Seven Galway pubs with trad sessions pre Paddy's Day

Here are seven Galway pubs offering traditional Irish music sessions, not only for St Patrick’s Day but all year round! Be sure to catch one when visiting the City of the Tribes.

1. The Crane Bar

*The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway. Image credit: Caroline Giles*

Off the beaten track on Sea Road in Galway’s West End, the Crane Bar is a must visit for its good Guinness and traditional Irish music. Trad sessions take place nightly with Friday and Saturday nights the biggest nights of the week serving two floors of music. If you’re looking for a really lively session, visit on Tuesday nights when the local trad society are playing.

2 Sea Road, Galway’s Westend.

2. Tig Chóilí

*Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Kate visit Tig Chóilí March 2020. Image credit: Tig Chóilí on Facebook*.

This family-run pub is regarded as the home of traditional Irish music in Galway and is renowned for its daily music sessions. Situated right in the Latin Quarter, Tig Chóilí is popular with locals and visitors alike. Trad sessions take place here twice daily at 6pm and 9.30pm, if you’re feeling brave why not sing a song or bring your own instrument and join in!

Mainguard Street, The Latin Quarter, Galway.

3. Taaffes Bar

*Traditional Irish music session in Taaffes. Image credit: Taaffes Bar on Facebook*.

Well known for its GAA coverage and its traditional Irish music sessions, a visit to Taaffes guarantees a warm welcome, ceoil, agus craic! Snuggle up in front of the fire on those rainy Galway days or take a seat outside where you can watch the bustle of Shop Street all whilst within earshot of Taaffes music. Trad sessions take place twice daily at 5.30pm and 9.30pm.

19 Shop Street, Galway.

4. Garavan’s Bar

*Garavan’s Bar, Shop Street, at Christmas. Image credit: Garavan’s Bar on Facebook.*

Situated in the centre of Galway’s busiest streets, Garavan’s Bar is a cosy pub steeped in history and the perfect place to enjoy one of their famous Irish coffees or award-winning whiskies. This pub is the perfect venue to enjoy a traditional Irish music session on Fridays and Saturdays at 9pm and Sundays at 8pm, dancing is encouraged!

46 William Street, Galway.

5. O’Connor’s Pub Galway

*O’Connor’s Bar Salthill, Galway. Image credit O’Connor’s Pub on Facebook.*

Long before Ed Sheeran shot his music video for his song ‘Galway Girl’, O’Connor’s Pub was famous in Galway for its warm hospitality, quirky interior and its live music. Trad sessions and live music occur here nightly in front of the large old fashioned open fire. Early arrival is highly recommended as it fills quickly. Open nightly from 7.30pm.

Salthill House, Upper Salthill Road, Galway.

6. Barr an Chaladh

*Live music in Barr an Chaladh. Image credit: Barr an Chaladh on Facebook.*

This Woodquay bar doesn’t solely do traditional Irish music sessions but it also live Irish music seven nights a week and is well deserving of a mention on this list. Barr an Chaladh is always lively and a popular spot with students and locals alike. Open daily from 10am with live music from 9pm.

Daly’s Place, 3 Woodquay, Galway.

7. Monroe’s Galway

*Traditional Irish music live at Monroe’s. Image credit: Monroe’s Galway on Facebook.*

Monroe’s Tavern is your one stop shop for food, drinks, and live music. The pub offers themed nights on a regular basis and frequently hosts big names and acts in music in their live late-night venue upstairs. To catch the traditional Irish music session here, pop in on Fridays at 4.30pm to start your weekend on the right note!

14 Dominick Street, Galway.

Entry to all of the above listed venues is free of charge.

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