Founded in 1959 as a record label, Claddagh Records has become synonymous with traditional Irish music and is Dublin's longest running specialist music shop. Its first album was a recording of Leo Rowsome’s Rí na bPíobairí (King of Pipers). At the time, other record companies wouldn’t sign him, saying no-one would want to listen to an entire album of pipes. How wrong they were. The second album the label released was the very first recording by The Chieftains who went on to huge international success and continue to record with Claddagh. This label was set up to represent literary figures in Ireland and so many Irish and Scottish poets have recorded and released albums with Claddagh. Today, with online access to such an extensive range of Irish and international folk and roots music, that hard to find album of your dreams could be a mere click away. Alternatively, when in town, find that album you've always wanted in their Cecilia St. shop. The staff not only know about famous artists but are also up-to-date on current and new traditional artists. Claddagh Record is renowned as being the genuine article when it  comes to traditional Irish music. If around in the evening, pop by as it might be open til 20:00.