Live Music in Ireland

Subject: Live Music in Ireland
From: DBR in Cornwall
Date: 29 Jun 99 - 07:03 PM

My wife and I are traveling to Ireland between the 9th and 19th of July, staying in Ballybunion and points south and wanted to know of local pubs in the general vicinity of Ballybunion, Limerick, Killarney, Bantry, etc. that might have live music.

Many thanks for any leads!

Subject: RE: Live Music in Ireland
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 30 Jun 99 - 12:37 PM

Hi DBR!

Just about every pub in Killarney has a session. I'm sure there is likewise plenty of music in Cork and Limerick likewise.

I don't consider myself an expert in this area but you might try the following...

A real stronghold of Munster music is the Sliab Luacra (pronounced: Slieve Lukra) district, a plateau that takes in a lot of the Kerry-Cork border. My mother was born on the edge of it. Telephone the Sliab Luacra Bar in Ballydesmond, Co. Cork (tel. [phone]). They have music during the week, I recall.

Between Limerick and Killarney (immediately after you cross over the Feale River into Co. Kerry), there is a village named Brosna about 5 miles off to the left. A fellow named Con Curtin runs a pub on the church square. There is music there. Call and find out when. If you go to that pub you will be well off the tourist track.

Have a great trip.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Live Music in Ireland
From: dulcimer
Date: 01 Jul 99 - 10:39 AM

Just a word and observations. You have to check around. Many "bars" in larger, more popular tourist towns court the youth crowd--rock and roll and disco--or the country music from the 40-70's, especially on the weekends. You really have to ask if and what kind of music the pub will have. Most live taditional music doesn't start until 9:30 or 10:00. If you are lucky the musicians will be having craic and after a pause at 11:30 or 12:00, continue on. So, not much point in getting to a pub before about 9:00 unless you just want the atmosphere and an extra pint and a table next to the music. However, it may get so noisy with people in there just to drink that you will be distracted from the music itself. I found that many out-of-the-way pubs often had local musicians that played in a folk style, catering to locals that just enjoyed being there and playing and singing along with the music. They don't play like they are in a race.