Traditional Irish music has had a strong presence in Northern Finland for years. Especially in Oulu, where local Irish musicians have had regular sessions with lively, high quality music, and great crowds of international and Finnish locals.

 

The sessions are made up of around 12 highly talented musicians from Finland, England, America, and Ireland who are a combination of 3 local, active bands- The Cascade, Na Muca Gallúnach (The Soap Pig), and the Yläsiirtola Ramblers. These musicians bring many years of experience with half of them having extended experience playing in many an Irish session on the Emerald Isle. With keeping the tradition of Irish music alive and strong, they bring many tunes and styles of playing back from the musically rich areas of Counties Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Dublin, Clare, and Northern Ireland, too. Not too mention Irish ballads that have been sung through the ages in English and Irish, telling many stories of love, hardship, and immigration. In addition, nearly every instrument is used, such as the uillean pipes, bodhrán, whistles, fiddles, mandolins, guitars, flutes, bozukis, and banjos.

Beginning in 2004, the Oulu Session group began having twice-a-month sessions in St. Michael's pub, located in the city center, every second Sunday beginning at 17:00 with huge success. Not only were the sessions lively and music good, but regular, enthusiastic crowds made it part of their monthly activities. Occasionally, we also had Irish parties with quizzes, music, and fish n' chips with huge crowds.

We want to welcome other musicians throughout Finland to join us and keep the tradition of the Irish sesiún with craíc agus ceol alive and strong in Finland, particularly Oulu. Our first session will be August 21st, Sunday, beginning at 17:00 in St. Michael's pub and will run every second Sunday of each month up until December 11th. So, mark your calendars and Céad Mile Fáilte go Oulu. If you have any questions, contact Brent Cassidy at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or St. Michael's Irish Pub Telephone: 08 311 7473.