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11 of the best pubs for a ...
11 of the best pubs for a trad session
  • History and heritage
  • Arts and culture
Group of three traditional Irish musicians playing at The Merry Ploughboy pub in Rathfarnham, Dublin.
Enjoy a trad session at Merry Ploughboy and other Irish music pubs around the country.
Although traditional Irish music can be heard at large venues and concert halls across the country, there’s something unique about catching a trad session at a music pub. Here, you can sit by the fire and sip on a pint while listening to some of Ireland’s best musicians play the uilleann pipes, the bodhrán and the fiddle, or join in the crowd for a sing-along.

Here are some of the best bars, pubs and restaurants for a trad session.

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1The Reel Inn

The Reel Inn in County Donegal, is a traditional Irish music pub offering live Irish music and dance seven nights a week. It is located right in the heart of Donegal Town and along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Exterior shot
The Reel Inn
The Reel Inn
Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
2The Singing Pub

The Singing Pub (An Sibín Ceoil) in County Donegal, is a traditional thatched pub with warm open fires and lovely atmosphere that serves tasty pub grub daily during the season and every weekend. There is a separate restaurant and the menu changes weekly.

Musicians playing outside The Singing Pub
The Singing Pub
The Singing Pub
Na Dúnaibh, Co. Donegal
3Barr An Chaladh

A country pub in the heart of the city, Barr an Chaladh is just a stone's throw from Eyre Square and features traditional music performances seven nights a week.

Image of exterior
Barr An Chaladh
Barr An Chaladh
Galway City, Co. Galway
4Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood Restaurant

Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood Restaurant is a traditional Irish pub and restaurant in Kilronan, on the Aran Islands, which also hosts Irish music sessions.

Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood Restaurant
Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood Restaurant
Joe Watty's Bar and Seafood Restaurant
Inis Mór - Árainn (Aran Islands), Co. Galway
5Thomas Connolly Bar

Thomas Connolly's Bar is the oldest traditional public house located in the town of Sligo in the North West corner of Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Image of interior
Thomas Connolly Bar
Thomas Connolly Bar
Sligo Town, Co. Sligo
6Franciscan Well Brewery and Brew Pub

Enjoy the ultimate craft beer experience at the legendary Franciscan Well Brewery and Brew Pub, in Cork City. There are brewery tours, storytelling, traditional music and woodfired pizza. They have a cocktail bar and outdoor beer garden. They also host their own beer festivals.

The beer garden at Franciscan Wells Brewery and  Brew Pub
Franciscan Well Brewery and Brew Pub
Franciscan Well Brewery and Brew Pub
Cork City, Co. Cork
7Tinteán Ceoil

A completely unique experience, the Tinteán Ceoil is a traditional Irish fireside music session. Local musicians lead the evening, incorporating any and all who want to contribute through music, dance, singing, recitation, and much more.

Tinteán Ceoil
Tinteán Ceoil
Tinteán Ceoil
An Clochán, Co. Kerry
8Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub

The Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub, Rathfarnham, County Dublin, offers Irish and European cuisine in a cosy traditional pub setting. They also host an Irish music and dancing dinner show every night.

Three musicians playing instruments at the Merry Ploughboy Irish music pub in Dublin
Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub
Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub
Dublin City, Co. Dublin
9Cobblestone

The Cobblestone pub and music venue is based in Smithfield in Dublin City. The pub has live music every night and is located close to the Four Courts, the National Museum of Ireland Decorative Arts & History and the Jameson Distillery Bow St.

Music session at the Cobblestone
Cobblestone
Cobblestone
Dublin City, Co. Dublin
10Connolly's Pub

Connolly's Pub/Teach Chonghóile in County Mayo, is a traditional family run pub established since 1963. The Chillax Le Blogaimín coffee van is also situated on the premises.

Old style bar at Teach Chonghoile
Connolly's Pub
Connolly's Pub
Béal an Mhuirthead, Co. Mayo
Cosy up in a pub

If you're looking to explore more of the trad scene, find more traditional pubs to cosy up in and enjoy a pint.

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