Our Top 5 Favorite Irish Pub Sessions (2025)
- Kinnfolk
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
Last year, we teamed up with Healy Tours to lead a group of folks across Ireland. We saw ancient castles, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cities by day…and by night, we sought the music. If there was an Irish traditional session happening, we found it. Join us as we count down our top 5 sessions from our 2025 Music of Ireland Tour!
By the way, if you've ever wanted to visit Ireland yourself, seats are still available on our 2026 Music Tour of Ireland! Click below to view the itinerary and sign up.
But now, the countdown...
5. Knox’s Pub – Ennis
We visited Knox’s on our honeymoon, so we knew this place would be a winner. Multiple sessions per day, with a rotating roster of host musicians. Ennis has a ton of tunes that we don’t play in our Roanoke, VA session, so it’s an inspiring place to find new melodies to learn.
10/10 would recommend this spot, whether you’re a musician, an enthusiast, or a casual listener.
4. The Diamond Bar – Ennis
Yep, another Ennis pub! This town is renowned for its vibrant music scene. And we can attest to that—after a day trip out to the Aran Islands, we floated back into town and were able to sit with TWO sessions in one night. Every session has its own personality, which makes them a great way to explore the towns you’re visiting!
The session at the Diamond Bar featured more singing than the one at Knox’s, though there were still plenty of tunes to be heard. Josh recognized many of the tunes as ones we play back home in Roanoke. Plus, the Guinness was especially good that night.
3. “Home” session at the Hotel Kilkenny – Kilkenny
This session was special because it was completely homemade. Toward the end of our 11-day trip, we announced to the group that we’d reserved a room in the hotel restaurant that evening and anyone who wanted could join us for some tunes and laughs. We expected a handful of folks to take us up on the offer, while the rest went out and explored the town…but EVERYONE showed up.
And wow, what an evening we had! We introduced everyone to session culture—calling a tune, singing or playing along if you knew it, sitting out respectfully if you don’t. We structured the night like our session back home in Roanoke, taking turns around the table. You could either call a tune/song, make a request, or pass. No pressure! We ended up playing several favorite Kinnfolk songs, enjoying solo performances, and even a poem or two. Several attendees had brought their instruments along for the trip through Ireland, so we were able to play a few lively tune sets together!
It was collaborative, entertaining, and unforgettable. What a way to bond with the people you’re traveling with!
2. Ciarán’s Bar – Ennis
Yes, yet another pub in Ennis—we’re telling you, this town is the place to go if you’re looking for authentic Irish traditional music! The session at Ciarán’s was our second one of the night, and the craic was mighty! Friendly people, fiery music, a whiskey-fueled Rattlin Bog, multiple poems recited as Gaeilge (in Irish), and hearty good times that lasted a biiiiiit past our bedtime…but hey, we were on vacation!
1. John Cleere’s Bar – Kilkenny
This session was special for so many reasons! First, we found it completely organically. Kilkenny was the last stop on our trip before we flew out of Dublin, and we weren’t familiar with the session scene…so we asked the locals once we got there. We were told there’s a Monday session at Cleere’s Bar that’s been running for over 30 years. Okay! we thought. Sounds like a nice final hoorah before we head back to Dublin.
But WOW, we had no idea what we were walking into. This session wasn’t confined to the three musicians with instruments sitting near the window…because EVERYONE in this pub could sing. One by one, folks were called to the front to lead the bar in a song. People paid rapt attention, sang along, applauded, and kept the spirits high. Visitors in our tour group lead tunes, sang dongs, and even recited some original poetry!
We heard familiar songs, new-to-us songs, songs in Gaelic, and the BEST rendition of “The Auld Triangle” either of us has heard in our lives.
And all because we asked a local where to find music that night. Never underestimate the power of simply talking to people when you’re on vacation!
Enjoying the photos and stories from our 2025 Ireland trip? Wish you could go yourself? Well, we have good news...
We still have a few open seats on our 2026 Kinnfolk Music of Ireland Tour ! We're excited to partner with Healy Tours again to bring a fresh group of folks to the Emerald Isle. We're taking a brand new path this year, including visits to Dublin, Donegal, Derry, Westport, Galway, and many stops in between. You'll explore the towns, view breathtaking landscapes, and—of course—find plenty of pubs with traditional Irish music! ☘️🎶
Click below to sign up!
Slàinte mhath!
~Josh & Julie
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