Irish music in Galway City
April 17, 2008 1:02 PM Subscribe
Can anyone recommend a good place for traditional Irish music near the Jurys Inn on Quay St in Galway City?
The Crane is good.
Counterpoint: By all means, if you want good music and don't want your impression of Ireland ruined, stay away from Doolin. Doolin has decent music, but there's nothing "local" about it - the three pubs in town are so completely overrun by tourists that it really ruins the whole thing. I was there this time last year, after not having been there in almost 10 years, and the difference in Doolin between then and now really ruined the town for me. The pubs are full of Americans on group tours (I can't overstate this - LOADS of people on tours) that are there because Rick Steves said it was awesome; they all crowd around the stage and take pictures, so you can't see the musicians, and it's just not as nice as going to the Crane, or anywhere else for that matter.
Doolin is a nice little town, and its proximity to the Cliffs of Moher is a good thing, but if you're looking for music you can do a lot better.
posted by pdb at 1:51 PM on April 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Counterpoint: By all means, if you want good music and don't want your impression of Ireland ruined, stay away from Doolin. Doolin has decent music, but there's nothing "local" about it - the three pubs in town are so completely overrun by tourists that it really ruins the whole thing. I was there this time last year, after not having been there in almost 10 years, and the difference in Doolin between then and now really ruined the town for me. The pubs are full of Americans on group tours (I can't overstate this - LOADS of people on tours) that are there because Rick Steves said it was awesome; they all crowd around the stage and take pictures, so you can't see the musicians, and it's just not as nice as going to the Crane, or anywhere else for that matter.
Doolin is a nice little town, and its proximity to the Cliffs of Moher is a good thing, but if you're looking for music you can do a lot better.
posted by pdb at 1:51 PM on April 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Best answer: from my brother...
Ah, you're in for a good time!
I strongly recommend Taaffe's, which is on Shop Street about 3 min walk up from Jury's Hotel. Very reliably good music, small, good vibes bar, decent mix of locals and tourists. Depending on what night you're there, you might also go to the upstairs session at The Crane Bar, off of Dominick Street: they host an a capella singers session (maybe Thursdays?) which is pretty cool. There's lots of other options along High/Shop street, depending on the night and what exact type of music you're looking for. Personally, I'd avoid the bigger bars like Kings Head and Quays.
posted by krudiger at 2:00 PM on April 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Ah, you're in for a good time!
I strongly recommend Taaffe's, which is on Shop Street about 3 min walk up from Jury's Hotel. Very reliably good music, small, good vibes bar, decent mix of locals and tourists. Depending on what night you're there, you might also go to the upstairs session at The Crane Bar, off of Dominick Street: they host an a capella singers session (maybe Thursdays?) which is pretty cool. There's lots of other options along High/Shop street, depending on the night and what exact type of music you're looking for. Personally, I'd avoid the bigger bars like Kings Head and Quays.
posted by krudiger at 2:00 PM on April 17, 2008 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks very much. I've been to Doolin and I agree that it's great as far as location but has a little too much tourism... My best musical experience was in Cashel. I'm hoping to repeat the local feel...
posted by Shanachie at 2:38 PM on April 17, 2008
posted by Shanachie at 2:38 PM on April 17, 2008
ok I don't know what I'm talking about. I haven't been to Doolin since 1999 or something, and it was February.
posted by sully75 at 5:17 PM on April 17, 2008
posted by sully75 at 5:17 PM on April 17, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
I assume you'll try to make it by Ennis and Doolin? Those are the best towns for music, although Galway should be good.
posted by sully75 at 1:23 PM on April 17, 2008