Must-see entertainment in Ireland

  • Doolin Music House

    Doolin

    For a change from Doolin's crowded music pubs, book ahead to visit local musician Christy Barry's cosy home, which is filled with artworks by his artist…

  • National Opera House

    Wexford Town

    Opened in 2008, Wexford's gleaming opera house packs more architectural punch inside than out, but sports state-of-the-art acoustics and superb views from…

  • Stella Theatre

    Dublin

    A cinema night may not always be a glamorous event, but at the Stella Theatre it is. A narrow entrance opens up to sumptuous art deco glory with…

  • Cork Opera House

    Cork City

    Given a modern makeover in the 1990s, this leading venue has been entertaining the city for more than 150 years with everything from opera and ballet to…

  • Druid Performing Arts Company

    Galway City

    Internationally renowned, the Druid Performing Arts Company was established in 1975 and is famed for staging experimental works by young Irish playwrights…

  • Triskel Arts Centre

    Cork City

    A fantastic cultural centre housed partly in a renovated church building. Expect a varied program of live music, visual art, photography and theatre at…

  • The inside of Devitt's pub

    Devitt’s

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Devitt’s – aka the Cusack Stand – is one of the favourite places for the city’s talented musicians to ply their trade, with sessions as good as any you’ll…

  • Whelan's

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Perhaps the city's most beloved live-music venue is this midsized room attached to a traditional bar. This is the singer-songwriter's spiritual home: when…

  • Light House Cinema

    North of the Liffey

    The most impressive cinema in town is this snazzy four-screener in a stylish building just off Smithfield Plaza. The menu offers a mix of art-house and…

  • The facade of the Smock Alley Theatre.

    Smock Alley Theatre

    Temple Bar

    One of the city’s most diverse theatres is hidden in this beautifully restored 17th-century building. It boasts a broad program of events (expect anything…

  • Curragh Racecourse

    Counties Wicklow & Kildare

    Hosting its first recorded race in 1727 and officially inaugurated in 1868, the Curragh is the oldest and most prestigious racecourse in the country, and…

  • O'Donoghue's

    Dublin

    There's traditional music nightly in the old bar of this famous boozer. Regular performers include local names such as Tom Foley, Joe McHugh, Joe Foley…

  • Seating at Croke Park Stadium.

    Croke Park

    Dublin

    Hurling and Gaelic football games are held from February to November at Europe's fourth-largest stadium (capacity around 82,000), north of the Royal Canal…

  • Also known as the Bord Gais Energy Theatre it was designed by Daniel Libeskind.

    Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

    Dublin

    Forget the uninviting sponsored name: Daniel Libeskind's masterful design is a three-tiered, 2100-capacity auditorium where you're as likely to be…

  • Outside of the Bowery

    Bowery

    Dublin

    With its burnished wood, intricate chandeliers and ship-shaped stage, this music venue is one of the best-looking bars in the city. It features live…

  • Knappogue Castle

    County Clare

    The only way to visit this stately 15th-century castle 3.5km southeast of Quin is to attend a touristy but fun medieval banquet. Following a cup of mead …

  • Spirit Store

    Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan

    Downstairs this sunset-pink-painted place is your typical harbour-front bar, full of character and characters. Upstairs is a state-of-the-art live venue,…

  • Cois na hAbhna

    County Clare

    Traditional Irish music, dancing, singing and Irish language are showcased at this important regional resource centre for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ…

  • Mondello Park

    Counties Wicklow & Kildare

    Ireland's only international motorsport venue hosts F1, Rallycross and Superbike races. On race days you can check out rare racing cars, including a…

  • Vaults Live

    Dublin

    An immersive theatre performance in an old schoolhouse that takes you through six scenes from the darker side of Dublin history with incredibly detailed…

  • Workman's Club

    Temple Bar

    A 300-capacity venue and bar in the former working-men's club of Dublin. The emphasis is on keeping away from the mainstream, which means everything from…

  • Tipperary Racecourse

    County Tipperary

    Tipperary Racecourse is one of Ireland’s leading tracks. It’s 3km northwest of Tipperary town and has regular meetings during the year; see the local…

  • Lime Tree Theatre

    Limerick City

    This 510-seat state-of-the-art theatre is set on a college campus on the southern edge of the city. It stages drama, music and comedy performances by…

  • Irish Evening at Bunratty

    County Clare

    High-spirited Irish nights lift the roof of a corn barn in the folk park adjacent to Bunratty Castle. Waitstaff serve Irish classics (stews, poached…

  • Project Arts Centre

    Temple Bar

    The city's most interesting venue for challenging new work – be it drama, dance, live art or film. Three separate spaces allow for maximum versatility…

  • Town Hall Theatre

    Galway City

    With a 400-seat main auditorium and 52-seat studio space, the Town Hall Theatre features Broadway and West End shows, orchestras, dance and occasional…

  • Booley House

    County Waterford

    During summer, this weekly 90-minute show of traditional Irish music and dance takes place in St Michael's Hall in the village of Ballyduff, 10km west of…

  • Fred Zeppelins

    Cork City

    There’s a hard edge to this dark den of a bar, popular with goths, rockers and anyone who feels uncomfortable leaving the house without a packet of Rizlas…

  • Mother

    Temple Bar

    The best club night in the city is ostensibly a gay night, but it does not discriminate: clubbers of every sexual orientation come for the sensational DJs…

  • Punchestown Racecourse

    Counties Wicklow & Kildare

    Known as the home of Irish jumps racing, Punchestown Racecourse dates from 1824, and is the site of Ireland's only cross-country banks track, with brush…

  • Ark Children's Cultural Centre

    Temple Bar

    Aimed at youngsters between the ages of three and 14, the Ark runs a range of age-specific programs, talks and interactive experiences designed to…

  • Kilbeggan Races

    The Midlands

    Punters from all over the country attend the old-time evening meetings at the Kilbeggan Races, 2km north of the town centre. The village is transformed on…

  • Abbey Theatre

    North of the Liffey

    Ireland’s national theatre was founded by WB Yeats in 1904 and was a central player in the development of a consciously native cultural identity. Expect…

  • Dolan's

    Limerick City

    Limerick's best spot for live music promises authentic trad sessions and an unbeatable gig list – including occasional big-name artists such as Paul Young…

  • Watergate Theatre

    Kilkenny City

    Kilkenny's top theatre venue hosts drama, comedy and musical performances. If you're wondering why intermission lasts 18 minutes, it's so patrons can nip…

  • Dock Arts Centre

    The Midlands

    Set in the grand surroundings of the 19th-century former courthouse, this place hosts performances, concerts, art exhibitions and workshops.

  • Crane Lane Theatre

    Cork City

    Part pub, part vintage ballroom, this atmospheric venue is decked out in 1920s to 1940s decor, with a courtyard beer garden as a central oasis. It stages…

  • Club Sóisialta Thórai

    County Donegal

    The island's social life revolves around this merry spot, which besides the hotel has the island's only other pub. It usually gets going from around 8pm…

  • Cyprus Avenue

    Cork City

    This midsized venue is one of the best spots in town to see all kinds of gigs, from heartfelt singer-songwriters to top local bands on their way to the…

  • Everyman Theatre

    Cork City

    Acclaimed musical and dramatic productions are the main bill here, but there's also the occasional comedy act or live band (it's a great venue for gigs…

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