The Whelan’s family came together in June for a tribute to Joe Nicholson, one of the venue’s legendary figures who’d passed away two months earlier.

Among those taking to the Wexford Street stage were Glen Hansard, Gavin Glass, Joe and Steve Wall, HamsandwicH, Leslie Dowdall and Paddy Casey.

His celebrity fan club also includes Matt Berninger from The National who told Hot Press: “Joe was one of the beating hearts of Whelan’s. He made us feel so very welcome and appreciated. Later, when my Mom and her friend were on a sightseeing trip round Ireland, they just happened on Whelan’s and started talking to this really friendly guy who had no idea of their connection to me or The National. That, of course, was Joe who ended up getting wasted with the two of them! These ripple effects, the little moments that just circulate and orbit around and echo through our lives… It makes me really humbled to have connected with Joe. What a truly great guy.”

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