The John Hewitt
"The Craic was 90!"
Applying watercolour to the original sketch
That's what we call a good night here in Northern Ireland.
When I was travelling in the Summer of 2000 I worked in a bar in Wildwood, New Jersey. I got a lot of strange looks when I used this term. "The CRACK was what? You Irish are craaaazy!" I was told.
After some explanations, and a few laughs, my American customers got the picture. It's an Irish charm, we've many of them here.
It's one of the reasons why St Patrick's day is celebrated all over the world. Everyone can drink Guinness, pretend to play the spoons** and be an Irish dancer for the day. It's called having FUN.
'Craic' can be found in many Irish establishments. Belfast Bars especially. I suggest starting with the John Hewitt (sketched below) this Thursday.
If you're a million miles away from the John Hewitt and having the 'craic' elsewhere in the world I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.
Where are you having the craic this St Patrick's Day?
P.S Only in Ireland can you call yourself a musician with a set of spoons. No qualifications or training needed. Just open your cutlery drawer, grab yourself a set, give them a good ole' shake and hey presto. Go make yourself some fiddle-ie-dee.