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music · Thursday 20 August 2026 · 7:30pm 
Alfi at Spirit Store
At Spirit Store · Georges Quay, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 NR79
At Spirit Store · Georges Quay, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 NR79
Alfi are one of the more distinctive acts to come out of the Irish traditional scene in recent years - a trio who weave uilleann pipes, five-string banjo, and harp into something that feels rooted in both Connaught and Appalachia at once. Their show at the Spirit Store on Georges Quay on 20 August 2026 is the kind of gig worth clearing your diary for: a focused, well-regarded ensemble in an intimate room built for exactly this sort of music.
Fiachra Meek, Ryan McAuley, and Alannah Thornburgh formed Alfi in 2017 and have spent the years since playing Body & Soul, Imbolc, and festivals on both sides of the Atlantic. They draw on Irish and American old-time traditions, blending tunes with original songs and material from Scotland, England, and Appalachia. Their 2023 album Say Old Man earned a Hot Press review praising its “organic, full-bodied spirit” and an RTÉ Folk Awards nomination for Best Emerging Folk Artist. A second album is expected in 2026, so this show falls at a good moment - the band coming off the back of recognition and likely road-testing new material alongside the well-loved tracks.
The Spirit Store itself is a converted warehouse on Dundalk’s quayside - a cosy bar downstairs and a dedicated performance space upstairs, capacity around 350. It is one of the most respected small venues in Ireland, with a track record of booking acts long before they outgrow rooms like this. Sound quality is good, sightlines are generous, and the atmosphere is the kind of relaxed focus you want for acoustic folk.
Dundalk is on the main Dublin to Belfast rail corridor, making it straightforward from either city. Dublin Connolly to Dundalk takes roughly 55 minutes on the intercity service; Belfast Great Victoria Street is about 75 minutes. Bus Eireann also runs regular services from Dublin and surrounding towns. If you are driving, Dundalk is on the M1 motorway. Parking is available in the town centre, with Crowe Street car park and the quayside area both within a short walk of the Spirit Store on Georges Quay.
Dundalk is a compact town with a genuine appetite for live music - the Spirit Store is part of that character, not an exception to it. Arrive early, get a table downstairs with a pint before the gig, and make an evening of it. There is more to see in Dundalk and across Co. Louth.
Heading to Spirit Store in Dundalk? Louth has plenty more to see. Read the Dundalk area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.