James Falzone, Instructor of Music at North Central College in Naperville, wrote:

Music miles are shorter than global miles.  Visiting from Calgary, Greg O'Neill with his banjo added more than a fair share of music and friendship to Murphy Roche's session on February 23.  So did new Murphy Roche member Dave Bagdade on guitar.  Back home in Calgary, Greg wrote: 

Mike & Kell,

I wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for welcoming me to your session last night. You are a very fine group of musicians, and it was an honor to listen to you and to play along with some tunes. I especially appreciated your kicking in the Kesh to give me an opening!

What a privilege to play Cooley's while sitting in the Chicago area!

Anyway thanks again for the welcome and the encouragement. Please drop me a line if you or anyone from your group is ever traveling out this way. You're more than welcome to drop in at any of our sessions.

All the best,

- Greg

And Dave wrote --

Thanks so much!  I wish I'd joined a year and a half ago.  I had a great time last night, and I hope to be a regular attendee.  Thanks for making me feel so welcome.

          Dave

A wintry Chicago evening was made warmer when two special guests visited the weekly traditional music session hosted by the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club: Mr. Martin Campbell, Secretary of the Ring of Gullion branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) and his son Mark (now of Chicago). It was a special and welcome opportunity for members of two CCE branches, normally an ocean apart, to meet and share their enthusiasm for traditional music.

We learned that the two branches also share core values. Conversation among Kell Chole (Murphy Roche chairperson), Tony O'Connell (a Murphy Roche musician originally from Dublin) and Martin Campbell quickly found that both branches sponsor schools and special programs for young musicians. More than the tunes, senior musicians pass along appreciation for the stories and emotions that inspired the music.

Martin Campbell sent the following note our way:
 

Hello my friends,

Thank you for the lovely welcome in Chicago. We had a wonderful time with you all. It was good that we were able to share and exchangeviews about our Branch activities, and talk about other things as well. That's the beauty about traditional music, it brings people from various diverse backgrounds and cultures together, because I feel it speaks a language which is so easily understood and accepted by us all. Don't forget to call us up if you are visiting the area and I will be delighted to organize a session in South Armagh.
 

Regards,
 

Martin Campbell (Ring Of Gullion C.C.E)

With always more to share, the clubs look forward to staying in touch and meeting again.

Hi Kell,