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WHO AMONG US doesn’t love a good trad session? The singalongs, the boisterous atmosphere, the spine-tingling moments where you can hear a pin drop – there’s nothing quite like it.
But where to go for one that’s properly authentic and slightly off the tourist trail? Here are some suggestions…
Six nights a week, Jim O’ The Mills in Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary functions as a family home. On Thursday night, it opens to the public and springs to life.
Owned by a family of avid musicians, a night in Jim O’ The Mills can quickly descend into a raucous session with local musicians and customers alike liable to join in. The lineup may change each week, but the music never stops.
Walking into Gunnings is a little bit like stepping back in time and its sessions are as legit as they come. The pub regularly welcomes world class musicians like Mick Foster of Foster & Allen to perform there. They don’t make them like this anymore.
This well-regarded Kinnitty pub welcomes the cream of the crop of local musicians to come and perform as part of the Slieve Bloom Sessions, which take place on Wednesday nights throughout the year. Well, that’s one way of brightening up your Wednesday evening.
While nearby The Cobblestone might be regarded as the top spot for traditional music in Dublin 7, Walsh’s in Stoneybatter is also worth stopping into if you’re a music aficionado and looking for a cosy pints and tunes in an informal setting.
Singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill and folk-trad outfit Ye Vagabonds are the pub’s resident musicians and perform every Sunday and Monday, respectively.
A relatively new addition to the scene in Mullingar, The Chambers has quickly become one of the area’s top music venues. The pub hosts a lively session every Thursday evening as part of Trad Thursdays. You’re welcome to join in or simply sit back with a pint and enjoy the tunes.
This Cork city watering hole promises craic, ceoil, agus deoch – and it delivers in spades. An Spailpin Fanach hosts sessions six nights per week with musicians sitting around two tables and playing to their heart’s content. The feel is spontaneous, informal and, crucially, authentic.
This beloved Sligo haunt puts on music four nights a week and holds the distinction of being home to the longest-running traditional session in Sligo town. Stop in on a Wednesday evening for No Crows, the pub’s signature trad session.
In Burren country and fancy sitting in on a rollicking session? Add this charming family-run pub to your to-do list. Stop in any Wednesday or Saturday night and you’ll be treated to a spirited session befitting of the Wesht.
Located near the Four Courts, M Hughes is respected by musicians and trad purists alike. The pub hosts performances in its front room. If you’re in the market for a true Dub session akin to The Cobblestone, look no further.
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The Crane Bar Galway, more locals than tourists has to be in top 9.
The Glen Tavern, Glenties, Donegal is definitely worth checking out!
@cníchi: This is The Journal. Venturing as far north as Sligo for a feature like this is a feat on its own.
The Crane bar in Galway.
Cryan’s, Carrick on Shannon is missing.
Peadar Browns Clanbrassil Street
Piper’s Corner should have made the list.
@Dublin By Pub: I’ve been there only two or three times (more a Briody’s fan) but had no idea they hosted trad sessions.
Mad how Matt Molloys in Westport didn’t get a mention considering there’s a trad session every night of the year and him and the other members The Chietains play together there regularly
@John Lally: very fair point. I was there about 6 years ago and it was one hell of a night.
@John Lally: great craic, but headline includes ‘without the tourists’ and Molloys gets lots of tourists.
Good to see Shoot The Crows, Sligo, there. Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, Longford very good too.
Wednesday nights Larkin’s pub in Corbally, Limerick
Thursday nights, HiB in Mallow, Co. Cork
two really nice authentic weekly sessions.
This is a local pub for local people!
An Spailpin in Cork is a great spot.. Like stepping out of the city into the countryside.
@Rob Cahill: nice pint of Beamish in there too
Nothing in Belfast?
@Brendan M:
They don’t seem to regard Belfast as being in Ireland on this site.
McNeill’s on Capel Street in Dublin
Jim O the mills is a great place to go
Imagine no pub in Co Clare included in s list of traditional music venues….I’d say there was a lot of research done for that report. Fake news ????
@Pat Duggan: corofin is in clare !!
The CIE Hall/Inchicore Sports and Social Club has a very serious session on the last Friday night of every month too. Absolutely no tourists anywhere near the place, and no leprauchans or tat at all! https://www.facebook.com/InchicoreSportsAndSocialClub/
The Cobblestone, Smithfield.
James griffens bar (Lenehans) in trim co.meath should be on the list too
Whats the best pub in Killarney? Bringing the American cousins down on Monday for a couple of day’s.
@Jim Jiminy: You will be spoilt for choice in Killarney, get there early and walk around town, most places will have signs up if they have music that night. A great pub is Reidy’s lovely atmosphere there. Also Tatler Jack, O’Connor’s, O’Donoghue’s, Dunloe Lodge, ah the list goes on and on so my advice is to call to a few & get chatting to the locals & you can’t go far wrong in finding plenty ceol & craic for your American cousins. Enjoy it all of you.
@Mary Cullinane: Thank’s Mary
@Jim Jiminy: Reidy’s on Main St. This spot alone is worth a visit to Killarney, and there’s proper music every night.
Tuohys in Rathdowney Co Laois. Once owned by 2 sisters, bought some years ago by a Dublin musician, who didn’t change a thing. It only holds about 30 people but the Sat and Mon night open mic sessions are legendary!
Mccarthys bar in Buttevant every Friday night. Craicing music. Lovely old world bar.
Hughes’ has a very nice ‘general’ folk, singer-songwriter, americana etc session in the Snug on Wednesday nights….
and no mention of wexford…
Traynors in Oldcastle any Sat night
Drogheda has #MusicAtTheGate each month and sessions every week. The best one is in the Grey Goose every Monday from 9.
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