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Published: July 16th 2010
Kelly playing guitar
Can you sing or play and instrument? Come and entertain the folks at O'Keeffe's.We loved this pub. I think this is what coming to Ireland is all about. When people asked us what our favorite place was in Ireland, we told them it wasn't places that mattered as much as it was the people that we liked best. It is true. The Irish have been the friendliest, kindest, most approachable people we have ever had the pleasure to meet throughout our travels. We had absolutely no problem in striking up conversations with compete strangers.
We were also impressed by how many places fly the Stars and Stripes. Our impression is that because so many Irish have relatives in the States, most of them feel a kinship with the USA. I think that they have a positive opinion of Americans and quite rightly so. The Irish have contributed a great deal to the USA. For example, did you know that 11 Irish men died at the Alamo? And of course many fought in the Civil War. The friend that I went to visit in Clifden said he was taken aback when he said something negative about the US and his Irish listeners did not take kindly to his opinion. I don't think or believe that
Arthur & Ann
They set the tone for a hospitable and enjoyable time in their place. people are ever impressed with you when you speak poorly of your own “tribe.” This is akin to bad mouthing your own family to strangers - it says less about you than about them. This is something that some Americans don't seem to understand...one specific American comes immediately to mind!
Arthur and Ann O'Keefe emigrated to America and lived in the States for 37 years. They both became citizens. Arthur is a County Clare man and I forget where Ann told us where she was from. They both came and first lived with relatives. They both worked for the same insurance firm in NYC. They met each other but it was three years before they were to meet again.
Ann told us that she always remembered Arthur after the first meeting and although they worked in the same firm, it was such a big organization that they never chanced to see each other again during that time period. Ann never forgot Arthur and he never forgot her. One night Ann told her roommate that she was going to a particular dance because she felt strongly that she would see Arthur again. Her roommate scoffed at her and Ann promised that
Arthur playing accordion
Weekends are a grand time to be in O'Keeffe's. Entertainment is spontaneous and lively. she would bring Arthur to meet her. Ann knew that Arthur was the one!
Sure enough, Arthur was at the dance and Ann took him to introduce him to her roommate. Sometime later they were engaged to be married. Their co-workers were so surprised by the announcement. Arthur and Ann were very firm about decorum and appearances that they didn't let on that they knew each other. How grand is that?
After 37 years in the USA, they returned to Cooraclare because Arthur inherited the bar from his mother. They have been there since for the past 14 years. They never take a day off as the bar is open 7 days a week. Three years ago Arthur had a brain aneurism; when the emergency service transported him to the nearest hospital they told Ann that he probably wouldn't make it. He miraculously survived that and still he keeps working.
O'Keeffe's is the heart of the older generation in Cooraclare. They don't have a tv and the old traditions of singing, singalongs, conversation, and music are the entertainment. Who could need anything more than that? It proved to be the Irish pub that I always imagined that I would
Joe belting out a song
Seriously, just stand up and sing for the crowd. Had I known this I would have practiced some songs to sing and play on the guitar. while away free moments when I visited Ireland.
On our last night in Cooraclare we went in for a last pint in O'Keefe's. We were the only customers and we chatted with Ann and Arthur for some time. They are wonderful people and we felt like we were saying goodbye to old friends that night.
If you ever come to Ireland and you want to see the very genuine and real Irish rural folk, you must come to O'Keefe's. Learn a couple of songs before you come because surely you will be asked to sing.
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mr. brian joseph o'keefe
non-member comment
i'm 100 % irish folks !
MY MOTHER'S MAIDEN-NAME WAS MISS MARGRETTE ANNE O'HARA who then got married to my dad mr. jack o'keefe and started to raise a family which i'm part of folks ! canyou folks mail me some photos olf the true o'keeffe's pub thes , the men and the cute irish-lasss at that pub