Loudoun Irish Players

Leslie Roberts reached out to The Hawk & Griffin in hopes of finding a new home to gather and do what The Loudoun Irish Player do best; create memories, ambiance and above all, play their hearts out in a place 

And we are beyond glad she did!

Every second and fourth Monday's of the month, you can catch The Loudon Irish Players here at the pub from 6-8pm, a band of comradery, love of folk music, and a little slice of what must be Heaven!

In your words, how would you describe your group? 

A Traditional Irish session (Seisiun) is an informal get-together to socialize and share music with others. No sheet music or music stands are needed, musicians simply come together and learn tunes from each other.

Traditionally Irish music sessions would take place in the kitchen of a local family’s house. House dances were commonplace, with the musicians gathered pumping out tunes for the set dancers. These homes became known as céilí houses and were typically the homes of large musical families, with other musicians frequently coming and going. Today, sessions are more commonly found in pubs, and in the many Irish arts and cultural centers throughout Ireland and the world. Wherever a group of trad musicians is gathered, it’s likely a session will break out. 

How did you become the Irish Loudoun Players?

Tony and Leslie met in 2014 in an Irish session,  beginning a musical partnership and friendship which has lasted to this day.  The group has played at several breweries and restaurants over the years.  As venues closed, the decision was made to name the session The Loudoun Irish Session rather than have it tied to a specific location. Different local musicians led the sessions over time, but eventually it fell to myself and Tony Noerpel to step in as session leaders.  

 Are there any members you’d like to highlight, other than yourself and why? 

Several well-known local musicians have called the session home for years. Craggy Island, Susan Withers and Patrick Fenning have been a local fixture for years and are regular performers at Dills Celtic Festival in PA and Beans in the Belfry. Nick Robb of One Street Over also has been a part of this group from the beginning.  Their talent and generosity have guided newer musicians to learn the excitement of playing Irish music.

Could you tell me a bit more about yourself and your role in the Loudoun Irish Players, and how you came to be leading/or the “face” per say of the group?  

Leslie Roberts has taught dance for years and performed in several companies, including The Leslie Roberts Dancers, a tap ensemble. She is one of the founding member of The Silver Linings. She recently  went to Ireland with the Wild Atlantic Music tours and played in pubs up and down the west coast of Ireland.   

Tony Noerpel is an engineer and inventor with 50 US patents and a stint as an adjunct professor teaching undergraduate engineering students about the environment.  Upon retiring he took up the mandolin and cello, traveled to Ireland and attended several sessions. We have both been inspired by the music and comradery of what a session can offer after the trips to Ireland. 

What are your favorite songs to play as a group? 

We love to play the standards such as Kesh, The Banshee, Silver Spear, Earl’s Chair. One of our favorite tunes to play is one written in the 1700’s by Neil Gowe called Drunk at Night, Dry in the Morning.  Many of the tunes and songs have been played for over hundreds of years in taverns and pubs. We feel honored to keep these traditions alive.

Is there anything you want to tell the audience about that maybe you don’t get a chance to say while you are playing? And anything else you might like to add!

It’s fantastic when the audience sings along, stomps their feet and gets up and dances. We encourage it as this isn’t a performance but a community gathering of all involved, being a part of this long tradition.