Smithwicks Sessions at Temple Bar TradFest 2024

Luke McLeod | Last Updated 21 December 2023 | 5 Minute Read

From 24th until the 28th January 2024, TradFest will take over a lot of Temple Bar's bars and pubs. As part of Tradfest, the Temple bar company run the Smithwicks sessions, Irish music sessions in various venues around temple bar.

What is the TradFest Temple Bar

This experience celebrates Irish Culture and traditional music in unique venues around the capital. Some of our historic museums, theatres and churches welcome legendary artists, and up and coming musicians to play in this concert series, host workshops and céilí's over the long weekend of events. 

All of the main headline events are ticketed, with low prices for the quality of talent on display. That's where the events around the pubs take centre stage, these free events are perfect when looking for something to do in Dublin! 

 

Grab a pint of Ruby Red ale, a packet of crisps (or Scampi Fries, if you know your stuff) and find a seat to listen to the best array of artists in the country. Even our littlest visitors will be in awe of the magical sounds of traditional Irish instruments in these historic locations. 

300-Year History of Smithwicks

Smithwicks has a long tradition of brewing, it's rich history stems to Kilkenny, dating back to 1710. The brewing heritage of Smithwicks still lives on to this day, almost 314 years later. When you think of Smithwick Session, many think of the Session Ale, but this January they're turning malty notes to musical notes. 

With support from Dublin City Council & Failte Ireland, The TradFest Temple Bar celebrates this vibrant culture of traditional music with free and unticketed shows in some of the best pubs, lounges and restaurants in along the cobbled streets of the Cultural Quarter. 

 

These gigs are free and showcase the a blend of the biggest trad bands on the underground scene. The event locations are a mixture of group friendly venues and others that you will need to squeeze into, no matter what, I'd recommend getting there early to have the best seat in the house. 

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Smithwicks Sessions Festival Event Times

Event times for this fantastic music festival are laid out below, with Zampas making its debut as a venue for Smithwick's Sessions at the landmark festival in the trad calendar. 

 

The Temple Bar Folk Festival allows both Irish people and visitors in Dublin to celebrate our cultural identity through music. Community events like the smithwicks sessions are important opportunities for everybody in Dublin city centre to get involved in Irish culture.

Wednesday Jan 24th 

Cara Coyle

The Fleet Hotel @ 6pm

Krea

The Morgan @ 6pm

Ronan Gallagher

The Auld Dubliner @ 6pm

Brona Keogh

The Bad Ass Cafe @ 6pm

Jiggy

The Temple Bar @ 6pm

The Finns

The Hard Rock Hotel @ 6pm

Aaron Rowe

The Norseman @ 6pm

Fintan Warfield

The Porterhouse @ 6pm

The Murphy Sisters

Oliver St. John Gogarty @ 6pm

Thursday Jan 25th 

Aaron Rowe

The Porterhouse @ 6pm

Moon Looks On

The Morgan @ 6pm

Ukelele Tuesday

Fitzsimons @ 6pm

CAILÍNÍ LUA

The Hard Rock Hotel @ 6pm

The Finns

The Auld Dubliner @ 6pm

The Colonials

The Old Storehouse @ 6pm

Fin Furey

Oliver St. John Gogarty @ 6pm

Krea

The Fleet Hotel @ 6pm

The Murphy Sisters

The Temple Bar @ 6pm

Friday Jan 2th 

Alp Luachra

Fitzsimons @ 6pm

Drops of Green

The Hard Rock Hotel @ 6pm

Cara Coyle

The Morgan @ 6pm

Moon Looks On

The Fleet Hotel @ 6pm

Fintan Warfield

The Bad Ass Cafe @ 6pm

The Finns

The Temple Bar @ 6pm

CAILÍNÍ LUA

The Norseman@ 6pm

Buioch

Oliver St. John Gogarty @ 6pm

The Murphy Sisters

The Auld Dubliner @ 6pm

Saturday Jan 27th 

The Finns

The Morgan @ 4pm

Brona Keogh

The Fleet Hotel @ 6pm

Buioch

The Auld Dubliner @ 4pm

NÓINÍNÍ

The Hard Rock Hotel @ 4pm

The Colonials

The Temple Bar @ 4pm

Ukelele Tuesday

The Arlington @ 4pm

Drops of Green

Oliver St. John Gogarty @ 4pm

CAILÍNÍ LUA

The Porterhouse @ 4pm

The Murphy Sisters

The Bad Ass Cafe @ 4pm

Sunday Jan 28th 

Ukelele Tuesday

The Hard Rock Hotel @ 3pm

Fintan Warfield

The Auld Dubliner @ 3pm

Aaron Rowe

The Bad Ass Cafe @ 3pm

NÓINÍNÍ

Oliver St. John Gogarty @ 3pm

Drops of Green

The Arlington @ 3pm

CAILÍNÍ LUA

The Temple Bar @ 3pm

Fin Furey

The Porterhouse @ 3pm

The Colonials

The Norseman @ 3pm

Brona Keogh

The Morgan Hotel @ 3pm

Stay and Save at the Arthaus Hotel

Take the stress out of travelling and stay in Dublin’s Shopping District, just seconds form one of Ireland’s most well-known parks.  

Enjoy a luxurious overnight stay in one of our boutique rooms in the heart of Dublin. Inspired by the best of the Bauhaus Art Movement our stylish and creative rooms are the perfect touch of luxury to begin your Dublin journey. 

Our artwork in the Boutique rooms features works inspired by the Bauhaus teacher Wassily Kandinsky, often hailed as the pioneer of abstract art. In his own words, ‘’Colour is a power which directly influences the soul. 

Stay two nights at the Arthaus Hotel and get €20 off per night.  

The Wrap Up

Whether you're a local looking for a brilliant cultural event, or you're staying at the Arthaus and looking for things to do in Dublin on your holiday. This iconic festival programme offer an action packed five days in Temple bar and on the surrounds. 

 

The Smithwicks Sessions are the perfect opportunity to dip your toe into the waters of trad music. These free events give a taster of Irish craic and ceol. If 2023 is anything to go by, you're in for a fun filled weekend at the TradFest 2023 

About the Author

Meet our passionate and seasoned Travel and Culture Editor, Luke McLeod. With an insatiable wanderlust and an unquenchable thirst for cultural exploration, Luke is your trusted guide to unlocking the soul of Ireland. 

With years of experience in the realms of travel and culture journalism, Luke has made it their mission to hand-pick the most captivating and authentic experiences that the Emerald Isle has to offer. 

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