Metal, Fireside Sessions and Battle of the Bands in dundalk's Toales

There is a jam-packed lineup in Toales on Crowe street in Dundalk again this week.

Thursday 8th May - Fireside Sessions present Stephen Hodd + support tba - Starts 9pm - free admission.

This week at Toales' Fireside Sessions, the spotlight falls on Stephen Hodd, a Scottish-born singer-songwriter who found his voice in the wild beauty of Co. Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula.

Influenced by the raw honesty of Glen Hansard, Damien Dempsey, and Mundy, and inspired by the experimental soundscapes of Bon Iver and Low, Hodd crafts an immersive blend of soaring vocals, intricate fingerpicking, and loop-driven textures.

His music is both grounded and otherworldly—equal parts folk, alt-country, and sonic exploration.

Join us for an intimate night of acoustic storytelling and atmospheric sound. Support t.b.a. Free entry. Music from 9pm.

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Friday 9th May - Heavy Eire presents Restive Nation + Drakonis + The Sluagh - Doors 8pm - admission €10 online / €12 on the night.

Brace yourselves for a night of sonic mayhem as Heavy Éire rolls into town on Friday, May 9th, taking over Toales Bar for an unforgettable celebration of Ireland's thriving underground metal scene, with an explosive lineup featuring a powerful trio of homegrown talent: Restive Nation, Dublin’s genre-defying electronic-infused alt-metal collective, known for their atmospheric textures and crushing riffs.

Drakonis, the Belfast-based purveyors of blackened death metal fury, bringing a ferocious stage presence and blistering energy.

The Sluagh, rising from the shadows with their eerie, folklore-inspired black metal — a hauntingly heavy experience you won’t want to miss.

Doors open at 8pm, and tickets are priced to move — just €10 online at Eventbrite or €12 at the door.

This is your chance to catch some of Ireland's finest heavy music acts in an up-close, intimate venue before they blow up even bigger stages.

And remember to support your local scene - grab a shirt, a patch, a record... or all three!! Nothing fuels the fire of independent music like fans who show up loud and proud.

Mark your calendars, bring your mates, and prepare to raise the horns for a night of heavy music that promises to shake the walls of Toales.

Saturday 10th May - Toales' Battle of the Bands featuring Apropos/Talking Knives/Hook/Eugene O'Hanlon. Admission €5 - Doors 8pm.

The much-loved Toales’ Battle of the Bands is back for another electrifying year, honouring the memory of Eileen Kirk with a spectacular night of live music.

The competition kicks off with Round One featuring a dynamic line-up of local and national talent, all vying for a grand prize of €500 and the coveted BotB 2025 trophy.

Taking place at Toales Bar in Dundalk, the event will showcase four distinctive acts: Apropos, a soul/rock group hailing from Dundalk; Hook, a new wave indie outfit from Dublin; Talking Knives, a high-energy four-piece punk band from Co. Fermanagh; and local act Eugene O’Hanlon, a seasoned singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt performances.

Entry to the event is just €5, with all profits going to The North Louth Hospice, a charity that continues to provide invaluable support and care to the community.

Organisers are encouraging music lovers of all ages to come out and support what promises to be a memorable night of talent, passion, and community spirit.

With such a strong lineup in the first round alone, this year’s Battle of the Bands looks set to be one of the best yet.