A group of us are planning a summer trip to Ireland- but this group includes about 1/2 children under 18 . We're debating whether to split into two trips - adults with kids, and adults alone, partly because we're concerned about the new law. Is the law being enforced? Any ways to get kids to sessions (they all play) , which is one of the points of the trip of course? My preference is that we all go together ( as I have friends in both groups) , but also don't want to get stuck at home and out of sessions . Ideas? Jennifer
I would guess most landlords are going to be careful as they could get closed down (so the theory has it).
It's a crazy law, particularly as most sessions don't get started until 9.30-10.00pm.
What you could do is rent a cottage, meet up with the local musicians and get them to come back for a house session - a crate of beer or so will help the proceedings flow along well.
Alternatively look into the festivals, they normally have all sorts of impromptu sessions at all times of the day and the demon drink is just a beer tent away.
concertina player, you mentioned the festivals - remembering all the kids there (some of them about 10 to 12 years old) playing in sessions I can´t imagine how this law will be enforced...
and teens under (but almost) 18 will not kept outside the pubs more then it was before (mostly by lack of money after few pints). I will bring my youngest (now 7) in pubs while travelling in Ireland - she loves the atmosphere of sessions and soaks it up. she did so when she was 3 (and that time sometimes she fell asleep...)
lets see if there is a difference of how the law is enforced during holiday time...
I think it really depends on where you go for the session. Obviously the "tourist" pubs will be under the spotlight and therefore more likely to enforce the law - or have the law enforced upon them.
However, as anyone will tell you, some of the best sessions are relatively unpublicised affairs, unlikely to start before 11pm and where the landlord pays as much regard to that draconian law as he does another one - serving drinks after time!
I've had no problem taking my 3 girls into many pubs and allowing them to play and I've seen plenty of gifted youngsters playing in pubs too. It's just a case of asking some of the locals and finding the right environment.
Anyway, I could never consider separating myself from the girls, they'd do something which presents a far greater danger than sitting in a pub - shopping - ouch!!
Good point Gary - and with all that I realised how silly I was to jump into a discussion with only half the information (and maybe mixing up different laws).
1. on January 1. smoking is banned in pubs in ireland.
2. irish government proposals say serving alcoholic beverages to minors means close down of a pub. afaik no decision yet...
so Jenthur, bring your children to the pubs as long as you don´t feed them with alcohol ... and thats not much different to how it was before (except of some 14 to 17 kids who might be p+ssed off getting no stout from the tap anymore... )
If you make it to the Willie Clancy week in Miltown Malbay I'm sure there'll be no problem. The Gardaí would have to close down almost every pub and hotel in town, thereby inciting the wrath of a few hundred thousand festival goers. The Fleadh Cheoil would be even better as there is more chance of an outdoor session. These used to be commonplace in Miltown but have been sadly lacking in recent years.
Conán
P.S. Kids, give me a tenner and I'll buy you a pint!!!
The smoking ban comes in on 29th Jan 2004 (not a day too soon). At present under the new law Children under 18 are not allowed in licences premisses after 9.00pm Children over 18 and under 20 MUST have ID with them. Some sessions are starting earlier. One in Sixmilebridge Co.Clare McGregors pub Sunday 6.30pm until 9.00pm run specifically for children (adults are encouraged to join in) then another starting at 9.30pm for adults. I Haven't seen the law on children being enforced yet but come summertime and the tourist season, who knows what will happen. I agree the law on children hasn't been thought out very well, but the Government is very concerned about underage drinking and alcoholism ( a serious problem here). This shouldn't apply in sessions where the kids are usually supervised by a parent, but you can't have one law for one pub and another for a different one, it becomes impossible to police.
There's never been anything like a hundred thousand at the Willie Week - taking out the hundred would be more accurate. You've been seeing more than double, Conan !
Fifty (or perhaps five) persistent, unhappy, organized, Irishmen might indeed seem like a "few hundred thousand". I know for a fact it works that way with Irish women.
Yeah Kenny on reflection you're right! Maybe over the years there's been that many; I was on the old loony juice last time I was there. In fact one brilliant year there were ten of us staying in a B&B behind the Archway where we would regularly have a large whiskey straight after breakfast and then stagger down to Marrinan's for the first session of the day. Ahhh memories....
u should be allright. i'm 17 at the min and doing at least 3 gigs a week.- even still. i was doing the carrick fleadh here in donegal when at 3 in the morn the garda came in to get us to go home, i started playing the jaw's theme music followed by brams lullaby - i wasn't arrested and the pub wasn't shut down so i think we're safe enough! also Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh of altan had her new baby girl down at the Cúl a Duin and apparently that went off grand too!
Bernie - enjoy your session with half the musicians missing on 29th january!
Underage drinking a problem? It certainly wasn't when I was 15!!
On the subject - I would encourage kids to play the music whenever possible BUT I am not keen on seeing small kids in pubs in the evening and become slightly annoyed when I see 12 and 13 year olds still in the pub at 1 in the morning.
I have four of my own and would not have them in a pub after 9.00 at night.
breandan:
Whatever makes you think there will be half the session members missing ?? The two who smoke in our session of 8 - 10 regular members I credit with a little more sense than that. Anyone who refuses to play in a session where they can't smoke or for that matter where other people smoke aren't worth having there, they obliously don't have enough interest in the music. I can't see why smokers can't nip outside for a fix they can't smoke while they are playing anyway and after all people manage to go to the toilet several times in the night can't they get their fix then?
As for kids in the pub I don't have any problem with that if they are supervised, the session is the best place to learn the music. By the way my 3 kids are all grown up and flown the nest years ago.
HI-
I'm 17 and just went to Ireland this pas summer. I played in many pubs and there was no problem whatsoever. I didn't stay out in them very late, probably 11:30 at the latest. Hope this helps, and have a brilliant time!
I grew up in pub sessions sleeping under tables and stuff and it didnt affect me badly. If anything its made me very passionate about the tunes & very comfortable in a sessions. Ive no problems with kids being in sessions especially if they are playing the tunes and Ive no problem with the way I was brought up. And I never, ever drank when I was a teenager.
Children in Pubs
Children in Pubs
A group of us are planning a summer trip to Ireland- but this group includes about 1/2 children under 18 . We're debating whether to split into two trips - adults with kids, and adults alone, partly because we're concerned about the new law. Is the law being enforced? Any ways to get kids to sessions (they all play) , which is one of the points of the trip of course? My preference is that we all go together ( as I have friends in both groups) , but also don't want to get stuck at home and out of sessions . Ideas? Jennifer
# Posted on October 27th 2003 by Jenthur
Re: Children in Pubs
I would guess most landlords are going to be careful as they could get closed down (so the theory has it).
It's a crazy law, particularly as most sessions don't get started until 9.30-10.00pm.
What you could do is rent a cottage, meet up with the local musicians and get them to come back for a house session - a crate of beer or so will help the proceedings flow along well.
Alternatively look into the festivals, they normally have all sorts of impromptu sessions at all times of the day and the demon drink is just a beer tent away.
# Posted on October 27th 2003 by Concertina Player
Re: Children in Pubs
concertina player, you mentioned the festivals - remembering all the kids there (some of them about 10 to 12 years old) playing in sessions I can´t imagine how this law will be enforced...
and teens under (but almost) 18 will not kept outside the pubs more then it was before (mostly by lack of money after few pints). I will bring my youngest (now 7) in pubs while travelling in Ireland - she loves the atmosphere of sessions and soaks it up. she did so when she was 3 (and that time sometimes she fell asleep...)
lets see if there is a difference of how the law is enforced during holiday time...
# Posted on October 27th 2003 by crannog
Re: Children in Pubs
Jennifer,
I think it really depends on where you go for the session. Obviously the "tourist" pubs will be under the spotlight and therefore more likely to enforce the law - or have the law enforced upon them.
However, as anyone will tell you, some of the best sessions are relatively unpublicised affairs, unlikely to start before 11pm and where the landlord pays as much regard to that draconian law as he does another one - serving drinks after time!
I've had no problem taking my 3 girls into many pubs and allowing them to play and I've seen plenty of gifted youngsters playing in pubs too. It's just a case of asking some of the locals and finding the right environment.
Anyway, I could never consider separating myself from the girls, they'd do something which presents a far greater danger than sitting in a pub - shopping - ouch!!
# Posted on October 27th 2003 by mikemcdaid
Re: Children in Pubs
Could somebody please explain clearly what this new law is? To someone out of the loop, this discussion appears to have started in the middle.
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by GaryAMartin
Re: Children in Pubs
Good point Gary - and with all that I realised how silly I was to jump into a discussion with only half the information (and maybe mixing up different laws).
1. on January 1. smoking is banned in pubs in ireland.
2. irish government proposals say serving alcoholic beverages to minors means close down of a pub. afaik no decision yet...
(http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2000/05/10/current/ipage_28.htm)
so Jenthur, bring your children to the pubs as long as you don´t feed them with alcohol ... and thats not much different to how it was before (except of some 14 to 17 kids who might be p+ssed off getting no stout from the tap anymore... )
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by crannog
Re: Children in Pubs
If you make it to the Willie Clancy week in Miltown Malbay I'm sure there'll be no problem. The Gardaí would have to close down almost every pub and hotel in town, thereby inciting the wrath of a few hundred thousand festival goers. The Fleadh Cheoil would be even better as there is more chance of an outdoor session. These used to be commonplace in Miltown but have been sadly lacking in recent years.
Conán
P.S. Kids, give me a tenner and I'll buy you a pint!!!
P.P.S. .... a mere jest.
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Children in Pubs
The smoking ban comes in on 29th Jan 2004 (not a day too soon). At present under the new law Children under 18 are not allowed in licences premisses after 9.00pm Children over 18 and under 20 MUST have ID with them. Some sessions are starting earlier. One in Sixmilebridge Co.Clare McGregors pub Sunday 6.30pm until 9.00pm run specifically for children (adults are encouraged to join in) then another starting at 9.30pm for adults. I Haven't seen the law on children being enforced yet but come summertime and the tourist season, who knows what will happen. I agree the law on children hasn't been thought out very well, but the Government is very concerned about underage drinking and alcoholism ( a serious problem here). This shouldn't apply in sessions where the kids are usually supervised by a parent, but you can't have one law for one pub and another for a different one, it becomes impossible to police.
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Bernie
Re: Children in Pubs
There's never been anything like a hundred thousand at the Willie Week - taking out the hundred would be more accurate. You've been seeing more than double, Conan !
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Kenny
Re: Children in Pubs
p.s - what were you drinking ?
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Kenny
Re: Children in Pubs
Fifty (or perhaps five) persistent, unhappy, organized, Irishmen might indeed seem like a "few hundred thousand". I know for a fact it works that way with Irish women.
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Stevie C
Re: Children in Pubs
Yeah Kenny on reflection you're right! Maybe over the years there's been that many; I was on the old loony juice last time I was there. In fact one brilliant year there were ten of us staying in a B&B behind the Archway where we would regularly have a large whiskey straight after breakfast and then stagger down to Marrinan's for the first session of the day. Ahhh memories....
Conán
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Children in Pubs
u should be allright. i'm 17 at the min and doing at least 3 gigs a week.- even still. i was doing the carrick fleadh here in donegal when at 3 in the morn the garda came in to get us to go home, i started playing the jaw's theme music followed by brams lullaby - i wasn't arrested and the pub wasn't shut down so i think we're safe enough! also Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh of altan had her new baby girl down at the Cúl a Duin and apparently that went off grand too!
# Posted on October 28th 2003 by martin t
Re: Children in Pubs
Bernie - enjoy your session with half the musicians missing on 29th january!
Underage drinking a problem? It certainly wasn't when I was 15!!
On the subject - I would encourage kids to play the music whenever possible BUT I am not keen on seeing small kids in pubs in the evening and become slightly annoyed when I see 12 and 13 year olds still in the pub at 1 in the morning.
I have four of my own and would not have them in a pub after 9.00 at night.
# Posted on October 29th 2003 by breandan
Re: Children in Pubs
breandan:
Whatever makes you think there will be half the session members missing ?? The two who smoke in our session of 8 - 10 regular members I credit with a little more sense than that. Anyone who refuses to play in a session where they can't smoke or for that matter where other people smoke aren't worth having there, they obliously don't have enough interest in the music. I can't see why smokers can't nip outside for a fix they can't smoke while they are playing anyway and after all people manage to go to the toilet several times in the night can't they get their fix then?
As for kids in the pub I don't have any problem with that if they are supervised, the session is the best place to learn the music. By the way my 3 kids are all grown up and flown the nest years ago.
# Posted on October 31st 2003 by Bernie
Re: Children in Pubs
HI-
I'm 17 and just went to Ireland this pas summer. I played in many pubs and there was no problem whatsoever. I didn't stay out in them very late, probably 11:30 at the latest. Hope this helps, and have a brilliant time!
# Posted on November 6th 2003 by Kallie
ps. i recommend willie clancy week too. i did see some children in the pubs at night playing and it seemed as if there wasnt a problem.
# Posted on November 6th 2003 by Kallie
Re: Children in Pubs
I grew up in pub sessions sleeping under tables and stuff and it didnt affect me badly. If anything its made me very passionate about the tunes & very comfortable in a sessions. Ive no problems with kids being in sessions especially if they are playing the tunes and Ive no problem with the way I was brought up. And I never, ever drank when I was a teenager.
# Posted on November 6th 2003 by bb
Re: Children in Pubs
But is making up for that now. *grin*
# Posted on November 6th 2003 by Zina Lee