Jam-packed lineup of live music in Dundalk's Toales this week

There is plenty of live music in Toales venue in Dundalk this week.

Thursday 9th October - Fireside Sessions presents Gerry Maguire feat. Declan Campbell + support from The Louth Strings Ukulele Group.- Show starts at 9pm - Free admission.

Fireside Sessions at Toales is Dundalk’s coziest stage for fresh, original sounds — a mix of campfire storytelling, indie club spirit, and a real community heartbeat.

Each Thursday night the spotlight falls on songwriters, musicians, and bands from near and far, all sharing their craft in an intimate, welcoming space.

With free admission and an audience that genuinely listens, Fireside Sessions has become a gathering point for those who value discovery, connection, and the raw joy of live music.

Thursday 9th October sees a welcome return of Gerry Maguire, once described by the late Arty McGlynn as “a hidden gem” and “a song machine”.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: Sharing smiles and memories at the Clan Na Gael GAA reunion night

A writer of songs across every genre, Gerry’s true magic lies in his fresh take on jazz, soul, and R&B.

The Journal of Music in Ireland praised his work for its healing quality, calling his songs “mirrors he holds up to his audience.”

Joined by long-time friend Declan Campbell, Gerry will share songs old and new — including material from his upcoming album — with his trademark mix of fun, feel, and attitude.

Expect an evening of heartfelt music with a groove to lift the spirit.

Support on the night comes from the Louth Strings Ukulele Group.

Friday 10th October - Bold Frontiers Present JUNK DRAWER + ARCO ARENA - Free admission. - Doors 7PM

This October 10th–12th, Dundalk comes alive with Bold Frontiers, a brand-new urban festival celebrating music, art, and contemporary culture.

Set against the backdrop of Ireland’s Ancient East, the festival transforms iconic local venues — including the Spirit Store, Mo Chara, Toales, Dundalk Gaol, St Nicholas Church, and An Táin Arts Centre — into immersive spaces for live performance, installation, and late-night gatherings.

Designed as a weekend of discovery and connection, Bold Frontiers invites audiences to see Dundalk anew — as a vibrant creative hub alive with energy, possibility, and imagination.

On Friday 10th October, Toales Live Venue kicks off the weekend with an unmissable double-headline show featuring two of Ireland’s most vital acts — Arco Arena and Junk Drawer.

Arco Arena, the Dundalk-born post-funk/dance-rock powerhouse, delivers an electrifying blend of heavy riffs and infectious grooves — think Rage Against The Machine meets Foals meets Parliament Funkadelic.

Their live shows are a kinetic blur of energy, hooks, and sheer musicianship that demand attention.

Joining them, Junk Drawer brings their acclaimed, award-winning sound from Belfast — a hypnotic collision of post-punk, krautrock, and psychedelia, earning praise from KEXP, Stereogum, and Paste Magazine.

Fresh off their second album Days of Heaven, the band’s set promises to be one of the highlights of the festival.

Two trailblazing bands. One legendary venue. A free show that captures the Bold Frontiers spirit — bold, original, and completely unforgettable.

Saturday 11th October - Triple Tribute Night feat Next Passing Breeze, Cork, and The Rockers - €10 admission - Doors 8pm

Get ready for a Triple Tribute Night at Toales Rock Bar & Live Venue, Dundalk, on Saturday 11th October — a full-throttle celebration of Irish rock legends Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, and Gary Moore.

Featuring powerhouse performances Next Passing Breeze, Cork, and The Rockers, it’s a night that promises sweat, soul, and searing guitar work from first note to last. Doors open at 8pm, admission €10.

More than just another gig, this one’s happening in Toales — Dundalk’s only true rock and dive bar, a venue that has built its name on loud, heavy, and unapologetically live shows.

With a stage that’s seen everything from punk chaos to blues grit, Toales remains the go-to home for proper rock energy — raw, communal, and always at a knock-down admission price.

So grab a pint, stake your spot by the stage, and let three killer bands light up the night in true Toales fashion — loud, proud, and built for the believers.

Sunday 12th October - Bold Frontiers present Norabelle + Seán McCluskey - Free admission - Doors 7.30pm

As Bold Frontiers draws to a close, Dundalk’s new urban festival wraps up with an unforgettable evening of music at Toales Live Venue on Sunday 12th October.

Offering free admission, the night brings together two remarkable acts who perfectly capture the festival’s spirit of creativity and connection — Seán McCluskey and Norabelle.

Opening the night at 8.30pm, Seán McCluskey steps into the spotlight with his distinctive take on contemporary jazz.

A pianist whose work “evok[es] the likes of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Bob James and Uri Caine without directly imitating any of them” (Dean Minderman, St. Louis Jazz Notes), McCluskey draws inspiration from traditional Irish melodies, Puerto Rican salsa, medieval polyphony, and Israeli contemporary music.

His performances shimmer with invention and narrative drive — what Chicago Reader’s Neil Tesser described as “originality that reaffirms core jazz values.”

At 9.30pm, Norabelle brings the weekend to a close with their poetic storytelling and harmony-rich soundscapes.

Their debut album Wren earned wide acclaim — The Sunday Business Post praised its “achingly sweet harmonies,” while The Irish Times called it “elegant and evocative,” drawing comparisons to Adrian Crowley and Bill Callahan.

Influenced by Sun Kil Moon, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, and Sufjan Stevens, Norabelle’s songs explore grief, love, and memory with breathtaking honesty and warmth.

A night of beauty, depth, and musical conversation — and a fitting finale for Bold Frontiers.