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Exploring Irish folk music w/ The Mary Wallopers // GemsOnVHS™

GemsOnVHS | January 17, 2026



Some of y’all may remember my trips to Ireland, and the resulting field recordings so far released (watch them here; https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs_EQs5RN521npTFpevgGI51gPV5QUntn ). Back in 2021, I was planning a big return trip to the country with my mate Matt Heckler (https://youtu.be/UxZCjro3Kps). Unfortunately, Matt had to back out, but he introduced me to a group of talented young folk musicians, Charles and Andrew, who played rowdy old tunes under the name “The Mary Wallopers”. I decided to go and check them out myself, and the resulting adventures were legendary. I let the camera roll as they showed me their town, Dundalk, up near the border between north and south. The lads are a riot, always up to something crazy, and it’s hard not to be laughing 24/7 when you’re with them. Despite the lighthearted nature of the moment to moment interactions, they have a serious tilt to their music, using folk songs as they were intended; tools of the working class. Cutting social commentary and real, down to earth subject matter, they come from a long tradition of brilliant performers. Woody Guthrie would be right at home with them.

We also put this movie out on ACTUAL VHS. Yes, it is no longer just a name, GemsOnVHS is real now. It started as a joke, and many hours of tinkering later we created these 100% homemade tapes. Break out your VCR and order one from us, it’ll help keep Gems going. Fair warning through, it might be 25 minutes of this movie, then Die Hard or something for the rest of the tape. (https://gemsonvhs.myshopify.com/products/vhs-field-recordings-in-ireland-with-the-mary-wallopers)

Thank you to everyone who made time to record with me in Ireland, to Cian for responding to my endless emails, to the Wallopers for opening their life to me for a bit, Robbie and Jack for sending me funny memes, Tadhg Mulligan for his reckless inspiration, Sean McMahon for 2nd camera on that last video in the pub (RIP to my SD card lol). I’ll be back sooner than later, and you’re all welcome in Tennessee anytime.

Find more of the Mary Wallopers here;
https://www.instagram.com/marywallopers/
https://www.marywallopers.com/

I hope you all enjoy the longer, more elaborate documentary style recording. It is something i’ve always wanted to do, but our Patreon supporters made it possible to finally make into reality. This is the type of documentary i’ve always loved; real people, real music. It is the opposite of what our culture and technology encourages. No fake posing, no social media dancing, no clickbait. It is a slow, winding slice of life in this decade, and I hope you can appreciate it for that. Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, and Rusty Shackleford.

Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.
https://www.patreon.com/gemsonvhs

GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
We’re on instagram (@gemsonvhs or @anthonysimpkins)
Like us on FB too! (http://www.facebook.com/gemsonvhs)
www.gemsonvhs.com

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Written by GemsOnVHS

Comments

This post currently has 26 comments.

  4. @banned-in-jc

    January 17, 2026 at 3:28 pm

    I just returned from a wonderful trip to Ireland last month. While passing through Dundalk on our way to Dublin from Belfast, my brother, his wife and I stopped in for lunch at the Sunray Bakery (where Eileen Og was shot)! They were the sweetest folks! We talked for some time about this video and the Wallopers, and they were kind enough to show us some spots around town where the fellas hang out. It was a tasty lunch and a truly lovely afternoon. I highly recommend stopping in, if you find yourself in the beautiful confines of Dundalk.

  7. @IrishJon

    January 17, 2026 at 3:28 pm

    Bands need to start checking who owns the festivals they’re playing at, especially if they’re serious about boycotting any anti-Palestinian ones. Fair play to the Wallopers for standing up for what’s right.

  13. @jacklandismusic

    January 17, 2026 at 3:28 pm

    11:12 Their studio recording of “Eileen Óg” includes the lines “The upshot of the ruction is that now the WHORE sits / With his arm around the pride of Petravore”. Really sweet of them to censor that with a kid in the room. As a musician myself, and someone who adores kids, I really try to be mindful of profanity in songs when there’s kids around, and it makes me really happy when others do the same.

  16. @giorgiapiazza9008

    January 17, 2026 at 3:28 pm

    Thank you so much laddies , now i have a new dream, to visit Pat Kelly's shed, read those treasures of letters, and maybe see you in a Dundalk's pub🥲💜
    God bless your uncivilization xD

Comments are closed.

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