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A Rainy Night In Dublin
There’s a song by beloved Irish band, The Pogues, that will forever make me smile. The intro of their hit tune “A Rainy Night in SoHo” features an iconic tin whistle riff that reappears throughout the melody, delivering that iconic Celtic sound.
Now, you may wonder why this particular tune makes me smile. They say our senses have the power to unlock memories we might have tucked away. While smell is most often linked to memory recall, as a musician and lyricist myself, I find that hearing—especially songs—most vividly evokes my past experiences with people and places. For me, this song is the perfect example of that. Today, it’s impossible for me to hear it without reflecting on my time spent in Ireland, a place I quickly fell in love with and that now feels like my home away from home.
I’ve been to Ireland on three separate occasions, each one offering a different—but equally magical—experience. The first time, I was around four years old, and while I don’t remember much from those early years, I do recall being fascinated by the horses grazing in the countryside, traditional Irish dancing, and, of course, searching for a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. My later visits as a college student gave me a new perspective—and an acquired taste for Guinness (because, when in Rome… or Dublin, as they say).
It’s funny, really—I never expected to fall in love with Ireland. It wasn’t even near the top of my travel bucket list. After all, it’s a small country with a not-so-great reputation for weather. But it completely won me over. From the lush green scenery to the warmth of the people and the richness of the culture, it’s impossible not to leave with a heart full of admiration. Admittedly, I’m partial to Dublin, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland.
Sure, I could tell you all about the popular tourist destinations in the city—the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, the pubs of Temple Bar—but I tend to find the magic in the ordinary. Taking a simple stroll through St. Stephen’s Green or Phoenix Park is a lovely way to spend an hour or two soaking in the greenery. The same goes for Dublin’s local markets and shops.
George’s Street Arcade, for instance, never disappoints—it’s filled with local artisans and delicious food (despite the stereotype that Irish cuisine isn’t memorable).
My personal favorite part of Dublin, though, is its abundance of troubadours. The city has such a vibrant music scene! Whether you’re in a pub or walking down the street, you’ll always hear a tune. Some locals chalk this up to the weather—people spend so much time indoors that they turn to playing instruments as a pastime. So, next time you hear someone complain about Irish rain, remind them that without it, we might never have had The Cranberries, Van Morrison, U2, Thin Lizzy, and so many other great Irish musicians. And I, for one, would never have heard a pair of local musicians cover “A Rainy Night in SoHo” in that little pub on the outskirts of Dublin—one of my favorite memories, and now songs for that matter.
That’s right—I owe one of my most cherished memories to that darn rain.
One summer, some girlfriends and I spent a week exploring Dublin together. One day, in search of coastal scenery and a quieter atmosphere, we took a 30-minute train ride to the suburbs. After a day spent walking along the shoreline and admiring the quaint neighborhood streets and shops, we popped into Benito’s, an Italian restaurant, for a drink and dinner before heading back. (Side note: funnily enough, some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had was in Dublin—and that’s coming from someone who’s actually been to Italy! Bambino’s Pizzeria in the city center is another must for pizza by the slice… I can see the Italians cursing me now.)
As we were getting ready to leave the restaurant, the sky opened up and the rain came pouring down—classic Ireland. You’d think that by my third trip, I’d have learned to pack a raincoat. Ha! Nope. So, we had two choices: make a run for the train station or take it as a sign to duck into thenearest pub and wait it out. We took it as a sign (shocker, I know).
When we walked in the pub, it was immediately clear this was a locals’ spot. Heads turned as we took seats near the door—just in case we needed a quick exit. Suddenly, the man playing guitar looked up and asked in the microphone, “Where’d you come from?” The pub went quiet.
“Uh… down the street,” I said.
“Oh, you’re American!” he replied.
“Yes, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia,” I answered, a little nervously.
“Well, what do you want us to play— Justin Bieber or somethin’?”
Ouch. I wanted to throw him off a bit, just to prove I wasn’t just some silly little teeny bopper. I had to think fast and name an Irish band. Normally, I would’ve requested a U2 song (and thanks to my dad, I know their entire discography), but considering we were right down the street from Bono’s house, I didn’t want to look like a stalker.
“Do you know ‘Rainy Night in SoHo’ by chance?” I asked.
He looked surprised. “You know The Pogues? I’m impressed.” He smiled. Then he called out, “Mary! Get these girls something to warm up with—they’ll be hangin’ with us awhile.” The pub laughed, and he and his friend launched into a duet of “A Rainy Night in SoHo”, accompanied by his guitar and his buddy’s cajón. By the end, the entire pub was singing the chorus together. We were in!
To this day, that’s the image I hold of Ireland: a cozy pub in a charming little neighborhood, loud with music and laughter and singing with strangers until the rain passes and the moon rises. I can certainly think of worse ways to spend an evening!
When people ask what I love most about Ireland, I usually rattle off the usual list—the beautiful landscapes, the vibrant city life, the music, the architecture, the history. But the truth is, no amount of description could capture the way the people and culture truly make you feel. Maybe it’s just me, but it’s definitely worth experiencing for yourself to see if you feel it too!
Who knows, maybe you’ll even leave with a song of your own that will keep you smiling for years to come.
So with that, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the 2015 film, Brooklyn, that states, “I wish that I could stop feeling that I want to be an Irish girl in Ireland”.
Sláinte,
Anabel
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