Gig Review: George Murphy & The Rising Sons at Greyfriars Club

Greyfriars Club is always buzzing when artists of this calibre appear, and tonight was no exception as there was a steady flow of people when the doors opened at 8pm. The band’s reputation preceded them, as they’d played here last year, and people were hungry for more traditional Irish music of which George Murphy supplied in spades.

George Murphy has serious pedigree, plying his trade in pubs and venues in Ireland alongside some of Ireland’s most famous musicians. 

The band had set up at floor level, not least because with seven members in the band, it was a challenge to fit them all on the stage. Not only this but as George explained to me, being a musician that has played with session bands as well as the many pubs in Dublin, he particularly likes audience participation, of which there was to be plenty this evening.

George’s Dad, also called George, had travelled over with the band, and I chatted with him before the gig. George told me that the band were all part timers; they had daytime jobs as well, whilst his son was the only full time musician in the band.

These guys may well be part timers, but you’d never guess it. George Murphy plays guitar and vocals backed up by Joey Hughes rock solid throughout on bass with the remarkable Shane O’ Hannigan on percussion who also has a wonderful singing voice. No self respecting Irish band would be complete without a fiddle player and the band boasts one of the best in Ireland in Sean Reagan who’s played with some of the greats including Finbar Furey. Tommy Whelan is the band’s electric guitar maestro, alongside multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Morrison who plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and harmonica. Lastly and certainly not least, is the ‘whistling wizard’  David Brown, who is simply stunning on the whistle.

This was the second leg of George’s ‘mini tour’ as he’d played in Rhyl the previous evening after disembarking the Stena Ferry from Dublin and was due to play in Manchester the day after he’d played at Greyfriars. He’s really a busy guy, as after playing at Greyfriars, he flew back to Dublin to play at the Luke Kelly festival, before flying back again to rejoin the rest of the band to play in Manchester. George jokingly remarked on social media that the private jet was being serviced so Ryanair had to suffice!

There was to be a few surprises in the evening, not least when former Forest and Republic of Ireland player Andy Reid got up to play a couple of numbers later in the evening.

The band took up position shortly after 9pm, launching straight into The Foggy Dew, which was received with rapturous applause from the crowd, quickly followed by Shane MacGowan’s, A Rainy Night In Soho, which was particularly apt, as it was also a rainy night in Nottingham. There was to be many and varied songs to be played throughout the evening, with Bob Dylan’s Like A Rolling Stone featuring alongside a couple of Scottish ballads sprinkled amongst the Irish favourites like Rocky Road To Dublin, Song for Ireland and the evergreen Fields of Athenry with a guest singer from the audience. The audience really loved all this with some up dancing whilst others linked hands.

George senior joined his son to sing a song that is always popular at venues like this called Grace, a ballad which tells the true story of Joseph Plunkett who married his  sweetheart Grace Gifford only hours before he faced a firing squad in Kilmainham jail for his part in the Irish uprising in 1916.

In the interval, as the bar got busy, I chatted to three ladies sat at the same table as myself called Mary, Sue and Pat. Mary told me that she’d come from Wollaton and she and her two friends were regulars at Greyfriars. This place is so much more than just a music venue; it’s also a community centre with many activities happening throughout the week. For example, there’s games nights, Sunday Roasts and Fish and Chip Fridays at very reasonable prices. The club is also an ideal venue for receptions and parties, and there is always all the Forest and Celtic matches on the big screen. It’s a place where everyone is made to feel welcome, and this was certainly my experience chatting to many friendly people who had come intent on an enjoyable night out.

Things were really turned up a notch or two after the break with yet more favourite songs resounding along Gordon Road. Former Forest midfielder, Andy Reid, himself a Dubliner, who has also played for Spurs, Sunderland, Charlton and Blackpool, as well as The Republic of Ireland, got up and played a couple of lovely songs giving his all to Big Strong Man and Spancil Hill with everyone singing along word perfect.

The songs came thick and fast now, with The Rare Auld Times and a very rocky Rocky Road to Dublin thanks to Tommy Whelan’s tricoloured electric guitar’s hot licks. George senior made a return visit joining the band to sing Whisky in the Jar to loud cheers after which ‘whistling wizard’ David Brown demonstrated his sparkling skills with the Scottish ballad, Caledonia.

It was getting perilously near to the witching hour as The Auld Triangle signalled that the night’s entertainment was nearly over, with everyone on their feet shouting loudly for more.

If you like traditional Irish Music then Greyfriars is most definitely the place in Nottingham to go, where so many well known Irish bands have appeared. Many thanks go out to Paul and all the staff at Greyfriars for their kind hospitality and who made this such a memorable event for everyone.

George Murphy and the Rising Sons played Greyfriars Club on Saturday 24th May 2025.