Belfast Traditional Music Trail
Experience the vibrant sounds of Belfast with this unique and immersive tour to discover the heart of the Northern Ireland capital city's rich musical heritage
Standout list
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
Award-winning experience
The provider of the experience holds the prestigious Glór na nGael Trophy 2009.
Highlights
- Join a captivating journey through Belfast’s traditional music scene to discover the soul-stirring tunes that have resonated through generations.
- With two professional musicians as your guides, walk through cobbled alleyways, past famous landmarks and on to private bars in some of the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.
- Encounter the finest local musicians, each with a unique story to tell through their instruments and repertoire, and get up close and personal with the artists.
- Learn about the deep-rooted history and cultural significance of traditional Irish music in Belfast hand-in-hand with an expert guide who happens to be a musician.
- Get a taste of the true spirit of Belfast in intimate settings tasting local beer, cider, whiskey or Guinness while learning about the instruments, language and customs.
- Uncover the melodies that define Belfast’s cultural tapestry on the An Droichead Traditional Music Trail.
What's included
- 2hrs 30min tour
- Gratuities
Prepare for the experience
Children information
- Children under 6 years old can access free of charge.
- Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult.
- Children aged 15 and over must hold an Adult ticket.
Accessibility information
- Please contact our team before booking should you require further accessibility information regarding the experience.
Additional information
- Expect a light walking pace as the guide aims to keep the group together at all times.
- Should you wish to eat before embarking on the trail, try The Urban Scullery in the partner venue The Deer’s Head.
- If you wish to eat after the trail, McHugh’s restaurant serves great Irish cuisine with a modern twist.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a good mood along for this immersive trail.
The trial live date availability can be seen upon booking.
- Duration: 2hrs 30min.
- Recommended arrival times: allow 30 minutes before the starting time of the trail.
The regular operating times are the following:
- Saturdays: 3.00 pm - 5.30 pm.
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- Maddens Bar (Meeting Point)
- The legendary Maddens Bar is the best place to kick off an Irish Traditional Music Trail.
- This visual landmark in itself with its beautiful coloured Celtic-style graffiti has welcomed both musical legends and beginners for over 50 years.
- The Deers Head
- Our trails will occasionally start upstairs in this pub established in 1885
- It is a traditional saloon bar with on-site craft brewery.
- The Garrick
- This pub established in 1870 is the newest addition to the participating venues.
- A lovely, cosy and centrally located Victorian-style pub serving a very wide range of drinks.
- The Jailhouse
- This is another alternative starting point to this trail every now and then.
- Lodged in the cobbled alleyway of Joy’s Entry, it was long thought to be the place where Joy was held as a prisoner before being hung in Corn Market.
- Whites Tavern
- This historic 17th-century tavern is an occasional venue for the trail to stop.
- It is located in Winecellar Entry, an old trading alley where Mercury Newspaper was founded in the 1850s.
- White’s Tavern is proud to be part of the oldest buildings in Belfast.
- Oh Yeah Music Centre
- Your assigned guides may lead you to the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, where the Oh Yeah Centre hub is.
- This is a dedicated music hub that contains exhibitions on local music, a recording studio, a rehearsal space, a gig venue and a café.
- McHughs (End Point)
- A private room awaits in this Irish pub located at the last stop of the trail.
- It will lead you onto High Street and Queen’s Square where the River Farset, which gave Belfast its name, still flows underfoot.
- McHugh’s Bar is housed in one of Belfast’s oldest buildings, constructed in the early 1700s in the historical commercial centre of the city.
Departure point
- Meeting point: this can change weekly. The provider will be in touch at least 24h before the Trail starts with all the details.
- Participating venues addresses in Northern Ireland:
- Maddens Bar (Meeting Point) - 74 Berry Street Belfast BT1 1FJ
- The Deers Head - 1-3 Lower Garfield St, Belfast BT1 1FP
- The Garrick - 29 Chichester Street Belfast BT1 4JB
- The Jailhouse - 4 Joys Entry, Belfast BT1 4DR
- Whites Tavern - 2-4 Winecellar Entry, Belfast BT1 1QN
- Oh Yeah Music Centre - 15-21 Gordon St, Belfast BT1 2LG
- McHughs (End Point) - 29-31 Queen’s Square, Belfast BT1 3FG
- Itinerary: start point may vary according to venues’ availability.
- Distance: 900 metres.
- Nearest station: Great Victoria Street.
Supplier information
This product is sold by VisitBritain Shop and provided by An Droichead.
