TradFest 2020 is finally here and the line up is diddley-aye deadly!
Now in its 15th year, there are plenty of exciting and fun events planned including large to intimate concerts, taste trails, exhibitions, film screenings, workshops, and children’s concerts.
There'll be concerts everywhere from City Hall to the Button Factory, but where's good to catch some quality trad the rest of the year?
We've picked out ten of the best spots where you can have a bit of a hooley.
1) The Cobblestone, North King Street
Describing itself as "a drinking pub with a music problem", the Cobblestone in Smithfield has live trad from 5pm Monday-Friday, and from 2pm on weekends.
It's cosy and casual, and the atmosphere is irresistable.
2) O'Donoghues, Merrion Row
O'Donoghues has traditional music every night.
It's always packed with tourists but the craic is ninety!
3) The Celt, Talbot Street
The Celt has live Irish tunes from 9pm each night.
They also serve delicious traditional food - and the portions are huge!
4) The Merchant's Arch Bar and Restaurant, Wellington Quay
The Merchant's Arch has lively music sessions every day, sometimes until 2am.
It's tourist central but if you don't mind being surrounded by Americans you'll be grand.
5) The Old Storehouse, Crown Alley
This Temple Bar pub has excellent Irish music seven days a week.
The fun goes on until 1.30am on weeknights and 2.30am on weekends!
6) The Temple Bar, Temple Bar
This place is always stuffed to the rafters with tourists and the price of drink is sky-high.
However they do have at least three trad music sessions daily, from 2pm until late.
7) O'Shea's Merchant, Bridge Street Lower
This pub has trad music and ballads every day from 9pm, starting earlier on Sundays.
Sharon Shannon, Altan, Mary and Frances Black and Damien Demspey are just some of the musicians who have played here.
8) Leonard's Bar, Blanchardstown
This cosy Corduff pub has a sit down session every Monday evening from 5 to 7pm.
It's a great spot to grab a a delicious pint while enjoying some fantastic music.
9) McLoughlin's Bar, Dun Laoghaire
Just a stone's through from the Dun Laoghaire Harbour, this seaside pub hosts live music and entertainment every week including traditional Irish sessions, Blues, Folk, Rock, and more.
10) Poitin Stil, Rathcoole
The southside pub located just off the Naas Road has live trad sessions every Wednesday starting at 9 pm.
