St. Stephen’s Green Bandstand

I was here on Bloomsday to see what was about and I wasn’t disappointed.
Singing. Poems. Readings. And lots of Edwardian costume.
Excellent.

I used to have great fun as a kid hanging out in the bandstand in Stephen’s Green, air-​trumpet flying and marching away to myself as if I was in a real brass band.
It is still a favourite spot of mine in the Green. It’s nice to sit next to the bandstand for a picnic lunch on a sunny day. Or shelter here on a wintery afternoon after a romantic stroll. And Matt Quigley’s excellent Outdoor Yoga classes (Yoga classes held in the fresh air at lunchtimes, mornings and evenings in the public parks around Dublin) are held in the bandstand when the weather is too wet to bend and flex on the grass.

Aw yea… forgot about this thing… I remember i was working for a graphic design company in the stephens Green area and had popped in here for my lunch… munching away on a sandwich i hear what sounded like a live band playing some blue grass and jazz… weird mix i though but i decided to investigate…
the sun was shining… families were sitting about… and in the middle the music was being played by a full live band giving it socks… it was great…
needless to say i was late back after the break.

There’s something lovely and nostalgic about bandstands. They stand for a form of entertainment long gone and it’s great to see this one is still standing in Stephen’s Green.
Shame the park wardens kicked me and my friends sitting under it off the bandstand while we were trying to catch the last little bit of shade under it on a summers day. Dicks.
I do think it would be great if a little open mic session was put on here at some point.

There’s few nicer things than a summer’s day in Dublin spent next to the bandstand in Stephen’s Green. If you’re lucky enough to catch it when there’s a band playing, it’s a treat and a half. Lazing in the sun with what is usually some kind of ‘big band’ thing going on is one of the best feelings in the world. I recently caught the Garda band playing tunes for the whole family, replete with cartoon theme songs for the kids (and adults… their knowledge of the ‘Recess’ tune surprised me!) Naturally it’s one of those things that only works in the unusual event of sunny days, but if you get it right then it’s the perfect way to pass a few hours!