A right hooley at the Harbour Bar

Like or loath Bovril – or, indeed, banjos – they gave their names to a fine old festival at the Harbour Bar last week.

There was live music at the bar from Wednesday to Sunday, plenty of people to listen and enjoy, and even a ukulele lesson for those wishing to pick up an instrument.

David Kitt opened proceedings on Wednesday, Paddy Casey was the final act on Sunday, and The Pale made an appearance in the middle. Highlights also included The Eskies, I Draw Slow, Ailish and Sinead, the Lonesome Boatmen, and plenty of more craic and ceoil to get the juices flowing.

As well as bands on the main stage, there were trad sessions in the bar every day, and a wide programme of acoustic, trad and folk music.

The festival is a worthy hat-tip to days long gone, when fishermen would come ashore in Bray from time spent on the Irish Sea. First stop, The Harbour Bar where they’d have a cup of Bovril to warm themselves up before settling into a night of singing and playing banjos, guitars, bodhráns, and mandolins.

Paul O’Toole Snr continued the tradition in later years when short winter days were ended in the bar with a bit of banjo playing, some steaming cups of hot Bovril and a plateful of cheese and crackers.

Hannah and Billy Bridgeman at the Harbour Ukuleles workshop at the Harbour Bar.

Pat Byrne leads the Harbour Ukuleles in a rendition of ‘Jolene’.

Valerie Freeman, Pat O’Donnell and Marie Webster from the Harbour Ukuleles.

Niamh O’Kelly and Eleanor Le Matti.

Caoimhe Barry and Saoirse Duane of Wyvern Lingo, who were at the Eskies on Saturday.

Linda Flanagan with the Lonesome Boatmen.