← All events
nightlife · Saturday 4 July 2026 · 5:00pm 
The Cowgirl Experience - Newry
At The Whistling Donkey · Newry, Co. Down
At The Whistling Donkey · Newry, Co. Down
If you want an afternoon that gets properly loud - country anthems, 80s and 90s throwbacks, dance-offs and singalongs with a crowd who are all in on the joke - The Cowgirl Experience delivers exactly that. Organised by Day Party HQ, this touring daytime party format has built a loyal following across Ireland and the UK, and the Newry date lands on the first Saturday of July at The Whistling Donkey on Merchants Quay. It runs 5pm to 9pm, so it is the rare night out that starts in daylight and still leaves time for dinner or a few more drinks after. Good for birthdays, hen parties, a girls’ day out, or frankly anyone who just wants to spend four hours not taking themselves too seriously.
The format is a four-hour party set rather than a standard gig. DJs anchor the music - country, pop, rock classics, and a generous run of 80s, 90s, and 00s anthems - while live hosts and performers keep the energy moving with audience participation, crowd interaction, and choreographed dance-offs. The whole thing is themed, so expect some décor and photo moments baked into the room. Cowgirl hats are encouraged - they are sold at the venue in six colours if you forget to bring one. The atmosphere is participatory rather than passive: this is a room where people are expected to sing. The Whistling Donkey itself is a large sports and entertainment bar in Newry city centre on Merchants Quay, with a proper dance floor and enough space to hold an event like this comfortably. Tickets are booked in advance through Eventbrite, so check availability before you go.
Newry sits just off the A1/M1 dual carriageway linking Dublin and Belfast, which makes it one of the more accessible towns on the island for both directions. From Dublin, the drive is around 90 minutes; from Belfast, roughly 45 minutes. There is ample parking in Newry city centre, and The Whistling Donkey is a short walk from the main car parks at John Mitchel Place and Canal Court. By public transport, Bus Eireann and Translink both serve Newry from Dublin and Belfast respectively, with services running throughout the day. The address is 25 Merchants Quay, Newry BT35 6AH, a few minutes on foot from the bus station.
Newry is a compact city with a good café and restaurant scene around Hill Street and Merchants Quay, worth exploring before the afternoon kicks off. There is more to see in Newry and across Co. Down.
Heading to The Whistling Donkey in Newry? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Newry area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.