IMRO Venue Of The Year Awards

DOLAN’S Bar and Warehouse have been nominated and shortlisted for this year’s IMRO Venue of the year. The awards recognise Irish venues which provide the very highest standards in live music entertainment. Over 400 venues across the Country qualify for the awards and these include pubs, hotels, arts centres, theatres, purpose built music venues and many more.

Dolan’s has been at the helm of the live music scene in Limerick since Mick and Valerie Dolan walked through the doors 12 years ago. The Limerick Post’s Claire Kelly spoke to Mick Dolan about the venue of the year nomination and upcoming events on the music calender at the Dock Road venue. “For the size of the venue we punch well above our weight for the bands and acts we get to play. It is great for us to be nominated and short-listed for Munster and for Ireland”. Dolan’s is without question a great venue with a purpose built sound facilities and great staff. “It’s a family run business”, continues Mick, “we are all involved and there are not too many businesses like this left.  We feel were in the top tier, it’s great for Limerick when bands come here they have a great time. It’s the staff, the customers and the love of music in the place, it filters down throughout”.

Mick recommends checking out Laura Izibor and her fabulous band. Those who were at her show last May can attest to her consistent superb performances..  There is an exciting Burlesque night at Dolan’s which promises to be a great night’s entertainment on December 11. The Lola Montez Cabaret Vaudeville Burlesque features 15 dancers, 12 musicians and six singers, accompanied by actors, street performers and special guests taking bites from burlesque, cabaret and vaudeville, with a style nod to 1890s Paris, 1920s Germany, 1950s Vegas and a 21st century sense of delicious decadence.

One band that are regular visitors to Dolan’s and continue to return are The Blizzards. “The Blizzards are back again on Saturday December 5, and Kila are here on December 28. New Year’s Eve in the Warehouse we are delighted to have Jack L back again, Eric Fitz on the decks, The O’Malley’s and your favourite Trad in the bar. We have a lot happening early next year too with Hayseed Dixies coming in February and a few surprises too”.

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Many acts played Dolan’s before they broke into the mainstream and became huge stars internationally such as Snow Patrol, Paddy Casey and Duke Special who Mick recalls had a welsh lady playing support for him by the name of Duffy! Recent big names to rock the Warehouse include Editors, Franz Ferndinand, Kasabian, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green and The Wailers. The awards take place at a special event in Dublin at IMRO Headquarters in December.

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