If you’re heading to Ireland and hoping to find yourself in the middle of a toe-tapping, pint-clinking session of traditional Irish music, or trad, you’re in luck. From cozy pubs along the Atlantic to lively venues in the heart of major cities, music is the heartbeat of Ireland.
To help you sort through a sea of options, we’re bringing you 30 pubs in 10 cities (and towns and villages). Here’s hoping this will help you whittle down the list, spend less time wondering where to go, and more time in the presence of musical greatness.
Galway City
Galway is pure magic. It’s artsy, colorful, bohemian, and full of character. It’s the kind of place where you’ll stumble across buskers playing fiddles in the streets and end up dancing with strangers in a pub by nightfall. We can promise you one thing: once you come, you’ll never want to leave.
Start at Tig Cóilí. Right in the heart of town, it’s famous for its nightly trad sessions. It’s snug, loud, and absolutely perfect. Another night, head over to The Crane Bar (or The Crane, as we locals call it). You can go upstairs for incredible trad music nearly every night of the week. Taaffes is another must. Imagine a pint of Guinness and a heartfelt session kicking off in the corner right before the turf fire whisks you away.
Dublin
Dublin has it all – world-class music venues, history, and more pubs than you could possibly try in one trip (but, fair play to you if you do). From trad, to indie, to rock, the city covers all its bases.
The Cobblestone in Smithfield is where serious trad lovers go. No frills, just fantastic music and a real community feel. Whelan’s on Camden Street offers a mix of live gigs and big energy. Everyone from Ed Sheeran to Irish folk legends have played here. And don’t miss O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. It’s packed with history (as the home of The Dubliners) and still hosts great sessions most nights.
Cork City
Cork is Dublin’s cooler cousin. It’s friendly, walkable, and full of musical soul. Indeed, the Rebel City knows how to throw a session (and a music festival).
Sin É is one of Cork’s best-loved pubs for trad. It’s small, lively, and full of charm. The Oliver Plunkett has multiple stages and music seven nights a week, making it great craic any night you walk in. For something a little more intimate, Coughlan’s is a fantastic venue for acoustic gigs and singer-songwriters who seem to have floated down from heaven itself.
Doolin
Tucked along the Wild Atlantic Way, Doolin is a tiny village with a massive musical reputation. It’s often called the home of traditional Irish music, and rightly so.
O’Connor’s is one of the most iconic pubs in the country with music, a roaring fire, and great food. McGann’s is full of character and locals who’ll pull you into a session even before your pint settles. McDermott’s is another Doolin gem where the music spills out into the night. With all three options, you’ll come for the tunes, but stay for the stories.
Donegal Town
With its rugged beauty and quiet charm, Donegal is a great place to slow down, soak up some scenery, and enjoy some soulful music.
The Reel Inn is a proper trad spot for a warm welcome and nightly sessions. The Forge is another great option. It’s a lively pub known for live music and a friendly atmosphere, often featuring local musicians playing everything from trad to folk rock. Then, you have McCafferty’s, a multi-level pub with music on almost every floor and an electric weekend atmosphere.
Kilkenny
Kilkenny has everything: medieval castles, cobbled lanes, and pubs where the music seems to rise up from the stone walls.
Kyteler’s Inn, housed in a 13th-century building, is steeped in history and has fantastic trad. The Dylan Whisky Bar is cozy and low-lit, often featuring folk and acoustic sets to match the mood. Matt the Millers is lively, friendly, and a great place to find a band and sing along with the locals.
Kinsale
This colorful seaside town is known for its food scene, but the music here is just as delightful. It’s the kind of place where every pub door seems to open just for you.
Dalton’s Bar is a great spot for regular music and hearty pints, perfect for settling in and catching local musicians in action. The Spaniard, overlooking the harbor, has history, charm, and great lineups. Then, there’s The White House – central and cozy, with an ever-changing lineup of local talent and trad sessions.
Cobh
Perched on the edge of Cork Harbor, Cobh is pretty as a picture and steeped in maritime history. Equally impressive is its music scene.
Kelly’s Bar is a local favorite for live music and even livelier evenings. The Roaring Donkey may have a great name, but it has even better tunes with a mix of trad and folk in a friendly setting. The Quays, right by the water, also has regular live music, but with spectacular views to match the beat.
Derry
Derry is bursting with creative energy and has a wonderful music scene to match. From traditional music, to punk, to indie, there’s always something brewing.
Sandino’s is an eclectic venue known for hosting live bands and serving up great pints of Guinness. Bennigan’s is a great spot for jazz, trad, and everything in between. Peadar O’Donnell’s is another classic pub with nightly music and a glowing atmosphere.
Sligo Town
Nestled in Yeats country, Sligo is beautiful and artsy, with a musical tradition that goes way back. It’s a hotspot for both traditional and modern sounds.
Shoot the Crows is dimly lit and loaded with character, making it a top choice for intimate sessions. McLynn’s Bar is a long-standing favorite for traditional Irish sessions. And Thomas Connolly, one of the oldest pubs in Sligo, is still one of the best places for live music.
Music Is Part of Ireland’s Landscape
Wherever you go in Ireland, you’re never far from a session. Whether it’s a full-blown gig with amps in a city venue or an impromptu trad session in a coastal pub, the music will stay with you forever. What do you say we grab a pint, find a stool near the fiddler, and let Ireland wrap its arms around us?
If that sounds like a plan, come on over and take a look at our library of destination guides on the Emerald Isle. Together, we’ll help you plan the trip of a lifetime, from dreamy coastal villages along the Wild Atlantic Way to a few unforgettable nights in major hubs like Galway City. We’ll see you out there.