Our next schedule was going to Maria Simonds-Gooding's studio. Her cute cottage made me want to buy a cottage one day so I could live in a cute and lovely cottage like her. She was such a fun artist to talk to. She was curious about all of us, and she was willing to share her stories. When we are at the studio that was located behind her cottage (connected), she not only shared some of her work and stories, but she also told us that her inspiration for her artworks comes from places that have been through hardships. This was very interesting to hear and think about. Usually, I would think that it's likely to be inspired by positive and bright subjects. Maybe that's why her work is unique. Also, when she mentioned that Peig Sayers' son wasn't happy that Maria didn't change the color of the object that he gave her, I was confused at first because shouldn't he supposed to be happy that she kept it the same way? But then I can see why he would want to change it because he wants to forget about all the hardships he had back in the Blasket Islands. Sometimes, people want to forget the painful past, and we have to respect that.
Tonight was celebrated by going to some pubs in Dingle. We had to pass some pubs because either they were too full or their music wasn't traditional Irish music. We finally found a good pub that had both the space and the traditional Irish music playing with a fiddle, guitar, and a drum. I got Smithwick's Pale Ale, and it was better than I thought it would be because I don't really like the taste of beer, but this one was okay. I don't think I can ever get tired of Irish music especially with fiddle in it because it's so bouncy and hoppy and fun. My hands automatically tap my thighs or they clap each other, and my head starts to bob - and this all happens unconsciously because my body just gets into the mood and the groove. What I noticed that was really different from the drinking life in Korea is that in Korea, you always have food when drinking, either snacks, nuts, dried fruits, dried squid, or actual full meals. On top of that, fried chickens are known to go well with beer in Korea, so I would eat a lot of that when I go to Korea. However, in Ireland, I noticed that they just have drinks but no food with them. I don't think I can just drink and not eat at the same time. With the environment like this, I think I can come here everyday and not get tired of it!
I looked into the pub life in Ireland, and pub is short for public house. This means rich and politically powerful people belonged to private houses that required membership. Therefore, all the hard-working lower classes turned into Irish pubs because they were all welcomed there. Most people would call their favorite pub a ‘local,’ and many working-class people had and still have two or more ‘locals.’ Pubs also did not serve food as part of their business because dining out was not part of the traditional Irish culture. So authentic Irish pubs only served alcohol historically. This changed when in the 1970s, more Irish families started to dine out. The pub started to serve food and also changed the small, dark, and traditional pubs into ornate and more socially acceptable bars that matched what other people would think Irish pub should be.
Seeing the fiddler at the pub reminded me of my haven't-been-played-since-forever cello. I played the cello for about ten years and I was very active in orchestras, once being in up to three orchestras at the same time, and I enjoyed playing it. After I came to college three years ago, either I didn't have the time or the right music classes I wanted were never offered at my university. Going back to the pub topic, I now want to try 'fiddling' with my cello after watching how much fun the fiddler was having at the pub. I love trying different types of music on my instruments, and this would be really fun to try on my cello.
This also encouraged me to look into Irish cellists. One Irish cellist that seems to be well-known to the world is Ailbhe McDonagh from Malahide near Dublin, Ireland. She graduated from the esteemed Eastman School of Music, NY with a Master of Music Degree under the direction of Steven Doane. Her debut was with Dr. John O’Conor in the National Concert Hall of Ireland. She has performed for President McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin and on national television and radio. As an orchestral musician, Ailbhe performs regularly with many orchestras including the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Irish Concert Orchestra and has performed as Guest Principal of the National Symphony Orchestra.
She has worked with several contemporary composers and she is interested in contemporary music. As a composer and arranger herself, Ailbhe has had several piano compositions published for the Royal Irish Academy of Music Local Centre Examinations including Anastasia, Hang Gliding, Hopscotch, Blue and Green, Climbing Frame and Paper Boats.
http://www.tenontours.com/irish-history/a-sweet-little-history-of-irish-pubs-and-pub-tour-of-ireland-advice/
http://www.ailbhemcdonagh.com/biography.html