Irish guitarist Brian Gaffney pursues his passion at the ‘Dub’

Never mind that The Dubliner on Capital Hill is one of the Districts most authentic of Irish pubs (both architecturally and for the hearty dishes served up), it also happens to be a place where pints of Guinness flow as freely and deliciously as the songs and music from its regular performers. And few musicians are as welcomed by patrons and management as the singer and guitarist, Brian Gaffney. Born in Tralee, County Kerry, Gaffney will entertain newcomers as well as his loyal followers tonight and for the next two nights on the stage in the main barroom of the Dubliner.

“I have been listening to Brian sing for 20 years, and I still enjoy it each time I hear him,” said Dubliner’s general manager Gavin Coleman, whose father Daniel opened the pub in 1974. “People hearing Brian for the first time love him because they know they are hearing the very best of traditional Irish and pub music from a true Irishman.”

Equally entertaining, however, are the locals returning time and again to hear Brian strumming and tapping out tunes like Whiskey in the Jar, Wild Rover, The Fields of Athenry and Star of County Down.

“Locals love Brian because they know every time they see him, they are guaranteed a great performance no matter how many times they have seen him before,” Coleman said.

The affable Gaffney performed all over Ireland until 1985 when he immigrated to America. First arriving in Boston, he filled in with the band, Dublin Sound, before touring America with the group, Claddagh for more than three years. In the District and Northern Virginia, he worked with the group, Brendan’s Voyage and released two successful albums, “In Full Sail” and “Close to the Wind.” He managed and performed in D.C.’s Nanny O’Brien’s Irish Pub for the next 14 years and, upon selling it, he now focuses primarily on his music career, or as he calls it, “…pursuing my passion.”

All the while, Gaffney has been playing gigs at the Dubliner, modestly dismissing the praise that comes his way.

“I’ve been playing at the ‘Dub’ for 24 years, so I guess that I’ve become part of the operation,” he said.