On a sunny Saturday evening, on the 9th of July, the Iveagh Gardens was the place to be as Dublin singer-songwriter, or simply just all time Irish legend, Damien Dempsey, took to the stage, as the church of Damo returned for the first time in three years.
The Donaghmede native took to the stage at 8:45, to a lively crowd, who by now had already spent over an hour repeatedly chanting “Damo! Damo! Damo!”. The energy was electric from the very first second the ‘Apple of My Eye’ singer stood on the stage.
Damo is no stranger to Iveagh Gardens, with him playing an annual show there for as long as I can remember, however, two songs in, Dempsey was already claiming that this would be the best Iveagh Gardens show yet, based on the “beautiful energy and spirit”, before appreciating the moment saying, “it’s been a long lockdown”, which was the truth.
There were laughs, there were tears, and there was a strong sense of Irish pride, three things you’re guaranteed at a Damo gig.
I had always heard great things about Damo’s gigs, in particular his Iveagh Gardens gigs, but had never managed to get to one, so I was massively impressed with the show I saw on Saturday night.
Damien Dempsey is an artist I think everyone needs to see live at least once in their lives. What’s presented on stage is more than just a concert, it’s an experience, it’s therapeutic, it’s magic.
It’s not a summer without a Damo Iveagh Gardens gig, but it’s also not a Christmas without a Damo Vicar Street gig, and limited tickets for his four-show run in the iconic Vicar Street are on sale now.
Damo, go raibh míle maith agat
