IrishCentral's live trad music seisiun at The Cobblestone in Smithfield

IrishCentral were delighted to record (via Facebook Live) from the “drinking pub with a music problem”, the famous Cobblestone, in Smithfield Square, on Tuesday night. We were lucky enough to catch one of their regular Tuesday afternoon trad music seisiun’s performed by regular players, The Mulligans and some friends.

This traditional Irish music bar and venue, is laid back, friendly and built on the family tradition – respect for Irish music and culture. Owned by Tom Mulligan, The Cobblestone has remained one of the few last bastions in the center of Dublin, a kind of refuge from city life.

The spectacular musicians listed below are for the most part from the Mulligan family, including his brothers Alphie and Néillidh, the pipers and nieces and nephews. Tom Mulligan’s family have been playing Irish music for five generations - no one can remember back any further. Some of Ireland’s finest musicians, including Tom’s brother, the renowned uilleann piper Néillidh, lead traditional Irish music sessions in the bar seven days a week.

The sound this family makes, we think you’ll agree is something really special.

Here’s full list of the performers:

Alphie – pipes

Tadhg – bouzouki

Saran – concertina

Caoimhe – fiddles / Sean-nós dance

Sabhdh – flute

Pauline – whistle / song

Néillidh – pipes

Jan Michael – whistle

Davóg Rynne – Bodhran / song

This music is not put on for show. Musicians and singers hand on songs, tunes and skills that keep the tradition alive at the Cobblestone in Dublin.

As well as hosting Na Piobairí Uilleann(Pipers Seisiún) on the first Tuesday night of every month The Cobblestone Backroom Venue also presents gigs, sessions, classes, and talks. The events varied and abundant ranging from bluegrass, country, folk, singer / songwriter nights, sean-nós singing and dancing, set dancing, céilidh, history talks and more.

The Balaclavas session takes place every Wednesday night in The Backroom when Tom’s daughter Síomha and Jacqui Martin, both fiddle players, teach Irish music on a variety of instruments to those not yet brave enough to play in the front bar (Balaclava supplied if you are really shy).

We highly recommend that you come and enjoy the atmosphere in a real Irish bar. Drop in, have a pint and soak in the Irish music.

The Cobblestone is in one of Dublin’s oldest neighborhoods, Smithfield, one minute from the Luas stop and 15-minutes walk from O’Connell Street.

Read more: Dublin's best bar is a well-kept secret

For more visit CobblestonePub.ie.