April 2006
Irish bars
In recent times two great Irish pubs have opened up.
One in Mülheim and the other in Witten.
In Mülheim we have Murphy's Kleeblatt, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 62, 45468 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
Run by Petra, this pub offers live music Friday and Saturday. Musicians like
Mark Bennett and Shane Mac provide the entertainment and there are many
other talented fellows helping to keep music live. The food is great (I
recommend the chilli), the atmosphere is really friendly and open.
www.murphys-kleeblatt.de
In Witten, Simone and Jorg, run Finnegan's. The pub is across the road from
the main station on the left. It has live music every month and has hosted
such greats as David Campbell the Scottish storyteller and my own dear Scapa
Flow.
The thing that is great about these bars is that there are instruments on
the wall and they are not for decoration. The owners love live music and
they provide the kind of atmosphere which musicians love - fun,
friendliness, beer. Finnegans has seen Irish dancers, pipers fiddlers,
mandolin players, singers, pianists inflaming the world with music, song and
dance until the sun comes up. Murphy's seems to be following the same
entrancing pattern.
Both bars are receptive to sessions, musicians are always welcomed and good
music is played on the juke box when there isn't a musician to fill the
dearth. These places are oases in the unfolding desert of techno sterility.