The Street Leagues, a Dublin-based four-piece band, have released their debut single titled ‘Straws in the Sackville,’ a song that captures themes of pride, friendship, and resilience. Rooted in the everyday lives of Dublin’s older generation, the track is inspired by stories shared among the band members about the city’s social and historical landscape. The group includes Paul O’Connor on vocals, Ray Murray on guitar, songwriter Robbie Graham from Clondalkin, and Phil Healy on bass.
Recorded at Trackmix studio in Dublin with producer Joe Chester and engineer Michael Richards, ‘Straws in the Sackville’ is the first release from their upcoming album ‘Volume 1: The Historian,’ which is set to be released this April. The album pays tribute to their late friend and drummer Joe Rodgers, who passed away in June 2025 just before recording began. Rodgers’ passion for Dublin’s history influenced many of the songs on the record.
The song grew from conversations during the COVID-19 lockdowns when the band members created a virtual pub experience via Zoom. They would meet every Friday for chats and drinks, often using images of Dublin pubs like the Sackville as their background. One story that stood out was about a grandfather who met his friend every Sunday after Mass at the Sackville pub. Despite having hand tremors that made drinking difficult, the barman would thoughtfully provide a straw to help him enjoy his pint of Guinness. This touching story sparked the idea for the song and eventually led to creating an entire album centered on memory, place, and friendship.
Ray Murray composed the song while in Amsterdam, starting as a simple acoustic piece. This inspired the band to expand their work into a full album rather than releasing standalone singles. The process involved extensive research and storytelling about Dublin’s people and history, which Robbie Graham found deeply rewarding. The band often reflects on whether those whose stories they tell would recognize themselves and feel honored by the songs.
Despite challenges such as geographical distance—with Ray now living in Amsterdam—and Robbie’s multiple sclerosis preventing live performances, The Street Leagues maintained their focus through remote collaboration. Their determination helped sharpen their commitment to producing authentic music that connects past and present. Plans for an album launch event are underway but not yet finalized. The band expresses gratitude to all supporters and especially honors Joe Rodgers for his lasting impact on their work.
