End of an era in Westport

Uri Kohen of Electric Cave Production reports from Co. Mayo:

During last week we learned of the closure of Geraghty's pub in Westport, one of the oldest in the town. Since its reopening around seven years ago, the pub set itself to become the leading music venue in the town.

Around four years ago the Electric Cave Production and John (the pub owner) had a clear vision to turn the pub into one of the main music venues in the country. More than 100 gigs, featuring artists from all over the world, were performed there. Some of the best folk and bluegrass acts from Ireland and beyond left their mark on the west's music scene. David Hope was the artist who opened the 'Unfinished Music' series, and together we raised the standards of all music shows in the town.

The pub was also the official home of Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival in recent years. John and his team - Gemma, Louis, and Brendan - looked after all the artists as family, and they all told us about their great experiences in the pub. The B&B over the pub provided a warm bed to all the artists that came through the pub's doors.

The closure of the pub will mark a change in the music scene in Westport, and will leave a big hole in the country music venues landscape. The Electric Cave Production are now in the process of finalising the lineup for the 2012 Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival, but are also looking for a new home.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank John and his team for all the years and the great memories they left us. May the future be bright to us all.

For all of you music lovers - see you in Westport.

The photo shows Jeff & Vida (USA) in Geraghty's a year ago, when they had driven through extreme weather conditions to be there.