The Joe Mooney Summer School 

For many years I've been playing a song I wrote about a jewel in Drumshanbo's crown - The Joe Mooney Summer School - and getting a really warm and positive reaction from people. So it was fantastic to finally get it recorded at Leo Logan's Vibe Studios earlier in the summer. With this year's school starting up next weekend, I think it's a good time to share it.
I’d like to thank all the musicians who performed on the track alongside me:
Mossie Martin on fiddle, Aoife Duignan on whistle, and Holly Bidgood on Flute together with backing vocals from Angela Keogh, Noirin NíChaomahinigh, and Caroline McGrath - all fellow students of mine at the Trad Music Course in Drumshanbo under Mossie's brilliant tutelage.
I'd also like to thank the following for the kind use of their photographs and video: The Leitrim Observer, Glimpses of the
Past, The Joe Mooney Summer School Committee, Christina Ginter, Mossie Martin, John McGrath, Harry Mooney, and Sheila Flynn. Finally, a big thanks to Leo Logan for his expert help with the recording and production and his great attention to detail. Lyrics below.
Looking forward to a great week of music and dancing!
The Joe Mooney Summer School
We danced at the Joe Mooney Summer School
We battered the floor for a week
Our muscles were aching, our spirits were high
At the Joe Mooney School last July
We danced with the sisters from Tokyo
They moved with such grace and such style
And the couple from Perth were the salt of the earth
At the Joe Mooney School last July
At the Joe Mooney School, we ignored all the rules
We were carefree like lovers and fools
dancing twinkly-toed
We shook off our woes and we danced
And we danced
We danced at the Joe Mooney Summer School
We took lessons so we might improve
And with four facing four, we took to the floor
Swinging so fast I thought we might fly
At the Joe Mooney School last July
And I’ll see you there next July!