Trad Session at O'Donoghue's

Merrion Row is a good address for a pint, and O’Donoghue’s makes it a great one. The trad session on Wednesday 22 April 2026 runs from 21:00, and it is free to walk in.

What to Expect

O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row is one of the original Dublin trad pubs. The Dubliners played here, and that association never really leaves the walls. But the sessions are not trading on history alone. The music is live and genuine, with musicians drawing from the deep well of Irish traditional repertoire. Some nights it is a tight informal session, other nights it grows as players drop in and the energy shifts.

The pub has a character all its own. Photographs and memorabilia line the walls, the bar is always busy, and the mix of regulars, workers from the nearby government buildings and visitors who have heard about the place keeps things interesting. It is on Merrion Row, close to St Stephen’s Green, which means it is easy to reach from most parts of the city centre.

Good to Know

The Wednesday session starts at 21:00. No booking needed and no entry charge. O’Donoghue’s can fill up on busier nights so arriving close to the start time is a smart move. It is a short walk from the Stephen’s Green DART and Luas stops.