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.
