By Christine Kilfoil
Nothing goes better in an Irish pub than an old-fashioned sing-along of Celtic and Canadian pub songs! On March 24, patrons of Brigid’s Well were treated to a night of “songs and suds”. Brigid’s Well is an authentic Irish pub with a genuine Irish feel and a large selection of Irish beers. It is in the basement of the former St. Brigid’s Church, and now operates as a focal point for Lowertown residents as well as promoting Irish heritage by hosting art exhibitions, plays and concerts.
After a hiatus during the pandemic, Brigid’s Well Pub is open and bursting with live music, dance and literary readings. To coincide with St. Patrick’s Day, the Ottawa Celtic Choir hosted an evening of “songs and suds” at the pub, inviting the audience to join the choir in singing familiar Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Canadian songs. The audience enjoyed an evening of Celtic classics including “Black Velvet Band” and “Dirty Old Town”, sea shanties by Stan Rogers and Ottawa Valley favourites such as “The Log Driver’s Waltz.” The evening ended with everyone on their feet to a rousing rendition of “Barrett’s Privateers”.
The Ottawa Celtic Choir, directed by Ellen MacIsaac, is an unauditioned women’s community choir that has been performing in the Ottawa area since 2010. Its membership includes residents from Lowertown. The choir sings songs from the seven Celtic nations (Brittany, Cornwall, Galicia, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland and Wales), as well as from strongly Celtic-influenced areas, such as the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. The repertoire includes songs in Celtic languages as well as English and French.
The choir managed to continue to practice during the pandemic via Zoom rehearsals where members came together to sing and socialize. Once it was safe to perform again in person, the choir began to slowly rebuild its membership and repertoire. The inspiration for hosting “songs and suds” events was to again allow the choir and the community to sing together the songs they know and love. The choir encourages laughter at rehearsals and a strong sense of community. It rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on the corner of Somerset and Elgin.
Brigid’s Well Pub is a real gem in Lowertown with a neighbourhood feel, offering patrons a little bit of Ireland in Ottawa. It attracts both young and old with its welcoming atmosphere and décor. Entrance to the pub is the doorway with a blue roof on Cumberland Street.
A few of the upcoming events include “Irish Writer’s Evening with Jan Carson” on Thursday June 1 and “Bloomsday with Mary Walsh and Friends” on Friday June 16. (Yes, the same Mary Walsh formerly of This Hour has 22 Minutes.)
The pub also features Saturday and Sunday afternoon ceilidhs with live music and dancing. Details can be found on the pub’s Facebook page or at https://saintbrigidscentre.com/brigids-well/