Dive into Dublin’s rich musical legacy

Windmill Lane Recording Studios in the Docklands has left an outsized mark on global music – not only did U2 record their first three records here, but multiple megastars including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Lady Gaga have all laid down era-defining tracks here. Today, you can step inside on a guided tour, peel back the layers of studio magic and even mix your own session with the virtual band – a hands-on glimpse into how great records are made. 

Media captionStep inside the famous recording studio.

In the heart of Temple Bar, the Irish Rock n’ Roll Museum Experience is a lively deep dive into the capital’s modern music story. Housed in The Button Factory – itself a favourite for live gigs – the 60-minute tour pairs rare memorabilia with studio stories, before inviting you to record your own demo track. Stranger things have happened than stardom starting here. 

Media captionLay down a track at the Irish Rock n' Roll Museum.

For something more timeless, head to Merrion Square and the Irish Traditional Music Archive. Home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of Irish traditional music, song and dance, it’s where you can trace the roots of the nation’s sound, learn about iconic instruments and catch live performances that prove these traditions are very much alive. 

A brilliant way to tune into Dublin’s soundtrack is on foot. Visit Dublin’s self-guided Dublin Music Trails: The Liberties traces neighbourhood links from George Frideric Handel to Imelda May, while South City explores the early days of Sinéad O’Connor and Thin Lizzy. 

Media captionFollow the lives of Sinead O'Connor and other famous Irish acts.

Prefer something live? LetzGo City Tours’ Best of Irish Rock & Roll adds stories and performance as you go, while the Musical Pub Crawl pairs two musicians with an evening wander through Temple Bar and on to the Northside. By day, the Monumental Music Tour kicks off at the Molly Malone Statue, blending song with storytelling. 

Diehard fans can follow U2 on the dedicated Around Ireland: Dublin & U2 Walking Tour. Trad lovers can dig into Celtic roots on the Irish Traditional Music Tour, while Songwriter Tours of Dublin celebrate the city’s most famous songwriters, with a special focus on Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s Oscar-winning anthem ‘Falling Slowly’ from the movie Once. 

Even without a guide, Dublin reveals its musical past at every turn. And you don’t even need to buy a ticket: just start walking and let the city do the rest. 

Outside rock pub Bruxelles on Harry Street stands the bronze statue of Phil Lynott. On South King Street, close to the Gaiety Theatre, the statue of Luke Kelly commemorates one of Dublin’s best-loved troubadours; a larger-than-life-size bust of Kelly captured mid-song stands on Sherriff St, not far from where he was born in 1940. Blues legend Rory Gallagher is honoured at 'Rory Gallagher Corner', marked by a bronze Stratocaster at the junction of Crown Alley and Temple Bar. 

Media captionSay hello to Ireland's musical heroes.

Venues tell their own stories too. 22Dublin was once McGonagle’s, where U2 cut their teeth alongside The Pogues and Thin Lizzy. On Thomas Street, St Catherine’s Church hosted the first gig by The Chieftains. The National Stadium may be best known as a boxing stadium, but it launched its music life in 1971 with Led Zeppelin and in 2025 shoegaze heroes My Bloody Valentine played a warm-up gig there before their 3Arena gig. 

Along the River Liffey, The Clarence Hotel once counted Bono and The Edge among its owners, hosting their Beatles tribute rooftop performance for BBC’s Top of the Pops in 2002. The hotel is currently closed for a major renovation. For a quirkier connection, hearing aid store Bonavox on North Earl Street inspired a young Paul Hewson to adopt a new stage name, Bono Vox. 

And even the city’s historic landmarks have joined the chorus: Kilmainham Gaol became an unlikely stage in 2020 when Fontaines DC recorded a lockdown set for Other Voices. 

Media captionImagine the acoustics inside Kilmainham Gaol.

The only real challenge with catching live music in Dublin is deciding where to start. At legendary Whelan’s on Wexford Street, you’ll find everything from razor-sharp touring acts to local bands on the brink of breaking through – a sweet spot so perfectly judged that Jeff Buckley chose it to mark the release of Grace back in 1994. Down on the quays, The Workman’s Club pairs emerging bands from home and abroad with late-night DJs, making it just as tempting for dancing as it is for discovery. 

Step up a size and Vicar Street delivers the rare combination of big-name bookings with an intimate feel. Nearby, the historic The 3Olympia, which first opened its doors in 1879, has welcomed everyone from David Bowie to Adele and R.E.M., its electric atmosphere amplified by ornate Victorian architecture. Just around the corner, the Button Factory keeps things close and personal, hosting icons like Sparks alongside contemporary stars such as Hozier. 

Media captionEnjoy headliners in cosy Vicar Street.

For arena-scale shows, head to the Docklands and 3Arena, still fondly remembered by many in its former life as the Point Theatre, when the likes of Radiohead and Nirvana rolled through town. Today it continues to attract the world’s biggest acts, like Big Thief and Doja Cat, just to name a few.  

Not far away is the 82,000-capacity Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association and frequent host to some of the biggest stars in the firmament: Beyoncé, Coldplay, U2, Bruce Springsteen and, in 2025, two sold-out Oasis shows. On the other side of town, the Aviva Stadium is another superstar venue, welcoming the likes of Taylor Swift for two nights during her record-breaking Eras Tour as well as Madonna, Robbie Williams and Dua Lipa. 

You don’t have to book an arena ticket to hear great music in Dublin. Any day of the week, you’re likely to stumble upon a trad session or a singer-songwriter holding court in a city-centre pub – the kind of moments that feel less like performances and more like being welcomed into the room. 

A classic starting point is O’Donoghue's, the cosy, perpetually busy spot where The Dubliners kicked off their remarkable careers in 1962. Step inside and you’ll still catch that mid-century atmosphere of low ceilings, close quarters and songs that travel easily from table to table. 

Media captionHave a pint in The Dubliners' old stomping grounds.

Over in Smithfield, the Cobblestone is a firm local favourite, hosting trad sessions seven nights a week and delivering top-tier atmosphere as standard. For something with a deeper sense of history, The Brazen Head lays claim to being one of the city’s oldest pubs (reputedly dating back to 1198) and pairs that legacy with relaxed nightly sessions. Meanwhile, Slattery’s on Capel St has long been woven into the trad scene, offering another welcoming perch for tunes and conversation. 

Here are even more traditional music pubs to check out in the city. 

Media captionSit in on a session at the Cobblestone.

Right throughout the year, Dublin is host to many music festivals.  

The year in music kicks off in January when TradFest sweeps through the city, and summer really begins in June with Forbidden Fruit at Royal Hospital Kilmainham, followed in July by Longitude in Marlay Park.  

Media captionStart the year strong at TradFest.

The Trinity Summer Series gets the city centre hopping every June/July, while Ireland Music Week turns October into a celebration of the best of new homegrown music.  

Whether it’s rock, trad or singer-songwriters that float your boat, Dublin is awash with live music. Get ready to dive in. 

Stay in the know with Dublin's festivals and events to enjoy the best of live music, both old and new.