Dingle, Co Kerry
Dingle Town is one of Ireland’s most scenic musical hotspots.
This cheerful little town on the Dingle Peninsula has long been known as a musical must-do in southwest Ireland. Full of pubs and near a prominent Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) community to the northwestern tip of the peninsula, Dingle proudly holds on to its heritage as a shrine to traditional Irish music. Any night of the week you can catch local bands playing in the pubs – some days, you may even have the chance to take classes yourself!
Also in the area? Hike portions of the Dingle Way, head down to the beautiful Inch Beach, or drive out to Slea Head for amazing ocean views.
Doolin, Co Clare
Doonagore Castle just outside of Doolin village
This small coastal town in Clare clinging to the Cliffs of Moher is widely recognised as the home of Irish music, largely due to Doolin being a rural community that was for a long time fairly cut off from the rest of the world. Though this is no longer the case, the influx in visitors to the Cliffs of Moher has made this little place even more determined to hang on to their musical heritage. Expect over 35 sessions per week in summer!
In the area? Park your car here and walk to the Cliffs of Moher (see more info on the hike here), take the ferry to Inisheer of the Aran Islands, head out for a hike in the barren landscape of the Burren, or head underground to Doolin Cave!
Sligo town, Co Sligo
On the banks of the Garavogue River, one of Ireland’s shortest, Sligo town is full of time-honoured pubs sporting nightly traditional music sessions.
Though far less visited than either Dingle or Doolin, Sligo acts as the music lover’s paradise of the north. With over a dozen pubs in town or in nearby villages like Strandhill, Sligo always has something going on. Because it’s far off the beaten track, tap your foot along to a tune in local haunts like McGarrigles, Shoot the Crows or Hargadons while you rub shoulders with Sligo locals.
In the area? Try your hand at surfing in Strandhill, hike to Queen Maeve’s tomb atop Knocknarea Hill or climb Ireland’s icon table mountain Ben Bulben. The area is also famous for seaweed baths (either at Strandhill or Enniscrone), as well as Irish poet WB Yeats’ grave in Drumcliff. The gentle rolling coastal landscapes are perfect for biking.
Galway City, Co Galway
Admire the colourful facades of Galway by day – and head to the typical pubs for a trad session by night!
Though Galway is a city, north of Galway is the rural hills and bogs of Connemara, where the of agricultural communities still embrace their musical traditions – in fact, Connemara is often regarded as the cultural heartland of ancient Gaelic culture. Many locals from those communities have moved to Galway for work or studies, and with them, they have brought their musical heritage – and musical instruments! – with them. Galway is dotted with bars and pubs where you can expect to hear a trad session most nights of the week!
In the area? Explore the picturesque fishing harbour of Roundstone and the cheery centre of Clifden, then head over the Connemara National Park for a lovely day of hiking. Be sure to stop by the iconic Kylemore Abbey (tip: the Victorian Walled Gardens are gorgeous!) – or get muddy at the Lost Valley Farm!
Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
In the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, the medieval Kilkenny Castle has been entertaining and impressing visitors for more than 8 centuries.
In the heart of the Ancient East, medieval Kilkenny is a bustling market town. Only about 1.5 hours from Dublin, Kilkenny is a melange of modern bars as well as your typical Irish pub with the roaring fire and wood panelling. In cosmopolitan Kilkenny, you’ll find a wide range of live music, as well as poetry readings, theatre or modern music.
In the area? Be sure to visit the spectacular Kilkenny Castle! Just under an hour away is the Rock of Cashel, an ancient fort-turned-monastery atop a massive rock.
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