UK & Ireland December 2010

[James]

So long as we're still under 40 quid, I'm definitely going.

[Fionn MacCool]

Excellent news, blessings to Philip and the band hope they stay in the best of health for these gigs and beyond. Might head to one of the Irish gigs depending on how soon in December they are.

Are ye gonna get BibleCodeSundays to support or is it gonna be another shower of shite in skinny jeans

[old barney greyheron]

I am trying to 'tap up' my sister to book tickets for anywhere within reasonable travelling distance.

[joe505]

why is there no belfast show?

[Robert]

Hi Phil, thanks for the heads up on the Christmas Tour.

Any chance Glasgow could fall on a weekend? That would be fantastic!

This year will hopefully be my 6th Christmas gig in a row. December in Glasgow just wouldn't be the same without The Pogues!!

I hope you and the band are all keeping well. Take care and we'll see you in December!!

[Walshy]

Well I never.....................

Talking of a shower of shite in skinny jeans may I suggest Stornoway for support? I heart <3 them. Tons.



Ps. Having to know prime numbers to post a message as a guest ... christ, you truly are the geekiest geek ever DzM haha.

[satanicsurferz]

Hi everyone!

I've traveled in many cities to see The Pogues... Boston, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Vitoria Gasteiz...
But I always wanted to see them in their home country.

What prevented me to do so was that their annual UK/Ireland tour was always in December.

When I see The Pogues in a place I've never been, I always took a couple of weeks to visit the city and explore nearby attractions. If I was to go to this tour, I would surely want to visit London, Edinburgh, Dublin and maybe more cities (but at least those three).

I've read that in December, it's cold, windy, rainy and it's dark (days are shorter). I still haven't made up my mind yet about whether I should go or not.

I'm asking for advices from local people.
Is this a good time to explore those cities in December?
Should I visit those cities in the summer instead (because I want to visit them someday for sure) and see The Pogues elsewhere (or maybe summer festival).

Please be honest in your answers
I wouldn't want to put a lot of money and effort and not enjoy my trip because of the weather (and darkness).
As a background, I'm from Quebec City, Canada (near Montréal).

Thanks !

[mcguck]

I'm from the Chicago area and have had the good fortune of seeing the Pogues Xmas tour in Dublin Belfast and last year in London...of the 3 I'd strongly recommend a week in London. Everyone should go to London during the Xmas season at least once. Yes you'll only have 8 or so hours of light but at night it's magical and there's much to do...it's a little cold but you're from Canada, and that's not really balmy! Dress as you would for winter in Canada and you'll be fine. At night you can walk the streets and see magnificent Xmas displays around Covent Garden and Oxford, Bond, Regent and other streets. Go spend an evening at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Go to an evening Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Go to an Evensong service at Westminister Abbey. Go to the beautiful colorful ice rink at Somerset House. Take a night cruise down the Thames or an evening whirl on the London Eye. Go see the lights and Xmas displays at Harrods. There are a number of Xmas markets (mostly German) throughout the city. Go see a West End play. See the huge Christmas tree and carolers in Trafalgar Square. And on your last night or 2 go see the Pogues in Brixton! There's nothing like hearing FONY live during the holiday season. The underground tube makes getting around very easy. And there are thousands of terrific pubs and restaurants. You can find good cheap clean accomodations at a place like Premier Inn (a chain like Holiday Inn--I recommend the one at the London Eye). During the day there are a ton of things to do that are free...British Museum, British Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, National History Museum. And you'll hear FONY in the stores and on the streets.
Therer's lots to do in Dublin as well, and at night just bar hop and find good trad music.

Airfares are lower in winter as well (though not much!) Don't--I repeat--DON'T pass up the chance to see the Pogues at Xmas just because it's a little cold. There's much to see and do in both London and Dublin and a lot of it's free. If you're thinking about doing it, DO IT! You won't regret it.

[satanicsurferz]

mcguck,

I must thank you for your very detailed answer!

I'm just hesitating cause that might be my first and only time in UK and Ireland and I really want to see those three cities and I'm afraid I might miss something by going there in December.

Like you said, being from Québec, I don't mind the cold at all. I'm sure it's WAY colder where I live.
It's more the rain and the short days that makes me wonder.

Thanks again!

[philipchevron]

mcguck,

I must thank you for your very detailed answer!

I'm just hesitating cause that might be my first and only time in UK and Ireland and I really want to see those three cities and I'm afraid I might miss something by going there in December.

Like you said, being from Québec, I don't mind the cold at all. I'm sure it's WAY colder where I live.
It's more the rain and the short days that makes me wonder.

Thanks again!

Meh! There's nothing the matter with a short day that can't be cured by getting up earlier.

[Guest]

Meh! There's nothing the matter with a short day that can't be cured by getting up earlier.

But after a Pogues show, one doesn't want to go to bed... which makes it hard to wake up the next morning

[Paddy Q]

Can anyone recommend parking in Dubin? I'm a 17 yr old who has yet to get the driving license and I hope to go to see them this December again (Belfast was great last time...none this year?)

Any help would be appreciated, thanks

[ahunter]

mcguck,

I must thank you for your very detailed answer!

I'm just hesitating cause that might be my first and only time in UK and Ireland and I really want to see those three cities and I'm afraid I might miss something by going there in December.

Like you said, being from Québec, I don't mind the cold at all. I'm sure it's WAY colder where I live.
It's more the rain and the short days that makes me wonder.

Thanks again!

I have to throw in my 2 cents worth; I've seen the band in Boston, LA, Kansas City and Dublin 2X. My wife and I visit Ireland twice a year from Canada. (July and December). Don't think that Dublin or surrounding area is any less fun because its cool, wet or short days. The weather is no different than our Canadian climate in December. There is always much to see and do in Dublin. Including shopping, touring and the trendy Temple Bar!

A Pogues concert is just the icing on the cake. This year my wife and I will be taking our 5 and 8 year old to Dublin for the shows. (Seated of course). The Christmas tour is a real must see!! Don't miss the chance!!

Adam Hunter
Ontario, Canada

[mcguck]

your fellow Canadian Adam is right on the money! There's plenty to do in Dublin during the Xmas season. We've stayed several times at Eliza Lodge in Temple Bar. You're within walking distance of everything--shopping on Grafton O'Connell and Nassau St., Trinity College, Stephens Green, National Gallery, National Museum, St Pat's and Christchurch, Dublin Castle. Temple Bar is a little pricey but there are several pubs with trad, or you're within walking distance of others with trad like O'Donoghues, Brazen Head, O'Shea's Merchants.

Paddy Q there is a 24 hour parking garage on Fleet St. in Temple Bar, expensive but about the only one in that area. Driving in downtown Dublin is not fun. If you don't absolutely have to I'd avoid it.

[rumsodomyandthelash]

All these cities have plenty to see at any time of the year , i went to New York to see the band and it was very cold, had a great time and hopefully i'll get back there again sometime,if you go to Dublin go to Kilmainham Gaol its a must see , personally i just love seeing the band if thats your main drive to come over and you can afford it i'd say come you wont be disappointed, summer can be pretty crap over here anyway , there aint nothing like a dance in the snow to Fairytale at Xmas, Dublin Or London for me this year, unfortunately i cant afford to do both and the first time in Brums new academy ( i Presume ).
Just do it