The fun for me is  learning new tunes and songs or  learning to play them in different ways or on different instruments. I grew up on punk rock, roots blues like Son House, Little Walter and Robert Johnson and I’ve always liked Ragtime and early Jazz. Later on came Irish folk and trad, sea shanties, minstrel tunes and the music of Appalachia. I have a passion for the history and music of Irish people in America. I also like old whaling songs and sea shanties. 

   If you're interested in whaling history, Irish immigration to America, old songs or sea shanties check out the  links.

   Almost all of the pictures on the music page are  links.

There's a first hand account, from the late 19th century, of Irish immigrants sailing to America on the steamer 'Scotland' . It follows their voyage and arrival at Castle Garden on the lower end of Mahattan. Castle Garden was  New York's immigrant station before Elis Island was opened.

   There's also a link to an online version of the Book 'How the Other Half Lives' by Jacog Riis. Published in the 19th century it is an invaluable resource for people interested in the living conditions in 19th century New York.