A Weekend With Ireland...

I've just had the best weekend of my life. Dublin is my city, I count it as my home now - it has everything I have ever wanted; Music 24/7, strangers that act as if they're old friends, it being acceptable to drink alcohol at 10 in the morning. 

I found my favourite bar on Temple Bar, it's called Gogarty's and never have I been in a better place. Bill Martin was the first musician we saw (video above), he stole a kiss from me and dedicated Galway Girl to me and Yorkshire. His musicianship is what we would pay to see here, but in Ireland you get it for free as soon as you walk into a bar. The atmosphere is immense, everyone is up dancing and I was even pulled up by a stranger that gave me a few twirls (not the chocolate bar, the dance).

There was always an acoustic guitar, it was the same in the Arlington and outside on the streets. But Gogarty's was my home for the weekend. Another great performer was Derek... what surprised me most about the performers is that they never really introduced themselves, they just got on with the music instead of bigging themselves up. Derek was fantastic, he had Stewart the fiddle player with him, they joked with crowd and laughed among themselves, no one took anything seriously. 

Talking to English bands after gigs I've realised the massive difference between Irish musicians and English musicians. You say you like an English band's set, they say thank you and walk away (most of the time), but sometimes they lap up the attention and ask you to like their Facebook page. But in Ireland, they're modest and will chat to you, Derek even gave me some food. 

All in all I had a brilliant time. Lots of adventures, a Brazilian getting too friendly and Derek and Mike basically telling him to get lost, going to the Leprechaun museum, falling in love with Ireland and everyone in it.

Thank you Dublin.