Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year From Charlie Byrne's

We're closing up at three pm and we'll be shut until January 6th; so to all our customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and peaceful New Year. It was nice getting to say it in person to so many people today - although shocking that so many of you left your Christmas shopping to the last moment!! Hope you all have a very good holiday; and may 2009 bring all good things.

See you all Next Year!

Two Days of Shopping....

Has the panic set in yet? Well, if not it should be - you have today and tomorrow and then it's too late :)
Okay, so you forgot to get presents for the next door neighbour and your second cousin is about to call with her children and you haven't even as much as a Belgian chocolate in the house to wrap up.
But there are tips to surviving and here they are - remember it's only one day and the words "I left your present in work, sure I'll drop it into you in the new year" were invented for this very reason. Also any gift given should be given because you want to give it, not because you feel you have to. And you're not psychic so if someone catches you unawares you can be forgiven for not knowing in advance they were about to surprise you!

And if you still need a gift, there are still some great bargains to be had in Stationary, mugs, cufflinks and phone charms not to mention chopping boards, aprons and other novelties with fabulous music designs.

If you're stuck for ideas, get them a gift voucher - and remember our vouchers don't expire :)

If you know what they want - what strings they use, or what resin; whether they'd like a Xi'an Sí CD or a ukulele ; or perhaps a Tin Whistle, Low Whistle or Flute, bodhran, bones or spoons just pop in - we're here today from 9-5.30 and Christmas Eve from 10 - 3pm (sharp)

SO don't panic... there's a cool musical gift waiting for them right here!

Banjos Banjos everywhere....and some mandolins!

We were delighted to get new Banjos in today - we've been running very low! But as of this morning we have Tenor and G-banjo from €140 - really nice beginners banjos with a pleasant sound. Then we have very nice ones in both G and Tenor at €157; expecially good value ones including hard case start at €195!
For the more advanced player, or someone wants to start with an intermediate level instrument - tenor banjo's are available at €220, €395, €440 (inc cover) and €695 while G banjos include ones at €220. €395 (Hofner g banjo in hard case) €440 and €695.
For the very special present :) - we have handmade Deering tenor banjos at €1595 including hard case...a lovely model with rich tone and volume.

We also got in fresh Mandolin stocks so....we have Mandolins from €115 and including a special offer, the countryman scroll style mandolin at €185. Hofner hand made mandolin including hard case is €595 and the Giannini including hard case €895. Lots of choice for beginner, and advanced!

Vouchers - Christmas made easy

Those of you listening to Pat Kenny over the last few days will surely have heard the segment on Vouchers - or rather on how some shops won't honour vouchers. You may have heard my email on Thursday or the mention we got yesterday - we absolutely disagree with putting any kind of expiry date or renewal fee on vouchers and we said so :)
When you buy a voucher from us, we see that as being as good as money; and until money gets an expiry date, our vouchers remain valid...

There are several ways to buy a voucher, the best way is to pop into the shop; we'll give you a nice music themed card with the amount plus a receipt as back up in case you or the recipient lose their vouchers (easily done, as I know to my cost!)
You can also buy through Paypal, on our website but be sure to check whether Paypal charge your account/country a fee for processing. (If you buy in the shop obviously there is no fee and we do not benefit from any fee that Paypal charges the buyer.)

A voucher can be used against any purchase in the retail section. If you have a balance left over you can hold on to it until you want to use it...no matter how long that takes :)

Santa shops at Charlie Byrne's...

We've been asked all week for stocking fillers and Kris Kindle gifts under €5 and €10: so we thought we'd share some of the combinations we've managed to put together for Santa :) with lots of novelties now at half price we're not stuck for choice....e.g.

2 Notebooks at €1.25 each (2.50 total) teamed with pencils at 95c and erasers at €1 (total €4.45)

or 1 Notebook €1.25 and 1 x Large metallic treble clef pencil €2.95 total €4.20

or Writing paper €2.60 with Quaver Pen €2.95 total € 5 for the set!

or Writing paper €2.60 and Envelope €2.60 for €5 for the set...

Or Notebook €1.25, Writing Paper €2.60 and Post-it notes for €5

or Notebook €1.25, Post-it Notes €1.25 and pencil .95 only €345

With Pencils, Erasers, Notebooks, Post-its, Envelopes and Writing paper to choose from, it's easy to make a nice combination for the music fan in your family or friends!

Then you have a set of 2 coasters, €2.50 or phone charms €4.95 or Music Fact Packs €2.25, playing cards €3.95 or teatowels €5 or pencil cases €5

If you want to go the little bit higher, bones china mugs are €9.95 and coffee mugs are €7.95; Aprons are €9.95; Large Pencil cases from €6 and much more!

If you want a hand just ask and we'll help you choose :)

Make no Bones about it.....

Real Bones are best! We have sets of Real Bones in stock again, handmade and a traditional instrument like no other....plus of course wooden bones for those who prefer them :) Still, these are a real harkening back to a bygone era, and something intrinsically "folk".

Aluminum Low Whistle by Tony Dixon

New! Tony Dixon has added to his already fabulous range with the Low D Aluminum ... only €120 ! with polymer adjustable mouthpiece, this is a lovely mellow affordable Low D.
Fresh in and already popular :)

Plus we have the Low D polymer two piece back in stock, still at the great price of €90

Violins, Old and New

Just sitting here listening to a client playing on one of our intermediate student instruments...there are some fabulous modern handmade ones between €595 and €1500 - including some Stamitz (Czech) and Hofner (German) A cut above the average student violin and suitable for the player who really doesn't want to spend over €1500 but wants a noticeably improved tone and timbre. Even those at the cheaper end, the six and seven hundred euro ranges, are handmade, and well made, with more tonal resonance and depth than the beginner ranges.
Of course for the advanced student there's also plenty of options; including older restored instruments from around €2,225 ; and a range of different "voices" - dark tones, sweet and light, rich and mellow. Maybe the present you buy for yourself this Christmas :)

Christmas is coming...and we have sweet music!

It's just under two weeks to Christmas now! and we're celebrating the final countdown with lots of special offers...
We have fabulous Chromatic tuners from TGI - slimline, white, very modern and chic, with a pickup unit to attach to your instruments bridge or machine head - they were €14.95 now €12.00! A brilliant gift, or stocking filler for any stringed instrument player.
We also have Boston Guitar / Chromatic Tuners from €15
We have loads of books on special offer - half price! inclding Gypsy Violin, Ragtime tutors, and FAQ's for guitar players. We have the Hofnung Cartoons in books only €6.50 - that's Half Price!

There are other great savings, from guitar covers to flutes - rosewood flute was €150 now €100 and ebony were €300 now €200

And of course, it's time to get your stockingfillers - pencils from 95c and notebooks at half price (now €1.25, lots of great designs "drop me a note" "a quick note" etc) and writing paper and envelopes all €2.25, with parers and erasers and mugs and coasters and absolutely loads of gifts for under €10 (most under €5!)
Pens shaped like quavers! €2.95 loevly metallic pencils shaped like treble clefs €2.95 or treble clef pens €1.95
Phone Charms are one of the most popular gifts this year only €4.95 in absolutely great designs and if you want to really wake them up, give a small instrument! mini maracas only €6 for a pair! or Egg Shakers from €3.95, tambourines from €9.95; bells from €9.95 and large bell sticks less than €16!
There's so much you can give this year without breaking the bank - so why not give them the gift of music :)

A bodhrán is not just for Christmas....

A great gift for christmas, is the auld Bodhrán. It ticks so many boxes; it's an actual instrument, it is a unique part of Irish traditional music, it's beautiful, it can be decorative or functional and if you give one to the right person, it can drive everyone in their house insane on Christmas day (we obviously don't encourage that kind of thing, you understand, but if you should happen to...)

Sean O'Riada reputedly said the best way to play a Bodhrán was with a knife; but he obviously had never indulged in the glorious creations of Michael Vignoles, Paul McAuley, Paraic McNeela, and others.

Nor is it an expensive item! For something that gives hours of amusement and opens up a world of music and playing to people they are extremely affordable. A handmade 12" with bag and beater consts €30, 16" with bag and beater €45 - the same in 18" with bag and beater costs €50.

More professional level bodhráns start at €60 for an 18" (again with cover and beater) and there are lovely 14". 16" and 18" from €85 - €90.

A new aspect of the Bodhrán in the last 30 years has been the Tunable Bodhrán - in the last ten years they have gone from large, overweight rather awkward beings to deep-toned, beautifully finished, resonant and easy to use creations. Usually available from €130 apx, they come in a wide variety of depth, size and tone.

DVDs and books abound, everything you need to get started; and the true beauty of the bodhrán is that it gives as much pleasure to the solitary musician as to the extrovert performer. As a stress buster, it can hardly be bettered - just let the rhythm take over......

Happy Christmas, mandolin lovers!

SOLD OUT!!

We have a great bargain in today!

Countryman Mandolin scroll design ONLY €90

Very Limited Stock

PLUS banjos from €140 (tenor and G banjos) now in stock

Christmas Specials Steel Guitars - Part Two

So now you know what we have in special offers on Classical Guitars what about Steel String Guitars?

Well for a start....we have 25% off ALL steel string guitars. Yes. 25%. no, it's not a joke. 25% off ALL steel string guitars.

For example...Moon Handmade steel string guitars were €1825 25% discount €1368; or €2150 25% discount €1613 and they come with Hiscox Hard Cases!

OR Craviolas from Brazil were €1395 10% discount €1047; €620 10% discount €465 including padded covers

or for the beginner....Countryman and Brunswick guitars were €115 now €86.25 !!

You could pick up a Tanglewood pack including cover, excellent Tanglewood guitar and accessories was €129 now €96.75 or €189 now €141.75

At these prices they're going fast, so if you want a real bargain in a steel string guitar pop into the shop!

stockingfillers at Charlie Byrne's Music Shop

Santa Shops At Charlie Byrne's!

Even Santa shops with us - he loves our stocking fillers ! Where else can you get a unique, funny or practical gift for under €10?? Just check out the range -

New! Phone charms in amazing colours and designs, inc "banjo" "accordian" "fiddle" "guitars" "music stand" and more - only €4.95

Musical Snap and Music Trivia Quiz sets all reduced to €5.95

Fridge magnets (large) from Violin to Saxaphone - only €6.95

Musicians Joke Book €8.95

Music Facts in Handy Packs (guitar chords/trivia/theory and jokes) €2.25

Music Carrier Bags in great colours and designs from €7.95

Badges from €4.95

Playing cards €3.95

Mouse mats from €7.00

Mozart Design Thank you notes €5.95

Packets of Greeting Cards 5 for €8.95

Notebooks inc "Sick Note" "Drop me a note" "compose a note" only €1.25 (half price!)

Writing Paper inc cream and white - €2.60 (half price)

Post-it booklets inc "Gone Chopin,Bach Soon" and treble clef designs only €1.50 (half price)

Chopin Lizst shopping lists €2.25 (half Price)

Erasers and pencils €1

Pencil Cases - all 10% discount

Rulers €1.95

Bronze Die Cast Pencil Parers in Violin, Piano, etc € 5.95

Mugs (bone china, varied designs) €9.95

Mugs - varied designs €6.95 and €8.95

Benticels (Pencils in Treble Clef Shape) €2.95

Quaver pens €2.95

Pens in treble clef shape €1.95

Bendy Pens €1.95

Christmas Carols all half price!

Coasters (set of two) €2.50 (half price)

Aprons were €15.95 now €10

Tea Towels were €6.95 now €5.00

Padded Oven Gloves "food glorious food" were €15.95 now €10

PLUS amazing special offers including Photoframes were €18.95 now €15.95;

Cotton Bags "conductor" €12.95 now €10.95 and Music design Ties from €13.95 and much more!

SO follow Santa's lead and pop in - get a present or stocking filler that is fun, and useful, and pretty and VERY good value....

Christmas Guitars Special Offers part one

More and more customers are availing of our special offers on guitars, and beating the recession with great deals. Guitars are a great favourite as Christmas presents; they're a gift that gives hours of enjoyment without involving being stuck in front of a computer, it involves learning a new skill, they're cool and good ones are increasingly affordable.

Classical Guitars (nylon stringed) are easy on the fingers, and on the ears; you can either learn classical music or play like an acousic (steel stringed) guitar - chords, ballads, strumming, etc The difference will be in the sound; nylon strings give a much softer, folkier sound.



Children's 1/4 size guitars -ideal for introducing kids to playing, strumming, etc €27.95



You can pick up a (decent) 1/2 size beginner from €50, full size beginners from €68 ; we have Manuel Serrano Electro Acoustics at €167 (were €208) and €238 (were €280) and handmade solid top €280 now €252; Brazilian Gianinni are €230 now €195; €260 now €225 ;€350 now €299.

And of course we have our usual great value on Admira and NEW classical guitars 1/4 to 4/4 from Karl Hofner of Germany €85 to €90.

PLUS SPECIAL OFFERS ON selected ranges of covers including Tanglewood gig bags and Ritter, and on tuners, books etc

Fionn Seisiún Books and Double CD

New in today! We are delighted to stock the Comhaltas range by Brian Prior

Fionn Seisiún Books and Double Cds!

Pro: Fweeen Sesh -oon
A series of books and CDs, designed for both learners and appreciators of Irish traditional music, based on the Wednesday night session from Comhaltas headquarters in Monkstown.

Music Bags!

We have a fabulous range of music bags in stock, from lightweight kids' bags, only €7.95! lots of great colours and designs and something for everyone from Baby Violinist to Teenage prodigy - fun, practical and affordable. This is a great present for a child who likes music, a really fun and practical stockingfiller and one that won't lose it's value once the tinsel is down!

RIng in Christmas and the New Year!!

Ding Dong Merrily on High...sorry couldn't resist :)

We're having a great time now, because the Christmas Crackers have arrived - the red ones we've had before...they each contain a whistle, tuned to a different note, that you can use to play great tunes! There are hats, song sheets, numbered badges, a conductors badge, easy instructions - the most tone deaf guest can join in.

But now we also have Handbell Crackers! Huge, Luxury size crackers each containing a handbell, with songsheets, and instructions. Follow the Leader to create tunes from Christmas Carols to famous songs... with hat, and joke as well.

These are just the best fun you can have around a dinner table!

Also new in are bone china mugs, phone charms (only €4.95! the ideal Stocking Filler) and fridge magnets.....check them out!

Our Novelties have Arrived!

Yes :) It's that time of year, ladies and gentlemen, a lovely box of novelty music gifts has arrived and this year we have new mugs, tea-for-one, new badges, fridge magnets...everything you can possibly want for stocking fillers and gifts!
Prices will range from 95c so there's something for every pocket - and with half price offers on stationary you're bound to find a bargain!

We'll put up comprehensive stock lists onsite over the next few days, and we'll show off some of the best right here...

Plus, we've updated our Special offers, Low Whistle, Flute, Bouzouki, Mandola, Mandolin and Uke pages, and we'll be updating the entire website over the next week, to keep you up to date with christmas speicals and best prices!
New specials will become available as we scour the world for bargains so keep an eye the site and the blog ...

Christmas Specials - Starting early!

Well we don't have to tell you there's a recession on; you'd have to be living on a different planet these last months not to know that. Unlike many though, we're optimistic - the economy will swing back upwards again in a while. Til then, we're all for sniffing out bargains, and getting the best value you can for your money - and Christmas is an ideal time to trim the fat, cut the waste and look for gifts that are both practical and fun.

Many people are looking to buy instruments as presents; particularly if you have a talent in the family, someone enthusiastic about their music, why not get that upgrade as part of their Christmas gift, rather than as a separate expense during the year? Bows, strings, accessories like violin cases... all make excellent gifts, that won't lose their value once the xmas frenzy is over.

We have an incredible early sale on Acoustic Steel string guitars at the moment, but stock is limited! we have 25% off ALL acoustic steel string guitars starting at €86.50 for a Hohner Countryman. There's also bargains to be had in selected Classical guitars and in gigbags.

If you just want the fun gifts, there are bargains to be had in novelties! Lots of stationary - writing paper, envelopes, post- its are an unbelievable HALF PRICE! As well as selected books, including Tangos for fiddle players, and modern collections from Tom Waites, Dido, and others. Music carriers in lovely colours and designs start at €7.95 and we have pencils, erasers etc from 95c.

One lovely gift this year is the Children';s Glockenspiel, a great instrument in a blue case for only €23.95 and another is the children's 1/4 size guitar at €27.95!


there's more! XI'An Sí have produced their CD the Xi'An Sessions for €14.95 making it an ideal xmas gift and we have 2 cds for €20 and 3 cds for €30 special offers on selected cds!

So check it out!

Spring Fever!

We have some great deals on Acoustic Guitars this Spring - especially our high end guitars. Moon handmade acoustic and the lvoely Craviola's from Gianinni in Brazil are all available at 10% discount, for a limited time only! The moon come including Hiscox Hard Case - easily the best guitar cases for protection.

Djembes are still available at a limited selection at 20% discount, to clear; get one of these bargains now!

And we have a great range of instruments as usual, prooving expecially interesting this Spring are our ukuleles (from basic ones to handmade ones) and we have lots of lovely lovely books and covers. We have new tutors, for a range of instruments and a lot of new books.

We're expecially delighted with our range of Stamitz handmade Violins from Prague - truly lovely.

Other fresh ranges include bodhráns from Michael Vignoles and Paul McAuley, as well as Paraic McNeela.
So check out the website, or come on in and have a look!