Matt Molloy's, Westport, Ireland. Is it the GREATEST IRISH MUSIC PUB in the world?
We're in Westport in County Mayo and visiting one of the most important pubs in Ireland for Irish Traditional Music. The famous Matt Molloy’s on Bridge Street.
A lot of work goes into these videos. You can now buy me a pint as a means of appreciation for my work on Naked Ireland, no obligation, obviously - only if you can afford it... I appreciate it. Cheers.
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But in fact, we’re gonna have a quick look around the back first before we enter where the real action is. First we visit Matt Molloy’s back yard and take a quick look inside revealing a bar with a bit more space with a relatively young crowd. If this were a summers night the yard would be full, but we’re visiting at the end of October.
We go back down the alley.and into the main pub via the front entrance.
On entry, you’ll see that the place is jam packed and the “craic is 90” as we say in Ireland. Everyone’s out enjoying themselves. Not so many tourists at this time of the year, so you can imagine how rammed this place would be in tourist season. You’ll note that there’s lots of interesting memorabilia on the walls relating to traditional music, but under the circumstances it’s difficult to see in a full pub. A visit during the day when it’s quieter would be an interesting experience.
I fought my way to the bar regardless and got a drink and then I moved stealthy towards the back of the pub where the music is played. There’s a wide range of ages from people in their 20’s to everything above. It’s nice to see that I think. The section at the back of the original bar before we arrive at the back yard again is where it all happens.
Matt Molloy’s is owned by, surprisingly, Matt Molloy, but for those unacquainted with Irish music he’s no ordinary pub owner. Matt has belonged to no less that 3 legendary Irish groups. First, the Bothy Band in the 1970’s then the re-founded Planxty, before joining The Chieftains in 1979. He is considered one of Ireland’s greatest traditional flautists and I think it’s fair to say that the people he has performed alongside in his illustrious career is a veritable who’s who of Irish musicians.
The music on the night I visited unfortunately was not the best I’d have to say, but that’s an Irish seisiún for you, you don’t know who is going to turn up to play, and if the music isn’t great, hang around for another pint and maybe some amazing musician will join in - perhaps even Matt himself.
This pub is considered to be an Irish Traditional music hot spot offering Irish traditional music 7 nights a week - great craic altogether.
Пікірлер: 43
Great crack greetings from Scotland 🏴
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching.
We were there in May. Matt was there too, playing. The music, dancing and singing was incredible! (in such a small space) There had been a student music competition in Westport and a large number of students arrived in the pub to play. I believe the total musician count playing at the same time was 16!! One of our trip highlights.❤
@nakedireland
Ай бұрын
That sounds amazing. The music certainly wasn’t as good the night I filmed, but that’s the way it goes. Anyway, so glad you struck lucky.
I was in this pub 15 years ago it's a cracking wee pub and would recommend it to anyone who is passing through, great wee video which I'm watching whilst travelling on the bus heading to Cairnryan for my ferry to the beautiful Emerald Isle ☘️
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Ah brilliant Dan, welcome to Ireland.
June 2003. Stepped inside for a moment. Packed and smoke filled. Wife couldn’t tolerate it. Went to JJ O’Malley’s instead. Had a good time there but someday will be back to hoist a pint in Molloy’s!
@nakedireland
Ай бұрын
Yes, it's a fine pint hoisting venue Timothy!
Thanks Rob
Saw Planxty in ‘74 and visited Matt Molloy’s in ‘92…
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Might be time for another visit soon Paul?
A few whisky's down me lol.Back in Belfast the family used to get together singing and playing instruments.A cousin of the Family played the fiddle and cousins were in the band Katmandu in Belfast.
I saw that Guinness sign drawing you in like a magnet 😆I spied the bottle of Jameson's on the bar shelf, I have one of them here now (the closest I get to my spiritual home these day). For me, it’s too crowded, but I can see it’s a grand place. The music had me tapped my foot 😁. I wonder if Shane MacGowan ever performed there, sad to see his passing today.
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
I hadn’t heard about Shane MacGowan. Thanks for letting me know. That’s sad.
@WelshRob1964
8 ай бұрын
@@nakedireland Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Great video, keep them coming 👍
i visited the Porterhouse june 2022 for a Pint O'plain . i liked the porterhouse pub
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Yes I’ve been there too, nice pub.
@jeffm5808
8 ай бұрын
@@nakedireland my one reason for going is a Utah based singer/songwriter i like wrote a song about the porterhouse . And when i was planning out route around the island i added westport and porterhouse as a stop.
Usually packed and uncomfortable at the weekend's. Im not a big fan of the trad but i love the Tuesday night session in the back bar. The After Eights are unbelievable. Its like a mini festival evry week. Never seen a band like them!
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
That’s a good tip! Tuesday nights, I’ll remember that.
I've been waiting all week for this one Greg! That was great! You were right about the tunes, abit tame. I was introduced to Matt in Kenmare , back in '81. It was in a restaurant called the Pantry. It was my 21st birthday and the owners Flick and Flan did it as a treat! My favourite album of Matt's is the Heathery Breeze. Do you play any traditional instruments yourself , Greg? Poor Shane . He had a hard life. I hope he's at peace.
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Thanks Des, yes a great wee pub, glad you enjoyed it. I play guitar but composition is my main thing these days Des.
@doitatit
8 ай бұрын
Is that you playing the guitar as you walk around?
@doitatit
8 ай бұрын
Just as I’m thinking about it, the music that runs through all the shows, is that your own composition?
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Yes, I'm a composer, it's all my music Des, for better or for worse!
@doitatit
8 ай бұрын
Excellent!! I like it!! It works great with the whole story being told. And when I first started watching, I found it a bit edgy, haunting. Like the urban landscapes of your videos. Puts a professional polish to your show. Excellent!
You seem to enjoy it in the West, we may have to adopt you, Westport's quite the Tourist trap all year round, have you been to Belmullet at all? Due to it being isolated on the Mullet Peninsula from rest of Mayo it has a very Authentic Mayo Identity
@nakedireland
3 ай бұрын
I didn’t know that. Perhaps I should go there.
@eddiestaunton514
3 ай бұрын
@@nakedireland Has a bit more wildness to it down there, that's one thing as a Paddy that really puts me off Belfast pubs, they have bouncers on the door waiting for an excuse to kick anyone out they don't like the look of whereas in South all comers are welcome
@nakedireland
3 ай бұрын
Well yes, in the city that's the case - but sure its the same in any city (Dublin).
@eddiestaunton514
3 ай бұрын
@@nakedireland True, just seems so Austere and Ruley up Yonder way, I'd never set foot inside a Bar with Bouncers on its door, could never handle the 3rd degree from them
@nakedireland
3 ай бұрын
yeah, but as I say, it’s not a Northern thing I don’t think. Dublin bars at the weekend are exactly the same - think of Templebar!
That’s as good a reason as any Jeff.
I've been to Matt Molloys pub on two rather brief occasions. I found it to be largely frequented by people who just wanted to be seen there. Most, I would say, had no more interest in traditional Irish music than my cat. Good luck to Matt, he's a serious musician, but the clientele largely comprises of the rather smug, self satisfied culture vultures that usually frequent the 'trendy' pubs of Ireland.
@nakedireland
8 ай бұрын
Well, lots of tourists usually go there, I’d say they’re interested in Irish music? They may not be that knowledgable, by their own admission, but nice to have them there. The locals who frequent? I couldn’t possibly comment not being local myself.
@TheLastAngryMan01
6 ай бұрын
@@nakedireland My dad is a Covey who works in hospitality, he tells me not many locals go to Matt's. Probably more likely to meet them somewhere like Cosey Joe's, the Porterhouse, the West, McCarthy's, Blousers etc. But each to their own, everyone's welcome ;)
@nakedireland
6 ай бұрын
I Imagine they're trying to escape the tourists?
@TheLastAngryMan01
6 ай бұрын
@nakedireland Maybe. There are also many blow-ins to this part of the West. I'm regarded as a "blow-in" and I'm the third generation to live in my town! Nowt as queer as folk.
@nakedireland
6 ай бұрын
Ha ha, a third generation blow-in! Classic!