Traditional Irish music lies at the heart of Galway’s music scene. No matter if you are in the midst of the city centre, out on an Aran isle or in rural Connemara, the sounds of traditional Irish music can be heard echoing from music halls and cosy trad bars. Discover our top pick on where to go and experience a trad music session in Galway right here…
If you are on the hunt for an authentic traditional Irish pub experience, you are going to want to add these bars to the top of your list! With cosy atmospheres, soft lighting and lively tunes of fiddles and bodhráns filling the air. Here are the best traditional Irish bars in Galway to catch a live trad music session.
above: Tig Chóilí
Tig Chóilí
Irish traditional Irish music times: Monday to Wednesday at 6pm+9.30pm, Thursday at 6.30pm+9.30pm, Friday & Saturday at 6pm+10.30pm, Sunday at 2.30pm+8pm
This Galway city family-owned traditional Irish bar Tig Chóilí runs on a love for trad music. The space is full of snugs and stools, so there’s plenty of room to get cosy in time for their twice daily live traditional Irish music sessions. This spot also makes a delicious Irish coffee which is perfect for those colder nights and regardless of the time of day there is always plenty of conversation and craic to be had.
Address: Mainguard Street
More information here
The Crane Bar
Irish traditional Irish music times: nightly at 9.30pm and at 2pm on Sundays
Right in the heart of Galway's Westend is one of Galway's most beloved traditional Irish music pubs: The Crane Bar. It hosts music sessions nightly both upstairs and down, upstairs at The Crane Bar is a much loved venue, seating 70 in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. There are very few in Galway who haven't enjoyed a trad session here so join in the merriment and pull up a stool at one of the best trad sessions in town.
Address: 2 Sea Road, Galway’s Westend
More information here
above: Taafes Bar
Taaffes Bar
Irish traditional Irish music times: Monday to Thursday at 5.30pm+9.30pm, Friday & Saturday at 5.30pm+10pm
If you want a proper Irish experience, Taaffes in Galway city should be your point of call. Here, all the staff members speak Irish fluently and are happy to banter away as Gaeilge as you enjoy your pint. If you haven’t any Irish who knows you might even pick up a few words and learn the essentials (ordering a pint through Irish). Taaffes Bar has a reputation for their incredible traditional Irish music sessions which are played daily in the bar.
Address: 19 Shop Street
More information here
The Kings Head
Irish traditional Irish music times: nightly
The landmark family-run Kings Head in Galway city’s Latin Quarter boasts a phenomenal reputation for having over three floors of live music, delicious food and drink offerings and events. They've always got an amazing lineup of live music and local performances so if you're in Galway for the night and looking for a place to hang out either solo or with friends, I think you've found your answer.
Address: 15 High Street, Latin Quarter
More information here
Joe Watty’s Bar & Restaurant
One of the oldest pubs on Inis Mór, Joe Watty's is the place to be in order to experience an impromptu trad music session while enjoying a few pints out. This welcoming pub serves up refreshments, delicious Irish pub food, and plenty of fun with a strong emphasis on customer care. With an epic reputation for their traditional Irish music sessions, they attract a mix of both locals and visitors alike all year round.
Address: Stáisiun Doiteain Inis Mor, Kilronan, Aran Islands
More information here
Lowry’s Bar
They've been voted Best Traditional Bar in Ireland on three separate occasions; so when it comes to catching an ol’ trad session and a hot whiskey, Lowry's Bar has awards proving that it is one of Galway’s best. Famous throughout Connemara and Galway for its lively atmosphere and legendary music sessions, this bar should be on the bucket list of every avid trad music fan as it offers a traditional Irish experience unlike any other.
Address: Market Street, Clifden
More information here
Monroe’s Tavern
Irish traditional Irish music times: Fridays 4.30pm to 7pm
Inside Monroe’s Tavern is an original space with beautiful interiors and a cosy Irish snug. The best of Irish hospitality and live music here charms and entertains local and tourists seven nights a week all year round. As one of Galway’s most recognisable buildings be sure to make the journey across the bridge and into Galway’s Westend for a night of traditional Irish music like no other.
Address: 14 Dominick St Upper, Galway’s Westend
More information here
MacNeills’ Pub
Irish traditional Irish music times: Thursdays at 7pm
MacNeill’s on Eyre Square is more than a gastropub; it’s a hub of entertainment and community. Enjoy traditional Irish music every Thursday, lively performances every Friday and Saturday, and live sports broadcasts that bring fans together. MacNeill’s invites and celebrates local cultural artists and performers to take part in their trad Irish music sessions, poetry and storytelling sessions, local history highlights, and more. For a new ‘old’ Irish experience visit MacNeill’s Pub.
Address: Downstairs at The Hardiman Hotel, Eyre Square
More information here
above: Carroll's on Dominick Street
Carroll’s on Dominick Street
Irish traditional Irish music times: Thursdays at 8pm and Fridays to Sundays at 7pm
While its beer garden alludes to Carroll's being a solely modern and chic bar, in-house it really is a traditional Irish pub at its finest! Visiting Carroll's on Dominick Street will allow you to step back in time as the interior lends to an old style classic feel that ties in with the atmosphere of the much loved Galway Westend. Its comfy snugs and classic pub atmosphere helps set the scene for enjoying the weekend trad sessions.
Address: 39 Dominick St Lower, Galway’s Westend
More information here
O’Connor’s Bar
Irish traditional Irish music times: Monday to Thursday at 7.30pm
When it comes to catching a traditional Irish music session in an authentic Irish pub, you'll want to head out to Salthill to visit the bar that's famous for exactly that! Seriously, many famous people have been spotted nursing pints of Guinness against the quirky backdrop of O'Connor's Bar. You can catch trad music by the fireplace most nights and this whole bar is decked out in Irish memorabilia -it's a completely one-of-a-kind venue.
Address: Salthill House, Upper Salthill Road
More information here
Feature photo courtesy of Carroll's on Dominick Street
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