There’s a couple of Danish ex-pats in Galway that are very active in Galway sessions, Anders Trabjer who plays box, flute & fiddle, Jonas with dreads a good banjo player, Charlene a French fiddle player, Anders’ girlfriend from Japan also a fiddler. Sessions at the Crane, Quays for ex. Others here know more about the Galway session scene than I do
Hi Lorenzo,
There are probably pros and cons with moving to either city.
I was at university in Belfast and then lived there for another eight years, having left it about five and half years ago. The music scene is very good and there are sessions most if not every night. Plenty of big, powerful flute sounds! The cost of living is definitely cheaper than the south, although benefits (if you are in need of them and as a EU national, you would qualify) are also considerably less.
I have enjoyed going to Galway any time I have had a chance. It has obvious benefits of a brilliant music scene and is close to Clare, which is still to me, unrivalled as the place to play ITM.
Good luck with your decision, and if I can give any practical advice to you, particularly about Belfast, give me a call.
Paul
Funny, there are so many (like myself) who are enchanted by their holiday tours of the Italian hill towns. Many dream of Tuscan or Umbrian retirements, and often make them happen. But I’ll concede that I saw little evidence of casual community music-making there.
OTOH, there are warm, beautiful places with very active music communities and great sessions. Like here, for instance.
Hey Lorenzo - As per employment in Ireland, I was an employment counselor many years, worked with many ex-pats relocating to other countries. I always recommended they identify and seek opportunities with home country employers doing business in their new location. I don’t know your work background, but a quick google search yielded this http://www.jobisjob.ie/dublin/italian-companies/jobs and http://ireland.xpatjobs.com/. Also, check if their is an “Italian Chamber of Commerce” located in any of the cities, another good way to make connections. I can in no way vouch for these sites or the validity of the jobs, but at first glance looks legit. On the upside, they may help you land something good before even making the move! Or at least develop some good solid leads. Best wishes!
Russ
P.S. Feel free to PM or e-mail me directly if you’d like to chat more about pre-move job search strategies.
He’s completely right, it won’t be easy, but even Mr Gumby was probably 22 once upon a time (or a bit younger) and might even have had his own little adventure 
. You only live once, try it and see. If you’re not going to do it now then you’ll just end up like the rest of us, figuring out how to do it at 50.
PS. Check the Galway session scene group on Facebook, also the University students trad society sessions. Go to the Western hotel session on a Wednesday night and introduce yourself, they’re very friendly. It would depend what consistency you were looking for. There are various sessions, they vary…in quality, whether there are any local musicians there, how noisy the crowd is (Spanish and Italian students?), not that many flutes. Easy enough to get into Connemara, Headford, Ennis. Or go to Dublin instead?
Hi Lorenzo!
That’s a great idea!
I have moved a bit back and forth between Sweden and Ireland and I lived in some different places over there; Dublin, Ennis and Limerick, which are all great places.
I visited Belfast a year ago or so together with my girlfriend who used to live there. I was really taken by the place and if I was going to live in Ireland again for some time, I would probably head for Belfast.
It’s a very lively city with tons of outstanding musicians and some of my absolute favourite flute players lives there and plays regularly.
It is a very open atmosphere and the traditional music scene is very welcoming. It’s just awesome!
Well, thats my experience anyway…
Galway is of course a brilliant place as well, but you know that already..
I agree with all those saying; while you’re young and free, if you can, go for it - absolutely. I was just (with others) sticking in some grey realism - not to put off, but to forewarn so that it can be taken into due consideration…
Thanks people, I’ll think about it. I guess I’ll never know untill I visit Belfast city. It may not be that easy though…
while you’re young and free, if you can, go for it
I don’t think one needs to be young and/or free to do it. If you want it, go, at any time of your life. I do think having realistic expectations will help you settle in better, rose tinted glasses will only set you up for disappointment.
Hi,
I am much older than you and am considering to spend more time in Ireland. Not the whole year around but finding a spot to go to now and then is something worth while to consider. Finding such a place is something else because I’m not planning to pay hotel prices. Why not try Limerick or Ennis? you would be central and be able to go to the North or South and in the middle of the music scene. Only a thought. Good luck!
Why not try Limerick
Well…
House prices are still going down, not quite back to the levels of the early nineties but they may get there yet. But the days you’d get a place to do up while living in it for £5-15K are well and truly gone.
Saw a three bed room place for rent advertised at the local Londis last week. £150 a week. Not a bad price (I didn’t see the house though). Near the ocean too.
Well, I’ve seen rooms for rent for about 200 euros/month in Galway, and about the same (in sterling) in Belfast. That’s good enough for me.
I’m not interested in Limerik, I’ve been in Ennis and (for the moment) I’d feel more comfortable in Galway…
When I was young I hitchhiked around India on trucks, slept on the streets, lived happily on 90 dollars a month.
I did that for two years. I can’t live rough anymore, I need to spend money I don’t have, and my cardiologist
advises me to stay close to somebody who can rapidly implant a pacemaker. You’re quite right that youth and
freedom may not be necessary to go exploring, but I’m afraid there can be mounting impediments. Youth and freedom
are a big help. Best to take advantage of them, IMO.
Best of Luck! 