The best way to hear this type of music is to go to the areas of the world where it is an integral part of the lives of the people in musical homes, clubs and public houses, and occasionally at local concerts, competitions and festivals

The following is taken from an informationalpage from the ITMA [footnote-ITMA]

In many parts of the country informal 'sessions', or mixed gatherings of musicians performing for their own enjoyment, take place on a weekly or more frequent basis in particular venues open to the public, such as public houses, hotels, or clubs. Admission is usually free but sometimes there is a nominal charge. Occasionally these are advertised in the local press, but word-of-mouth enquiries in the locality will probably yield more information. The same types of venue - especially in areas where tourism is important - will also house more organised performances intended to attract patrons to the other facilities of the venue. The performances may be by one or two musicians, or in hotels especially by cabaret groups. These are advertised locally, and offices of Bord Fáilte (the Irish tourist board) will usually have information on them. The more elaborate presentations will have an admission charge. Live music can also be heard at annual festivals held at various locations throughout the country.

Concerts of traditional music, or including traditional music, are commonly held throughout the country. These are advertised widely and will have an admission charge. Occasionally public recitals by one or two performers are held by non- commercial sponsors such as the Irish World Music Centre , University of Limerick, Limerick (tel. +353-61-202065) and Na Píobairí Uilleann (the society of uilleann pipers), 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, tel. +353-1-873 0093). The Music Network (Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, tel. +353-1-671 9429) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (181a Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5DU, Northern Ireland, tel. +N.I.-1232-381591) organise periodic tours by small groups of performers.

These range from informal weekends such as the Forkhill Traditional Singing Weekend, Forkhill, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland (held in October, tel. +N.I.- 1693-888565), to the structured week-long Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare (held in July, tel. +353-65-84148). An tOireachtas, an Irish- language festival held at different venues around October, is especially noted for its public competitions of traditional singing in Irish. Details, including those of instrumental competitions, are available from the festival office at 6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 (tel. +353-1-475 3857).

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (the association of Irish musicians) has branches throughout Ireland, and abroad, at which music can be heard regularly. It also organises a large number of competitive regional music festivals, or fleadhanna ceoil, throughout the country, culminating in the annual all-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann; and also concerts, seisiúin or cabarets, tours by music groups, and other activities. Details can be had from CCÉ's headquarters at 32 Belgrave Square, Monkstown, Co Dublin (tel. +353-1-280 0295).

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