There are two pubs in Galway that have started (at least in the past) entertainment earlier. As I remember they are "Taaffes" and "Tig Coili". There may be another. Both of those do a session that starts between 5 & 6.

Bill

Taffes was a bust for music Friday night.... rugby won out all night long.

We will try again though.

Tig Coili has a reputation with the locals as an "artiste" gathering ground. Apparently that means they find personal hygiene optional.

I don't know if it has been well publicized, but Ireland has passed no smoking laws similar to those of California and New York.... it is a great pleasure for us allergic types. It makes the pub experiences much nicer and much more memorable.

Merle,

The NI smoking ban is not written in stone yet. Stay tuned to my "Hot News" page for updates as the become available. I am looking forward to it myself. You really notice a difference when crossing from the smoke-free Republic into NI.

Michele

Recently spent a month in Galway as part an exchange program with the University and the Courts. We had good luck with music at Taafes, also The Crane Bar on Sea Road, Ti Cheoli on High Street, and at Regans Bar in Moycullen, on the road to Clifden.

Also Sean Nos Singing (Old style singing), contact the Hughes Bar in Spiddal, on the Coast Road, Connemara