Community Arts · South County Dublin · Est. 1982

Art made in Tallaght

Alternative Entertainments runs arts and music programmes, festivals and youth projects across South County Dublin - building a creative community for over four decades.

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Children carrying handmade lanterns at the Unwrapped Winter Festival — Unwrapped Winter Festival - Tallaght

What we do

From first notes
to first gigs

Whether you're eight and picking up a tin whistle, seventeen and writing your first songs, or a lifelong session player - there's a programme for you.

Ages 14-18 · Oct-Apr

SubSounds

A youth music collective for songwriters, composers and performers. Work with professional mentors, play real gigs and record an album in a professional studio.

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All ages · Year-round

Des Carty Music School

Weekly classes in fiddle, tin whistle, banjo, mandolin and more - continuing the work of one of South Dublin's great music teachers since 1997.

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Collage: fiddle player, drum workshop and the Sound Walk illustrated map

Festivals · October

Festivals & Sessions

The Des Carty Sessions, the Mickey McKenna Festival and the AltEnts Children's Music Festival bring the best of Irish and world music to the community.

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SubSounds Class of 2026 Volume 1 album cover

Out now

SubSounds:
Class of 2026

Our first ever double album - two volumes of pop, rock, folk, punk, jazz and country, written by the collective and recorded at Windmill Lane and CONTACT Studio, Rua Red. Streaming everywhere.

Listen on Bandcamp ↗

Coming up