By: Jeff Meade

There are nights when so many fiddlers, pipers, accordion players, bodhran beaters and whistlers are clustered together in the front bar area of the Shanachie Pub in Ambler, it's hard for a non-musician to find a seat. (The musicians take 'em.) On this December night, however, only about seven or eight of the regulars are on hand to set the room spinning to reels and jigs and hornpipes. No worries. This bunch might be small, but the players are mighty.

Shanachie's Tuesday night session is anchored by Fintan Malone on banjo, mandolin and cittern and Kevin McGillian on two-row button accordion. These skilled players don't say much, but they don't have to. They let their fingers do all the talking. That's pretty eloquent all by itself.

Denise Foley snagged a bunch of videos from a Dec. 19, 2006, session. (You'll see Kevin and Fintan off in a corner. Some dancers from the Saoirse Celtic Performance Troupe happened by as well, and you'll see their handiwork in a few clips.)

Check out the videos.