The Write Stuff - Chapters Bookshop, Dublin

For all its well-publicised faults, social media does have some good points. For example, had Ciarán Moran not messaged me on Twitter eight years ago, I wouldn’t be standing here in Chapters Bookstore in Dublin, chatting with Brush Shiels.

That might sound strange, but for me it’s not. I’ve ended up at some incredible shows and met some incredible people through its power.

Tonight is a ticket-only, intimate affair in Chapters Bookstore on Parnell Street. Steve from The Write Stuff has organised a fantastic night of music, poetry and storytelling with some brilliant musicians, poets, artists and — well — legendary rockers.

Over the course of the evening, we had the brilliant Ciarán Moran treat us to a selection of his own work. If you know Ciarán, you’ll know just how powerful his words are.

Born and raised in the inner city, Ciarán is Dublin. He sings about issues close to his heart — issues that his people, his tribe, face. It’s a wonderful thing to behold.

Our MC for the night, Steve, is a poet. Did I know this beforehand? No — but I know now. Again, we heard a selection of his work: powerful, angry, loving work. The kind of poetry that comes from the heart, designed to hit you hard and make you feel.

Steve’s loving words about the wonderful Pat Ingoldsby brought back fond memories of Grafton Street when I was a student. His mention of Pat Tierney in another of his poems awakened memories of listening to him, chatting with him, and indeed buying one of his books of poetry — along with a cassette tape he released.

If you’re ever driving through South Africa, make sure to bring a briefcase and a Best of The Furies tape or CD. Why? Well, John O'Donnell took a trip there many years ago in his fancy suit and paisley tie, only to have his car break down. Somehow his shoes went missing, and no one seemed too interested in helping him get them back — or fix his car. Hardly surprising, considering this was the 1980s and apartheid was still ongoing. That was until John heard the distinctive sound of The Fureys emanating from the kitchen. Being a big fan, he started singing along. Not to one song — oh no — not even two, but three or more!

Before long he was fed, watered, had a mechanic called, and even had his shoes returned. The briefcase? That was used to hold the lunch he was kindly given for the journey!

What can I say about the man we were all here to see? Well, he played for Bohemian F.C. in the 1960s. With his band Skid Row, he played legendary venues like Fillmore West in San Francisco and the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. He even taught Phil Lynott everything there was to know about playing bass guitar. It’s the one and only Brush Shiels.

I quickly found out that when Brush starts to speak, you listen. Once he opened his mouth it was as if he never stopped for breath. He talked and talked and talked. Then he sang, and then talked some more — and we hung on his every word.

Pre-show I may have fanboyed a bit. I may even have quoted a few lines of Dublin City Girls to him. But was he fazed? Not at all. They say you should never meet your heroes. I met Brush, and it was everything I could have hoped for.

And that’s what can happen in just a couple of hours in a Dublin city bookstore on a wet Thursday night. It’s so important — no, it’s vital — to support the arts scene in Ireland. Nights like these give you music, poetry, stories, and memories you’ll carry home with you. Many thanks to Steve from The Write Stuff for having me along — hopefully we can do it again.

Now for some photos: