Memories were flowing to mark 20 years at the Spirit Store
Music and memories flowed, to say nothing about pints at 1999 prices for the early birds, when The Spirit Store threw a two-day celebratory bash to mark twenty-years in business last week.
Publican and former Green party politician Mark Dearey, who launched the venue with Mark Mulholland two decades ago, was on hand to welcome customers and musicians into the award-winning George’s Quay venue which has helped put Dundalk on Ireland’s music and cultural map.
It has, he said, been a great adventure which resulted in him meeting his wife Laura and being nudged into politics.
Enticed by the promise of two nights of great free gigs by a host of musicians who had graced the stage of the intimate venue down the years, The Spirit Store was packed both nights. Bar staff, including some once familiar faces who returned to serve behind the bar, were kept busy as customers reminisced about their favourite gigs over the years.
Derek Turner was kept busy as a constant stream of musicians lined up to play in both the Backroom downstairs and the upstairs main stage.
While local musicians were to the fore, including up and coming acts David Keenan and Just Mustard who managed to fit in appearances at the party in their busy touring schedules, there were surprise appearances by David Kitt, The 4 of Us, Turn and Sanzkritt who re-united especially for the occasion.
Jinx Lennon, Elephant, Ham Sandwich, Finnian, Grainne Hunt, Kern, Beki Hemmingway, The Mary Wallopers, Sophie Coyle, The Gakk, Jimmy Johnson, Larry, Kern and Bobby McCarthy were among the many musicians who got behind the mic to mark the special occasion.