Isles of Shoals Historical and Research Association September 2023

September 8 - September 10 or 11

“Sing All Ye Sailors!”: The Musical Heritage of a Life at Sea

Arghh! Sea Shanties are not just for pirates! Join us for a rollicking good time as we immerse ourselves into the songs of the sea, the often-colorful stories behind them and the salty sailors who sang them. Come experience this seafaring tradition through interactive workshops, fascinating historical lectures and plenty of lively toe tapping music! Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee, the folk duo Castlebay from Maine, will lead the conference. They have loved, sung and researched traditional music for most of their lives, performing on the Celtic Harp, fiddle, flute and 12 string guitar. They have recently published ‘Bygone Ballads of Maine vol 1- Songs of Ships & Sailors”, a compilation of 165 seafaring songs gathered from various sources in Maine. Exploring social history through music, they will tell the stories not only of the songs, but also the intrepid collectors who preserved them and the singers who carried on the tradition. 

There is no formal ISHRA programming on the evening of Sept 10 or on Sept 11. This is relaxing, unstructured time on our beautiful island.

Theme Speaker

Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee, the folk duo “Castlebay” 

Program Fee

$100 per person 

Room & Board

The rates below are per person for the full length of the conference.

3-night Option

Standard Shared: $528 | Standard Single: $698

Motel Shared: $642 | Motel Single: $923 

2-night Option

Standard Shared: $390 | Standard Single: $519

Motel Shared: $475  | Motel Single: $672 

Financial Aid

Visit www.ishra.org to learn more about what ISHRA offers.

Boat Schedule

3-night Option

September 8: Depart Portsmouth at 2:20 PM, arrive to Star Island at 3:30 PM

September 11: Depart Star Island at 11:45 AM, arrive in Portsmouth at 1:15 PM

2-night Option

September 8: Depart Portsmouth at 2:20 PM, arrive to Star Island at 3:30 PM

September 10: Depart Star Island at 3:45 PM, arrive in Portsmouth at 5:15 PM

Questions?

Contact conference chair Ellen Koenig at ellen.koenig123@gmail.com