Belfast Traditional Music Trail
Belfast Traditional Music Trail
Belfast Traditional Music Trail
5
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About
The Belfast Traditional Music Trail is a unique way to experience Irish music. With two professional musicians as your guides, walk through cobbled alleyways, past famous landmarks and on to private bars in some of the city’s oldest buildings. At each of the three stops you will be treated to a performance of traditional tunes, songs and stories, all of which make up your own personal ‘session’.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Belfast Traditional Music Trail
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
178 reviews
Excellent
166
Very good
11
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Amy B
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
Went on this trail post covid with my English husband as part of a short stay in Belfast on our way back to see family elsewhere to see the city and to learn more about music I wasn't brought up with (classically trained).
Cormac, Jim and Ciara were fantastic, adapted the session really well for our tiny group (5 strangers!) so it wasn't too quiet (not easy to do with a small group!)
The trail took us into two bars (a good way to see where music is happening and find out about other venues) and on a short historical walk.
There was a session happening as we arrived with other musicians who then left which was great! We listened to a range of reels, jigs and slip jigs on uilleann pipes and guitar, followed by accordion, pipes and guitar, a local song as well as watching a brush dance, slip jig dance and jig.
We all learned something new, had some craic and a good chat at the end. Full of local knowledge, the piping, singing and dancing were incredible and we even got a chance to dance together as couples (if you can call it that!!!!!!)
Thanks for being so welcoming! Would happily have paid more for this tour as they are clearly proper trad musicians and dancers who really know their stuff.
Cormac, Jim and Ciara were fantastic, adapted the session really well for our tiny group (5 strangers!) so it wasn't too quiet (not easy to do with a small group!)
The trail took us into two bars (a good way to see where music is happening and find out about other venues) and on a short historical walk.
There was a session happening as we arrived with other musicians who then left which was great! We listened to a range of reels, jigs and slip jigs on uilleann pipes and guitar, followed by accordion, pipes and guitar, a local song as well as watching a brush dance, slip jig dance and jig.
We all learned something new, had some craic and a good chat at the end. Full of local knowledge, the piping, singing and dancing were incredible and we even got a chance to dance together as couples (if you can call it that!!!!!!)
Thanks for being so welcoming! Would happily have paid more for this tour as they are clearly proper trad musicians and dancers who really know their stuff.
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kit T
2 contributions
Apr 2022
I was on a stag-do in Belfast, and the two best men booked this for the Saturday. I have to say, it was excellent. The two gents who were our guide were engaging, really talented musicians, and extremely friendly. Took in two pubs and a music centre, learned about the history of the music plus some of the music theory, and saw some of the historic landmarks of Belfast.
Ours was a private group booking, but I believe they also do more open joining bookings if you aren't in a large group.
The tour culminated in being taught some Irish dancing, and the teacher and musicians were all extremely gracious about our truly ungainly moves, so we felt extremely at easy even if we looked very silly (video evidence confirms this). Please book this if you can, you won't regret it.
Ours was a private group booking, but I believe they also do more open joining bookings if you aren't in a large group.
The tour culminated in being taught some Irish dancing, and the teacher and musicians were all extremely gracious about our truly ungainly moves, so we felt extremely at easy even if we looked very silly (video evidence confirms this). Please book this if you can, you won't regret it.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick Forde
Arklow, Ireland27 contributions
Aug 2021
Traveled to Belfast for a weekend with my wife and daughter, my friend Conor Lamb (whistleworkshops.com) recommended that we should go on the Belfast traditional music tour. We met musicians Jim and Cormac (Buzz) in the music room at the Second Fiddle pub. we were joined by another couple, so it was a nice small group. we learned about the different rhythms (Black & Decker) in Irish dance music, Jigs, Reels, Slip jigs etc. After a couple of tunes I was allowed to play a tune along with them. We then moved onto McHugh's pub, on the short stroll we were given information about Belfast landmarks along the route. In McHugh's basement bar we met Ciara, Ciara demonstrated a couple of Irish dances including the "Brush dance", we were then invited to take part in a dance which was great craic , we finish the tour with a couple of tunes from Jim on guitar, Buzz on pipes and Ciara on accordion. We highly recommend the tour and will definitely go again.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eimer93
Belfast, UK14 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
My bridesmaids surprised me by organising this tour as part of my Hen weekend.
15 of us attended, some with traditional music knowledge and some with absolutely none- the general consensus was that everyone absolutely LOVED it.
We were guided around various music venues/pubs by Davy & Buzz, who shared their knowledge and stories. The music was first class and so was the craic
The dancing at the last stop was the icing on the cake and we were all up dancing by the end!
Highly recommend as a must-see attraction in Belfast and a really novel and fun addition to Hen/Stag weekends.
15 of us attended, some with traditional music knowledge and some with absolutely none- the general consensus was that everyone absolutely LOVED it.
We were guided around various music venues/pubs by Davy & Buzz, who shared their knowledge and stories. The music was first class and so was the craic
The dancing at the last stop was the icing on the cake and we were all up dancing by the end!
Highly recommend as a must-see attraction in Belfast and a really novel and fun addition to Hen/Stag weekends.
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneMC5
Lakewood, OH9 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This was the best part of my trip to Belfast! The expert musicians in traditional Irish music were most informative, covering some of the history of the music, the traditional instruments, and the variety of timing in this musical form. The fact that there was a visit to two Irish pubs, on of which was the oldest in Belfast, provided a great atmosphere for imbuing a sense of the tradition. A young man who performed Irish step dancing was also informative about the art. There was even some audience participation in learning a reel. This was worth every minute of the experience, and I'm still remembering it and smiling about the experience. I would highly recommend this to anyone with any interest in music and dance.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobDalton57
16 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
If you have even a passing interest in Irish traditional music, you will most certainly enjoy this experience. It is exceptionally well-priced and the musicians and dancer provide great entertainment, as well as an informative explanation of the history of Irish music and dance, its many expressions and the efforts to ensure these beautiful art forms are not lost. At the conclusion of the tour, you can easily stay on and enjoy the pub session.
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rou Feng C
Hamburg, Germany1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Solo
The Traditional Music Trail was a unique and very exciting exprience. The musicans were all very friendly and gave good insight into the world of traditional irish music. They explained the different forms that appear in irish music with a lot of humor. We went to a second location and on our way we got information about some sights we passed. In the end a irish dancer joined us and we were able to participate in the dancing while the music was played. All in all I'd totally recommend the trail it really gives you a great insight into irish culture.
Written 8 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BBMcG
Long Beach, CA10 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
We thought we’d be joining a crowded pub crawl type experience but what we got far exceeded our initial expectations.
An intimate group of twelve being enlightened and entertained by knowledgeable and passionate musicians. The history and styles of Irish music were explained in a manner that even I, a non-musical type, could embrace. Needless, to say this is a highlight of a Belfast trip that should not be missed. Big thank you to Davy, Cormac and Ciara.
An intimate group of twelve being enlightened and entertained by knowledgeable and passionate musicians. The history and styles of Irish music were explained in a manner that even I, a non-musical type, could embrace. Needless, to say this is a highlight of a Belfast trip that should not be missed. Big thank you to Davy, Cormac and Ciara.
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen S
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
The Music Trail was one our favorite activities we did while visiting Belfast. The two musicians were very friendly and knowledgeable of their instruments and talked in depth about the history and traditions of Belfast music and culture. The Fiddle Room was a great venue and then we walked a few block to the next venue. It was a great energy in the streets, lots of people having fun and enjoying life. The dance demonstration was great too! The only thing was we had a difficult time listening and understanding the musician with flute, very soft spoke. And strong accent but highly recommend this event.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jswailes
Des Moines, IA2 contributions
Jul 2022
We had such an excellent time on this tour - it was definitely different from what we were expecting and such a unique way to learn about the city and history of Belfast and the music of Ireland. Our guides were very enthusiastic and you could feel their love for traditional music. Would have loved to spend more time with them.
Written 20 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. Can we just turn up tomorrow for the tour?
Written 6 July 2018
I will be in Belfast Thursday, August 30 and 31st. Where would I find great trad music and folk songs?
Written 11 April 2018
Hey Christy, its a pity you'll miss our trail. For Thursday night there is a superb folk club at The Sunflower bar. Hope that helps.
Written 18 April 2018
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