Róisín Dubh: The Beating Heart of Galway’s Music Scene
Róisín Dubh: The Beating Heart of Galway’s Music Scene
There’s a magic in the bones of the Róisín Dubh. You can feel it the second you walk in: the warmth, the noise, and the ghosts of thousands of gigs resonating off the walls.
As part of our Jack Daniel’s series spotlighting the faces and spaces pushing Irish creativity forward, we sat down with Gugai, the venue’s longtime booker and local hero, to talk about what keeps this iconic Galway institution pulsing.
For the past three decades, Gugai has been at the centre of it all. Part booker, part believer, part ringmaster of Galway’s creative chaos. He’s been putting on gigs in the city for nearly 30 years, long before the Róisín Dubh became the institution it is now.
“When I came to Galway, there weren’t any gigs I wanted to see,” he says. “So I started running them.”
The DIY spark has never left, and you can still see it in the lineups. The risk-taking, the weirdness, and the unpolished edges all make the shows here unforgettable. “When a band comes here, they feel welcome,” he says. “And the audience picks up on that. We’re not afraid to take chances. To work with bands at any level.”
That’s what keeps it alive. This approach has shaped the Róisín Dubh into something greater than a venue. It’s a launchpad, a testing ground, a community hub where scenes are born. From Fontaines D.C. to Kneecap to Lankum, countless acts who first played tiny shows on Dominick Street have gone on to redefine Irish music entirely.
“The first time you see Fontaines, you knew. When Kneecap played here, you could feel it this was going to blow up,” Gugai recalls. “And Lankum too, we always knew they were special.”
“Without new bands, you don’t get old bands.” This philosophy has quietly helped sustain the Irish live scene through every cultural cycle. And right now, Gugai believes we are in the midst of something unprecedented. “The Irish music scene right now is probably more vibrant than it’s been in decades,” he says. “Every band’s success fuels another’s.”
There are few rooms in Ireland that have witnessed as many transcendent moments. One that still stands out for Gugai was when Sinéad O’Connor played there. “It was mind-blowing. To see an artist like that, that close… it’s easily one of the best things I’ve ever seen.” He laughs, glancing down at the goosebumps on his arm. “You can see the hairs standing up just thinking about it.”
The Róisín Dubh’s story is one of persistence, passion, and trust in artists, audiences, and in the idea that music means more when it’s shared. As Gugai puts it, “I made a list of ten bands I wanted to work with when I started. I’ve done nine. So I guess it’s time to make a new list.”
That curiosity and ambition is what has kept the Róisín Dubh alive all these years. In a world constantly changing, this Galway landmark has remained a constant. It’s still alive with possibility.
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