Entertainment in County Clare
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Cois na hAbhna
This pilgrimage point for traditional music and culture is housed in a custom-built pentagonal hall 1.5km north of town along the N18. It has frequent performances and a full range of classes in dance and music. The archive is a resource centre and a library of Irish traditional music, song, dance and folklore relating mainly to County Clare; books and recordings are on sale.
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Glór
Clare's cultural centre is in a striking modern building. Art, traditional music, theatre, dance, photography and film are some of the programs offered.
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Eugene's
Not to be missed, Eugene's is a classic pub that defines craic. Intimate, cosy and has a trademark collection of visiting cards covering its walls, alongside photographs of famous writers and musicians. The inspiring collection of whiskey (Irish) and whisky (Scottish) will have you smoothly debating their relative merits.
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Creamery Bar
An old utility building has been converted into an agreeable pub right near the folk park entrance. It’s never going to be authentic, but it’s not a bad stop if you’re here. If nothing else you can learn about local culture from the food menu: eg chicken-nugget-like creations are called ‘goujons of chicken’ in Ireland.
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Knox's Pub
Knox's gives it all its got if you're looking for chart sounds, DJs riffing, full-on football megascreen action and a raucous crowd. Mr Knox, the original coffee, wine and spirits merchant, is no doubt spinning in his grave to the beat of the music. It's open late past midnight.
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Mac's Bar
This engaging place is actually part of the folk park village. It has traditional music many evenings from June to September, and at weekends the rest of the year. Ignore it during the day, but after the park closes (you can still get in) it starts to feel real.
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Library Bar
Trendy bar/club with a small patio sheltered by shrubs where you can text your crew to come join you. A few books really are placed around the edgy, moody interior, with lots of primary-colour backlights behind the bar. Open till 2am at weekends.
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Cíaran's Bar
Slip into this small place by day and you can be just another geezer pondering a pint. At night there's usually trad music. Bet you wish you had a copy of the Guinness mural out front!
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McGann's
McGann's has all the classic touches of a full-on Irish music pub; the action often spills out onto the street. The food here is the best of the trio. Inside you'll find locals playing darts in its warren of small rooms, some with turf fires. There's a small outside covered area.
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Cruise's Pub
This friendly bar has a long side courtyard that's perfect for enjoying a fresh-air pint in the shadow of the old friary. There are trad music sessions most nights from 9.30pm.
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Brandon’s Bar
This place still holds its own for trad sessions, on Monday nights especially (from about 9.30pm). Brandon’s also stages other live music, including blues and rock.
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O'Connor's
Right on the water, this sprawling favourite packs them in and has a rollicking atmosphere when the music and drinking are in full swing. It easily gets the most crowded and has the highest tourist quotient; on some summer nights you won't squeeze inside and trying to eat is like playing the fiddle for the first time.
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Mossy Sullivan’s
Behind the green door lies an old pub that’s quiet for much of the day. The candlelit tables are perfect for planning your journey in convivial climes.
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MacDiarmada's
Also known as McDermott's, this simple red-and-white old pub can be the rowdy favourite of locals. When the fiddles get going, it can seem like a scene out of a John Ford movie. The inside is pretty basic, as is the menu of sandwiches and roasts. McGann's is a one-minute walk.
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McQ’s
Aromatic peat fires warm this cosy pub that’s a haven on a rainy day. There’s good food and a few simple B&B rooms upstairs.
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John O'Dea
Unchanged since at least the 1950s, this plain-tile-fronted pub is a hideout for local musicians serious about their trad sessions. Gets some of Clare's best.
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Joseph McHugh's Bar
Next to Vaughan's, lots of courtyard tables and regular trad sessions make this old pub a winner.
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Cooley's House
Another great old pub, but with music most nights in summer and on Wednesday (trad night) in winter.
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Yolo
Trendy bar/club with a small patio sheltered by shrubs where you can text your crew to come join you. The edgy, moody interior is the place to try some exotic cocktail with an improbable name.
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Nagle's
A trad pub and an undertakers in one. Just the spot for wakes or your last earthly pint.
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Greyhound Bar
Fishers, divers, musicians and locals looking for fun gather at this old bar which is known by the delightful nickname 'the Skinny Dog'. There's good music many nights.
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Brogan's
On the corner of Cooke's Lane, Brogan's sees a fine bunch of musicians rattling even the stone floors from about 9pm Monday to Thursday, plus even more nights in summer. It's a big pub that rambles from one room to another.
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