Best trad sessions in Dublin?

Anthracite · 12-03-2018 3:34am #1

Hi folks - I've a friend visiting in a few weeks who is keen to see some Irish music performed, and I'm guessing there's better out there then the tourist-targeted sessions at the Oliver St.John Fogarty.

If there are any trad fans out there, could you please give me pointers as to where I might find a more authentic, quality session? Ideally on the south side for transport purposes.

ianob7 · 12-03-2018 3:59am

Not south side but Cobblestone in Smithfield would be less of a tourist trap

the_syco · 12-03-2018 4:54am

https://goo.gl/maps/Zfgr2sLAp2E2 - Stags Head; have seen a few trad musicans/bands play in the basement.

http://www.louisfitzgerald.com/stagshead#irish-music-session-every-friday-and-saturday

Good luck getting a seat, as it can be jammed packed. Prices for drink aren't that bad.

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Not been myself, but have been told that this place is meant to be good; https://goo.gl/maps/vKvmqyxya662

https://darkeykellys.ie/entertainment/

Anthracite · 12-03-2018 8:35am

Thanks for the suggestions folks - The Smithfield pub was on radar alright. Any other ideas? Especially from anyone into that scene.

thebull85 · 12-03-2018 8:55am

The Celt, Talbot street near Connolly station.

Birneybau · 12-03-2018 12:24pm

Devitt's on Camden Street, upstairs. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

LostinBlanch · 12-03-2018 2:07pm

the_syco wrote: »

https://goo.gl/maps/Zfgr2sLAp2E2 - Stags Head; have seen a few trad musicans/bands play in the basement.

Also check out the Dame Tavern across the road on Sunday evenings. It gets packed though.

Gavin "shels" · 12-03-2018 2:23pm

Birneybau wrote: »

Devitt's on Camden Street, upstairs. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Was in there on a Saturday and it wasn't trad as such. Was a mix - good though.

Cassidys on Camden St on a Sunday. Can be rammed though. Lads are called Rake The Ashes - you'll find them on Youtube.

CucaFace · 12-03-2018 11:05pm

thebull85 wrote: »

The Celt, Talbot street near Connolly station.

This is the best option.

gaiscioch · 12-03-2018 11:32pm

Anthracite wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions folks - The Smithfield pub was on radar alright. Any other ideas? Especially from anyone into that scene.

M.Hughes pub is not only an early morning house but is also a 5-minute walk from The Cobblestone and has a huge reputation for trad seisiúin. It is rarely as packed as the Cobblestone but the plus side of that is you can get a seat and have a great chat while still being able to hear the music. There's usually two seisiúin on each night, one in the snug in the front where you will often have some singing. I've never heard singing, only instruments, in the main seisiúin, but I have witnessed 15 fiddle players play in one fantastic seisiún.

Also, if you'd like a bilingual traditional singers' club, An Góilín in Club na Múinteoirí on Parnell Square every Friday is the place to go. A lovely, civilised night (no instruments) with often some extraordinary guest singers. The club's only rule is 'We've no standard in singing, just in listening' - i.e. they expect complete silence when somebody is singing (there are no mics or speakers)

1. An Góilín 2018

2. An Góilín

amtc · 13-03-2018 12:05am

I don't know the name of it but there's a place at the top of dorset street with the guinness logo on it. Was there after a Christmas party and they were very serious into their trad. We nearly got thrown out for giggling!

The Master · 13-03-2018 11:28am

Off the beaten track but O'Connell's(Pier House) in Howth on a Sunday morning is good craic.
I've been to it loads of times and played at it a few times

arybvtcw0eolkf · 13-03-2018 11:58am

My fav place for a trad is Darkey Kellys on Fishamble St, they have a fantastic selection of wines, spirits and beers and its a good mix of tourists & locals.

Great criac.

The Cobblestone is great too, but a little off the beaten track for a lot of people. Plus its small so if you're not in at the bar early you won't get to see the session.