Come look in our window! (Douglas Hyde Galley Exhib.)

The lovely piece by Kate Maher for the Douglas Hyde Gallery exhibition The Preponderance of the Small is now officially installed in our window.

You can find us Here ; or download a map to all exhibits Here


The good camera will come out to play tomorrow and hopefully we'll get some better shots of it - the iphone camera doesn't do it justice but we're excited and can't wait to show it off :)

Preponderance of The Small Exhibition (Douglas Hyde Gallery)

Sneak Preview!


This month we're excited to be part of the Preponderance of The Small Exhibition (Douglas Hyde Gallery)
The exhibition is described as :
Preponderance of The Small, an off-site project which forms part of The Douglas Hyde Gallery's ongoing Gallery 3 initiative, features works by twenty-one younger artists working in Ireland.Each artist is exhibiting at one of twenty-one locations in and around Trinity College, creating a trail of artworks.

This is intended to give the viewer the opportunity to look anew at more familiar locations, while also highlighting spaces that are often overlooked.The title, which derives from a hexagram in the Chinese I-Ching, or Book of Changes, points to the great power and value of small things. In a rapidly changing culture, at a time when many of yesterday's monumental gestures have proved to be empty, grandiose artistic statements seem superfluous. This exhibition is intended to question how we attribute value in today's culture, and to suggest that it is in small things that we may find our way forward.

Our piece, an unititled mixed media installation by Kate Maher, is in the larger of our two windows; please feel free to come and look, and pick up a map to the other exhibits.



The exhibition has an online presence in the form of a blog which will be updated during the course of the exhibition; it can be visited at: preponderanceofthesmall.blogspot.com


Maps to the exhibits can be downloaded at http://www.douglashydegallery.com/pdf/downloadable-map.pdf

Best Value in Classical Covers!

We've managed to get some absolutely great bargains for classical guitar, both basic and padded covers at great prices.

For 1/2 3/4 and 4/4 we have covers starting at €10 - unpadded but strong. Ideal for students. We also have some 1/4 and 1/2 from Winter of Germany at €12.95.

for 4/4 we have padded covers (black) at €15.50 and fabulous black and red heavily padded covers at only €19.95. There's also a limited number of red and wine coloured velvet lined padded covers available now at only €25.

Whether you're studying guitar or just looking for a great xmas present for someone, pop in and have a look. WE do recommend that you bring the guitar to make sure of the fit but they will usually fit most standard spanish guitars.

Special! Teddy Bear recorders.....

The cutest item to come in in months!!

Only €9.95 we predict these will be the most popular stockingfiller ever! A real instrument, soprano (standard) recorder in a lovely teddybear case. Every budding musician will want one!

Xmas comes early this year....

Well not really, but preparing for Xmas comes early this year, in the current recession!

Don't get me wrong, we're traditionalists. Before Christmas, comes Hallow Een or Samhain. Decorations shouldn't go up before December and the famous crib goes in the window the second week of December. Some things are set in stone!

But every year I harbour a fantasy of completing my shopping in October, and avoiding last minute rushing and especially last minute panic purchases - where you spend twice as much for something you are only half sure about. With the R word hanging over us, that alone is a good reason to start looking for affordable gifts that people will love, early rather than later. It's terribly hard to contemplate, with the Back To School rush barely over, but the sooner you get started the more money you'll save and the more you'll spread the cost.

This year, we are hoping to get in our novelties and other favourites early; in the meantime we have some bargains to snap up.
Most of our stationary range (musical designs) is at half price right now! and there are still special offers available on guitar covers (were €39 now €30) Hercules guitar stands start at €24.95 and Cort mini stands (incredibly lightweight and useful) 15.95. Music Stands, sturdy, in various colours start at €19.95 with great music carrier bags from €7.95. Mugs from 7.95 (bone china from €9.95)
plus for children! Glockenspiel (blue case, metal keys, lovely tone) €22.95

More and more will be appearing here over the next few weeks so keep an eye out and snap 'em up early !

Back to School!

September...autumn leaves, junior cert results and the inevitable grind of back to school...and back to music lessons and orchestra too.

Things being tight this year for many people, we find our €155 range "Bon Novice" most popular. We also have them in several sizes (1/4 1/2 and 3/4) secondhand at €120 a lot of the time (we automatically offer them in the size needed if we have them but do feel free to ask!)

People also ask us "what's the difference between these and say, something selling at 80 or 90 euro?" The main difference is of course quality - they are better violins. Then they are finished in our own workrooms, by hand, with pegs strings bridge and sound post all fitted perfectly. This ensures that the student violin produces the best sound it is capable of producing and that it is easy to tune and maintain. Ours are instruments to learn on, rather than toys or kits. And of course you get our after sales service - we can adjust anything, correct any problems or indeed tune it up for you :)

The Pallini at €195 is also prooving very popular especially for s=those who have done grade one and want just a little more from their violin for grade 2/3

Cellos start at €595, although they are almost sold out; and of course the Pallini cello outfit at €795 is as popular as ever.

Manuscripts, resin, music stands, music cases, shoulder rests, bows, and some tutor books
(eg Eta Cohen, Susuki etc) are all important for the student player. We have excellent prices on all these items eg lovely music cases from 7.95 and new violin stands from 15.95 euro

Classical Guitars start at 48 euro for a 1/2 size and 70 euro for the full size; with hand made spanish guitars from under 200 euro.

Quality and value for money count more than ever now - get the best, for less :)

Anyone for a House Party?

Last night we went to see the Irish house Party at the Lansdowne Hotel ; we've had many tourists mention it and recommend it so we decided to check it out for ourselves - and a fabulous night was had by all!
The house party is hosted by real musicians and it's the answer to the plastic-paddy, tiddlyeye nonsense that so many venues seem to think is what tourists want. However as we at Charlie Byrne's get asked every day for "real" and "authentic" traditional music I think there's very much a need for a proper Irish music night. The Irish House Party is the perfect answer, lots of fun but with real music.

There are several different options; you can go for dinner and the show from 7pm (a very nice dinner and we got to know some of our fellow guests over it, so if you want the full experience definitely opt for this!) or you can simply go for the show itself from 8.30pm. If you're a guest of the hotel you get a discount and they also cater for large groups.

The dinner was lovely, everyone was very pleased with themselves and we got to chat to some New Zealanders. Then the show - there are around 11 musicians connected to the Irish House Party , all of whom are top notch. We were blessed last night with uillean pipes, fiddle, tin whistle and bouzouki/guitar (and I can tell you, it takes a lot to impress me but they managed it from the first reel!)
There's plenty of speil, plenty of audience participation, lots of fun and the presentation is very professional without ever seeming either jaded or perfunctory.
If I won the lotto tomorrow I'd hire them to play at my own damn house party :)

They have CDs on sale, I got one for myself and one for the father-in-law who would have loved it. We're planning on going back during the summer and taking the parents; it's over around 10.30 and that makes it ideal for all age gr0ups. The older more sedate visitor can get to bed on time and the younger ones can get out into the Dublin nightlife without missing anything.

All in all - massive thumbs up! We've linked them from the index page of Charlies Website so bookmark them and next time you need to impress the visitors...take them to a house party.

Xi'An Sí to play Irish Gigs

A recent excellent "find" (well, last year :)) has been the Chinese group Xi'an Sí (pronounced Shi-an Shee) who specialise in playing Irish music (traditional, folk, O'Carrolan etc) on ancient Chinese instruments. Their CD The Xi'An Sessions is superb and one of the most popular independent CDs we've ever stockedread about them, how they came to irish music and their instruments here http://www.geocities.com/charlesbyrnemusic/xiansthe.htm
Now....we have it on good authority...they're planning to come to Ireland this summer and will be playing a few dates!! One of the group is permanently based here and she's promised to keep us updated about the plans, and we'll announce dates as soon as they are confirmed.This will be a unique opportunity to see a wonderful group live, and I for one will be up front and centre, I'm not missing this :) Fingers crossed they avoid July 4th-19th (holidays)
Let you know as soon as it happens :)

Whistle for it!!

We said if we got it, you'd get it and that's what we're doing....any savings we get we pass on to you, dear customer...

Today's Good News
Tony Dixon D Whistle Polymer one piece was €17.00 now €15.00
Tony Dixon D Whistle Polymer two piece was €27.00 now €23.00

Tony Dixon Traditional Brass (adjustable mouthpiece) was €25 now €20
Tony Dixon D Whistle(adjustable mouthpiece) was €25 now €23

YAY!

New CD - Fugato from Absolute Music

Something to uplift and refresh on a rainy day!

fugato..
New CD from Moya O'Grady(cello), David O'Doherty(violin), Geraldine O'Doherty(harp) and Catherina Lemoni (piano)
inc Wieniawski, Ravel,Chopin, Fauré,Victory,Debussy, Chopin, Piazolla and Villa-labos
only €19.95

A wonderful collection of classics opening with the sublime Wieniawski Scherzo Tarantello Op. 16

To order call 01-4781773, email charlesbyrne@ireland.com or call to the shop

The Emergency Budget Blues Lyrics

Here are ours...

Feel free to add your own !!

Beat the Budget Blues...

Still singing the budget blues ?

I woke up this morning
my wallet was light
someone done stole my
paycheck last night
I got the budget, I got the budget,
emergency budget bluesssss........

So you're going to have a lot of evenings in this summer and we're all swopping the Algarve for the Costa Del Back Garden...remember the 80s? (if you're too young, ask someone my age!) Didn't we have fun? remember summer evenings sitting out, some guy playing guitar and some girl singing? Remember when we used to make our own amusement and it didn't cost an absolute arm and a leg?

So we're all going to have a lot of spare time and no X-box games to play (cos we cant afford them and even Bord Gais electricity rates will be too high so every electrical appliance will be on timers including the TV) What can you do?

Learn something - no not something boring, get an instrument and learn something cool. So what if you're pushing 50? ring up your mates and revive that band you were in - let out your inner Christy Moore or Eric Clapton! The coolest new thing to play is a Ukulele - and it's easy, and the old favourites are guitars,banjos and mandolins.

Pick a piece - think of some piece you adore, you'd love to be able to play - and go for it! So what if it takes months, god knows you've got the time now! Hours of amusement and you can drive your neighbours mad playing the same three bars over and over. Then they'll come round to complain, you'll finally get to meet them and Voila! you're half way to a neighbourhood watch committee.
Throw a Party - I remember years ago every party ended in a singsong, people brought books of song lyrics with them and any spare instrument lying around. Then we got all SATC and chic and no one would dream of picking up a guitar and leading a rousing chorus of Willie MacBride anymore. Well why not indulge in some retro fun, and get everyone to do a party piece. Being cool is over rated...learn the words to American Pie and dig out that tin whistle!

See? there are lots of ways to enjoy ourselves without spending a shedload....invest in your mental health and sing witb me ....
"always look on the bright siiiiiide of life, do do, do do do do do dah!"

The Luck of the Irish!

Well, you'll be very lucky if you come into us next week for a Bodhrán ! We're shut for Monday and Tuesday - happy paddy's day to us! - but from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive there's still 10% off ALL bodhráns. Call in and have a look!

We have Vignoles, Paraic McNeela, First Island, Dublin Bodhráns...
and a very special offer on a tunable 18" Malachy Kearns - was €295, now €250....plus an addiitional 10% off this week!

Have a good one!

St Patrick's Festival Bargains!!

To celebrate St Patrick's Day and the Festival taking place in Dublin over the next week - and to bring a little happiness to the gloom and doom - we've got a fabulous Patrick's Festival offer!





10 % discount off ALL bodhráns - including tunable! - from today March 11th to Saturday March 22nd inc.*





Why not enjoy Ireland's most unique and traditional instrument, the heartbeat of Irish music, a handmade bodhrán: prices start from only €30 (now €27!!) inc Beater and Cover!!


We have First Island, Malachy Kearns, Pariac McNeela, Paul McAuley, and Michael Vignoles.

And......10% off all accessories - covers, beaters, books!








*please note, Charles Byrne is closed on Sunday 15th, Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th

You'll love us!

You'll love us and our new deals....


The R word is becoming almost chic now :) it's good fun trying to find bargains and a way to brighten up even the gloomiest day (and god knows there are a lot of gloomy days recently.)


Sadly we've been forced to put up the price of many strings, as manufacturers worldwide get hit by recession; but we did manage to lower the price of Pirastro Cello Strings! Plus we have new strings that offer great sound at really competitive prices : check our Rotosound Strings for mandolin and Uke and our new TGI strings for Guitar (extralight & light acoustic and Classical) only €3.95!


We also have D'addario Classical pro arte at €9.75, steel string at €6.95 and Boston Irish Tenor Banjo at €4.95





it all adds up!

It's February and that means...

...New Specials, New products, New music!!!

We have some really special new products designed to beat the credit crunch and keep the wolves of recession at bay :)

First up is great news for Traditional musicians with the new Tony Dixon one-piece low D whistle in polymer for only.....€45! Or the New Tony Dixon A whistle €50.
We have a great deal for guitarists....Extra light and Light guage steel strings for €3.95 a set and classical guitar strings €3.95 per set
We have ENO clip on tuners suitable for all stringed instruments (both clip on and mic) only €19.95!

Check back for new Book sale - coming soon and a very special one off Deering handmade Banjo offer!

January Specials......Last Three Days

The last days of January are upon us and Spring starts on Sunday - so grab the last bargains from January. 25% off all acoustic guitars, reductions on Gianinni and Manual Serrano Spanish Guitars; selected covers reduced. Half Price books and more half price stationary and novelties. Go on, treat yourself :)
Or just check out Charles Byrne and see what else we have for the discerning Musician!

One Week Left! January Specials

There's one week left and a few specials still available!

Offers end January 31st!

We have a (very limited) amount of Steel String Guitars - inc Countryman or Brunswick €86.95 (were €115) and Tanglewood guitar inc cover and accessories €141.75 (were €189) These must go!

We have one only Craviola by Giannini inc pickup (steel string) €1046.95 (was €1395)

We have one only Conga Djembe (white and black) 24" high, 12/13" head, was €180 HALF PRICE €90
Malachy Kearns 18" tuneable Bodhrán including cover and beater €250 (was €295, one only left)


Also still on special offer - Half Price on Stationary inc Notebooks etc, Selected Books Half Price and selected Music Carriers (plastic folders with strap, music design) Half Price


Pssst
We do have a very special offer on Deering Handmade Tenor Banjos, inc case, Shortneck.....coming soon !

Kinsman Heavy Mandolin Cover

Again, this is a limited offer, we have a very few in stock. The original Kinsman very heavy duty, leatherette finish, heavily padded Mandolin Gig Bag, suitable for most standard size and shapes; used to retail at €70 - now only €50. We can't replace these so grab them now! (pictured aboce with standard size mandolin)

January Sale - Limited Stock Special Offers! Only til Jan31st

Okay you lovely lot, we have a few- very few- very special offers just until January 31st...so if you are a guitarist today is your lucky day.

We have Hiscox Standard Classical and Acoustic Guitar Cases - amazingly strong cases, highly regarded - were €135, now €114.75
Hiscox Professional Classical Cases were €165 and the Acoustic Models were €175 now BOTH €140.25!

AND Admira Elena model.... handmade, in Spain, Advanced level Classical Guitar, Cutaway shape (not with electrics) was €1200 now available at €1050 including hard case.

We have very few in stock so pop in quickly!