About halfway through our trip to Ireland last year, after several nights of sitting in pubs listening to Irish music, my wife wore down to the point of suggesting that I go back again sometime with my good friends, Paul and Bubba. So, like a dutiful husband I took her up on the suggestion and am sitting in Kenmare, Ireland writing this column.

Paul, Bubba and I, the Three Stooges, landed in Dublin on June 10 and will be conducting a clockwise spin around the island back to Dublin for our exit on June 19. Other than our first night in Dublin and the second night in Carrick-on-Suir we will be rolling plan free and just see where the narrow winding roads take us.

One of the reasons we chose this time to come to Ireland was that Paul and myself are, as Bubba says, “Clancy Brother Super Fans,” and the Clancy Brothers Music Festival took place on June 12 this year. I enjoy the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem’s music more than any other music and was extremely excited to attend the festival. With the passing of Liam Clancy six months ago none of the Clancy Brothers or Tommy Makem are alive, but their children carry on their legacy quite well.

The concert on Saturday night was wonderful, but the singsong to follow in the pub across the street was one of the most enjoyable musical experiences I have ever had. A singsong in Ireland is an unorganized gathering where whoever wants to can belt out their favorite song. This particular singsong was a virtual Clancy Family Reunion that we were very fortunate to be a part of.

One by one our favorite songs were sung by a different member of the Clancy family, most of which are professional recording artists, with the entire pub joining in more often than not. This went on until a little after 3 a.m. when the pub owner finally said, “Have you no shame? It’s three in the morning… go home.”

The pubs close at 12:30 in Ireland but we were told we were in an “Irish Lockdown.” This basically means if you want to stay you can stay, but if you go you can’t come back in. We weren’t going anywhere.

There is a picture of the Clancy Brothers that was taken during a singsong in a bar in New York City during the groups hay day in the 60’s. In this particular picture the Clancy Brothers are sitting around a table in the middle of a packed house, and I always wondered what it would feel like to have been a part of that. Well, now I know, and to have the opportunity to share the experience with two of my best friends made it better than I ever imagined.

So, as I sit in Kenmare Ireland listening to the sound of Irish music drift up to my hotel room window from the pub across the street I am truly thankful. Thankful for the experience of last night’s singsong, thankful for good friends and the time to spend with them, and thankful for my wife and family. Without their support it would be impossible to undertake and enjoy such a trip.

That’s all for now…this is the Three Stooges on assignment in Ireland for the Burke County Tribune…signing off.