The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

THE POPES. Release The Beast. Recall

There is a live in London CD, and a new album, Holloway Boulevard.

The vocals recorded live are drowned by the high-octane music.

Frontman Paul ‘Mad Dog’ McGuinness sounds like he smoked himself horse just before the gig. 

The strength of this live offering is the best banjo playing for years. Tom McManahon is a banjo-picking genius.

Disc two is a whole different kettle of fish. The production is top-class, and McGuinness has been off the tabs.

The title track Holloway Boulevard is one for the London Irish: a dirty street song in the vein of The Pogues’ The Old Main Drag.

Hills Of Connemara is great. It’s about foxin’ the Filth and making poitin.

Overall this is decent thigh-slapping party music. 

Just as Sinatra and Diana Ross made music to sip champagne from iced-flutes to, The Popes make music for skulling pints from plastic glasses.

Amen to that.

MAXIM KELLY