Traditional Music: The Heartbeat of Ireland

"Irish music has always been intensely pictorial, constantly throwing up images to the listener. Irish music is visual, it's tactile. You can feel it. You can smell it. It's all around you. Irish music is earthy. Irish music is of the people and of the land. It's full of life & emotion. It's exciting & moving. It lives & it breathes. To best understand that, you need to stand & watch it happen right in front of you."  -Water From the Well Liner Notes

The last post covered Dublin Pubs and got me looking back at the Musical Pub Tours that we've taken. I have, for quite some time, loved Traditional Irish music. Perhaps I can hear an ancestral rhythm within it or inklings or the bluegrass I've grown up around. One thing is for sure, it is lively, fun, passionate music. Here is but a sample from our pub tour (yes that second one is sung in Irish): 

Around home, I listen to a lot of The Chieftains, a staple in Irish trad or folk music Forming in 1962, they have a long history and a huge catalog of music. They've collaborated with many other musicians from different genres over the years as well.  A few of my favorite albums are "Water From the Well," "Boil the Breakfast Early" and "Chieftains 7." Recently, I've taken to listening to the Irish music stations on Pandora. They even have a St. Patrick's Day channel which combines some traditional Irish with harder pub rock and even some old sea shanties. Happy Listening!

Pubs of Dublin

Oliver St. John Gogarty's Bar, Temple Bar Area, Dublin

While there are certainly other things you must do while in Dublin (like see Saint Patrick's Cathedral, visit Kilmainham Gaol, walk the quays of the River Liffey, etc), stopping in a pub for a pint is great way to take part in Irish culture. My first introduction to pub culture was a lovely documentary I watched before ever setting foot in Ireland. PBS produced a wonderful piece called "The Historic Pubs of Dublin" hosted by the late, great Frank McCourt, a native Irishman. He takes you on a tour of some the oldest pubs in Dublin, imparting their rich history and exploring pub culture along the way. It is definitely worth a watch. You can watch the hour long video HERE on YouTube or at the bottom of this page.

M.J. O'Neill's on Suffolk Street Dublin 

Inside O'Neill's Pub - lots of little rooms & snugs

We have chased down many of these old ancient pubs, many of which were frequented by some of Ireland's cherished personalities such as James Joyce, Brenden Behan, & Jonathan Swift. You might strike up a conversation with a local, witness a close football (soccer) game on the telly, or be delighted with some traditional music.

The Long Hall Pub on Georges Street 

The Brazen Head, oldest pub in Dublin, established in 1198

Garden area of Brazen Head

Traditional Irish music will lure me straight into a pub and one of my favorite things to experience in Ireland. In Dublin, you can take part in a Musical Pub Tour which is a lovely way to visit some historic pubs while listening to great traditional music, learning about Irish music and pub culture from two guides who play for you at each place (this is not a raucous night of pint after pint, pub after pub).  I've taken THIS TOUR twice and loved every minute and learned so much. 

Our musician guides on the Musical Pub Tour

PBS Historic Pubs of Dublin with Frank McCourt:

The Temple Bar in the area known as Temple Bar - named after Sir William Temple and "Bar" used to refer to a raised estuary sandbank used for walking upon. Now, it seems to refer to a different kinds of bar. This particular pub, The Temple Bar, as well as this area, are considered to be very touristy and peopled by partiers. It's still a very interesting place worth visiting, even if you don't stay long. There are some very old and iconic pubs just up the street from here.