Shanna Quay has it on extremely good authority, that production of the O’Briain Low Whistle - all keys - will seriously decline from now on, and into the foreseeable future.
This is due to Cillian concentrating on making pipes (his main business) at least for the time being. The excellent High D Improved whistle will still be made, as normal.
Shanna Quay has persuaded Cillian to make a few extra for us in the run up to Christmas, so our stocks remain quite good - at the moment. Current orders will be met, and we have a few extra ones in various keys, including D.
If you are considering buying this excellent quality Low whistle (from any retailer - not just us), I urge you to do it fairly soon or you may have to wait a very long time.
Shanna Quay has always been 2 words when I’ve spelt it. Obviously, the website name runs into one, and there lies the confusion (for a few others) I think.
The Irish word Seanachai is used to denote a story-teller.
I use a phonetic version of it. Quay (say: key) is a place to tie up your boat. Shanna means nothing in particular - but it does have a connection with Shannon (the river close by us here) and I did meet a bright young thing from the US once, whose firsat name it was! But, if you say Shanna Quay, you’re now saying the Irish word for story teller!
Zub, this was not name calling,or an attempt to hurt. Cute hoordom in an Irish context has many subtle meanings. The association I had in my mind was with John B Keane who gave a hilarious and insightful treatise on the subject and how people describe eachother as ‘cute hoors’ in his area, Listowel, just up the road from Steve. No offence given hopefully nor intended, but a bit of irony is allowed I hope. And honestly, I really couldn’t resist.
While we’re in a semantic phase in this thread, Doesn’t the word feud imply a pluralism? As in, it takes two to feud (and tango). I’m not feuding, and as far as I can see neither is Peter. I take his ‘jibe’ as friendly, and almost a compliment - given that it takes someone close to JB keane (or at least his home town - the man himself is dead) to understand. I think I understood it, anyway!
By the way Peter, if you’re at TG4’s Gala award’s for John carty in Limerick on saturday, do come up and call me that again. I’ll be on the front row, with the editor of Irish Music Magazine.
Okay, now I have to ask you guys something. I have a running feud with a guy in my band about the word “quay.” I have always known it to be pronounced as KEY. He claims that in some parts of Ireland, its pronounced KAY. Why? Because the chorus from Star of the County Down.
I’m a little upset at the moment. It seems we’ve all made peace. What of those awesome flaming wars, a potion of passion and hatred that made the board so interesting sometimes?
sort of reminds me of the film Michael Collins. In the film, Collins (I think) jokingly calles De Valera who disguised himself as “a hoor” when escaping from the guards,
Actually, my Webster’s New College Dictionary gives both pronunciations of Quay, key and kay. I guess the latter has just mostly fallen out of use, at least over in England and Ireland.
(And here I always thought it was pronounced kway!)
[sorry, couldn’t resist]
) none to speak of.