A Morning Trad Session in Dublin: Inside Molloy’s with Session Head Elizabeth Roddy

Dublin is famous for its traditional Irish music sessions, but few are as unique as the morning trad session at Molloy’s Pub. Taking place while the city is only beginning to wake, this early gathering offers a calmer, more intimate way to experience live Irish music.

We spoke with Elizabeth Roddy, session head at Molloy’s, about what makes a morning session special, why pubs are so important to traditional music culture, and what first-time visitors can expect.

How a Morning Trad Session Changes the Energy of the Music

“I've found that morning tunes tend to be quite relaxed. The city is just waking up, we're sitting down with our friends for a cup of tea and a tune, and we're setting the tone for the day. It's a pleasant way to catch up about the events of the week and wind down into the weekend. We might start with a slow reel or a set of jigs that everyone knows to set the pace, then go with the flow from there. In many ways, a morning session feels less intense than an evening one - just what you need while you're still waking up!”

Why Early Sessions Feel More Relaxed Than Evening Music in Dublin

“Evenings can be quite hectic in the city, with lots of different events and engagements vying for a musician's attention. The morning is a quiet, more relaxed time of day where we can ease into the music and spend quality time with our friends before the weekend truly kicks off.”

For visitors looking for a slower-paced, authentic experience of traditional Irish music in Dublin, a morning session offers something truly different.

Why Pubs Like Molloy’s Are Essential to Traditional Irish Music

“The pub is an essential space for keeping trad music alive and humming, especially pubs with lovely lounge areas like Molloy's! Informal sessions are where musicians learn new tunes, make new friends, and hear the stories behind the music we love so much. Without a welcoming space in which to play, a lot of the spontaneity and magic of a session would be lost. The pub is just as much a player as the musicians are!”

Leading the Earliest Trad Session in Dublin

“Leading this session means more to me than I ever expected. Ever since I moved back from the States, I wanted to start something in Molloy’s. The space is perfect and the location is ideal, but I never imagined it would become something quite so unique. It might be the earliest session in Dublin — or at least the earliest one that didn’t start the night before.”

What to Expect at a Morning Trad Session at Molloy’s

“This session means a lot to me. Ever since I moved back from the States I've wanted to set up a session in Molloy's. The lounge space is perfect for a session, and it's such a great location! I never dreamed, however, that the session we created would be so unique. It's probably the earliest session in Dublin! Or at least the earliest session that didn't start the night before.”

Trad Session Etiquette: Unspoken Rules for Visitors and Musicians

“ If someone starts to sing a song, it's customary for the pub to hush so the song can be heard. If you play trad yourself, you're welcome to introduce yourself, sit in, and maybe offer up a set of tunes you'd like to play. It's a good idea to listen for a few tunes first to hear if you'd be able to join in. Bear in mind that sessions come at all different levels, so if you don't feel up to the speed or you're unfamiliar with the repertoire it's perfectly fine just to listen! A session, for me at least, is primarily a social event where we connect with other people through the music we love. Respect and care for each other, and for the music, is very important.”

The Signature Tune of Molloy’s Morning Session

“If our morning session had a signature tune? It would have to be Good Morning to Your Nightcap.”