For instrument collectors, Charles Byrne is a musical playground. Here you'll find ukuleles,…read morebanjos, bones and spoons, but also classical guitars, violins and violas. Books and beautiful cases for sale make for great gift items as well. This family-owned shop has been part of Dublin for ages, literally, since 1870, and its instrument packed windows have watched the city go though magical changes. Inside Charles Byrne you will not only find unusual and old instruments but if you listen carefully, hear the song of Irish history echoing off its walls.

This establishment can boast itself as being Ireland's oldest family owned music shop, pretty…read moreimpressive feat. This music shop has a lot of traditional Irish instruments which is an excellent selling point for it. My friend lectures music in the UK and he bought a bodhrán here, he knows his music, obviously! He recommended them for their knowledge and passion for music. They do have other instruments but the Irish assortment is impressive. Waltons has a lot of the market so if you want to try somewhere else that is a little hidden away, gave this place a lash.

It's no wonder why there's such a cacaphony of intrsuments and chatter in Waltons massive music…read moreshop...the place is full of its students! Pop in on a weekday after schools let out and you won't be alone. Teenagers, music school students and lay customers mill around in the massive space behind the small shop entrance. Guitars line the walls along with chords, cables, straps and other string-instrument paraphernalia. There's parliaments of pianos (of the upright and grand varieties), do keep your mitts off the sold merchandise, but feel free to plink away on the unclaimed models. Best of all in this palace of music is the New School of Music upstairs. Affordable classes, taught by professionals with storied backgrounds, for everything from voice to viola can be taken here; the promisingly titled Rock Guitar for Teens is just €170 for 10 weeks. Each meticulously written flyer urges early enrollment as classes are kept small and fill up fast. Check out the website for details on upcoming classes and workshops!

I was thinking about buying a guitar, even though I have absolutely no experience with the…read moreinstrument other than vaguely learning some chords a few years ago. Still, I want one. I had been stopping in and looking at the selection at a bunch of music stores around the city and Walton's has one of the best selections, especially for beginners. They have a few different entry-level guitars at a variety of prices, which is appreciated. I am very left handed, so I said that I was looking for a left-handed guitar. The guy assisting me was pretty great and told me that I should reconsider getting one and try to learn with a traditional guitar. He explained that it would be a lot easier for me to find better guitars as my skills improved. I really appreciated his sincerity, but felt that I needed to sleep on it and left empty-handed. Still, I had a really good shopping experience there. They have pretty much everything one could need; songbooks, instruments, accessories and even kids instruments too.

There's a right way to run a small music shop, and there's an overpriced and under stocked wrong…read moreway. The good news is, Goodwins gets it right. I can't stress how important it is for a music shop selling any type of instruments to create a space were sound quality sells the stock for them. Goodwin's beautifully stocked walls of Taylor, Martin and other accoustic treasures is double height to give these guitars room to sing. There is the smallest of sheet music racks with a scattering of bongos and tambourines, but really this shop is about the strings. And when I say the guys in here know their stuff, take it as rote. In fact, just assume that there's lots of good to be had in a visit to Goodwins and get over there.

An excellent example of a music shop great knowledgeable staff and super customer service…read more I've been shopping here for quite a while and I've never been disappointed

This is a great place to go if you're looking for used or vintage gear in Dublin…read more Jimi is a knowledgable and super friendly guy and the shop regularly refreshes it's stock with fun and interesting gear. If you're looking for something in particular Jimi can try to help out. They also do very reasonable and efficient servicing and repair of guitars and amps. Well worth a trip!

Perfect Pitch is a music shop that wouldn't ordinarily be overlooked if it wasn't for the…read moreneighbouring music shops. Walton's and Music Maker seem to have the market cornered, but the fact of the matter is, that Perfect Pitch are just as good as the other big music shops down the road. They specialise in guitars, both electric and acoustic, but do some other four stringers like banjos, mandolins etc. Great help if you're into guitars, but being a drummer, I felt a bit lost amongst the walls of guitars. But my guitar playing mates swear by the beardy guitar druid behind the counter.

I like the spirit of small music shops like Perfect Pitch; band flyers paper the walls, music…read morelesson cards crowd the counter and the walls inside are a forest of great acoustic, classical, bass and electric brands just begging to be pulled down and strummed. No wander along Exchequer street is complete for the guitarist in my life without a look in at the latest offers and instruments here. Here working musicians stop in for easy chats with staff, giving this small store that genuine feel of a local institution. The stock is well chosen, with good accessories and sound equipment suitable for studios or garage bands that are priced accordingly. While this is a haven for professionals, beginners won't feel out of place here. On your inaugural visit, feel free to ask about any and everything, the lads behind the counter are happy to help. It's no wonder Perfect Pitch has such a loyal following!

After the craziness that was Temple Bar during St. Patrick's Day weekend, my husband and I wanted a…read moreplace where we could sit and drink a pint in peace. Mc'Neills was exactly what the doctor ordered. We were intrigued by the name, and also by the sign outside which, instead of advertising "traditional Irish music" as everywhere else did, just claimed "music" would be provided. Dim, unassuming, and unpretentious. We enjoyed a pint or three of Guinness before the band showed up, who played what they liked and let us clap along. The folks were friendly, the musicians were fantastic, and as a tourist it was nice to be in a place that felt homey and local. This would definitely be a pub of choice if I were in the area again.

Lovely little bar with live music, would recommend for anyone looking to catch some trad music…read morewhile in Ireland. I was here on a Thursday and the live music started about 9:30. Up to that point is was very quiet,sleepy, local bar. The music was excellent, very authentic and not manufactured for tourists. The bar is small though, it is a long narrow bar, so not the best spot if you are a large crowd looking to sit around and chat.