Killarney: The longest running
house band in the world
 MEMBERS of Killarney on stage at the Blarney Stone anniversary party are: (L-R) Steve Ford, Marie Cronin, John Lynch, Michael Cronin and Shay Murphy.
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 EDDIE EMERMAN, owner of the Blarney Stone with Paddy Chessell of the Paddy Chessell band who entertained at the 38th anniversary party.
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 VINTAGE photo of Killarney in 1986: John Lynch, John Cronin, Mike Cronin, Marie Cronin, Terry Boyce and Eamonn Morris (who is no longer with the band).
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VANCOUVER – The Blarney Stone Restaurant and Pub located in Gastown is Vancouver’s first Irish pub and on May 23 they celebrated its 38th anniversary.
I arrived at The Blarney Stone about 10 PM, and there was a line-up at the door that looked like St. Patrick’s Day. When you arrive into a party that’s been going for several hours with all the buzz, energy and adrenalin, you feel as though you’re on the outside looking in or in my case, the oldest swinger in town.
But I need not have worried because in no time at all, a nice young man wanted to buy me a drink and another wanted to take me out for a dance. However, since I was working, I had to politely thank them for their kindness.
As Don Cherry would say, “I’ll tell ya gals, this is the place to go to if ya want to meet some good looking men.” And, as Cherry always finishes with, “I told ya so.”
The party started at 11 AM for brunch and continued all day and all night with continuous entertainment...what a birthday party!
At 10:30 PM, the fabulous Killarney Showband took to the stage to entertain. Amazingly, Killarney have been playing at The Blarney Stone for the past 26 years. They are the longest running house band in the world. The group immigrated to Canada in 1973.
Irish showbands have a great knack for reading a crowd and knowing the kind of music to keep the energy flowing. They are also noted for their great onstage presence and Killarney has all that in spades.
On stage with Killarney at the 38th anniversary were: John Lynch [lead guitar], Michael Cronin [tin whistle and flute], Marie Cronin [keyboards and vocal], Steve Ford [bass], and Shay Murphy [on drums] filling in for Terry Boyce. Later in the evening, fiddle player Angus McKinnon joined them on stage. John Cronin was not available that evening.
Over the past year, The Blarney Stone has undergone extensive renovations and if you haven’t been there for awhile, you will hardly recognize the fantastic transformation that has taken place.
What hasn’t changed is the same great atmosphere and fun times. The motto at The Blarney Stone is: Eat, drink and party like the Irish.
Speaking about the renovations at the Blarney Stone, John Cronin of Killarney said, “the renovations took place over the past two years. Since then, we have noticed a steady increase in business, especially now that The Blarney Stone is open seven days a week and serving food.”
The Blarney Stone have plenty of televisions for watching your favourite sports including the World Cup, check their website for game times.
The Blarney Stone is located at 216 Carrall Street, (Gastown) Vancouver, B.C. For more information, call (604) 687-4322 or visit: www.blarneystone.ca.
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