UNFORTUNATELY, for most Englishmen my age, the main encounter we have with Irish music is on the 17th of March, in a nondescript student bar offering cheap deals on pints of Guinness and the freedom to dance on whatever table you want without the bouncer being too heavy handed.

So it makes for a nice change to appreciate true Dublin Legends in the more respectable atmosphere that the York Barbican supplies.

From Hot Asphalt onwards, the natural rhythm of the Irish music begins to spread throughout the auditorium. The name of the band is well deserved; Sean Cannon, Eamonn Campbell, Gerry O’Connor and Paul Watchorn are experts in their fields. The musicianship is excellent, both individually and collectively; they are incredibly well rehearsed and provide a tight performance throughout the evening.

There is a charm with this band that comes across in the passion for the music they perform, from the experiences they have had throughout the years and in the anecdotes they willingly share about the founding members of The Dubliners in between songs. It was pleasing to hear them perform The Rocky Road To Dublin, a personal favourite, and I couldn’t help but sing along.

What began as a mellow evening then saw the transition of the audience, as they fully embraced the spirit of the lyrics in such songs as Seven Drunken Nights, culminating in the encore of The Wild Rover and Molly Malone, with most people remaining on their feet from the standing ovation at the end of the second half.