Folk Music in Ireland

Classic Ireland Folk Music and Pub Tour

Experience the magic and excitement of Ireland's traditional folk music on a road trip that takes in the country's best folk music venues and festivals. Your tour should begin in the capital of traditional music, Galway, which hosts regular live performances and the renowned Galway Sessions. Then it's on to Dublin, where pubs present rousing traditional sessions, and the Temple Bar Trad entertains folk music fans each year. Travel to Bantry, the seaside town that hosts several wonderful folk music festivals, before experiencing the traditional music entertainment at Dingle's friendly taverns. No folk music tour of Ireland would be complete without a stop-over at Ennis, a centre for folk music that offers star-studded musical celebrations.

Tuneful Ireland

Ireland is renowned as one of the most musical nations and the world. A variety of musical genres have been influenced by Irish folk music's distinctive jigs, reels and lyrical ballads. Fast and furious, the upbeat fiddle-centred traditional dancing tunes are rousing and cheerful while the slower ballads are heartbreakingly beautiful. The Irish are known for their musical prowess and are more than willing to share it with visitors. Folk music is a fixture in nearly every pub in the country, so pick up your pint, pull up a chair and lose yourself in the music.

Irish Folk Music at its Best

Galway is Ireland's undisputed capital of folk music. It is one of the few mainly Irish-speaking regions of the country and its culture is deeply rooted in traditional elements. There are several stage shows centred on traditional folk music playing year round, and its pubs play host to the country's best musicians.

The city's major musical event is the Galway Sessions, which presents excellent Irish music in a friendly and relaxed environment. Different styles of traditional and folk music are performed at venues that range from the big stage shows of the Róisín Dubh, to more intimate folk club gigs in the Crane Bar. Of course there is plenty of folk dancing along with the lively music, and major names in Irish music perform at the festival each year.

If you're interested in hearing the best Irish folk music your next stop should be Dublin. The traditional pubs of Temple Bar are often vibrating with the sounds of the fiddles, drums and vocalists inside, and this 'cultural quarter' of Dublin is also home to the Temple Bar Trad, an annual celebration of traditional music and culture. Top Irish traditional musicians and some international performers captivate thousands of music fans every year.

Besides the Temple Bar, there are countless other taverns scattered throughout Dublin, which host traditional folk music sessions. Tours are available of the best folk music Dublin has to offer and there are set shows operating year round. The Auld Dubliner, The Cobblestone and The Brazen Head are places to check out if you are interested in hearing some authentic Irish folk music.

If you travel to Northern Ireland, some wonderful traditional Irish folk music can be enjoyed in Belfast and Derry. Both Northern Ireland cities have many pubs with regular traditional sessions, ensuring a great evening out with the chance to absorb some Irish culture. Peadar O'Donnells in Derry, for instance, is a popular folk music venue, with wonderful traditional sessions held every night.

Celebrating Irish Folk Music

Lively folk music festivals throughout Ireland give top musicians the opportunity to meet, compete and showcase their amazing talents.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, based in Tullamore near Birr, is the largest festival of Irish music, song and dance. The festival plays host to 230,000 people who gather from all over the globe to enjoy Irish culture. Thousands of musicians take part in this feast of Irish tradition, and the festival also involves a competitive aspect, as performers play to secure top honours.

Ennis has the honour of hosting two well-known folk music festivals each year. The Ennis Trad Festival is held during November, and features top quality Irish traditional music. The Fleadh Nua, held during May, has been entertaining and enthralling audiences for 35 years. The festival attracts about 50,000 patrons a year, who come to see the concerts, music, song, dance, workshops, street entertainment, pageants and parades, which celebrate everything Irish and traditional.

Fantastic folk music is presented at the Bandon Music Festival in Cork. This popular summer festival is hosted over a weekend in June and features the most creative performers in Ireland, ranging from new, unknown musicians to international stars.

The seaside town of Bantry hosts the Young Masters of Tradition Festival, where promising young folk musicians share their unique interpretations of traditional songs. The festival is held in Bantry House, an elegant backdrop to the superb young musicians' work. Another more unusual festival is the World Bodhrán Championships, which is devoted to the art of playing the traditional Irish frame drum, the bodhrán. Held in Milltown, County Kerry, the event showcases the versatility of this unique instrument and features competitions to find the world's top bodhrán player.

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