The Blind Piper Pub

Of course, there are many lovely pubs in Ireland where you can also eat well. This one is located in a lovingly restored house on the Kerry Way. blindpiperpub.ie And there is a story to the name too: "Mici Cumba O'Sullivan or An Piobaire Cumba as he was better known was born in Castlecove, Co Kerry about 1835. He became partially blind while living in Massachusetts where he had emigrated early and was later to return to Kerry with his wife and daughter. His fame spread quickly after he was discovered by Mr Wayland, President of the Pipers Club. Wayland recorded several of his pieces on Ediphone including the beautiful lament 'Gol na mban san Ar' for the Irish who died fighting the Cromwellians at the Battle of Cnoc na nOs near Mallow Co Cork in 1649. The late piper Willie Clancy was so deeply impressed by O'Sullivan's recording that he stated that if he had heard such a playing in his youth he would have spent his life trying to make all his music sound like that. Mici, however, was not so keen on the latest technology. When he heard the phonograph playing his tunes, Mici frowned and gave it several blows with the stick before he was restrained. He considered it another example of the devil's work! Sadly, Mici Cumba died in the Caherciveen workhouse around 1916, old, weak and friendless. Research Padraig O'Loingsigh"