Hello to all,
My wife is taking me to Ireland in a couple of weeks to celebrate an impending birthday…we’ll be in Dublin, Waterford and Bunratty Village for a couple of days each. This is our first visit and we’d like to find some places in each city to listen to ITM - any suggestions? Thanks! 
kbr
Hi
In Dublin the Temple Bar area is good for Trad music. A word of advice, don’t even think of renting a car in Dublin. You’re better off walking. In fact you will get around faster on foot than by car.
Not sure about Waterford most pubs on any given day mostly Wednesdays and Fridays seem to have the sessions starting at around 7pm. I haven’t been to Waterford in years.
I don’t know if you will have a car or if you’re on tour. But if you can get out of the Shannon Airport area (I recommend that you do) then you can hit the main town of County Clare, Ennis, its just to the North of Shannon Bunratty area on the N18.
A few pubs that I like in Ennis are Brandons I think its on O’Connell Street. They have music every weekend and its great! Brogans (my fav) also on O’Connell Street is the most popular IMO as it has music most nights of the week. It has a great local scene. Queens is also a good place with Trad music. Good food and a nice atmosphere. I think its on Abbey street. Ennis is home to the Trad festival. This year its in November 6th through the 10th.
If you have a chance to get out to Doolin McDermott’s pub is probaly the most famous on the West coast for Trad. Music every night during the season. Simply the best IMO for Trad.
If you have any questions PM me I grew up in the region and know it like the back of my hand. I go back every year for 3 or 4 weeks and have a family home in Corofin. 
Oh and a after thought
I just checked the USD against the EURO
1 USD is trading at 71 cents Euro. Not bad. Just a few months ago it was like 65 cents on the dollar.
Killaloe,
Thanks so much for responding. 
Yes, your comments will be a great help! I mentioned to my wife about travelling about in Co. Clare but she figures we should be back at Bunratty before nightfall. We are going to rent a car when we get out west but only then. Folks at my session tell me to avoid cars in Dublin and that in Waterford, one would not be needed. (We’re going to Waterford mainly to look at the crystal factory outside of town. 
) My wife works for a bank and has already exchanged some $ for Euros…we knew we’d be taking a bath (monetarily speaking). Thanks for your help. I’ll try to get to the places you mention and let you know how it works out. KBR
It’s probably good to realise that if anyone is playing anywhere (other than for example concerts in Glor in Ennis), they’re not going to start before 10 or 10.30. You’ll be on a bit of a wild goose chase if you expect to find anything any earlier.
Ennis to Bunratty is a quick drive though, on the new Ennis bypass.
Peter,
Thanks for the tip! kbr