What's with the name?

Its the 90's and Tom Mulligan has just taken on the licence of an 'Early House' in Dublin's old Smithfield suburb, an area of old warehouses, markets and a traditional monthly horse fair.  (An 'Early House' is one that opens very early in the morning, mainly for those coming off night shifts - but they can also used by those who have been partying all night.  There are still a few in Dublin).

Mulligan's pub was a sports bar, with TVs, darts, pool table and a football team. Tom has a few changes in mind.   The TVs go, the sports depart soon after, and it becomes The Cobblestone Pub.

 Traditional Irish music comes in and slowly, slowly, it builds a local, then national, then international reputation as the Dublin base for all things of the Irish tradition: language, music, song and dance, all served up in a traditional pub with the finest hospitality.

Along the way, around 2006, Tom sees a need for a space for adults who want to be part of it all, but who wouldn't be seen dead trying to play traditional irish music in public, unless perhaps they were wearing a balaclava.

'The Balaclavas' is born. 

Tom provides a space, a teacher and in come the students. You learn tunes, but more importantly, you learn how to play those tunes along with others of a similar skill level. It's now been going strong for 20 years, with up to 30 or more participants of a busy evening.

Fast forward to today and most of Smithfield has transformed into a trendy high-density apartment suburb with the old market area converted into an open urban space. 

As a building, The Cobblestone is a reminder of that old, somewhat dilapidated Dublin era, but appearances can be deceptive. As an institution, it is a fine, virbrant pub and much-loved exemplar of the very best of Irish traditions and hospitality. It's one that patrons are actively trying to protect from seemingly relentless, bland urban development.

Check out Love Letter to the Cobblestone