April Fools! hahahahahaha.... pretty funny huh, no one would ever believe it. Wow, imagine what would happen if they ever decided to actually try it there. hahahaha... no way!
It's to be highly recommended. The atmosphere at this week's Tuesday and Wednesday night sessions in Monkstown was brilliant - even the smokers had to admit that it's a big improvement. My advice to you is wherever you are "smash the ashtrays" and see what a difference it will make!
I've just been watching "This Week" on BBC One when a rather incoherent Shane McGowan was attempting to discuss this issue with Janet Street Porter, Michael Portillo and Diane Abbott. The jist of his argument was that the new law would ultimately be uninforceable as the overall community was against the legislation. However, I'd be inclined to disagree and believe that the smokers will get used to the idea just like in New York.
Re the interview with Shane. In some ways, I felt that it was a shame to expose him in this way on the program. You could detect the barely concealed "smug grins" on the faces of the other participants.
I guess getting less music depends on whether they're musicians who smoke or smokers who play music. Is their primary reason for coming out to smoke with their friends or play music with them.
And, really, if someone put their smoking ahead of their music is it likely that they're really be that good that you couldn't do without them?
The 5 string banjo player who normally sits next to me at the session is a heavy smoker and I thought I would finally be able to throw away the ear plugs when he was driven outside for smokes but, no, he informs us he is going to take up smoking herbal
cigarettes, which I have been told are vile smelling. What is a poor flute player to do. The pub owner where our session takes place went around last Saturday night taking photographs of all the smokers for posterity.
I learned to play the bodhran so I'd have something to do when I didn't know very many tunes. I learned to smoke so I could roll ciggies in order to avoid playing the bodhran too much. I suppose that if I was just taking up playing ITM now, the only option left would be to become a drunk.
Herbal ciggies? hmmm... around here they always had to go outside to smoke those. When they all came back in the music seemed kind of different too. Then they'd all get thirsty and go for some coke. That always seemed to wake them up a bit... sometimes a little to much though IMHO.
Just back from usual Saturday night session and it was my first time in the pub since smoking ban. It was very, very strange.
Clean air. I found I could play the flute very freely tonight and my cloths don't smell of smoke. There was one drawback however. Our session is just in front of the door and the constant traffic in and out by smokers was very distracting. I also found the pub very noisy tonight with talkers. Perhaps they are all smokers who now have nothing to do but talk . And my 5 stringed banjo friend did not smoke any herbals . However if they're Jack's kind of herbals sure I might be tempted myself.
Was also in an old pub in Sligo Town today, Hardogans. Its a real old fashioned, dark place and it felt strange not to have an aura of smoke hanging around the place.
Oh yeah...what about cloves, for instance? I love the smell of them (and it's kind of... interesting kissing someone who smokes cloves), but I suppose smoke is smoke...and I've always heard that cloves are actually worse for you than the tobacco...
The Irony about the smoking ban is that the air in the Pub used to be smokey, and outside to the door it was clear. Now it's the other way around. There's also a new use for those cardboard coasters; they come in handy for putting over your pint whilst you're out for a smoke.
I do enjoy the clean air in the pubs since the ban here in SF, your clothes and such not stinking, and it's healthier for us fluters. But at the same time, there was something nice about making rollies and puffing away between tunes.
One guitar player at our session rolled a ciggie while someone was playing tunes on Saturday night and got jumped on. I felt sorry for him as he was only rolling it prior to going outside.
I think there is a need for tolerance here and all of the heavy smokers from our session abided by the law and went outside on a cold wet Leitrim night, so fair play to them. And Jack, I agree, I'm glad there's no more smoking but I found the Saturday night experience very strange without all the smoke but we'll get used to it. One thing surprised me I didn't expect to find too many people in the pub on Saturday but it was wedged (as we say here) and I am wondering if these were all people who didn't come before because of the smoky atmosphere. So to all of you smokers, thanks for abiding by the law and its not easy for you and I am for one am very grateful to you all .
d
no, he was a guitar player and not a great one but it still wasn't fair. After all you can't be expected to roll your own outside in the rain as well as smoke them. Just back from a session on Sunday night in Cryans of Carrick on Shannon. They have painted the place to celebrate the smoking ban and it looks and smells great. Our bouzouki player tonight kept asking for a pint of guinness with a bit of ash in it!
Funny you should mention a session in Carrick on Shannon. I was there one time wandering the streets listening at the front doors of pubs to see where there might be ITM wafting out with the ciggie smoke. After a short time the Guarda pulled up and started interrogating me -- seems they thought I might be some sort of terrorist, or mad bomber or something. You can't blame them really, after all, I look kind of like one I suppose. *shrug* And the odd-looking homemade concertina/flute instrument case raised suspicion too I'm sure. Once they heard my accent and explanation they breathed a sigh of relief and pointed me to the road out of town that led towards Anderson's Thatched Cabin (I think that was the name of it.) But now that I find out there's a session in town, I can see they really just wanted me out of town all together.
Jack,
you definitely didn't end up in the best place for ITM. Cryans is the only place in Carrick for ITM. In fact it won the ITM pub award last year and the owners just love Irish Music. There are sessions there quite a few nights. Friday is "bluegrass" night but with a bit of ITM thrown in. Next time definitely give us a look in and don't mind the gardai. Had a look at your webpage and you look quite normal for this part of the country!!
cheers
deirdre
Hey Jack--check this out!
I just went to have a look at your website as well, and before it let me get on, I got one of those "security" things that said, "Warning! Homeland Security May Be Watching You! The FBI Has Developed Software That Can See Anywhere You Go On This Website!"
I didn't realize you were such a threat to national security, Jack--I guess that means I am too by association?
Yeah Jack maybe thats why the Gardai were checking you out in Carrick. WE have a guard called Robocop (motor cop) and he was probably told to watch out for you. Now there're probably be a raid on my country cottage to see if my dogs are a security threat.
d
Well, I wasn't sure if it was a wind up or not. I did feel a little uneasy with the eyes following me around. Last week, I even bought a new PC but not for that reason. :>))
Because of my aunt working with Homeland Security and because of my father working in the government (for the US Assay office with a very high security rating) almost all my life, I'm fairly sure there's a file out there somewhere with my name on it and I rather assume they keep a tab on me, though probably not very closely -- not as closely as, say, a friend of mine who is a real live rocket scientist. I don't worry about it too much.
Jack is Webmaster of his own domain, and there's nothing official about those eyes... or the warning. *smirk* I have received a couple of urgent emails from friends alerting me to the warning, but they didn't connect the eyes to it in order to complete the sight-gag. One of them, after she greeted me with a big hug, punched me in the stomach for fooling her. Some people have complained, but they're usually right-wingers, so I see the value in the whole thing to be that it filters out unwanted right-wingers.
No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
April Fools! hahahahahaha.... pretty funny huh, no one would ever believe it. Wow, imagine what would happen if they ever decided to actually try it there. hahahaha... no way!
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
It's to be highly recommended. The atmosphere at this week's Tuesday and Wednesday night sessions in Monkstown was brilliant - even the smokers had to admit that it's a big improvement. My advice to you is wherever you are "smash the ashtrays" and see what a difference it will make!
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Bannerman
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
It's a huge difference. Any Dublin pub I've been in since Monday smells so nice and fresh! And I'm a smoker!
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Darragh
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
I live in Ireland, and smokers can still smoke in the bars up here. It's just in the free state :P
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Murrough
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
I've just been watching "This Week" on BBC One when a rather incoherent Shane McGowan was attempting to discuss this issue with Janet Street Porter, Michael Portillo and Diane Abbott. The jist of his argument was that the new law would ultimately be uninforceable as the overall community was against the legislation. However, I'd be inclined to disagree and believe that the smokers will get used to the idea just like in New York.
Re the interview with Shane. In some ways, I felt that it was a shame to expose him in this way on the program. You could detect the barely concealed "smug grins" on the faces of the other participants.
John
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Shane McGowan
Janet Street Porter
Michael Portillo
Diane Abbott
What a world beating array of teeth and lips to have all in one place!
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
What I'm worried about is that nearly all the musicians seem to be smokers! Are we going to get less music?
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by lukegarry
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
I guess getting less music depends on whether they're musicians who smoke or smokers who play music. Is their primary reason for coming out to smoke with their friends or play music with them.
And, really, if someone put their smoking ahead of their music is it likely that they're really be that good that you couldn't do without them?
# Posted on April 1st 2004 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
The 5 string banjo player who normally sits next to me at the session is a heavy smoker and I thought I would finally be able to throw away the ear plugs when he was driven outside for smokes but, no, he informs us he is going to take up smoking herbal
cigarettes, which I have been told are vile smelling. What is a poor flute player to do. The pub owner where our session takes place went around last Saturday night taking photographs of all the smokers for posterity.
# Posted on April 2nd 2004 by MollyB
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
How many cigarettes does a bodhr
# Posted on April 2nd 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
I learned to play the bodhran so I'd have something to do when I didn't know very many tunes. I learned to smoke so I could roll ciggies in order to avoid playing the bodhran too much. I suppose that if I was just taking up playing ITM now, the only option left would be to become a drunk.
# Posted on April 2nd 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Mind you, bodhrans are very handy for skinning up on! Ususally no room on the table to roll a decent one.
Are 'herbal' cigarettes banned as well??
# Posted on April 3rd 2004 by breandan
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Herbal ciggies? hmmm... around here they always had to go outside to smoke those. When they all came back in the music seemed kind of different too. Then they'd all get thirsty and go for some coke. That always seemed to wake them up a bit... sometimes a little to much though IMHO.
# Posted on April 3rd 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Just back from usual Saturday night session and it was my first time in the pub since smoking ban. It was very, very strange.
Clean air. I found I could play the flute very freely tonight and my cloths don't smell of smoke. There was one drawback however. Our session is just in front of the door and the constant traffic in and out by smokers was very distracting. I also found the pub very noisy tonight with talkers. Perhaps they are all smokers who now have nothing to do but talk . And my 5 stringed banjo friend did not smoke any herbals . However if they're Jack's kind of herbals sure I might be tempted myself.
Was also in an old pub in Sligo Town today, Hardogans. Its a real old fashioned, dark place and it felt strange not to have an aura of smoke hanging around the place.
# Posted on April 3rd 2004 by MollyB
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Oh yeah...what about cloves, for instance? I love the smell of them (and it's kind of... interesting kissing someone who smokes cloves), but I suppose smoke is smoke...and I've always heard that cloves are actually worse for you than the tobacco...
# Posted on April 3rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
The Irony about the smoking ban is that the air in the Pub used to be smokey, and outside to the door it was clear. Now it's the other way around. There's also a new use for those cardboard coasters; they come in handy for putting over your pint whilst you're out for a smoke.
I do enjoy the clean air in the pubs since the ban here in SF, your clothes and such not stinking, and it's healthier for us fluters. But at the same time, there was something nice about making rollies and puffing away between tunes.
# Posted on April 3rd 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
One guitar player at our session rolled a ciggie while someone was playing tunes on Saturday night and got jumped on. I felt sorry for him as he was only rolling it prior to going outside.
I think there is a need for tolerance here and all of the heavy smokers from our session abided by the law and went outside on a cold wet Leitrim night, so fair play to them. And Jack, I agree, I'm glad there's no more smoking but I found the Saturday night experience very strange without all the smoke but we'll get used to it. One thing surprised me I didn't expect to find too many people in the pub on Saturday but it was wedged (as we say here) and I am wondering if these were all people who didn't come before because of the smoky atmosphere. So to all of you smokers, thanks for abiding by the law and its not easy for you and I am for one am very grateful to you all .
d
# Posted on April 3rd 2004 by MollyB
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Time for an open season on all politician's.A pox on all their houses
# Posted on April 4th 2004 by Musicofireland
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Smash The Ashtrays
What a great title for a tune!
# Posted on April 4th 2004 by aliceflynn
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Was this fella who got jumped a bodhran player? Just wondering.
# Posted on April 4th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
no, he was a guitar player and not a great one but it still wasn't fair. After all you can't be expected to roll your own outside in the rain as well as smoke them. Just back from a session on Sunday night in Cryans of Carrick on Shannon. They have painted the place to celebrate the smoking ban and it looks and smells great. Our bouzouki player tonight kept asking for a pint of guinness with a bit of ash in it!
# Posted on April 4th 2004 by MollyB
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Funny you should mention a session in Carrick on Shannon. I was there one time wandering the streets listening at the front doors of pubs to see where there might be ITM wafting out with the ciggie smoke. After a short time the Guarda pulled up and started interrogating me -- seems they thought I might be some sort of terrorist, or mad bomber or something. You can't blame them really, after all, I look kind of like one I suppose. *shrug* And the odd-looking homemade concertina/flute instrument case raised suspicion too I'm sure. Once they heard my accent and explanation they breathed a sigh of relief and pointed me to the road out of town that led towards Anderson's Thatched Cabin (I think that was the name of it.) But now that I find out there's a session in town, I can see they really just wanted me out of town all together.
# Posted on April 4th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Jack,
you definitely didn't end up in the best place for ITM. Cryans is the only place in Carrick for ITM. In fact it won the ITM pub award last year and the owners just love Irish Music. There are sessions there quite a few nights. Friday is "bluegrass" night but with a bit of ITM thrown in. Next time definitely give us a look in and don't mind the gardai. Had a look at your webpage and you look quite normal for this part of the country!!
cheers
deirdre
# Posted on April 4th 2004 by MollyB
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Hey Jack--check this out!
I just went to have a look at your website as well, and before it let me get on, I got one of those "security" things that said, "Warning! Homeland Security May Be Watching You! The FBI Has Developed Software That Can See Anywhere You Go On This Website!"
I didn't realize you were such a threat to national security, Jack--I guess that means I am too by association?
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Andee
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Yeah Jack maybe thats why the Gardai were checking you out in Carrick. WE have a guard called Robocop (motor cop) and he was probably told to watch out for you. Now there're probably be a raid on my country cottage to see if my dogs are a security threat.
d
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by MollyB
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
*smirk* I think you'll find that Jack or his webmaster put that bit up there to make a point...
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Oh, duh. I didn't realize. It did look pretty official though.
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Andee
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Well, I wasn't sure if it was a wind up or not. I did feel a little uneasy with the eyes following me around. Last week, I even bought a new PC but not for that reason. :>))
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Johnny Jay
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Because of my aunt working with Homeland Security and because of my father working in the government (for the US Assay office with a very high security rating) almost all my life, I'm fairly sure there's a file out there somewhere with my name on it and I rather assume they keep a tab on me, though probably not very closely -- not as closely as, say, a friend of mine who is a real live rocket scientist. I don't worry about it too much.
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Jack is Webmaster of his own domain, and there's nothing official about those eyes... or the warning. *smirk* I have received a couple of urgent emails from friends alerting me to the warning, but they didn't connect the eyes to it in order to complete the sight-gag. One of them, after she greeted me with a big hug, punched me in the stomach for fooling her. Some people have complained, but they're usually right-wingers, so I see the value in the whole thing to be that it filters out unwanted right-wingers.
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
LOL -- hey, let them give you their money, Jack...
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: No Smoking in Ireland's Pubs
Actually, I did cop on straight away - cool site, Jack
d
# Posted on April 5th 2004 by MollyB