rockin' out in Connolly's, 5th St Charlotte NC
OK, as promised, some tales from our AWESOME road trip! As you know, Aine was in Berklee College all summer, being a good student- in fact, such a good student that she’s been invited to go back for four years to take a degree in Musicianship…so it was with pride and excitment that I (Niamho) flew out from Dublin to reunite The Surfchixxx. I arrived in (Johnny) Logan Airport, and there was Aine, complete with home-made welcome sign, it was brilliant! We collected our little rental car (which was to be put through its paces severely over the following two weeks) and buzzed into Boston, stopping off at Aine’s cutsey Backbay apartment -she had even made me dinner! Then it was a hectic rush of to PADDY BARRY’S in Quincy, for a brilliant gig, a few beers and a giving-out to from Gerry for being from Dublin! On Saturday, we wandered down to a nice fancy restaurant for a big shteak, a bottle of wine (the poor girl had been living on noodles!) and a catchup on all the gossip of Berklee/Bundoran. On Sunday, we found out that the Boston-Donegal GAA had won the final and would be celebrating in Dorchester, and indeed, during our gig at THE CENTRE, we were in the middle of the hilarity. Drink, tears, blood, sweat…laughter, singing, and more than one chorus of ‘The Hills of Donegal’ made for a great night’s craic, and well done, Donegal Boys!
On Monday, we hopped in our wee car – note to self, pay the extra few shillings for a car than can actually move – we were there on the highways like Trotters. Inc. In fairness, Aine will rip the highest speed out of whatever she drives, and when our SatNav decided to die on us, I did my best to co-pilot us to Rhode Island with a map of Massachussetts. We were off to visit our good friends, Joe, MaryEllen and Jennie Mc Govern. Joe is a well-respected surf photographer, and regular Bundoran visitor. I took over the driving as we neared Joes, only to be pulled up by a burly RI police officer, who took issue with my doing a u-turn on a small road. He took one look at my Irish License, and burst out laughing – and insisted on escorting us to Joe’s house. Nice! 
The wonderful McGoverns spoilt us rotten – stuffies and BBQ salmon for supper, and all day Tuesday at the Beach… thanks so much you guys!
Joe Mc Govern & Aine on Narragansett Beach, RI
Next stop was New Jersey, and yours truly, Niamho was drooling at the thoughts of returning to Bruce-country. In one of those freaky moments, Ryan Adam’s ‘New York’ came on the radio JUST as we drove over the sate line between Connecticut and New York…I mean, just as the song came on, we drove passed the huge big ‘Welcome to New York’ sign, we both went ‘Whoa…’ and sang the song at full volume. On we went to Asbury Park, which just gets nicer and nicer at every visit. We checked in to the Empress Hotel, and down we went to The Twisted Tree to meet George Wirth, Brenda, Susan and of course the wonderful Joey Rosanio. We had another great gig here, -Aine did some of her originals, and then we did a Surfchixxx combo, and I had a little song I wrote about drinking too much Tequila that I decided to sing, as it was that kind of night…I did it for Eithne (My Ma) who would have been 70 years old that day, and I think she would have approved.
Before the gig, Brenda did a wonderful photoshoot for us on the streets of Asbury…and at the gig,
Our Favourite Goodfella, Joey treated us to dinner on the Asbury Park boardwalk after the gig, flashing the cash and being wonderful! The Asbury Park boardwalk is not the scary place it used to be anymore, with gorgeous restaurants and bars, cool people and EVERYONE has a story that they saw Mr. Springsteen there yesterday..or the day before…but so far he hasn’t come out to meet us 
Secret Wedding Photo from Asbury Park - don't tell Joey's Ma!
Aine at my favourite venue in the world. Ever.
George Wirth made us honorary Jersey Girls! Yay!
After NJ, we hopped on a plane to Charlotte, NC to meet our friends from Belmont Abbey & do two nights in Connolly’s, -amazing venue & massive craic with everyone. Thanks so much to AMANDA and the girls for putting us up, the handsomest professor in the world, TRAVIS for arranging the gigs, the staff and Connollys and the boys for getting wasted. Jason ‘Bone’ Mitchell promised Aine a Las Vegas wedding, and Franco Garcia promised Niamho three boys, Miguel, Patricio and Santi, (Or Mick, Paddy & Johnny, Irish Style)
What happens in Vegas
We were thrilled when Katie & her folks dropped by, Katie helped us with a brilliant version of ‘Sean O’ Malley’, and Aine learnt the fine art of ‘Corn Hole’…. The second night, Aine’s fellow Berklee student Olivia joined us for tunes and craic, and Kevo, Judgemental Jake and Trisha showed us how to party, Charlotte-style!
Katie does 'Sean O' Malley' with Surfchixxx
Phi Kap Sandwich.
- These people know how to PARTY!
After Carolina (Exhausted!) we were back to Rattle n Hum, to visit our old friend and dangerous influence, Patrick, his wonderful missus Roz, our fellow chickette Kathy Conlon and all the Manhattan Crew. Good Times! But all too brief, as we were off then to a fantastic labor-day jam at Susan Flaherty’s back in NJ. What an evening! Big thanks to our newly recruited bandsmen, drummer Jim & Bassist Fred. We not only got the chance to play, but witnessed some fantastic music from the Jersey Shore scene, an awesome night’s craic. After that, our next stop was a performance at Drew University. The good people at the Irish-American Cultural Institute had arranged a wonderful gig for us, in the
The photogenic ones- Aine & Patrick, NYC
appreciative audience immensely. Ellis & Bill, you are legends, thanks also to Janet & Carol for all the PR and CD sales. For a review of the performance, follow this link – and apologies, Bono, I didn’t mean it!
http://www.drewacorn.com/life-arts/ireland-invades-the-doyo-1.1577171
The after-party in Hennessy’s Bar, Morristown was hilarious – big thanks to The Friendly Sons Of St. Patrick, who were indeed, very friendly, and to MariBird for letting us crash the open mic.
The After Party at Hennessey's, NJ
After that, we were back to New York – we spent half a day looking for Port Washington, and an uncomfortable night in a pretty dodgy motel somewhere in Long Island, but it was worth it, as the Grande Italiana Festival with The Frank Stalloners was one of the highlights of our trip.
The Grande Fest Italiana, Port Washington NJ
Rockin' out with The Frank Stalloners
A surprise addition to the road trip was Pensacola, FL, …but it was Mary Willis’ birthday, and her parents (Who are TOO GOOD) flew us down and back just to play at the Goat Lips Restaurant…another terrific night, meeting the lovely people who came to celebrate the birthday and have the craic. Thanks so much to Tracy, Leah Hannah, Roy, Rachel, & everyone there.
The Birthday Girl, Mary Willis singing...another version of Sean O' Malley!
Pensacola welcomes Surfchixxx...it will all come together like Goats Lips!
And then… fog delayed our flight, and we got to JFK to collect our car with only four hours to get back to Paddy Barry’s for our farewell gig. I’ve said this before…not only is Aine a rock superstar, but when it comes to under-pressure-driving, she is the world’s greatest. We tore corners off 95 north as we ripped it up the coast and into Quincy with minutes to spare- and delighted to see The Mc Govern Family in for the night, and also we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Ciara O Kelly, who could not have made us more welcome.
On Monday, Sept 13, we boarded the plane home, with truly wonderful memories & a whole bunch of new friends from this road trip. We have been invited to return to Charlotte, Pensacola, Drew, Boston, Rhode Island,… and we will! Thanks SO MUCH to everyone who helped us, came to the gigs, fed us, watered us, photographed us, sheltered us, and shared the music. From Niamh & Aine, Surfchixxx, it was a helluva Vacation! Thanks all xxxxx
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We admire gutsy women like Brenda and Aine suffuxchix….Somebody said he recognised Brenda…Was it Oxford ? It was the manner in which she consumed his piece of the Australian Chocolate bthday cake …perhaps…he won,t say