Livinright

Very excited about our upcoming trip to Ireland. I have been wondering in general what our arrival time should be at pubs that feature music. Definitely would like to get seats. Ideally would like to get great seats!

However, I am especially concerned about timing for a music event at Bric's Pub, located in a small village on the north coast of Dingle. Unbeknownst to us, we are staying in Dingle for five nights and overlap with their annual music and arts festival. Meabh Ni Bheaglaoich, a featured artist, will be singing at Brics at 9pm on a Saturday night. It is a Gaelic concert, which has me very excited and, I have to believe others will be excited as well. Brics serves light fare and we would be happy to eat at the pub. What time should we arrive for this special evening? What time should we arrive in general at an Irish pub with entertainment? Once you have a seat are you welcome to linger?

We are a party of four and we can't wait!!!

welltraveledbrit

Ask the locals where you're staying if it's a b and B, a hotel or even self catering they'll have the best idea.
Your welcome to linger but remember the pub is there to sell drinks!

flanneruk

A concert in Irish is going to be about as exotic at a Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht pub as a concert in Yeehaw at Dollyland.

I'd be amazed if anyone on this board could predict the speed with which a session at a music festival in any small, remote village will fill up - never mind a festival of something as inherently spontaneous and unpredictable as Irish pub singing.

The best-informed person on the subject will be the pub landlord. If you pop in and ask him beforehand, his answer will push you towards arriving a bit earlier than is strictly necessary. This will expose your party to the awful prospect of sitting in a pub, surrounded by Irish music fans, for 30 mins or so longer than you really need to.

Is that really a fate you need to waste too much sleep trying to avoid? But there's a universal answer to <i>"Once you have a seat are you welcome to linger? "</i> throughout the British Isles.

As long as you keep drinking (and paying for it), of course

Livinright

Well, I've read this board for a long time and should have anticipated these replies! I will just do my best. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

catherinehaas

I will be more than happy to offer a suggestion rather than be rude...

Since you can eat and have a fairly good meal at most pubs, I would suggest a dinner and then the music. Now I have no idea what time the music will start and you might be able to judge that once you arrive. However, I can tell you that usually in Europe they eat dinner later (around 8pm), so I would not think that music will start much before 9pm. If you go for dinner, you should be there with enough time to get a good seat. I do not suspect that you will have to "fight" the locals for a seat but more the tourists...

Just my thoughts...

Southam

One of the charms of traditional music in pubs -- we're not talking Danny Boy or The Unicorn -- is that it has a spontaneous air to it. Performers gather in a wee corner and play what they like, as if satisfying themselves first. It reminds me of jazz jam sessions. Remember that pubs close up earlier than in North America, which affects the timing too. So yes, ask a local, and then relax and enjoy.

MontagueFamily

Hi there! firstly let me assure you that you are going to have a great time, ignore flanneruk, he is talking through his hat. His comments are at best rude, at worst inflammatory. I am from Dublin and have been to Dingle many times. The pubs in Dingle are all relatively small, so if you want a seat you will have to get there early and even then you may not get a seat. Generally how in works in Dingle, especially if there is a festival on, is that people will go to a pub, stay for a few drinks then move on to another pub, listening to different music as they go along. So even if you get there 2 hours before the music is due to start, you may run in to a group who are taking up the seats but will vacate them before the music starts. Its a bit like musical chairs, one minute there are none, then suddenly there are loads, but not for long!! If the gig is part of a music festival, you will be able to find out what time it starts at, if it is an informal session, it is likely to start a bit later i.e. 9 or 10pm. Be warned, you may get a seat but there will be plenty of people standing so forget about getting a good view, plus getting to the toilets could be a bit of an event! My advice is go with the flow, you will have a good time!
As for flanneruk, let me correct you on a view items:
1: I dont think the people of Dingle would agree with your view of it being a "remote village" comment
2: Being in an Irish pub surrounded by Irish people may be an awful prospect to you, but not for others, so dont spoil it for a genuine poster here.
3: Dingle is not in the British Isles
Your tone in your message is shocking, if you dont have something postive or constructive, keep your biggoted comments to yourself.

sueciv

Oh come on... Flanner isn't rude.. he is an amuzing curmudgeon.
Our "Oscar Wilde" character. Pundit.

Cathinjoetown

I'd go early and have dinner. In the year I lived in Ireland nothing ever started exactly on time but if it's a group you want to see, I wouldn't take any chances.

Montague, I agree with you, having been flamed by flanner a number of times. However, like or not and I expect not, Dingle is a part of the geographic British Isles.

bilboburgler

Much as Flanner can be a little unique (yes I know that doesn't make sense in English) he is normally right about a load of things as Cathin points out
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles

Livinright

Thank you all. Although we are renting a cottage, I'm sure we will have many opportunities to engage with the locals. Advice on pubs and the performance will be a great opener, I'm sure

I'm actually glad I submitted this post. I have never been to Ireland and hearing about the casual nature of the place makes it even very inviting. If possible, I look forward to the trip even more.

I leave on April 29th for two weeks. I will relax and enjoy (I love great advice!) and I will post back my pub experiences in a trip report!

Livinright

Excuse me, "very inviting" of course.

Itallian_Chauffer

The Pub appears to be in Balyferriter -- in Reisc, to be exact -- http://www.tigbhric.com/
Be sure to visit the nearby Monastic Ruins - they are WELL worth a look.

I've been at local sesiuns when we constituted 1/2 of the crowd AND I been to some where the crowd left little room for moving about! So, you should rely upon 'Feet On Ground' for ACURRATE info ...

FYI -- Music in pubs, as a general rule -- ALWAYS starts Late!


Bob

MontagueFamily

Ha ha as an Irishman I can assure you that Ireland is not a part of the British Isles, despite what wikipedia may say. I suggest you do more homework before making such an uneducated statement! You may find a link stating as much but I suggest that you shouldnt always believe what you read on the Internet and might want to question the source of the information. The people who died in the Easter 1916 rising are now turning in their grave at your statement!

MontagueFamily

You'll have a great time, be sure to go on a boat to see fungi the resident dolphin! If you need any more genuine Irish advice, shout!
Slainte

Cathinjoetown

Montague,

It's a geographic term NOT political. I could cut and paste many, mant links repeating the same thing.

MontagueFamily

Delighted to hear it Cathinjoetown, your technically and geographically correct as per many British empire maps but anyone with an ounce of common sense would never describe Kerry as part of the British isles. Now can we please change the subject as I doubt this meaningless chat is relevant to a visiting tourist!

Livinright

Right now I am positively dying to get over there and check out these ever changing pub scenes. LOL

Thank you for your kind suggestions. Much appreciated. I will be looking for Fungi, will make a point of seeing the Monastic Ruins, and when I get to the pubs, whether I am standing or sitting, I'll toast the fine and kind Fodor's contributors!

littlejane

Montaguefamily, I think Flanner's comments were a bit "tongue in cheek". No need to be so harsh.

Livinright

I would like to thank everyone whose intentions were clear, kind, and helpful. Especially Montaguefamily, Bob, Southam, Caherinehaas, and welltraveledbrit, for making this experience both positive and fun.

Now I have to get back to work!