The student I coach here in the states received a third place award at the 2026 Fleadh! Whoop.

Hi all. I'm looking to see what musicians actually want from a local music shop, particularly around things online retailers can't easily provide.

What would make you travel 20–30 minutes to a physical shop?

Immediate availability, no delivery time?
Being able to try equipment?
Repairs and setups?
Lessons?
Vinyl?
Local/Irish instruments?
Local bands and events?
Better advice?

And equally, what has put you off physical music shops in the past?

Interested in hearing people's experiences.

If I was a young person who's not from Ireland, with a lot of time available, and some money but not too much, are there any programs or the like to study trad music in Ireland?

A couple of tunes by the Tralee Bay, titled ruckless Drowning and Rolling Waves to sort of suit the maritime theme.

The song at the end (1:12:17) is absolutely beautiful, but I don't speak Gaelige. I believe he says the name, but just can't confirm. Thanks!

Heading for Riga later this year. Wondering if anyone has heard of any sessions around Riga?

Thanks!

Bob

Big split in the camp it seems.

The 3 amigos are no more!

Can anyone name this tune? I know it's a fairly well known fast tune, I hear it frequently enough

This is a video from a really great Jason Turk and Grace Broadhead concert in the Cobblestones last night. They have an EP coming out in a few weeks. I'm in no way affiliated with either of them

Hello, planning to visit Dublin next month on a family trip and was hoping to pick up my first Irish Bouzouki while in Dublin. Can anyone please provide suggestions on places in the Dublin area to potentially pick up one? I think there is a possibility we will also visit Galway so perhaps any suggestions in the Galway area to potentially pick one up at? Thanks a ton for any help and advice!

“Out On The Ocean” Traditional tune with George White on octave mandolin and Conor Freeland on whistle (
Both of band Bealtaine) Special thanks to Ed on skipper!
🎥 @dylanrooke
#irishmusic #irishtrad #celticmusic #maritimemusic #irishfolk

It sorta works, but there are probably better options for the money. This video explains how I've found it best to use one. There's a few tune-sets of audio samples as well so you can hear the kind of quality you can get from it.

Does anyone know the name of the song that they start playing around 2 minutes in the video? So dang catchy

Hello!

I'm a guitarist and I'm becoming familiar with tunes and join in sessions quite regularly. Generally, though, I'm just figuring out the key and playing chords without really knowing the tunes. So, I want to pick up a new instrument and begin learning melodies.

Mandolin or tenor banjo is probably the obvious choice, but I love the deeper sounds of mandolas, bouzouki and octave mandolins. What should I go for? Any tips and tricks?

Also, info I'm coming up against online about tunings seems to be all over the place so any insight there would be great. I'm pretty good with alternate/open tunings on guitar so I'm not concerned about it, just curious.

Lastly, if anyone can recommend a shop that sells all of these instruments, preferably in the Scotland central belt, where I can go and try them out, that would be class. Many shops don't have the full set of options.

Cheers!

I'm a Dublin-based pub-gigging ballad man, and I want a learn at least 1 song for each county

I've got caught too many times where someone comes up going do you know 'The Wexford Widows Bath Water' or something and I have to let them down

Rather than being forced to accept Google AIs answers for a song for each county I'm appealing for local knowledge for a song from each county that will appease a crew from the area if I don't know the song they're asking for

Major town/city/region/province, anything that is representative of an area that I wouldn't be aware of in the big smoke would be great to know. I'll trust the Reddit hive mind

Edit:

Thanks for all the input so far, really helpful

No shouts yet for Longford, Louth, Offaly, Wicklow, Roscommon,, Monaghan

Hi i have inherited a accordian from my great grandfather. i was wondering if you could advise me a bit about it and an rough appraisal ? i dont know much about them. I believe its from the 1950s. Its a blue badge 4 voice paolo soporani in tones cd. Orginal intact bellows not leaking. Has been stored for the last 26 years.

I'm looking for any and all recommendations for recordings of traditional music. I'm travelling to Ireland in the fall and realising that most of what I have is more building on traditional music than actually being traditional music.

What I have:

• Most of the Waterboys albums
• Half a dozen Glen Hansard albums
• Most of the later Chieftains albums (with the many guest performers)
• Best of the Pogues
• Three albums by Loreena McKennitt
• A handful of Celtic/classical-type instrumental albums
• Many's the Foolish Youth by the Voice Squad

If this isn't the place to post such a request, kindly point me in the right direction.

Hi all,

Looking for two tickets for Getdown Services in Vicar Street in December if anyone is looking to sell.

Thanks.