Live Traditional Music at Durty Nelly's, Bunratty

What to Expect

Durty Nelly’s sits at the foot of Bunratty Castle on the Ratty river, a low-ceilinged warren of snugs and bars that has been serving drink since the eighteenth century. Music is a fixture rather than an occasional booking. Through the summer months the pub runs live music five nights a week, with the larger bands set up in the outdoor seating area when the weather allows and smaller groups playing inside.

The winter pattern is different and worth knowing. Tuesday nights are given over to traditional musicians, and live music runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9pm in the main bar. Bank holidays get extra sessions, and December brings weekend music through the festive period. The pub also supports the Banjo Pickers Festival and the local Winter Music Festival, so the programme thickens around those dates.

The mix here runs from traditional sing-alongs to full bands, which reflects the crowd: Bunratty pulls visitors from Shannon Airport and the castle all year, and the music is pitched to work for both a first-time visitor and a local out for the night. There is no cover charge. Durty Nelly’s also operates as a restaurant across two floors, and food service is separate from the music.

Good to Know

• Summer: live music five nights a week, larger bands in the outdoor area. The pub does not publish which five nights in advance
• Winter: traditional musicians on Tuesdays, live music Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 PM
• Extra sessions on bank holidays and weekend music through December
• Free to attend, no booking required for the music
• The pub’s Facebook page carries the week-by-week line-up
• Enquiries: 061 364 861

Getting There

Durty Nelly’s is at Moyhill in Bunratty, immediately beside Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, just off the N18 between Limerick and Ennis. Shannon Airport is about 5 km away, Limerick city roughly 15 km and Ennis about 15 km. There is ample free parking at Bunratty. Bus Eireann route 343 between Limerick, Shannon Airport and Ennis stops at Bunratty, and taxis from Shannon and Limerick are straightforward, which matters given this is a pub rather than a venue you would want to drive home from.