Pan Celtic pub trail launched in Carlow town 

IN the old Celtic tradition, punters at the International Pan Celtic Festival from 7-11 April will be able to join the Heineken Pan Celtic Pub Trail, an initiative that will see collaboration between 15 local pubs and venues in the spirit of the session.

This ‘most amazing trad session trail’ will involve a continuous schedule of concerts, informal gigs and high-energy sessions in the town. Staff will don festival t-shirts to welcome musicians and fans from all six Celtic nations. Heineken is the official sponsor of the event.

The Irishman’s, the Seven Oaks Hotel, Ewing’s, Dinn Rí, Tully’s, Teach Dolmain, The Barracks, Scraggs, Harry Burke’s, The Tavern, The Thatch, Carpenter’s, the Woodford Dolmen Hotel and Carpe Diem have signed up to participate in the trail. A full listing of performances for each venue will be available in the official festival programme.

Paul Doogue, mayor of Carlow, noted that there will be an estimated visitor spend of over €1 million during the festival this year, meaning it is “not just a cultural gem; it is a vital economic driver”. He said the festival would have a “direct and positive impact on local employment” in sectors such as hospitality, retail and transport.

The festival is a result of extensive collaboration between local government, the organisers and the business community. 

Linda Culleton, economic development officer at Carlow Co Council, said the pub trail initiative will make “a real cultural business difference to the town, which delivers not only social joy but long-term economic advantages for every entrepreneur and business owner in the county”.