Sunday Session at Watters Old Coach Inn, Castleblayney

Watters Old Coach Inn on York Street in Castleblayney runs a Sunday afternoon session of traditional Irish music, starting at around 4:30pm and running into the evening. Monaghan Tourism’s own live music guide lists it among the county’s regular Sunday sessions, with trad giving way to blues and then country music as the afternoon turns into night. It is a family-run bar in the Conabury area of the town, a short walk from Market Square, and the session is free to attend.

What to expect

The format runs in stages through the afternoon and evening: traditional tunes and songs first, then a blues set, then country music later on, so the room changes character as the day goes on. Some listings describe the trad portion as running on a fortnightly basis rather than every Sunday, so it is worth checking Watters’ Facebook page or ringing ahead before making a special trip. Castleblayney itself has a strong country music heritage - it is the town where Big Tom McBride grew up, commemorated with a statue at the Market House and a Music Wall of Fame - and Watters keeps a version of that live tradition going on Sunday afternoons in a way few other venues in the town still do.

Getting there

Watters Old Coach Inn is on York Street in Conabury, Castleblayney, a short walk from Market Square and the town’s main shops. On-street parking is available nearby, and the town sits on the Dublin-Monaghan-Donegal bus corridor.

While you’re in Castleblayney

Castleblayney’s country music history runs deep, from the Big Tom statue at the Market House to Lough Muckno and its forest park on the edge of town. There is more to see in Castleblayney and across Co. Monaghan.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday, 19 July 2026 (check ahead - some sources describe the trad set as fortnightly rather than weekly)
• Time: from around 4:30pm
• Venue: Watters Old Coach Inn, York Street, Conabury, Castleblayney
• Price: Free
• Format: trad session, then blues, then country music through the evening