
I was all excited to write a completely positive post today. I was going to start by thanking everyone who came to our show on this past Sunday at The Port Tavern in Newburyport. The support was great and, as a result, it looks like we’ll be part of the regular Sunday rotation there. We’ll be performing again as Sligo Road with our friend Terry Weir on Nov. 8, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. We’re psyched because the crowds and the staff are great, and they really seem to dig the music we’re doing. Your support helped make it possible…thanks.
That’s the good news. Unfortunately, there’s also some bad news in the world of òran mór.
We just learned that our regular pub, McMenemy’s in Portsmouth, NH, has closed. Kind of out of the blue. Kind of on the one year anniversary of the new ownership. And, considering the place is haunted, it’s kind of spooky that it’s happening two days before Halloween.
We want to thank Bob and Traci Shaake, the owners of McMenemy’s, for being such gracious hosts during the past year. Every Thursday and Saturday, they’d open their doors and give us a table in the corner where we could play music, sing songs, and have a laugh with the customers.
It was nice. I’d have a lovely meal after work (usually the rueben, chicken ceasar, or their amazing meatloaf and mash). Our local friends would stop in and join us. Occassionally, we’d have musicians visiting from Montreal, Tucson, Wexford, or some other far-flung place sit-in because they had heard about our session.
More importantly, we became friends with Bob, Traci, and their amazing staff. It’ll be odd to not see them on a regular basis…I’m hoping they’ve at least bookmarked this site or ‘friended’ us on Facebook so they can stay in touch.
I’m sure we’ll find another home for the session — maybe even a place that can accommodate more than five players. In the meantime we’ve got plenty of gigs lined up, so if you need an òran mór fix, don’t worry.
I just worried about where I’m going to get a good meatloaf dinner…Traci’s kicked butt.
What? But… but… I was just checking your site to make sure you were playing there tonight before talking Fred into going there for dinner!
(lip trembles)
Rats.
Best wishes to Bob and Traci.
I’m happy that you have found another place to play but I’m terribly disappointed to learn that McMenemy’s is closing. I really felt at home there. God – that meatloaf sandwich was unreal!
Thank you Peter for all your kind words! We appreciate each and every one of you and have become friends over the past year. Your talents were expressed with dedication and love of the music each week! We will stay in touch and in the mean time I would love to hook up with you to supply a meatloaf dinner
Traci
McMenemy’s
I just want to say thank you for everything I am very sad to have to say goodbye to Mc Menemy’s one of the best jobs i have had. You guys are the best and I am really going to miss you all. I don’t understand why bad things happen to good people and i think i never will. But you guy’s really made Mc Menemy’s home in so many way’s please keep in touch.
Abby,
Mc Menemy’s crew
Hey Abby – we’re with you – McM’s was great fun, and you did a lot to brighten the place with your quick wit and smile. As you know, things have a way of working out, we’ll be popping up in many musical places. Please keep in touch, and keep an eye on our site.
All the best,
Dave
Dave,
You may not remember me, but you and Mr. macIntyre played at our wedding ceremony at Union Chapel in Rye, NH on Sept 22, 2001. You played Wild Mountain Thyme and The Water is Wide during the ceremony and then did some instrumentals for the opening reception at Victoria Inn in North Hampton. Since then, my husband and I have been searching everywhere for information on where to see you perform in NH— Are you still with McIntyre? Even if you’re not, where are perfoming these days?
Best,
Lynn Austin