IrishMJ

It's become a bit of a tradition in my house to go see Paddy Casey in Whelan's at Christmas.  Granted, these days, there's only me in my house, but that's a different story, so let's just ignore that!  It's always a packed house in Whelan's for this gig, and the crowd are always in fine form, just looking to sing along and party. Tonight was no different.  I got there early enough and managed to snag a free parking spot outside Whelan's.  As nights go, that was a great start.  I headed inside, sat myself down and ordered a drink  I find Whelan's a great place to people watch.  The pub was packed, what with Paddy playing the main venue, and the fantastic Kiera Dignam playing Opium Live  next door. Anyway, it was gig time, so off I headed in to the show.  If you go to enough gigs, you'll start to meet the same people, and, given that it's Christmas, everyone was in a chatty mood.  I made new friends, saw old friends and met some strange folk

It's the Christmas Holiday time, so that means two things!  Neil Delamere in the Moat Theatre , Naas and Paddy Casey in Whelan's Dublin! I've been coming to see Neil Delamere perform in the Moat Theatre since December 2013, so it's safe to say I'm a fan! So, what can I say about tonight's show?  Not a lot really.  It was funny, really funny, I laughed a lot and that's about it!  A perfect reason to get up off the couch after spending St. Stephens Day in a turkey induced coma!! Oh, if you are planning to catch him on his Irish tour, don't bring the kids!!!

I thought I was done with gigs for 2023, but events conspired to have me in Dublin tonight, so here I am, sitting in  Sin É , waiting on the rather good Insubs  to play. I've seen Insubs once before, a few years back, so it's about time I got to see the live again.  I've been following their socials, listening to their music and they've been getting better and better, so I was pretty sure I was in for a good show. I wasn't disappointed!  Whilst Sin É is not the largest venue going, it's size helps creat a great atmosphere and, when it's packed with plenty of Insubs fans (including me),  it could only ever be a fun time. So, would I recommend going to see them?  I most certainly would.  Will I be going to see them again, I most certainly will, but hopefully in a venue that doesn't use blue lights!

There is a certain level of understanding that the Irish people and the Irish Govt. have for the plight of the people of Palestine, we know what it is like to be fucked over by a more powerful nation.  With that in mind, it is no surprise that there is an incredible amount of support for Palestine and its people within Ireland.  Irish folk want to help, and the only ways we can do that is through financial support and pressuring our Govt. to keep calling for sanctions against the Govt. of Israel until they stop this maniacal genocide. Over the last couple of months, there have been endless amounts of fundraisers, marches and protests happening across our beautiful island.  Everything from cake sales, to concerts, to poetry recitals and much, much more.  Earlier in the year, Bohemians Football Club launched their 2023 away kit, in partnership with Palestine Sport for Life! Mxtr Malone Tonight it was the turn of Red Umbrella Film Festival .  Who are they? I hear you ask.  Well, let me p

It seems a little perverse going to a gig in support of the people of Palestine when they are being bombed into extinction, but yet, here I am. There is not much I can do to end the violence in Gaza and Israel.  It would appear to me that Israel has absolute carte blanche do do exactly whatever they want to Gaza and the Palestinian people, and very, very few countries will say a word about this. My government, the Irish government, whilst far from perfect, have at least stood in support of Palestine and condemned the actions of Israel and of Hamas. So, even though there is not much I can do, it's vital that we all do what little we can.  So here I am, on an absolutely freezing cold Thursday night, in Hen's Teeth, Dublin at Grooves for Gaza, a benefit gig in aid of the  Palestinian Children's Relief Fund that's been put together by Danny Groenland  and Rosa Parozci . On arrival, we were treated to some sweet sounds from the DJ, Rosa and, when her set ended, the live mu