From New London to New York

We left town at 1400 to drive to New Haven, and caught the Metro North Train to Grand Central. Diarm, Will, Max, Jimmy, Joe, Catherine and Myself were on a mission to see Mr. Damien Dempsey in Red Hook a part of Brooklyn, NY. With a 12 pack in hand, we arrived in New Haven. No one drank 'til we got on the train, but then we drank. We got to New York, and were as always amazed by the vastness of the city. Its so big, with so many people, even the smell of the subway, everyone rushing everywhere, walking down the sidewalks surrounded by monsterous buildings with millions of people heading every which way. We stopped into Patrick Conway's, just outside Grand Central, but the Guinness was tangy so we only had one. We then took the subway to the Brooklyn Bridge, and then grabbed taxis to Rocky Sullivan's. Arriving in Red Hook was remenicient of Dublin in the 1980's; its a good idea in the planning, but right now the area looks bleak at best. It is a place of urban decay, broken windows, broken houses and most importantly broken dreams. It looks sadly desolate now, but I'm sure it will get better.

Into Rocky's we went; exposed red brick, marble bar, barrels stood on end to greet us as we entered. It was the old school bar atmosphere, and the beer was great. Service at Rocky's was great, the waitstaff were wonderful, and good looking too. The food was fantastic, particularly the brick oven pizzas. After dinner, we moved into the back room where the Music was going to start.

Danny Burns played first, and just to hear this singer was a treat. He had great original songs sung with such power and heartfelt enthusiasm that it was a pleasure. Danny was such a nice person as well. How can you be so cool with so much talent? Danny, you have skills. New London would love to host you.

After Danny finished, the crowd slowly started to fill the music room, and then the man appeared. No fanfare, no introduction, he just showed up in a black shirt and short hair, with a big Takamine guitar and a big heart. That's how I saw Mr. Dempsey.

Ireland, Dublin, North Dublin, Raheny, Donaghameade, Killbarach, Suttan, Howth, St. Annes, The old Shilling, The Donaghameade Inn, The Cedars, Its all in the songs. I left in 1986 to join the US Navy, and I was excited to leave and start something new. Damo was 11 years old when I went through boot camp, 22 years later we would meet in Brooklyn. How strange, I lived in Donaghmeade, 109 Ardara Ave. It was a happy time, of coal deliveries and getting the bus to work in Aston Quay, but I left, and here we meet.

Max was persistant and waited to talk with Damien, I'm too old to wait for anybody, but Max said hold on so I did, and we finally got to speak with Mr. Damo- and you know what? He is just the same as he is when he sings, enthusiastic, energetic and his core of music is what drives him. I'm sure the ballads intrigue him (he should meet my mother, she knows them all and more.) Onstage, he was a Celt with a voice, an Irishman with a voice and a Dubliner with a voice, and if you ever get to meet him a very nice person who has time for all.

He finished his set and left, no person present could have asked for more. He put 200% into his performance as he always does. We submitted our request for Damo to come and play for our American audience at Hanafin's. And we have a dressing room with a BAR. The ball's in your court Damo.

PS. I'll take you for a ride in the new Challenger.