Memorial concert for legendary publicans

Two legendary publicans who died within days of each other just a year ago this week will be commemorated in a unique concert at the Salthill Hotel on Sunday which will feature top Galway musicians including Seán Keane, Máirtín O’Connor, Seán Tyrrell and Treasa Ní Cheannabháin.

Paddy Connors and Seamus Mulligan first met in the Castle Bar in Salthill in 1968 and established a friendship that lasted until their death.

In the course of their careers they brought their own brand of anarchic conviviality to some of Galway’s best-known hostelries. Between them, throughout their careers, they worked in the Castle, the Atlanta, Clogs, Taylor’s and the Westside Tavern. But it was in the Crane in the 1970s that they first made their mark on the town.

Irish music, which had been in danger of dying out, was enjoying a resurgence at this time, and Séamus and Paddy played a major role in its revival in Galway.

Fans of traditional music came from all over the world to Ireland to hear Irish music and, in Galway the Crane was the place to visit.

The Crane Bar had exploded on to the Galway scene and become a key part of the city’s identity. It was wild, anarchic and wonderful. Its extraordinary success was due to the imagination and passion of Paddy Connors and Seamus Mulligan, and the music which they loved and promoted.

Many of the musicians who played in the Crane back then will be in the Salthill Hotel on May 10 to remember these great men.

Those taking part include Seán Keane, Máirtín O’Connor, Garry O’Briain, Brendan O’Regan and Jimmy

Higgins, Seán Tyrell, Mary McPartlan, Róisín Elsafty, Treasa Ní Cheannabháin, the Giblin family, Lena Ullman and Johnny Moynihan, Seán Ryan and the Crane Bar Sunday Sessions, Mick Crehan and Greg Cotter, Martin Murphy, Johnny O’Halloran and Ailbhe Ó Monacháin, Johnny Finn and Charlie Harris.

Proceeds from the event go to the Mikey Carty fund. Fourteen-year-old Mikey is the son of Gerry Carty, who is well known in music circles. He has Muscular Dystrophy, which means he is wheelchair bound, but he is as smart and witty as any boy of his age.

Tickets at €15 from the Crane Bar, Taaffe’s Bar, Tí Chóilí, and the Salthill Hotel. All enquiries to 087 2245667.