Folk singer Macdara Yeates plays at A Pint of The Past, an evening of song, story and verse uncovering the brewing history of Dublin 8 taking place in St Patrick's Cathedral on 10 May. We asked Macdara the BIG questions . . .
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Curated by historian Donal Fallon, the evening is part of this year’s Culture Date with Dublin 8 Festival and also features Stephen James Smith, Helena Byrne and Padraig O’Lionsaigh.
The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire of 1875, the barrels of Manders & Powel Brewery used to hang Robert Emmet, Jonathan Swift’s sharp wit on English porter and the rise of Daniel O’Connell’s Sons Ale Brewery will be among the topics under discussion.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Two truths and a lie: I was born and reared in East Wall in Dublin. My namesake is a 6th Century hermetic saint from Connemara who watched over local boatmen but cursed them if they dared to sail on his feast day, 16 July. Christy Moore once called me a "chancer."
How would you describe your music?
Old songs from Dublin (and beyond), sung loudly.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Too many to name, but for today I’ll say Liam Weldon, the balladeer, songwriter and activist from the Liberties (later Ballyfermot), who believed "the song sings the singer." And Luke Cheevers, the singing window cleaner from Ringsend and the last of the Dublin gleemen.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Blink 182 in the Point Depot, age 11. I spent weeks convincing my parents I was old enough to go and then spent the duration of the gig clinging onto my mate Luke for fear of being trampled.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Stan by Eminem, featuring Dido. My tea’s gone cold, I’m wondering, "why?"
What’s your favourite song right now?
Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet by Gavin Bryars. Ask me tomorrow and I’ll have a different answer.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I’ll go down to yonder valley where the small birds do fly, Where I will know no one, contended I’ll cry, For notions provoke me to take my own will, For my own rod’s the sorest and it does beat me still." - Green Grows the Laurel, as sung by Antrim singer Len Graham
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
"P" Stands for Paddy, I Suppose by Planxty featuring Johnny Moynihan. Ask me tomorrow and I’ll have a different answer.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Bandcamp and all the usual places.
Alan Corr
