A visit to the Brazenhead Pub in Dublin, Ireland is an occasion itself, but if you go on the right evening, at the right time, and head upstairs, you’re in for a special treat (reservations recommended: www.irishfolktours.com). Billed as “An Evening of Food, Folklore, and Fairies”, this is a must-see when visiting Dublin. There’s good reason that it’s ranked #6 out of nearly 300 attractions in Dublin.
The evening we went there were forty or so guests. You sit at group tables so you get to know your neighbors and fellow travelers. At the table with us were some wonderful folks in town for the Penn State-UCF game. Our host for the evening, Johnny Daly, acted as MC, and opened the evening with an overview of what to expect (Irish food, music, and folklore) followed by some introductory stories on what makes Ireland (and the Irish) so unique, from the Irish language to a bit of their history.
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| Even If You Don’t Go to the Storytelling, Go See the Brazenhead |
First came the food. Admittedly, Ireland is not known for gourmet cuisine. Still, there’s good reason Irish pubs have been popping up all over the states the last ten years. It’s comfort food: hearty beef and lamb stews, bacon and cabbage, and seafood cakes. Johnny followed up our meals with more stories, especially an explanation of the Irish fairy culture..fairies, leprechauns, and banshees. We learned how to spot a fairy tree, what a fairy ring is, and why you don’t mess with either of them.
Next was some traditional Irish music. It’s simple (just a guitar and accordion) and fun (humorous topics, nonsensical sing-along choruses, and foot-stomping rhythms). Check out our 
Guinness: It Truly is Better in Ireland
