Irish bars

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 Nov 2008, 13:54

Are a pox on the planet. I'm in Barcelona and I've spotted about 12. Including 2 that are neighbours. They are invariably filthy and devoid of charm. I just don't get it.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 29 Nov 2008, 22:32

The Irish bars in Ireland are pefectly fine. But then they are just bars.
It's the "pseudo" Oirish bars everywhere else that are awful.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 Nov 2008, 23:14

I agree, some bars in Ireland are magnificent. However, its just like guiness- it doesn't travel well. One of the irish bars here has a huge wall space dedicated to irish inventors and discoverers. It is completely blank. I hadn't realised how little they've brought to the world .

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 30 Nov 2008, 01:29

Porty wrote:Are a pox on the planet. I'm in Barcelona and I've spotted about 12. Including 2 that are neighbours. They are invariably filthy and devoid of charm. I just don't get it.

Why are you posting here when you are in Barcelona?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Nov 2008, 13:10

Just because I can! Its a lovely day here- no need for a coat but that's not the way the catalans see it. Hotel is ok- just off la rambla and even as I approach 50 I could long jump to "cheers" the nearest irish bar. Home tonight its flown by.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 30 Nov 2008, 13:36

Porty wrote:Home tonight its flown by.

Atleast there arnt any of these irish bars you detest so much in Porty.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Nov 2008, 17:19

Detest is a strong word Mt- and one I use rarely. I don't see the appeal of irish bars itz a faux experience.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 30 Nov 2008, 21:23

Porty wrote:I agree, some bars in Ireland are magnificent. However, its just like guiness- it doesn't travel well. One of the irish bars here has a huge wall space dedicated to irish inventors and discoverers. It is completely blank. I hadn't realised how little they've brought to the world .

Don't forget - Ireland was "British" (occupied or otherwise) until partition in 1921. Many of the great Irish men (and women) were therefore classified as "British", rather than Irish.

For example - the first female elected MP was Countess Markiewicz (who was Irish, despite the name).

I'm sure you were joking - but it's not fair and it's not right. We don't make jokes about people's colour (I hope) and we shouldn't make jokes about their nationality.

Post by **wangi** » 30 Nov 2008, 22:50

seashell wrote:Don't forget - Ireland was "British" (occupied or otherwise) until partition in 1921. Many of the great Irish men (and women) were therefore classified as "British", rather than Irish.

Yeah, but it's also not right to be overly revisionist and classify people as Irish when they themselves would not have. For example it confuses me when I see Francis Beaufort listed as an Irish inventor (of the wind scale). He was born in Ireland in a Protestant family descended from French Huguenots; grew up in Wales & Ireland and was in the British Royal Navy. I'm almost certain he'd have said he was British.

New Zealand has a similar situation; with many of it's famous people of the past firmly considering themselves British at the time.

As for some of the poor grasps at trying to attach a "Scottish" label onto inventions... Some of those are very far fetched. Marconi as Scottish for example...

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 30 Nov 2008, 23:25

Marconi the telegraph guy?
Thought he was Irish

I assume Porty was bewailing "theme" pubs in general and lack of research on behalf of the one with the inventors wall

I could be wrong. I was once before

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2008, 01:32

I wasn't making a joke its a true story. I have no idea what the irish invented or discovered. I will look it up when I get home. And I should say that my family came from Ireland, I have lots of rellys that live there. And I have had many happy times there. I just think the theme pubs suck. Furthermore, I have subsequently found out that the pub in question has only been open 2 months- it is part owned by a portugese and Israeli. No irish connection. .

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2008, 11:30

And it was a Turkish bar up until 3 months ago, the owners went to London to pick up all the Irish "memorabilia" which they purchased from just one shop. Hey presto- but not a patch on the real thing.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 11:40

wangi wrote:As for some of the poor grasps at trying to attach a "Scottish" label onto inventions... Some of those are very far fetched. Marconi as Scottish for example...

And on St Andrew's day of all days!

I think you will find that Marconi's real name was McAroni and he was fae Fife. Possibly.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 01 Dec 2008, 13:15

Fay Fife- wasn't she one of the Rezillos???

Re Irishness (or otherwise - As the Duke of Wellington so memorably said - "Just because one is bron in a stable does not mean one is a horse" (he was Irish-born but insisted he was, due to his parentage, English.

Ireland has always excelled in producing writers and musicians - but undoubtedly many of the population had limited educational opportunites due the fact of their religion.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 13:41

seashell wrote:Fay Fife- wasn't she one of the Rezillos???

Was? Fay, Eugene and Jo Callis are still around. Just completed a new single, "No1 Boy" and appearing in the Liquid Rooms later in the month. Check out the video at:

http://www.rezillos.com

Incredibly, Fay is still as hot (and as radge) as she was when I knew her back in 1976.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 01 Dec 2008, 14:25

Good to hear.
My sister used to make their stage jewelery, way back when...
And I always thought Alan (aka Eugene) had the sexiest speaking voice! I was rather scared of Fay (Sheila?) though...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 14:45

Everyone was scared of Sheila, me included. She attacked me on more than one occasion. Did you know Alan's brother, Nicky? He was Rocky Rhythm, the drummer in the Revillos. He recently published a 'warts and all' account of his time on the road with Fay, Eugene etc.

The Rhythm Method

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 01 Dec 2008, 16:18

I probably met him - but I was only a wee girl at school and rather over-awed by it all. My sis is a good bit older than me.
Oh the glamour, the showpbiz lifestyles (not!)
Hmm - so were you in the Edinburgh Art School Crowd then, Bob?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 16:29

I knew quite a few of them through my interest in the band. Bobby Grierson used to make Fay and Eugene's stage costumes and now lives in Portobello. Alan 'Pinhead' Proudfoot roadied for them for a while. Douglas Robertson was the band's photographer. Various others were sometime members of the band or were associated in some way. Maybe I know your sister?

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 01 Dec 2008, 17:02

She went out with Colin, Pinhead's brother. Ring any bells???? Her name is Yvonne and the surname is long and Polish

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 17:15

No, but I'm sure we must have attended a lot of the same parties!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 01 Dec 2008, 18:11

Does Alan still have the Indian shop? I used to love oggling those bikes...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 18:46

At the top of Cockburn Street? No, that was years ago. I remember going round to see him once and getting roped into helping him lift a motorcycle part up to his top floor flat in McNeill Street. My back has never been the same since.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 01 Dec 2008, 18:51

Aw! What about the shop down in the new Town? I am a few years out of date with that lot of bikers...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 19:14

Motolux in West Scotland Street Lane? Gone too as far as I know.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 01 Dec 2008, 19:20

Damn!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Dec 2008, 19:27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_inve ... iscoveries

The wall in the bar was wrong. I know Wiki isn't completist but they still did a lot better than none. Can't see Marconi tho'.

Correction- here he is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guglielmo_Marconi

And seen as how we are completely off-topic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rezillos

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 19:39

For Rapunzell:

Taken outside Fun City in Portobello. Photographer - Douglas Robertson

Photo used for Motorbike Beat cover. Photographer - Douglas Robertson

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 01 Dec 2008, 19:47

OMG! I think that was before I was even born! Nice bikes, mmm.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 01 Dec 2008, 20:52

Well seeing as we're talking music beats me why they didnt just stick up some pics of famous Irish bands
or
Actors
or
Writers
Or
politicians
like
Barack O'Bama
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xkw8ip43 ... re=related

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 01 Dec 2008, 20:57

Bob Jefferson wrote:No, but I'm sure we must have attended a lot of the same parties!

No doubt you did, Bob. She studied silversmithing at Dundee. Now lecturing at Central St Martins.

And I'm pretty sure the earrings Sheila is wearing in the photos were made by her - they had a small company called Campbell Kulagowski and sold perspex and acetate jewelry in Joe Cool at Greyfriars.

What a trip down memory lane this has been!! I still have fond memories of the time they were on TOTP with Motorbike Beat and Sheila was not quite as careful with the Indian as she might have been - if looks could kill!!

Robbie Coltrane also used to be in with that crowd, didn't he?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Dec 2008, 22:23

seashell wrote:Robbie Coltrane also used to be in with that crowd, didn't he?

I'll take your word on that but he isn't someone I remember. I would be happy to reminisce about the Rezillos/Revillos all night, but I'll restrict myself to one more photo from the archives. Nicky had a dark room set up in his bedroom. He gave me a quick lesson on how to develop prints one day and then left me to my own devices with a bunch of negs. By the time he arrived back home I had produced a whole box full of 10 x 8s, including this one.

I remember this dress of Fay's very well. It was made from cheap metal discs, decorated with green and pink stickers. It was always falling to pieces and I'm sure I probably still have some of the discs somewhere.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Dec 2008, 12:37

SoupDragon wrote:Well seeing as we're talking music beats me why they didnt just stick up some pics of famous Irish bands
or
Actors
or
Writers
Or
politicians
like
Barack O'Bama
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xkw8ip43 ... re=related

Think they would come under Entertainers, which is hardly the same thing as Inventors. I can't think of any great Irish politicians or Scottish ones for that matter.

I agree with what you said about all theme bars being dodgy. Its just that irish ones are the most prolific. I'm not that keen on the Walkabout group either.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 02 Dec 2008, 14:48

Porty wrote: I can't think of any great Irish politicians or Scottish ones for that matter.

What about Keir Hardie as a great Scottish politician?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Dec 2008, 14:57

Accepted- I had forgotten about him. His namesake made 5 or 6 posts on the schools thread before it got found out.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Irish bars

Irish bars

Re: Irish bars