Trad & Folk Musicians
Mary Cooney, owner of the Brazen Head, with musician Alph Duggan, at the Bar.
Mary Cooney, owner of the Brazen Head, with musician Alph Duggan, at the Bar.

Mary Cooney, known to most of us, respectfully, as "Mrs Cooney", she was the owner of the Brazen Head. Dessie Smith, her constant and for the most part only barman, always referred to her simply as "Missus".

The Brazen was unique in Dublin as the only bar in the 1980s that had kept with a tradition of selling exclusively bottled-beers - as may be seen from the crates behind the bar. For many years this kept the draught-beer swellers out - much to the delight of the lovers of live traditional music, as only musicians and listeners seemed to frequent the pub. A visit to the Brazen Head was a like trip in a time machine.

Location: Brazen Head, Dublin. - photo taken circa 1985.

Photographer: Colm Keating

Mary Cooney, owner of the Brazen Head, with musician Alph Duggan, at the Bar.

Mary Cooney, known to most of us, respectfully, as "Mrs Cooney", she was the owner of the Brazen Head. Dessie Smith, her constant and for the most part only barman, always referred to her simply as "Missus".

The Brazen was unique in Dublin as the only bar in the 1980s that had kept with a tradition of selling exclusively bottled-beers - as may be seen from the crates behind the bar. For many years this kept the draught-beer swellers out - much to the delight of the lovers of live traditional music, as only musicians and listeners seemed to frequent the pub. A visit to the Brazen Head was a like trip in a time machine.

Location: Brazen Head, Dublin. - photo taken circa 1985.

Photographer: Colm Keating