Since 1971, Emmett’s Place in Oxford Circle has been the place to go for great Irish music and dancing every weekend. But now, after 37 years, owner Emmett Ruane is retiring. And in true Irish fashion, his friends are holding a “wake” for the place where they drank beer and danced sets even as the neighborhood became less and less Irish.
On Saturday, October 25, some of the musicians who played at Emmett’s—for some of them, one of their first gigs after arriving in the city from Ireland—will be providing the music one last time. (Update, October 27, 2008: Here’s a video sampler of the farewell party.)
Starting at 7 PM, you might catch Tommy Moffitt, the Vince Gallagher Band, the Malones and Their Cousin, Gerry TImlin, the King Brothers, Erins’ Heirs, Mike Brill, Paul Moore, Tom McHugh, Pat Campbell, Oliver McElhone, The Birmingham Six, The Brigade, Cletus McBride, The Celtic Connection, Tom Kelly, the Tara Gael Dancers, and more. (If you’re interested in being a part of the musical troupe, contact Fintan Malone at (215) 379-0424.)
Moore, lead singer of Paddy’s Well, previously of Blackthorn, says he knows the place and its owner “all too well.”
“He’s one of the finest people I know.” says Moore. “I am thrilled he can retire happily after all those years and that we can give him a nice farewell this weekend. All of the bands that I have ever played with got our first chance to play publicly there—Blarney Stones a/k/a Blarney, Blackthorn and Paddy’s Well. He was always true to keeping Irish music in the pub all through the years—’til the very end—through good years and bad.
“I love and respect the fact that he gave so many musicians a chance to succeed in the past 40 years so I am really looking forward to giving him a big farewell this weekend and saying thanks for everything.
“I have so many funny stories and happy memories from emmett’s place that it is hard to pick one. But I would say that my dad (Paul) and my grandfather (Will O’Donnell) only ever heard me perform in public in one place before they both passed away in 1990. It was Emmett’s Place and that’s something i’ll always remember.”
Dancers, too have their memories.
Marianne MacDonald, host of the radio show “Come West Along the Road,” has been going to Emmett’s since the early ’90s. She recalls her first visit. “I went to see Blarney (Fintan and Tom Brett). There was a full crowd, with several folks from New Jersey. On the way home, we realized that Levick Street was one way in the wrong direction and, not being sure what to do, we made a right and ended up doing a scenic tour of North Philly on the way home. The next time we made sure we followed someone who knew the way.
“There were many memorable times but probably one of my favorites was the night before Thanksgiving when Tommy Moffit would play and all of the folks would come in and catch up with each other. The place would be packed to the gills, you could hardly move, you were lucky if you got a seat and there would be three or four sets dancing on the tiny dance floor. It was always a great night, lots of fun and you’d see people you hadn’t seen in months.
“I think it’s sort of like the Northeast’s answer to Cheers, where everyone knows your name. You always felt very comfortable coming through that front door and you’d hear folks calling hello, waving to you and there would be Emmett at the back of the bar by the kitchen or at his table with the lamp.
“I know I will miss the place an awful lot. I hadn’t been getting there as much as I used to but I always tried to get there at least once a month. Emmett deserves a lot of credit for starting the Irish music and keeping it running all these years, through thick and thin. I feel like it’s the end of an era but Emmett certainly deserves a well-earned retirement! I hope everyone comes out next Saturday night for the send-off party.”
Hey, we’re going to be there! Hope to see you too! Emmett’s Place is at 925 Levick Street.
