The Abbey Tavern Singers

I had high hopes of this being more traditional Irish music than the rather lack lustre folk that we get here. The cover photo features a Uillean pipe player but no sign of it on the songs on side two at least.

"The story, as outlined by the ARC Records sleeve notes, stated that: "The Abbey Tavern Singers were formed in 1962 when Mrs. (Minnie) Scott-Lennon of the Abbey Tavern in Howth, Dublin decided that musicians and balladeers performing in a relaxed sing-along manner would be popular. Within a short time the newly formed Singers were drawing capacity crowds into the Howth establishment. In 1966 a solid Irish rouser "We're Off To Dublin In The Green" featuring the singers was released on TV as a beer commercial. This ad created by Carling Breweries Ltd. increased the group's popularity many times over and indeed in Canada listening to the Abbey Tavern Singers fast became the new national past-time. This song-come-jingle was then released on record by the Singers and became an international hit. Shortly thereafter the Abbey Tavern Singers toured North America and charmed the continent."




Abbey Tavern Singers - Side Two