Strange as it may seem there actually exists Rival Establishments to The Great Institution of Chatham Street (TGI of CS). I have yet to fully comprehend the logic of this situation.

It is not the only thing in life which escapes my comprehension.

Recently a friend spoke to me of one such Establishment. The Rival Establishment of Lord Edward Street (TRE of LES) is located very close to our capitals Civic Offices.

A little too close, by all accounts.

Rumour has it that career related conversations have taken place in TRE of LES which never really should have taken place.

All that aside TRE of LES is a pleasant enough little hostelry. It pales in comparison with TGI of CS but then most, if not all, Establishments fall short of TGI of CS.

Once a month TRE of LES hosts an evening entitled The Sunflower Sessions. It is an evening of poetry and short stories. I am an individual who has been known to relate the occasional story or two, so I decided to venture forth.

Accompanying me on this epic journey was My Friend Vinny (no relation to My Cousin Vinny).

Vinny is a man of many talents. An accomplished runner/singer/songwriter and all round good guy, he recently wrote an excellent poem on life in the tenements of Dublin.

From a vision impaired point of view, entering a Rival Establishment is always something of an issue. Will the barman notice and comprehend my white cane? On this occasion the barman who serves me seems not to notice my cane. His colleague seems to be more tuned in. I get my pint and am directed to a seat whilst I wait for Vinny.

Vinny arrives and after a brief chat with a couple of our northern brethren from Belfast who are sitting near us, we head upstairs to the gig.

It’s mostly poetry, my good self being the sole exception.

Good to be different.

Quality wise, it’s a mixed bag. Some poems vividly draw the listener in to the picture that is being painted. Others do not.

An interesting evening.

We shall return.