Where to Find the Best Music In Ireland

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.