The Historic and Traditional Music Pubs of Galway

Galway, like any major city, has more than its fair share of pubs. Choosing one very much depends on whether you’d like to either go for that quiet drink or to fall in on a music session or obligatory sing song! We’ve put together a list of what we think are Galway City’s most historical pubs, many of which host traditional Irish music sessions.

The Crane

Sea Road, Galway City
The Crane is one of the most well-known traditional Irish pubs in Galway with Irish music sessions 7 nights a week. Situated on the corner, its Victorian façade dates back to the 1800′s. 

It’s a 2 level bar with the downstairs been frequented by the locals. The “craic” gets going upstairs from 9.30pm each evening and is very popular with visitors to Galway. These days’ traditional Irish music sessions aren’t the only music genre on offer – the Crane has broadened its horizons – roots, blues and the occasional singer/songwriter also add to the mix.

Tig Cóilí

Mainguard Street, Galway City
Tig Cóilí is located on Mainguard Street, across from Taaffes Bar and The KIngs Head at the lower end of Shop Street. Well known for its nightly Traditional Irish music sessions, you’are likely to see many revellers outside in fine weather. Tig Cóilí offers a wonderful and genuine traditional Irish pub experience. Music sessions are held all year round with local and travelling musicians taking part. The owners and some of the staff of Tig Cóilí are musicians in their on rite and can often be seen playing on quieter days when they are not needed to run the pub. Musicians rarely use amplifiers as the pub is fairly small and has good acoustics. The decor of Tig Cóilí has the walls showing pictures of past performers and other memorabilia. There are comfortable seats towards the back if you don’t want to be too close to the music. The crowd as you would expect is a combination of locals and tourists.

Taaffes

19 – 20 Shop Street, Galway
This pub has definitely seen a bit of history in its time. Taaffes has been running as a pub for the past 150 years, with the building itself notching approximately 400 years. Traditional music sessions are popular here starting at 5pm (from April to October) and at 9pm (for the rest of the year). The great Sharon Shannon (these days joining the legendary Shane Mc Gowan in concert) played Taaffes!

As well as being a traditional pub it’s also a GAA pub. Check out the walls while you’re here – it’s kind of like a shrine to sporting heroes. Pub grub is served during the day and it’s a hugely popular spots with both locals and tourists.

Murty Rabbitts

23 Forster Street, Galway City
Murty Rabbitt’s bar was founded in 1872 – it ties in with a bit of America’s history too as it is claimed the pub was purchased with money from the San Francisco Gold Rush.  Cormac O’Coineen came back from the States, his pockets laden down with money. His first venture was to open a mill – not much luck there – as it burnt down. Next he turned to a combined bar and grocery store, and this proved so successful he was laughing all the way to the bank.

In 2007 Val Hanley took over the running of the pub as the Rabbitts left the business. Today Rabbitts clientele includes business people as well as Galway’s older generation. Bar food is served during the day and live music featuring folk and traditional Irish is on offer from Friday to Sunday.

Note: Coineen means rabbit in the Irish language, hence the name 🙂

Tigh Neachtain’s

17 Cross Street, Galway
Tigh Neachtain’s is a family run pub with a prime spot in medieval Galway city. With 100 years in the trade, I think they know how to pull a good pint, and no trip to Galway would be complete without checking it out.

Richard Martin (known as Humanity Dick), a famous politician and animal rights activist, lived in this building when it was just an old ordinary townhouse.  The Black and Tans took offence to the name of the pub written in Irish, and during the War of Independence (1919 to 1921) it was targeted my machine gunfire.

Today regular music sessions take place here which vary from traditional Irish to jazz. The pub has a great variety in clientele which includes tourists, actors, buskers, business people and of course the locals. De Dannan played here in 1993.

The Kings Head

15 High Street, Galway
This pub definitely has a tale or two to tell! Archaeological evidence indicates that there was a building on this site as far back as the 13th century.  15 High Street was actually given to Gunning (a Galway soldier), as a reward for supposedly executing King Charles 1 (3rd of January 1649).  Since then the building has been a gun makers shop as well as a grocers and spirit shop.

Things to look out for: a 1612 fireplace, 2 medieval fireplaces, 4 original cut stone windows, medieval walls of Banks Castle and a 400 year old Tripartite window.  Food is served here daily and there’s a variety of entertainment on offer. The Kings Head is most definitely the place to be for big sporting events – the atmosphere is nothing short of electric when there’s a match on!

O’Connor’s Famous Pub

Salthill, Galway
This is more of a tourist attraction than anything else. Step back in time – to what year – I don’t know – but the pub has a wide array of items suspended from every orifice which don’t really give you a clue as to the exact year you are in!

Look out for old lamps hanging very low from the ceiling, and no you haven’t had too much to drink, that is a fairly life size model of the man himself, John Wayne!  Customers in search of a bit of nostalgia will be in heaven here. Also included are farm implements, old crockery, black and white photos, and a set of weighing scales thrown in for good measure!   Obviously, tourists just love this and locals enjoy the challenge of ducking those low flying lamps.

There’s live music most nights with the regular occurrence of the customary sing song as well.

The Galway Arms

65 Dominic Street, Galway
Historical gem: take a look inside and you will come across an original handcrafted stone coat of arms of Galway city. It is one of four left in the city – so be sure and have a good look.

Over the past 100 years there has been a pub on this site. But back in 2000 a new building was erected because the old one was beyond repair. During building works evidence of a 16th century fort was uncovered.  Also in the bar itself there are a number of police badges from all over the world.

Accommodation is available upstairs which takes in some fine views of the Corrib. Food is served daily. Clientele vary from Gardai to language students to tourists to locals.

Richardsons

1 Eyre Square, Galway
The historical connection here is attached to James Joyce’s wife, Nora Barnacle. The building was home to Nora’s first love, Michael Bodkin. He was the influence for James Joyce’s story “the dead”, due to his dying young and also because of Nora’s great love for him.

Richardsons takes in views of Kennedy Park and Eyre Square. The pub itself has 2 levels, an off licence and accommodation. Again this would be a popular traditional Irish music pub with sessions held mostly downstairs. Bands with different musical styles have played in the upstairs venue.