Is Rock’n’Stroll walking around Dublin, following in the footsteps of rock stars like U2, Dubliners, Boyzone and Hothouse Flowers, really the Irish capital’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame? It’s a decent ride, but to be honest, it’s really not in the same league. In fact, the whole Rock’n’Stroll experience is pretty parochial and out of date.
Self-guided tour of some of the places where Irish music history happened (as it did in more modern times) may not be that interesting unless you are from an older generation or a serious student of specifically Irish popular music theory . And whoever put the “rock” in Rock’n’Stroll had a very hazy concept of musical styles.
Because many of the stars commemorated by plaques on buildings are not really rock and roll artists. Moreover, the plates themselves show where the creators of this ‘modern’ version of a Dublin tour came from (they show a vinyl LP) that may not be instantly recognizable to the younger generation.
What is rock and roll?
Installed a few years ago, the plaques highlight the buildings in Dublin where the history of music took place. We’re not talking about Handel’s “Messiah” here (first heard in Dublin), we’re talking about U2’s “Wish”. In an effort to get younger visitors to move in, Dublin invented Rock’n’Stroll, a self-guided tour through the history of music.
Buildings are identified by plaques in the design of a long-playing vinyl record, which explains their importance. The plate design was not intended to be nostalgic (vinyl was still avant-garde when Rock’n’Stroll was invented), which may be a bad omen for the tour to be up-to-date in the fast-changing world of rock ‘n’ roll.
In fact, although the plates are yet to be seen, we haven’t seen the Rock’n’Stroll promoted in recent years. So the walking tour could follow the advice of CSI The Who stalwarts on “My Generation”: why don’t they just fade away?
Mentioning Rock’n’Roll
Right on Henry Street, you will find a plaque that tells you that Ronan Keating was selling shoes here. Now, Ronan (and his old group “Boyzone”) can be accused of many things, including the premeditated murder of musical classics, but never of being rock and roll. Nor would this nickname fit the “Dubliners,” recalled the seminal folk group at O’Donoghue’s Pub.
Some people may be a bit confused by the choice of artists found at Rock’n’Stroll.
And what about the sights and sites?
Just off Grafton Street, the Rock’n’Stroll plaque informs us that the Hothouse Flowers used to spend their money (in the neighborhood) at a pub here. Now that’s what we call music history … aside from the perplexed look some people might take when faced with the problem of remembering a single hit that “Hothouse Flowers” had (track: “Don’t Go,” also a very appropriate comment on Rock’n’Stroll).
Another great moment can be found at St. Stephen’s Green, the place where U2 played some of their early shows. The only problem is that the area has been massively remodeled since the place left and was replaced by a restaurant… but the plaque at least keeps the memory alive.
So is there anything exciting?
Well yes and no, sure U2 fans will be delighted that they are where one of the first concerts took place, despite the sad reality of the site. And fans of Irish folk music will make a pilgrimage to O’Donoghue’s (one of Dublin’s best pubs) anyway, it’s a legend on its own. So the dedicated music history enthusiast will be generally pleased.
And it’s a way to get around Dublin with a twist, exploring some sites (slightly) off the beaten path. So it’s not so bad after all.
Where can I join Rock’n’Stroll?
The Dublin Tourist Board used to sell brochures, detailed the tour and gave you information on the honored music stars and these may still be available. Start at Grafton Street or St. Stephen’s Green.
Otherwise, keep looking for those plates while you wander around on your own. See Rock’n’Stroll as part of the entertainment while discovering Dublin, without following the route. That may be the best approach, unless you were an avid fan of the Irish music scene in the 1980s.
