We’ve always known that JJ Harlow’s is one of Connacht’s best live music venues and last week it was made official at the IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards in Dublin.
The Roscommon town venue was shortlisted in the Connacht section of the awards, which makes it one of the top five venues for live music in the province. It also means that JJ’s was among 25 other venues nominated nationally.
Co-proprietor, Caitlín McConn, was understandably happy last week: “We’re thrilled! There was some pretty stiff competition with places like The Quays and Matt Molloy’s who are so well established. It was amazing to be shortlisted.”
JJ’s went up against eventual winners The Quays (Galway), Monroe’s (Galway), Matt Molloy’s (Westport, Co. Mayo) and The Venue (Strandhill, Co. Sligo) for the prestigious award and Caitlín said it was a wonderful achievement to be in such illustrious company.
“For Brian (Mugan, co-proprietor) and Brian Kelly and our promoter Dave McLynn this is brilliant recognition for the hard work they do. There are something like 11,500 venues and then the shortlist is 25 over the five regions as Dublin is a separate region. It goes to a public vote then so it’s brilliant to be shortlisted,” she said.
Caitlín congratulated Galway venue, The Quays, on the award but vowed that JJ’s would be our to win it next year.
The disappointment of missing out on the Best Live Music Venue was short-lived however, as JJ’s was nominated for ‘Best Pub in Connacht’ in the Irish Restaurant Awards last week. The awards will take place on March 28th at the Radisson Blu in Sligo.
