If there was a whiff of archetypal 1960s Folk Club ambience about Eric Bogle's performance in Whelans on Tuesday night, it wasn't noticed by the audience, who enthusiastically lapped up his patter and lyrics. This was a concert firmly rooted in a very traditional framework. Not surprisingly, it worked well on that level alone, with Bogle explaining at length the ethics and philosophy behind his occasionally excellent material. There was, inevitably, little panache to the performance. That said, this was a straightforward song-driven set put across with passion and ease.

A mixture of loquacious Scottish humour and exceptionally heartfelt folk songs (some deadly serious, others hilarious), Eric Bogle proved not only do old customs die hard, but also that there is room for perceived old fogeys who still have their fingers on the pulse.