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…
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…
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…
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 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…
Galway City
Internationally renowned, the Druid Performing Arts Company was established in 1975 and is famed for staging experimental works by young Irish playwrights…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 …
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,…
County Clare
Traditional Irish music, dancing, singing and Irish language are showcased at this important regional resource centre for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Midlands
Set in the grand surroundings of the 19th-century former courthouse, this place hosts performances, concerts, art exhibitions and workshops.
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…
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…
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…
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…