NYC Sessions Bridge Generations of Irish Young and Old, Familial and Friendly

All photos courtesy of Dempsey's

BY MIKE MADDEN

For an Irish and Irish-American population that has made countless strides to a city's growth, New York City's Irish influx was one of the largest in the country on par with rival Boston. The Irish have left indelible marks in a number of fields, including politics, sports and especially, the arts.

But Irish traditional music in particular remains a secret staple within the side streets and hole-in-the-wall pubs that sit stoicly under dimly lit lights. But some Irish pubs are different than others; some you can point out as imitators and others you can point out as authentic, meaning elements like ambiance, locals, bartenders and alcohol selection can point out clearly what makes an Irish pub truly an Irish pub. But when you walk into Dempsey'sPub on 2nd Ave between East 3 and 4 Streets, it's not just the ambiance, the locals, the bartenders or the fantastic alcohol selection, but the traditional music that erupts from the corner of the pub  brings some to joyful tears.

Dempsey's holds Irish sessions every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. with musicians from all different skill levels. Instruments originate from the traditional gamut: a number of fiddles, a banjo, a bodhran (a large drum), a guitar and concertina. For my first session, I brought my mandolin, an instrument I've been playing a little over a year. Learning by ear, I've played almost nothing but Irish reels and ballads training my fingers to be quicker and more agile. Sessions usually have three veteran musicians who start the tune. Once everyone recognizes the key, musicians join in, with some reverting back to memory.

For myself, Tuesday nights are a bit of cathartic; a getaway from school, work and internships, but also a special homage to my heritage. A homage to my grandparents and Irish cousins I've never met; an homage to my own kids who will grow with this music as I did. Sometimes I like to think that I'm not too distant from the influx of young Irish that first came to New York at the start of the Civil War. To them, the music gave them a sense of something to live for and look forward to in a far away world where xenophobia, corruption and crime ran rapid. It was a chance to gather others like yourself and create a family that you may not have had before. For me, it's a celebration, not just of the Irish, but of New York and the people that make it what it is till this day.