Dublin · SHOW
The 7 shows below are the ones worth clearing a morning for, with the price, the running time and who each one suits. Start at the top.
Travel from Dublin with an English-speaking guide such as Gina, Godfrey, or Harry to Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains, a sheepdog farm, and Kilkenny. Expect a long but varied day, with ancient ruins, mountain scenery, a live herding show, and free time in the medieval city.
“Great, A better first bathroom break, the garage wasn’t great”
Spend about three hours at Dublin’s Lansdowne Hotel for an optional three-course dinner followed by The Irish House Party, with live fiddle, flute, guitar, bodhran, harp, uilleann pipes, Irish songs, stories, and champion dancing. Choose dinner and show, or show only.
“Wonderful evening! Music was great - Lea, the Irish dancer was really something to watch - such leaps! Really fun evening - and dinner was very tasty! So glad we went to this. Highly recommend!”
Spend about three hours at Dublin’s Belvedere Hotel with a three-course adult dinner, live Irish music, singing, and dancing. Jim Murrihy created and choreographed the show, whose performers have appeared with Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, and Feet of Flames. Expect audience participation and a chance to learn steps onstage.
“Very enjoyable evening. Musicians & dancers were fabulous. Meal was very tasty. Would recommend to experience a authentic Irish dance and music evening for the family, ideal also for children.”
Spend an evening in an 18th-century Dublin townhouse with Irish musicians, singers, and dancers. The 90-minute show features the harp, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán, plus stories and audience interaction. Add a three-course Irish dinner before the performance if you want a full night out.
“It was an amazing experience. I was greeted very well, seated with other people so I was alone as I was a solo traveller which was thoughtful. The food was exquisite, the service excellent and the music and dancing amazing. Totally recommend to everyone”
Meet upstairs at Merchant’s Arch for a two-hour Irish music and dance session. Local instructors teach easy steps, then performers present lively songs and dances with audience participation. Singer-hosts such as Jim, Gary, or Stephen help keep the room moving. Drinks are available, but food is not included.
“Everyone should experience this when visiting Dublin! We absolutely loved it, the Irish have such a dense and beautiful culture and we got to experience it first hand from listening to singer Gary to watching and dancing with the Irish dancers! Everyone was lovely, it was the most fun and we will definitely come back!”
You’ll travel independently to Taylors Three Rock in Rathfarnham for a four-course Irish dinner followed by two hours of live folk music, dancing, storytelling, and audience participation. Expect a lively, tourist-friendly night, with vegetarian meals available and drinks sold separately.
“The food was decent and the show was good. There are lots of people up and down so you can’t always see the stage but the show moves at a nice pace. I can’t speak to how authentic it was but felt authentic and there were some locals FWIW. Was a nice experience and evening.”
Spend 3.5 hours at Dublin’s Merry Ploughboy Pub, where traditional musicians host a lively Irish music and dance show. Doors open at 6:30pm, dinner is optional, and the performance begins at 8pm. Expect communal tables, audience participation, Irish ballads, fast step dancing, and plenty of good craic.
“Beautiful songs and dance.. Bar owner thought I am a driver when I asked for a drink...guess they need to open up their minds and not be overtly racist”
Pick a distillery, a headland or a coach heading west.
