Music in Pubs with Kids?

doolie · Newbie

Music in Pubs with Kids?

WCOMALLEY · Veteran Member

On our trip last fall we didn't see any children in the pubs at that time of night. I don't know if they are not allowed in, or if it just the custom not to bring them in. WC

Michele Erdvig · Host

doolie,

Welcome to my forum! The Irish are very forgiving about "bending" their rules. Especially if your children are eating a meal in a pub they may be "overlooked" at official "kick out the kids" times. It really depends on the individual pub. Also, if your kids keep a low profile and are not running around it will help.

You might find the Traditional Irish Night Ceili at Bunratty to be the solution: http://www.shannonheritage.com/Entertainment/TraditionalIrishNight/IrishNightProgramme/
You definitely need reservations for it.

Also check out: http://www.siamsatire.com/

Ask at the local tourist offices for events that are on in each place.

Michele

doolie · Newbie

Thanks, Michele. We were wondering how strict the pubs were. We are definitely biased, but our kids are very well behaved. This isn't about the parents wanting to hear the music so they drag the kids along. They genuinely love Irish music and listen intently at all the Irish festivals we take them to here in the states. It's one of the things they are most excited about on their visit to Ireland. Unfortunately we will not be near Bunratty in the evening to take in the Traditional Irish Night. The National Folk Theater is definitely a possibility with our base in Killorglin. I think we will try to visit a pub around 8:30ish for a meal and see if we can stay over when the music starts. We definitely wouldn't stay past 10:00. We try to keep some semblance of a bedtime even on vacation! If we could get away with this once or twice we would be happy!

Thanks so much for the tips! We are very excited to be taking our first trip to Ireland!

-- Edited by doolie at 22:41, 2008-03-16

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Your "10 PM" rule MIGHT need to be relaxed, somewhat. Music in the pubs is usually scheduled to begin at 9 PM, but rarely have I been anywhere where it actually started much before 9:30.

In Kilorglin, the music often 'Rotates' from pub to pub. If you ask at The Bridge Bar (literally NEXT to THE bridge) they can tell you where any live music is planned to be on any given evening. Also while there, I heartily recommend The Benz Cafe (on the Square) for good food and EXCELLENT desserts. Just opposite, Dev's On The Square MAY be even better, though it IS a bit pricey.

We attended a John Spillane performance at DeBara's, in Clonakily, in April of '06. There were a couple of 9 or 10 year olds in the audience in the back bar. Nothing was said.

Odds of finding music in April will be best on weekend nights, but Doolin, Killarney and Dingle would be very likely to have SOMETHING most nights.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 07:12, 2008-03-17