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11 of the best pubs for a trad session
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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bofey Quinns Music Bar and Restaurant is a family owned traditional music bar and restaurant in Corofin, County Clare. Guests can enjoy a varied menu or join in a music session and sing song.

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.

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.

Cobblestone
Cobblestone

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.

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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