Traditional Irish sessions in Bristol

Traditional Irish sessions (seisiún) in Bristol

Playing fiddle in a traditional Irish folk session — A traditional Irish session (yes, that’s me on the right there!). Photo: @hensonvisuals

There are many good traditional music sessions in Bristol where you can play the fiddle. Many, but not all of them, are traditional Irish music sessions. I currently run two traditional Irish sessions in Bristol – details below. I will post a list here soon of some of the other sessions that I have played in.

Irish sessions I run in Bristol

The Star Inn, Fishponds – 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the month, 8.30pm. This session is very long-running and probably one of the best known traditional Irish sessions in Bristol. Pre-Covid this was often a very large session, and it still often attracts a crowd, though we try to keep the number of players manageable now.

The Red Lion, St George – 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 8pm.

The Red Monkey, Chandos Road – 1st Sunday of the month, 2-4pm. A lovely session run by me, Dominic Henderson and Marick Baxter, with special guests.

Both of these sessions attract players of very good standard, but are welcoming to new players. If you are interested in coming along to play at either of these traditional Irish sessions in Bristol, please do get in touch.

Other Irish sessions in Bristol

There are a number of other traditional music sessions and folk clubs in Bristol. I have played in the past at Irish sessions at The Three Tuns, The Hare on the Hill, and The Merchants Arms, though I don’t know if all of these are still running. There is apparently a nice new session at Friendly Records in Bedminster, but I’ve not been able to get down there yet – I hope to soon…

There is a very nice session at The Greenbank pub, every other Tuesday (contact them to find out which week). This is a mixed session, where you’ll here English, Scottish and Irish tunes played, and perhaps more besides.

Irish sessions in Bath

I have also played in and run some of the very good traditional Irish sessions in Bath. The session at The Royal Oak on a Wednesday night has run for a number of years, and is a good session. There is also a good session at The Grapes, in the centre of Bath.