SNIPPET: Barbara COYLE, writer, organic gardener, traveler and novice singer lives with her family in rural PA. She traveled to Ireland in January with her husband, Jim, and his mother, Eileen, in her 80s. They had rented a house for three months in the bustling town of Ennis, Co. Clare, sight unseen, from an Internet posting. The house was pleasant, large and warm. The local wheelchair association had provided them with a chair to take "Gram" with them when they journeyed through the town. During their stay they were to meet many of the local artists, historians, storytellers, musicians and singers. One of Barbara's favorite finds in Ennis was the regular monthly meetings of the Ennis Singers Club. Drawn in initially by a small poster in a pub window, she would visit Brandon's Pub at 9 o'clock on the third Wednesday of the month. Little did she know she was to fall in love with what the Club calls the most original and ancient instrument of all - the human voice. Upstairs a person collected a small fee and inquired of people if they wished to sing or listen. The room would be quiet with people gently talking as visitors, regulars such as storyteller Paddy MURPHY and singer Mary Ann O'REILLY, and guest artists arrived. Peadar McNAMARA, an art teacher at Ennis Community College, founder of the Ennis Singers Club, provided background on the tunes. Robbie McMAHON, a retired farmer with thick white hair, a well-known ballad singer and president of the Ennis Singers Club always started the sessions. (In his time he won 17 All-Ireland singing titles!). As his thick rich voice filled the room, his songs would tell stories of the country, the land, the troubles, the loves and the lost. Geraldine KELLY who sings at medieval banquets in nearby Bunratty Castle gave a beautiful rendition at a session of "The Water Is Wide," Gerry CLARKE, a gifted blues guitarist from Galway played for the crowd and Kilmaley's Paddy COMMANE's recitations entertained the audience. The Ennis singers are serious about their singing, the sessions often last until well after midnight even on the weeknight. They are there to support each other and to be heard. They are there to keep the songs alive. -- Excerpts article May-June 2004 issue (w/photos) "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine published in Dublin.