Thursdays are special for me. Every Thursday night I get to play my bodhrán in an Irish music session at Mulligan’s Taverne, here in Westborough. An Irish session (seisiun) is really an extraordinary thing.  Always the same, yet always different; the dynamic is truly unique. There are fiddles, flutes, accordions, tin whistles, guitars, mandolins, guitars, banjos, bones, and of course the dreaded bodhrán. We play the jigs, reels, hornpipes, slides, waltzes, and polkas of traditional Celtic music. When the musicians need a break, there is always someone ready to sing a ballad or a song from our tradition. 

We never know who is going to be there on any given Thursday. It is open to all talent levels and types.  We get beginners, moderates, some very accomplished players – some even magical. We have had players as young as 8 and as old as 88. Some are there faithfully every week, and some drop in on occasion. But regardless of who shows up, what instruments they play, their talent level, or their ages, the music is always great. There is something about this Celtic music. It pierces the air with sound that excites the blood, invoking images, memories, dreams, and of course, tears of Irish tragedies. So much emotion played to beats of 6 or 8 – so simple, yet so deep in meaning.

We take turns calling and leading the tunes, and those who know the tune play along. A session is essentially both a performance and an opportunity to learn to play better. While everyone strives to play the music perfectly, we never do achieve true perfection. There are just too many people and too many varied skill levels to ever achieve perfection.  But it’s not perfection that we seek…the magic is in the attempt…in the learning process…the socializing…just being together…enjoying the skills and talents of others, and sharing yours with them.

What a privilege to be part of it. And there is an empty seat at the table for you. Please join us.