There’s myrrh on the dancefloor…
Nightclubs across the country are preparing to reopen their doors for patrons.
Kegs ordered, floors cleaned, and mints filled in the bowls in the jacks. But one spot in Donegal has gone the extra mile in making sure the patrons are safe as they open their doors for the first time in 10 years.
The Dodge Venue in Donegal recently invited Father Brian Ó Fearraigh to bless the nightclub 24 hours before young people from around the county make the pilgrimage to Gweedore.
Speaking to JOE, Father Brian said that the blessing of new items and businesses was an old tradition in the Gaeltacht area.
“I got the call two days ago and was invited to visit the club and bless it. It’s nothing out of the ordinary to have something blessed. When people have a new home, or a new car, they like to invite me down and to bless whatever it may be”, said the priest.
“It was my first time in the club to bless it, but I’ve been there many times before. It was holy water I had with me last night, but it might have been whiskey before!”
Shane Barr, owner of the Dodge, said it was important for him and his family to reopen the club.
“The club closed around 10 years ago, and it’s been quite a tough few years in the area, particularly the past two years due to the pandemic… It’s great to be able to provide a place for people to go out and to give them some fun and craic again.”
“Our own family would have a deep connection with the venue and the hotel. My own grandfather was the owner before, and I would have been raised around the area, so it’s really nice to be able to come back and reopen it again.”
“It’s important to have the connection with the church as well, and belief would be very strong in our family… We had a lovely sermon from Father Brian, and we had great craic with him after.”
Tá an Dodge coisricthe agus an chéad deoch ólta sa Dodge úr ag @brianofearraigh 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0gII81lOdw
— Aodh Ó Fearraigh (@HMFerry) October 21, 2021
The club is reopening at the same time as Fomhair Festival, a week of concerts and events in the area, with acts like The Waterboys, Kneecap, and a special charity event with Derek Ryan in aid of Donegal Cancer Flights.
A tweet sharing images of the priest blessing the club was posted by local journalist Aodh Ó Fearraigh, and has been seen by over 127,000 Twitter users at the time of publishing.
Father Brian promised he would return to the club as the “spin master”, and that his playlist would include Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’ and Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.
“A lot of people ask me why is it that there’s a ‘Stairway to Heaven’, but there’s a ‘Highway to Hell’. I haven’t got the answer yet, but I’ll let you know!”
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