Live Music entertainment in Ireland
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Botanic Inn
The ‘Bot’ is the second pillar of Malone Rd’s unholy trinity of student pubs, along with the ‘Eg’ and the ‘Welly Park’ (Wellington Park). The latter has sadly been renovated into airport-departure-lounge anonymity, but the Bot is still a wild place, with dancing in the upstairs Top of the Bot club Wednesday to Saturday (people queue down the street to get in), live acoustic music in the Back Bar on Monday and Wednesday, and big-screen sport when there’s a match on.
reviewed
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Limelight
This combined pub and club, along with next-door venue the Spring & Airbrake (under the same management), is one of the city's top venues for live rock and indie music, having hosted bands such as Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, the Manic Street Preachers and the Kaiser Chiefs. It's also home to alternative club night Helter Skelter and Belfast's biggest student night, Shag.
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Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Serious aficionados of traditional music should make the trip here. The name (col -tas kyohl- thory erin) means ‘Fraternity of Traditional Musicians of Ireland’. Here you’ll find the best Irish music and dancing in Dublin, with some of the country’s top players. There are nightly shows, but the ‘craic is mighty’ at Friday night’s céilidh (group Irish dance).
reviewed
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Mason's Bar
The city that spawned the Undertones is still turning out raw, rumbustious live music and Mason's Friday night sessions, kicking off at 18:00, are the place to catch the latest offerings from local talent. There are three or four acts each week, as well as open-mic sessions on Monday and occasional live bands on Saturdays at 22:00; check out what's on at www.myspace.com/masons629.
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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.
reviewed
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Whelan's
Whelan's near-legendary status as the home of the sensitive, soul-searching singer – and where gigs are treated like semi-mystical experiences by their devoted fans – is inevitably the cause of much derision in some Dublin quarters, but there's no denying the venue's special place in the Dublin musical scene. It's a pretty intimate space, perfect if you're looking to 'connect' with your favourite artists, who will most likely be cadging drinks off fans in the bar afterwards.
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National Concert Hall
Ireland's premier orchestral hall hosts a variety of concerts year-round, including a series of lunchtime concerts from 1.05pm to 2pm on Tuesdays, June to August.
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O2
The premier indoor venue in the city has a capacity of around 10,000 and plays host to the very brightest stars in the firmament: Rihanna, Bryan Adams and the cast of Glee are just some of the acts that have brought their magic to its superb stage.
reviewed
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Vicar Street
Smaller performances take place at this intimate venue, near Christ Church Cathedral. It has a capacity of 1000, spread between table-serviced group seating downstairs and a theatre-style balcony. It has a varied program of performers, with a strong emphasis on folk and jazz.
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Dolan's
Limerick's best spot for live music promises authentic trad sessions and an unbeatable gig list, as well as cutting-edge stand-ups in two adjoining venues.
reviewed
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Crawdaddy
Named after the London club where the Stones launched their professional careers in 1963, Crawdaddy is an intimate bar/venue that specialises in putting on rootsy performers, from African drum bands to avant-garde jazz artists and flamenco guitarists. It's attached to the nightclub Tripod.
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Morrisey's Club
In a basement a few doors from the Kilkenny Tourist Hostel, this club usually doesn't really get cranking until around 22:00 (those who show up earlier get in free). DJs rule but there are also live acts many nights. Sunday nights get a barely-18 crowd.
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Mezz
Dark, sweaty and loud: it’s the way music venues used to be in those heady days before standard lamps and leather sofas became, well, standard. Old-school rock, electronic, funk and garage bands belt it out most nights to a young up-for-it crowd.
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Devitt’s
Devitt’s – aka the Cussak Stand – is one of the favourite places for the city’s talented musicians to display their wares, with sessions as good as any you’ll hear in the city centre. Highly recommended.
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Jj Smyth’s
Jazz and blues at this small but legendary pub draw a regular crowd. The Irish Blues Club plays on Tuesday and long-standing resident bands as well as international guest acts play every other night except Wednesday.
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Big Top
During the Point Depot's refit, the big gigs in Dublin will be held in a huge, 5000-capacity Big Top in Phoenix Park. We hope it's such a success that they keep it up even after the Point has reopened.
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Sugar Club
There's live jazz, cabaret and soul music at weekends in this comfortable new theatre-style venue on the corner of St Stephen's Green.
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Cooke's Thatch Bar
Warm, welcoming and not even remotely touristy, this 18th-centuy thatched-roofed local has fantastic Guinness, a heated internal courtyard and live music at least once a week.
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T&H Doolan's
A licensed establishment for over 300 years, historic Doolan's is a popular place to watch sport on the box and live bands with names like the Shamrocks and the Dead Beats.
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Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre
Armagh’s main cultural venue hosts a 400-seat theatre, exhibition galleries, a restaurant, a cafe and the Stage Bar & Bistro, which has live bands on Saturday nights.
reviewed
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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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Bank of Ireland Arts Centre
The arts centre hosts a free, regular, midweek lunchtime recital beginning at 1.15pm, as well as an occasional evening program of concerts. Call for details.
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Bacchus
This nightclub has a breezy, youngish crowd at weekends, with live bands on Fridays.
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Ana Conda
Local favourite featuring regular céilidh sessions and rock shows.
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Pumphouse
Frequent live rock groups plus pool tables, big TVs and a rooftop terrace.
reviewed
