Brendan Gleeson’s Farewell to Hughes’s premieres on TG4

For over 35 years, Hughes’s served as a mecca for musicians, dancers, singers, and listeners who sought the timeless beauty of traditional Irish music. To Oscar-nominated actor Brendan Gleeson, Hughes’s was more than just a pub—it was a sanctuary where he often played his music and found solace in its vibrant sessions. 

Following its closure in 2021 after the passing of its beloved owner, Gleeson embarked on a heartfelt journey to celebrate Hughes’s enduring influence. The documentary captures the stories, music, and spirit of the people who brought life to this cherished institution. Through interviews with musicians, dancers, and devoted patrons, Gleeson paints a vivid picture of Hughes’s pivotal role in Ireland’s musical heritage. 

Directed and produced by acclaimed filmmaker and fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Brendan Gleeson’s Farewell to Hughes’s is a labour of love. The film brings together a talented crew, including Gleeson himself as executive producer, alongside Liam O’Connor. With stunning cinematography by Ray Mac Donnacha and an evocative sound mix by Brendan Rehill, the documentary captures the soul of Hughes’s in all its glory.

The film arrives during a vibrant renaissance of traditional Irish music, celebrating the art form’s newfound popularity while staying true to its roots. 

As Brendan Gleeson reflects: “For me, Irish music was always wild, emotional, and evocative. Hughes’s pub was where it lived. Hughes’s was a fascinating place anyway: a hub for fruit-sellers, fishmongers, lawyers, judges and the accused, seeking respite and sustenance from early morning on. In the evenings the musicians and their music took over, in all their glory and madness. What a fascinating milieu. Hughes’s is gone. In 2021 it closed its doors. Its passing meant an awful lot to me. This is a celebration of what went on there.” 

Director Ciarán Ó Maonaigh shares his thoughts on the project: “As musicians, we strive to find those sessions that are timeless… where we get lost in the music… in the collective groove… in the notes… the haze of energy and joy where your mind is emptied of life’s worries and carried off to a happy meditative place for hours on end. For me, that was to be found in abundance in Hughes’s. In this documentary we tried to capture the essence of what that was for ourselves, for all that frequented the place and for others who never even heard about it. It is full of music, song, dance and stories, made with a good heart and we hope that it does the memory of the place some justice. Because it was a gem.” 

Following a sold-out world premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival and exclusive screenings at the Light House Cinema in Dublin and the Pálás Cinema in Galway, Brendan Gleeson’s Farewell to Hughes’s has garnered widespread acclaim. Now, TG4 brings this poignant celebration of Irish culture into homes across the nation, ensuring the story of Hughes’s continues to inspire.