Dutch Bassoonist, Bram van Sambeek, travels to Bantry by Boat, from the Netherlands for the 2026 Chamber Music Festival.
Bram always prefers to travel by train to his gigs – of course Ireland presents a difficulty there. So Bram took three trains from his home in the Netherlands, to Holyhead, and then the ferry to Dublin. Then he took the Luas to Dublin Heuston and the train from there to Cork.
He left his home the afternoon of 25 June and arrived in Bantry after midnight 26 June.
He took the same journey home again with his luggage and bassoon all the way.
This summer saw extraordinary heat waves across Europe, which were even felt here in Ireland. It had so many of asking what we can do, how we can live more sustainably. West Cork Music is asking the same questions. Since 2020 we have been considering sustainability in our decision making and working on ways to make all our activities as environmentally-friendly as possible. You can learn about our policies and action plans on the West Cork Music website. But we need the help of everyone who comes, whether as an audience member, or artist to help us.
So many congratulations to Bram, for choosing to take the time for slow travel and avoiding the air miles. It wasn’t always straightforward. The Luas to Heuston Station in Dublin doesn’t go all the way to the port, and buses are not as frequent as they could be. Greater linking between different forms of transport would make a huge difference in making slow travel more convenient.
Travel agents such as the Train Traveller can help travellers find these routes, for those able and willing to take their time on a journey. So it might be worth considering when you are planning your trip to Bantry next year, if you can come to Bantry by Boat.
