By Caron Schwartz
“I’ve never had a St. Patrick’s Day off in the last 40 years,” says the Irish-born singer-songwriter Brendan Nolan.
Nolan left Dublin and landed in Montreal in 1979. “I was just young and wanted to get away,” he says. “Regular work wasn’t exactly suited to me.” He started playing music and, although he hadn’t intended to leave his homeland permanently, that changed when he met his wife, Maureen. She was a teacher, so during spring breaks the two often traveled to St. Pete Beach where he performed at the late, lamented Harp & Thistle Pub. In 1993 they decided to make SPB their forever home.
Although a prolific performer with eight CDs under his belt, Nolan hasn’t made a recording in several years. “It’s just difficult to sell CDs,” he admits.
But he sure is busy, performing at pubs including Molly Malone’s in Tampa, Mary Margaret’s in St. Petersburg, and Flanagan’s in Dunedin. Sadly, he hasn’t had a SPB gig since the Harp & Thistle poured its last pint in 2005.
He’s also resuming his “Musical & Historical” tours of Ireland, where most of his family lives. This year’s October tour is already sold out. “I’ll finally get to see my family again after this Covid break,” Nolan is happy to report.
So, while you’re quaffing green beer and carrying on, Brendan Nolan will be providing the entertainment, probably at Molly Malone’s. “I’ll be starting around lunchtime and going ‘till I drop.”