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An Irish pub is typically a home way from home. Generally speaking, it is a social watering hole, where people can meet old friends and make new friends, relax and have a drink to wash away the day, grab a snack or a nutritious and tasty yet inexpensive meal or simply sit and ponder on the meaning of life whilst listening to soft folk music in the background.
Physically speaking an Irish pub is a warm environment often with soft furnishings, dim lighting, a well stocked bar and many intimate areas referred to as snugs (cosy areas). Often you will find the walls brimming with pictures, historical facts and old advertisements, signs and Irish memorabilia. The shelves are usually overflowing with decorative and household items of yesteryear alongside more modern additions, quite frequently dusty and covered with cobwebs.
Yet the welcome is always friendly and the conversation, like the beer (Guinness) is on tap. Drink does play a very important role especially because Irish drinks are unlike any other. Guinness is UNIQUE, as is Bulmer's Cider, Baileys and Irish Whiskey and although many have attempted to reproduce similar drinks, all have been unsuccessful in measuring up to what are essentially fundamental Irish drinks. Pouring a Guinness for example is like watching an artist painstakingly paint a masterpiece, it is perfection in a glass. An Irish pub, like any other on the outside, is constructed of bricks and mortar but an authentic Irish pub is really all about what is on the inside i.e. the atmosphere.
'Céad míle fáilte' is an ancient Irish Gaelic saying which translates into English as "a hundred thousand welcomes' and it is practiced in every true Irish Pub throughout the world. An Irish pub is not simply a haven for Irish people, it is a known and trusted meeting point for all nationalities an every country worldwide. Visitors to foreign countries frequently attempt to source an Irish pub purely because they know that as soon as they step through the door, they are welcome irrespective of their colour, creed or religious beliefs and that they immediately receive any assistance or advice that they require.
Many people that visit an Irish pub for the 1st time, will ask 'why is there so much information on the walls about Irish history?'. The answer to this is simple, Ireland is a small island nation that throughout it's chequered past has fought off many invaders and conquerors to become what it is today, which is a prosperous and thriving country and of this, we are proud. Another frequently asked question is 'why is so much of what is written anti-English?'. In truth, what is written often appears to be anti-English but is merely the cold hard facts of events that happened during the occupation of Ireland by the English from the 1100's through to the Declaration of Independence in 1922.
Irish pubs are not only about the alcohol (contrary to common belief) although the mere fact that they offer such a vast range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages reflects their multi-cultural acceptance. Alcohol does play a big part in an Irish pubs success but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Irish pubs also offer a general sense of safety and security. The staff are often well trained and knowledgeable, talkative yet respectful of your privacy. Most Irish pubs will offer many social/community based events and gatherings like book clubs, dance classes and Ceili's (Irish Social dances for groups of people), sports groups and teams for both spectators and participants alike and of course, the all important music events.
Music plays a huge part in the basis for an Irish pub. Mainly Irish folk and traditional songs and ballads will be played on the stereo or radio but these will often be mixed in with more modern Irish artists and bands hits and popular music. However, live music is an integral part of any Irish pubs make-up. Entertainers are often booked to play music of various types and genres to add to the craic (having a good time). Some musicians would often play solo others would be in a band but they are almost always naturally talented. From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend, and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs. After being conquered by the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history. Today, traditional Irish bands like The Chieftains, The Clancy Brothers, and The Dubliners are gaining worldwide popularity. Their music is produced with instruments that have been used for centuries, including the fiddle, the uilleann pipes (a sort of elaborate bagpipe), the tin whistle (a sort of flute that is actually made of nickel-silver, brass, or aluminum), and the bodhran (an ancient type of frame drum that was traditionally used in warfare rather than music).
An Irish musician often learns to play his or her instrument by watching and listening to his or her parents or grandparents and the instrument itself is handed down through the generations like a faithful friend because it is. They perfect their art by continuous practice not because they want to necessarily improve their performance but because they enjoy what they do and want other people to share in this. A true Irish musician will play happily to an audience of many hundreds or to the barman/woman alone of that is all that is present. Another typical aspect of an Irish pub in relation to it's music, is that artists and musicians will often bring along their instruments and play for 'a pint", acoustically and totally unprovoked. Another more modern music event that is offered more and more by Irish pubs is Karaoke. Irish people by nature are singers and the chance to sing socially is always grabbed, either by singing with the playing musician, at Karaoke or with a sing-song at the end of the evening.
The sense of community is rife in an Irish pub. The first time that you enter an Irish pub you are initially a stranger but after a couple of minutes and a brief conversation, you become a friend. No-one is alone in an Irish pub, you may come into the pub alone but you will never be lonely or stuck for someone to talk to. An old saying is that a problem shared is a problem halved and this is very true if you have ever spent any time in an Irish pub. Almost everyone will lend you and ear, a shoulder to cry on, advice and physical help. "How do I' is often answered by 'well, I would.' , 'where can I' is often answered by ' You can get.' and 'I'm moving house next Friday' is often answered by ' can I give you a hand.'
A question on most people's lips is ' is there really no conflict in Ireland now over religion and is this an issue in an Irish pub?'. The answer to this question is this, There is a ceasefire in place to abstain from violence over religion and land. It is quite safe to visit Ireland but like all parts of the world there is always an element to extremism but that is very much confined to politics these days. There was never really any real trouble in the Republic of Ireland, it was generally confined to Northern Ireland and the UK but for some years now, since the ceasefire this has failed to be an issue and both the Catholics and Protestants live together in moderate harmony. Religion is not the only or indeed, the dominant topic of conversation on every Irishman or woman's lips. In most cases, the topic is rarely discussed or when it is, sides simply agree to disagree or make a conscious decision to never discuss it at all.
When an Irish pub is located outside of Ireland, many of the locals like to visit to experience the culture and to practice speaking another language. Many guests will prefer not to use their native or 1st language when visiting.
In summary, no 1 thing can indicate what makes an Irish pub, it's a blend of many things, that when everything is in the correct balance makes for a truly pleasant and worthwhile experience every time you visit an Irish pub, that will leave you wanting to come again and again and again.
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