Must-see entertainment in Ireland

  • Stella Theatre

    Dublin

    A cinema night may not always be a glamorous event, but at the Stella Theatre it is. A narrow entrance opens up to sumptuous art deco glory with…

  • Cork Opera House

    Cork City

    Given a modern makeover in the 1990s, this leading venue has been entertaining the city for more than 150 years with everything from opera and ballet to…

  • Druid Performing Arts Company

    Galway City

    Internationally renowned, the Druid Performing Arts Company was established in 1975 and is famed for staging experimental works by young Irish playwrights…

  • Triskel Arts Centre

    Cork City

    A fantastic cultural centre housed partly in a renovated church building. Expect a varied program of live music, visual art, photography and theatre at…

  • The facade of the Smock Alley Theatre.

    Smock Alley Theatre

    Temple Bar

    One of the city’s most diverse theatres is hidden in this beautifully restored 17th-century building. It boasts a broad program of events (expect anything…

  • O'Donoghue's

    Dublin

    There's traditional music nightly in the old bar of this famous boozer. Regular performers include local names such as Tom Foley, Joe McHugh, Joe Foley…

  • Seating at Croke Park Stadium.

    Croke Park

    Dublin

    Hurling and Gaelic football games are held from February to November at Europe's fourth-largest stadium (capacity around 82,000), north of the Royal Canal…

  • Also known as the Bord Gais Energy Theatre it was designed by Daniel Libeskind.

    Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

    Dublin

    Forget the uninviting sponsored name: Daniel Libeskind's masterful design is a three-tiered, 2100-capacity auditorium where you're as likely to be…

  • Outside of the Bowery

    Bowery

    Dublin

    With its burnished wood, intricate chandeliers and ship-shaped stage, this music venue is one of the best-looking bars in the city. It features live…

  • Knappogue Castle

    County Clare

    The only way to visit this stately 15th-century castle 3.5km southeast of Quin is to attend a touristy but fun medieval banquet. Following a cup of mead …

  • Spirit Store

    Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan

    Downstairs this sunset-pink-painted place is your typical harbour-front bar, full of character and characters. Upstairs is a state-of-the-art live venue,…

  • Cois na hAbhna

    County Clare

    Traditional Irish music, dancing, singing and Irish language are showcased at this important regional resource centre for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ…

  • Vaults Live

    Dublin

    An immersive theatre performance in an old schoolhouse that takes you through six scenes from the darker side of Dublin history with incredibly detailed…

  • Workman's Club

    Temple Bar

    A 300-capacity venue and bar in the former working-men's club of Dublin. The emphasis is on keeping away from the mainstream, which means everything from…

  • Lime Tree Theatre

    Limerick City

    This 510-seat state-of-the-art theatre is set on a college campus on the southern edge of the city. It stages drama, music and comedy performances by…

  • Irish Evening at Bunratty

    County Clare

    High-spirited Irish nights lift the roof of a corn barn in the folk park adjacent to Bunratty Castle. Waitstaff serve Irish classics (stews, poached…

  • Project Arts Centre

    Temple Bar

    The city's most interesting venue for challenging new work – be it drama, dance, live art or film. Three separate spaces allow for maximum versatility…

  • Town Hall Theatre

    Galway City

    With a 400-seat main auditorium and 52-seat studio space, the Town Hall Theatre features Broadway and West End shows, orchestras, dance and occasional…

  • Fred Zeppelins

    Cork City

    There’s a hard edge to this dark den of a bar, popular with goths, rockers and anyone who feels uncomfortable leaving the house without a packet of Rizlas…

  • Mother

    Temple Bar

    The best club night in the city is ostensibly a gay night, but it does not discriminate: clubbers of every sexual orientation come for the sensational DJs…

  • Ark Children's Cultural Centre

    Temple Bar

    Aimed at youngsters between the ages of three and 14, the Ark runs a range of age-specific programs, talks and interactive experiences designed to…

  • Kilbeggan Races

    The Midlands

    Punters from all over the country attend the old-time evening meetings at the Kilbeggan Races, 2km north of the town centre. The village is transformed on…

  • Dolan's

    Limerick City

    Limerick's best spot for live music promises authentic trad sessions and an unbeatable gig list – including occasional big-name artists such as Paul Young…

  • Watergate Theatre

    Kilkenny City

    Kilkenny's top theatre venue hosts drama, comedy and musical performances. If you're wondering why intermission lasts 18 minutes, it's so patrons can nip…

  • Dock Arts Centre

    The Midlands

    Set in the grand surroundings of the 19th-century former courthouse, this place hosts performances, concerts, art exhibitions and workshops.

  • Crane Lane Theatre

    Cork City

    Part pub, part vintage ballroom, this atmospheric venue is decked out in 1920s to 1940s decor, with a courtyard beer garden as a central oasis. It stages…

  • Club Sóisialta Thórai

    County Donegal

    The island's social life revolves around this merry spot, which besides the hotel has the island's only other pub. It usually gets going from around 8pm…

  • Cyprus Avenue

    Cork City

    This midsized venue is one of the best spots in town to see all kinds of gigs, from heartfelt singer-songwriters to top local bands on their way to the…

  • Everyman Theatre

    Cork City

    Acclaimed musical and dramatic productions are the main bill here, but there's also the occasional comedy act or live band (it's a great venue for gigs…

  • An Grianán Theatre

    County Donegal

    An Grianán Theatre is both a community theatre and major arts venue for the northwest, presenting national and international drama, comedy and music. It…

  • Siamsa Tíre

    Tralee

    Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, recreates dynamic aspects of Gaelic culture through song, dance, drama and mime. There are several…

  • Mullingar Arts Centre

    The Midlands

    Mullingar's arts centre runs a regular program of music, comedy, drama and art exhibitions. In summer there are family-friendly traditional music sessions…

  • University Concert Hall

    Limerick City

    Permanent home of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, with regular concerts from visiting acts, plus opera, drama, comedy and dance. The campus is 4.5km east of…

  • Olympia Theatre

    Temple Bar

    This lovely Victorian-era theatre specialises in light plays and, at Christmastime, pantomimes. It also hosts some terrific live gigs.

  • Regional Cultural Centre

    County Donegal

    In a striking glass-and-aluminium structure, Letterkenny's cultural centre hosts music and drama, fine arts and film screenings.

  • Glór

    County Clare

    In a striking modern building, Clare's cultural centre hosts theatre, dance, traditional music, film, photography, art and more.

  • Nowlan Park GAA Stadium

    Kilkenny City

    One of the classic experiences of a trip to Ireland is catching a game of hurling at the Kilkenny Cats' hallowed home stadium.

  • Birr Theatre & Arts Centre

    The Midlands

    On tree-lined Oxmantown Mall, this is a vibrant place with a regular line-up of art exhibitions, films, theatre and concerts.

  • Royal Dublin Society Showground

    Dublin

    This impressive, Victorian-era showground is used for various exhibitions throughout the year. The most important annual event here is the late-July…

  • Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet

    County Clare

    Candlelit medieval banquets at Bunratty Castle are replete with harp-playing maidens, court jesters and meaty medieval fare (vegetarian options available)…

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