Trad Irish Music
 

I'll be in Ireland the last week of June and would really love to hear some authentic Trad Irish music and would also enjoy the dancers too. Any suggestions on places to go either in Dublin or Cork area? Not really into the tourist traps but would prefer to go where the locals go. Your ideas/suggestions are appreciated!

Music and dance shows are normally provided for tourists.

For something that might be more authentic, explore the links from http://comhaltas.ie/ .

In Dublin, try Temple Place which is a street with a ton of bars, some with music early in the evening, including Temple Bar (if I'm remembering the names correctly). We found that the music tended to be offered only in the early evening, not late as we expected- this during trips in May. Maybe its different during other times of the year.

I can't speak for places in Cork City but there are a few places that have great reputations in the County. Clonakilty has a very good irish trad reputation. DeBarra's and An Teach Beag are well known Irish trad pubs.

There are lots of places in the Temple Bar area that have trad in Dublin. Whether or not it's good or intended entirely to promote tourism is the subject of some conjecture. On the other hand, the Cobblestone Pub in the Smithfield area of Dublin (near the Four Courts) is often considered one of the best places in Dublin to catch a session. Not an area known as much for tourism.

Hope that helps.

Bill

While we were in Dublin, the show at the Arlington Hotel was recommended to us for both Irish music and dancing. We made dinner reservations which got us a table right up in front of the stage. The food was very average, but we had a great time and enjoyed the show.

Personally the Arlington I think is too touristy and a rip off for dinner. It gets a bit rough in the late evenings with thenightclub below and beside.

Johnny Foxes is a bit touristy in the hooley room but very fun for a night and I used to bring cusiness clients here. Its a way ourside the city but you can make an arrangement with a taxi driver. Its a dancing and music show with dinner.

In Temple bar (This is the area with all the bars) go to Oliver St John Gogherty in the early evening about 7 for the musical pub crawl or later for open music by a house Band. There is not much dancing that I am aware of in Dublin other than the place Padraig gave a link to above whioch would be a good option

I can't remember the name but there's a little pub place on Harcourt Street, a kind of basementy place with loads of trad music. Anyone know it? It's pretty much all locals with the odd tourist/visitor. I love it but it might not be that tourist friendly (it's Irish speaking and you order drinks etc in Irish). Not sure if they'd be receptive to English being spoken but might be OK for non Irish people.

That sounds like Conradh na Gaeilge, and it is a members' club, not a public bar.

If you're talking Cork City, I can't give a personal recommendation, as we haven't been there yet. However, I have the following pubs on my list. Both are said to be good for traditional Irish music.

Sin É (That's it)
Coburg Street,
Tel: 4502266

An Bodhrán – near bus station
42 Oliver Plunkett St.,,
Tel: 021 4274544

Sandy

Go to this voy board:

http://www.voy.com/60473/ ask for the UK Irish Dance Voy board and post your request.

These voy boards are for competitive Irish dancers and parents and someone will gladly offer you a suggestion for your trip.

I'm sure some would say just come to a feis (a competitition) and then you would be right in the heart of it all! Have a great trip!