If you want to know what a true Irish pub experience is really about, step inside Carroll’s on Dominick Street. It’s a spot that blends the old with the new, resulting in one of the most unique pubs in the entire city. Read all about it here...
One of its biggest draws is its incredible trad music sessions. They’ve been hosting them since day one, and you’ll hear music echoing out its doors seven nights a week. These nightly sessions have attracted their own loyal following, with regulars frequently gathering at the bar, to the point where there’s even a back section affectionately dubbed the regulars’ bar.
Inside, Carroll’s is exactly what you want an Irish pub to be: full of character, atmosphere, and stories etched into the walls. You’ll spot vintage beer mats, old cash registers, and countless pieces of memorabilia collected over the years. And while the vibe is old-school, the drinks menu is anything but stuck in the past. You’ll find standard pints and delicious cocktails, alongside cult favourites Galway’s own Pow! gluten free lager and Bang Bang IPA, both of which got their start right here.
Continue through to the rear of the bar and Carroll’s becomes something else entirely. The space opens up to a sprawling beer garden, playfully nicknamed The Caravan Club, it is one of Galway’s most talked-about hangouts. It’s not just about the size (it’s huge!), but the eccentric setup: vintage caravans that have been converted into private nooks. These quirky little spaces are available to book for staff nights out, birthday bashes, even second-day wedding parties. Come Christmas, they’re in especially high demand, giving corporate Christmas parties a truly unforgettable backdrop. All bookings can be made at info@carrollsbar.ie.
At the centre of the Caravan Club is one of Galway’s most unique stages: a repurposed church organ that now doubles as a stage. From Thursday through Sunday, it hosts live gigs, adding a fresh energy to the pub’s already packed music calendar. Between the nightly sessions inside and the weekend shows outside, Carroll’s is really something special: it’s one of the few places in town where you can catch live music every single day of the week.
But Carroll’s isn’t just about what’s in your glass, it’s also about what’s on your plate. Enter Lódid, the brand-new food venture that’s quickly making its mark. Head chef Charlie Walsh is steering the kitchen, turning out crowd-pleasers like hot dogs, loaded fries, nachos, and a handful of hearty vegetarian options. The menu is still evolving, but the early word is promising: this is proper pub grub, the kind that keeps you fueled through an evening of tunes and pints.
And then there’s the setting. Lódid doesn’t live in just any ol’ food truck, it’s based inside Carroll’s very own Double Decker Bus. Parked permanently in the beer garden, the bus has been transformed into one of the quirkiest dining spaces in the city. Nearby, the Bar 13, a cocktail bar that opens when the crowds spill in later in the evening, lets the good times roll until close.
Since taking over as head of management just a few months ago, Paul Walsh has been the one leading the charge at Carroll’s, and his impact is already clear. From fine-tuning the food offering to keeping music at the heart of the pub, he’s made sure Carroll’s stays true to its roots while also giving it a fresh energy for a newer crowd.
In a city full of pubs, Carroll’s stands out by doing the simple things exceptionally well: live music every night, a space where locals and visitors mix, and a vibe that balances tradition with playful and youthful originality. Whether you’re in for a quiet pint by the regulars’ bar, a caravan club Christmas party, or to catch a show in the beer garden, visit it for yourself at 39 Dominick Street Lower, and for all bookings contact them at info@carrollsbar.ie.
All photos courtesy of Carroll's on Dominick Street
