Ireland Guide
Belfast
Traditional music
1 The Duke of York 11 Commercial Court, off Donegall St Opening time: Traditional sessions Wed (9pm) and Fri (5pm)Convivial bar with a traditional session on Thurs often featuring the fine fiddler Dónal O'Connor.
2 The Garrick 29 Chichester St Fine old bar serving excellent lunches throughout the week plus Irish stew and a pint for a fiver on Sun at 5pm.
3 
The John Hewitt 53 Donegall St Opening time: Sessions Mon, Tues, Fri & SatLight and airy pub run by the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre, with newspapers, paintings by local artists on sale, plus excellent traditional sessions (Tues 9.30pm, Fri & Sat 6pm) as well as traditional jazz on Fri (8.30pm) and singer-songwriters on Mon (9pm). Also serves healthy, reasonably priced meals.
4 Kelly's Cellars 30 Bank St Belfast's oldest surviving continually run pub and, according to legend, a frequent meeting place for the United Irishmen behind the doomed 1798 rebellion – Henry Joy McCracken hid under the bar counter from British soldiers. Good lunches, including thumping portions of home-made Irish stew and steak pie, and traditional music several nights a week.
5 Madden's Berry St Opening time: Sessions Mon, Fri & Sat 9.30pmWonderful, unpretentious, atmospheric pub, with lots of locals drinking in two large rooms, one upstairs, one downstairs. Serves cheap stew and soup and there are excellent traditional sessions.
6 White's Tavern Opening time: Traditional sessions Fri– Sun and DJs upstairs Fri & SatWinecellar Entry, High St Atmospheric old Entries bar, with stone floors and an open fire, serving excellent lunches and hosting traditional sessions downstairs and DJs upstairs.