Two of my friends and I are going to Ireland on December 30th - January 17 which means we'll be in Dublin for New Years Eve!! They've been there before and this will be my first so I'm super excited! This probably is a stupid question, but are there many sessions on New Years??
We'll probably stay a few days in Dublin and travel around a bit. Give me some heads up on some good sessions and I might just bump into you!
Hi Misha.
I'm not sure about New Years Eve in Dublin.
If its music you are interested in, then I think you should head towards the Smithfield area of the city;
Here you have two nice pubs for Irish music, The Cobblestone, and Hughs' ; however I couldn't tell you whether anyone would be there on that date.
If you go to O'Donaghues On Merrion Row (Off Baggott St.) you will be sure to find craic and music. It may be packed, and the music may not be what you hoped for, but its guaranteed...
I'm from Dublin and it's the last place I want to be on New Years, the place gets too crowded, the streets will be full of drunken idiots, most pubs will charge you at least €20 just to get in, then they'll overcharge you for drinks and the only good music you'll find will be at a private party. If you are coming to Ireland for irish music avoid central Dublin like the plague!!!!
My advice is the same as amwl had. Go to Donegal for the Frankie Kennedy Festival. I go there every New Year and have a ball. Look at www.frankiekennedy.com to read more about it.
You can get a bus from Dublin to Donegal, it's a LONG journey, around 6 hours, but believe me it's worth it.
Also most of the best musicians who play regularly in Dublin tend to go up to this festival too.
I'd strongly advice you NOT to stay in Dublin for New Years, if you are looking for good Irish music sessions go to the West of Ireland, this kind of applies generally too. While you can get some good sessions in Dublin, almost all the best sessions I've been to were in Donegal or Clare.
Hope that helps & if you find yourself stuck in Dublin on New Years Eve in a loud pub surrounded by obnoxious idiots with no interest in Irish music don't come crying to me!!!!
Dave, thanks for the info. I'll have to check with the guys I'm travelling with and see what they think. But if we can, we'll go to the Frankie Kennedy Festival for sure! ;)
Ireland for New Years and January...
Ireland for New Years and January...
Two of my friends and I are going to Ireland on December 30th - January 17 which means we'll be in Dublin for New Years Eve!! They've been there before and this will be my first so I'm super excited! This probably is a stupid question, but are there many sessions on New Years??
We'll probably stay a few days in Dublin and travel around a bit. Give me some heads up on some good sessions and I might just bump into you!
# Posted on November 20th 2006 by *Misha*
Re: Ireland for New Years and January...
If you're interested in heading north, the Frankie Kennedy Winter School is going on from December 27th-Jan 2nd.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by m
Re: Ireland for New Years and January...
Get to Sixmilebridge for a hectic eclectic weekend of music12-14th!!
Just 7 miles from Shannon airport.
Check out the programme on www.wmw.ie, and let me know if I can help with accommodation, etc!
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by RockyRoader
Re: Ireland for New Years and January...
Hi Misha.
I'm not sure about New Years Eve in Dublin.
If its music you are interested in, then I think you should head towards the Smithfield area of the city;
Here you have two nice pubs for Irish music, The Cobblestone, and Hughs' ; however I couldn't tell you whether anyone would be there on that date.
If you go to O'Donaghues On Merrion Row (Off Baggott St.) you will be sure to find craic and music. It may be packed, and the music may not be what you hoped for, but its guaranteed...
Hope you have a nice time.
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by Hugo Chavez
Re: Ireland for New Years and January...
Thanks RockyRoader ;) We're planning on being there and I will let you know!!
Hugo Chavez - Muchos Gracias!! ;)
# Posted on November 21st 2006 by *Misha*
Re: Ireland for New Years and January...
Misha,
I'm from Dublin and it's the last place I want to be on New Years, the place gets too crowded, the streets will be full of drunken idiots, most pubs will charge you at least €20 just to get in, then they'll overcharge you for drinks and the only good music you'll find will be at a private party. If you are coming to Ireland for irish music avoid central Dublin like the plague!!!!
My advice is the same as amwl had. Go to Donegal for the Frankie Kennedy Festival. I go there every New Year and have a ball. Look at www.frankiekennedy.com to read more about it.
You can get a bus from Dublin to Donegal, it's a LONG journey, around 6 hours, but believe me it's worth it.
Also most of the best musicians who play regularly in Dublin tend to go up to this festival too.
I'd strongly advice you NOT to stay in Dublin for New Years, if you are looking for good Irish music sessions go to the West of Ireland, this kind of applies generally too. While you can get some good sessions in Dublin, almost all the best sessions I've been to were in Donegal or Clare.
Hope that helps & if you find yourself stuck in Dublin on New Years Eve in a loud pub surrounded by obnoxious idiots with no interest in Irish music don't come crying to me!!!!
Dave
# Posted on November 22nd 2006 by In mourning
Re: Ireland for New Years and January...
Dave, thanks for the info. I'll have to check with the guys I'm travelling with and see what they think. But if we can, we'll go to the Frankie Kennedy Festival for sure! ;)
# Posted on November 24th 2006 by *Misha*