How to Enjoy a Trad Session at Molloy’s
Step into Molloy’s Pub during a trad session and you’ll notice something straight away: this isn’t a performance in the usual sense. There’s no stage, no spotlight, and no barrier between musicians and listeners. Instead, there’s a circle of players, a shared rhythm, and a room that hums with quiet attention, conversation, and connection.
Traditional Irish music sessions are one of Ireland’s most enduring pub traditions. At Molloy’s, they’re part of the fabric of the place, shaped by history, community, and the rare privilege of being an early house.
Where Trad Sessions Come From
Trad sessions grew naturally out of Irish social life rather than formal concert culture. Long before pubs hosted scheduled music nights, musicians gathered informally in kitchens, crossroads, and public houses to share tunes they’d learned by ear, passed down through families, regions, and friendships.
When sessions moved into pubs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they became a way to keep that communal spirit alive. Pubs offered warmth, conversation, and continuity and musicians offered atmosphere, storytelling, and music that belonged to everyone in the room.
Importantly, trad sessions were never meant to be background noise. They’re a shared experience, where listening is just as important as playing.
Why Trad Sessions Work So Well at Molloy’s
As one of Dublin’s last remaining early houses, Molloy’s has always operated a little outside the usual pub rhythm. That makes it a natural home for trad sessions that happen before midday.
Morning and daytime sessions tend to be more intimate and unhurried. The tunes unfold without pressure, conversations pause naturally, and the crowd often includes musicians, locals, night-shift workers, early risers, and curious visitors who’ve stumbled upon something special.
Trad Session Etiquette: How to Be a Good Listener
Trad sessions are welcoming by nature, but there are a few unspoken customs that help keep the music flowing.
Listen First: If you’re new to trad sessions, take a moment to listen before joining in conversation. The music leads the room. Everything else works around it.
Keep Conversations Low During Tunes: Chatting is part of pub life, but during a set of tunes, it’s respectful to keep voices low or pause conversation altogether. When the tune ends, the room usually lifts again.
Applause Isn’t Required: Unlike gigs, trad sessions don’t expect applause after every tune. A nod, a smile, or quiet appreciation fits the tradition just as well.
For Musicians: Joining In Respectfully
Musicians are welcome at sessions, but tradition values awareness over enthusiasm.
Ask before joining - especially if you’re unfamiliar with the group
Know the tunes - sessions aren’t rehearsals
Blend in - it’s about playing with the group, not over it
Respect the pace - let the session head guide the flow
If in doubt, listening is always appreciated.
Why These Traditions Matter
Trad sessions survive because they’re built on mutual respect between musicians, listeners, and the space hosting them. At Molloy’s, that balance has been quietly protected over generations. The pub provides the room, the welcome, and the early hours. The musicians provide the tunes.
Pull Up a Chair
If you find yourself in Molloy’s during a trad session, you don’t need to know the tune names or the history to belong there. Just listen, settle in, and let the music set the pace.
Some of Dublin’s best moments happen without an announcement and often before lunchtime.
