January 25th, 2012 
Tushar Mathur 
credit: francisco_osorio
When planning a trip anywhere the location is always paramount, but for many of us once the location has been decided, what to do whilst we are there becomes the next part to fathom. So, for example, if you have decided to visit Ireland and your interests are music, film and art, you would want to know the best places to go to soak up these parts of the culture. Dublin would seem the obvious choice for many of us as it is the capital city and it is the most populated city in Ireland.
Dublin takes pride in classing itself as a musical city and has a vibrant and lively music scene. Acts such as U2, The Frames and Samantha Mumba originate from Dublin. Dublin is also the home to many live music venues where you have the chance to experience traditional Irish music through to heavy metal. Many visitors to Dublin want a chance to hear traditional Irish music live. This music is most commonly found in pubs and has flourished remarkably over the years. Some of the best places to head are: ‘The Porter House in Temple bar,’ ‘The Arlington Hotel’ and ‘Wheelans’. Alternatively, those who would like to see a gig with a live band or a musician should find out who is playing at venues such as ‘The 02,’ ‘The Aviva Stadium’ or ‘The RDS.’ Acts such as Coldplay, Robbie Williams and Bruce Springsteen have previously played at these venues.
credit: Sean MacEntee
For those who take an interest in the film industry, there is no better place to visit than the ‘Irish Film Institute,’ in Dublin. The IFI is both a cinema as well as a national body which supports the Irish Film Heritage. The range of films available for the Irish audience is increased thanks to the IFI. There is also a bookshop within the building which stocks literature about Irish Cinema.
If you are looking for a gallery in Dublin, then try Irelands ‘National Gallery,’ which has a large range of both Irish and European art. Alternatively visit The ‘Irish Museum of Modern Art,’ for more contemporary works. For musical and operatic performances, visit the ‘Gaiety Theatre’ which also has the added benefit of turning into a nightclub in the evening. The ‘Abbey Theatre’ is suitable for those who prefer more classic theatre productions.
Aside of Dublin, there are many other places in Ireland which celebrate the music, film and art industry. One of these places is Galway which has an annual Arts festival. Each year in the month of July, the festival hosts many cultural delights ranging from; Theatre and Dance, Music, Talks, Visual Arts, Street Art and Comedy. This event is the leading arts festival in the whole of Ireland and over 150,000 people attend each year.
credit: Barnacles Hostels
Another place in Ireland which has a great influence within the Arts world is Cork- which has an eagerly anticipated Jazz Festival each year. The festival takes place during the Bank Holiday Weekend in October and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is fair to say that Ireland is definitely a fantastic place to visit if you are looking for anything related with the arts as it has plenty to offer and also mixes both the traditional and modern cultural aspects effectively, ensuring that there is something for everybody to enjoy.
This guide to the ins and outs of Ireland’s bustling culture was written by B&B, hostels and hotels site GoIreland.com.
