We'll be in Dingle, Ennis, An Spiddal and Kilrush for 10 days, with a 13-yr-old fiddler. I am aware of the laws about minors in pubs, and the fact that sessions often start after the 9:00 deadline for minors in pubs.
Does anyone know of any venues in those areas that host sessions that start earlier, might overlook a mature-looking teenager, or aren't held in pubs?
Many thanks,
June
It's Ireland, so the law is more of a suggestion. He'll be grand, especially if he is playing music. In fact, he will be very welcome.
We once enjoyed an entire night's trad session in Donegal Town presented by a quintet comprised of four kids under the age of 13 and one adult. In a Castlebar pub, two sixteen year olds were the night's performers. In a pub in Mulraney, Co. Mayo, quite a few accompanied children of all ages were present for the session, which began after 9 pm.
Whatever the laws, perhaps they're just ignored or left up to local interpretation. But Marcus is from Ireland, so I'd go with his advice.
This pub owner is a musician. I'd email him about your 13 year old fiddler and ask about afternoon trad music sessions. http://www.dingle-peninsula.ie/attractions-on-the-dingle-peninsula-co-kerry/indoor-attractions/music/item/live-irish-music-sessions-john-benny-s-pub-dingle.html
I'll lay good odds he or his wife will be able to answer your question.
Slainte
Thanks for the responses, everyone. Very helpful indeed.
I will contact the person Claudia recommended, and get the word straight from the horse's mouth.
Best,
June
I was in one pub where a teenage girl with her mother was obviously very interested in the music. Eventually, she was able to get a seat near the musicians and spoke to them and in a few minutes was playing her whistle along with them. So it does happen. She was drinking something non-alcoholic.
In another, a family was listening after 9:00 with their young daughter and no one seemed to mind. The singer even directed a few jokes her way.
These pubs were in different towns than you plan to visit, but I got the impression that minors with their parents aren't a problem. I did see a few minors turned away from pubs/clubs featuring more modern music where there was more of a party atmosphere, and I suspect they were trying to get in to drink.
I was in Ireland last week, and I was worried about this same thing with my 16 year old, but it turns out I was worried for nothing. We visited a number of pubs in Dingle and other places, and we never had a problem. There were usually much younger children in attendance as well.
