East Clare Music
East Clare is one of the heartlands of Irish traditional music, and you do not have to look far to find it. From small village pubs to international festivals, the tradition here has been passed down through generations and is still very much alive.
Feakle
Music has deep roots in Feakle, and you don't need a festival to hear it. Pepper's Bar holds a session every Wednesday at 9pm, in a pub that has welcomed musicians for over 200 years and seen the likes of Sharon Shannon and Matt Molloy play there. Just down the road, Shortt's holds a session every Thursday at 9pm, said to be the longest running weekly session in the world. And each August, the Feakle Traditional Music Festival takes over the whole village with concerts, workshops and sessions running well into the night.
Tulla
Tulla takes its music seriously, and rightly so. It was home to the famous Tulla Ceili Band, one of Ireland's most celebrated traditional dance bands, which toured Ireland, England and the United States through the 20th century and is still talked about with a certain reverence locally. Pop into Cnoc na Gaoithe on a Wednesday at 8pm for the weekly traditional session, where local musicians gather for an evening of tunes, and you'll see why. And if you happen to be around on St Patrick's Day, the music doesn't stay in one pub for long, spilling out across Minogue's and The Power House as the day goes on.
Killaloe & Ballina
Killaloe and Ballina hold their own when it comes to music too, and the twin towns on either side of the river make for a particularly nice evening out. On the Ballina side, Liam O'Riain's, the oldest pub in the town, holds a session every Tuesday at 9pm in front of an open fire, in a bar that has barely changed in decades. Just up the road, Goosers, right on the river, hosts live music every Wednesday night, and has a waterside setting with an easy going atmosphere.
If you time your visit for the June Bank Holiday weekend, the SCS Killaloe Music Festival takes over St Flannan's Cathedral and venues across both towns, with a programme spanning classical music, folk, spoken word and late night concerts. It has drawn international names in recent years, and between the festival and the regular sessions, you've a strong reason to plan your evening around the river.