Part 1 - you must read this and now would be a good time

This was a GPO moment.

Christy Dignam at the Lock, singing Crazy World, wearing a Sarsfields jersey!! In 100 years your grand kids will be bragging that you were there that night…….it won’t work, we know who was there.  We know who wasn’t there too!! This was a truly magic night, and looking round at a sea of lighters held aloft as Christy finished his set, you knew it was special. I had no idea there were so many smokers in Lucan (editors note. HSA  they were smart phones, not lighters).

Your reviewer was there when the Beatles finished up at the Hollywood Bowl, Pink Floyd launched The Wall, Joe Dolan rocked the INEC, Garth Brooks filled Croke Park……..but none of it touched the highs that we reached last night. This is a venue that you all need to see……..The Big Top comes to Lucan. The night had kicked off with The Boys are back in Town…….who could have guessed that the whole club executive would know all the words? If Phil Lynott had shown up at the gate he would have had to pay, ‘cause these guys were doing just fine without him. He was definitely there in spirit. New guy didn’t look like Phil, definitely lacked a shock of black hair, but he did play a mean bass guitar. They touched all the hits, and the celebrities in the VIP area were doing their very best air guitar.

Unusual Suspects took the stage by storm with a string of classic hits. A great singer and guitarist worked really well together, backed by a super brass section, and all carried on an excellent sound system. Reflex cranked up the energy to an even higher level, with a really great set. Christy’s cameo just added a piece of history to the night.

ALL IS NOT LOST………tonight you get the chance to redeem yourselves. The club need to see every single member, and all their friends and neighbours up there tonight.

YOU WILL ENJOY IT. YOU WILL BE SORRY IF YOU DON’T COME UP.(to be read in a creepy threatening voice)

Part 2 - so the show goes on........and on..........and on....

Well we got through another night……..it was gonna be a hard act to follow after Friday, but local band “Arthur” kicked off the night in style. These guys could do with a slot further up the schedule….and they will get that in 12 months. Promotion beckons. Harleys did like the the name says on the tin…….they roared into the Big Top, kicked up a storm, and then high tailed outa town. I can assure you of all this, because, although I missed the bus, and was late, I met a guy, that talked to a guy, that saw another guy, and I am therefore assured that the above is factually correct. At least as correct as anything that you might read on these pages.

Cry before Dawn turned back the clock to reprise their ‘80s hits with a solid set, that certainly got the Boys of Wexford on the floor! Who would have guessed that our Chairman would be old enough to have been a fan back in the day? Presumably he was less folically challenged back then. Certainly it’s easier to do the headbanging routine with a head of your own hair! It was great to see that so many of those that had enjoyed Friday night, were back at the pump again. Moose was leading the line dancing when Mr Brooks took to the stage….(he looks like he could do with some line dancing himself, certainly not the man I saw in Croker last year!). Still on a noticeably cooler night outside, all that huffing & puffing was certainly ramping up the temperature. A night like this brings out the best in Lucan, and there is no doubt that the young & the beautiful were out there, shaking their “booty”. It might be reasonable to add that some of the less young, but just as beautiful, were also shaking everything they had…….in the VIP section they were rattling their pearls.

So the main event saw Liam Reilly’s Bagatelle arrive to a tumultuous welcome. Still at a loss how so many young people knew all the words, especially “Leeson Street Lady”…….whoever she was? One thing’s for sure Liam was telling the truth about the smelly Liffey. Liam may have come out on a free bus pass, but the band certainly finished off a great night with a raucous set. I think it is fair to say that some of those on the floor, at the end of the night, have left themselves open to blackmail. Would you really want the kids to see that kind of carry on? Potential fundraiser?

So for those virgins out there……tonight is the last chance saloon. You really owe it to yourself. Miss this opportunity and you will have a lifelong itch, that you just can’t reach.

See you tonight……

PS Some have asked are no names mentioned for legal reasons? Hell no! It’s because I want €20 to mention your name……or in time €40, not to mention you.

Part 3 and it all came to a shuddering end......

Dear Declan, and all the Executive.

I wish to register my outrage, at the goings on at the 12th Lock these past days.

I made my way to the club on Friday night to support the venture. Well, it was such a great night that I had no choice other than to upgrade to a week end pass, and return on Saturday night, with herself.

Then somehow I found myself minding a car park on Sunday night (why?....... I wondered the same……has anyone ever seen a car park disappear overnight?), followed by further entertainment in the Big Top after my shift.

In the car park. My shift in the car park.

Outrage?? I just wanted a normal week end……watch Late Late and / or Brendan O’Connor, sipping on my favourite Aldi ‘vin de table’. Instead you put on a great show and force me to go out and enjoy myself!!

Can you believe the audacity?? Just wait till the Bishop of Ballyfermot gets my call after lunch.

Outraged fan