The only threads I found were quite a few years old, so I was wondering if anyone has any recent experience at one of the Dublin shows where you have dinner and hear/see authentic Irish music/dance? I’m considering the Irish House Party, Celtic Nights, and the Merry Ploughboys pub evening. If anyone has any recommendations, they would be much appreciated. The reviews tend to be mostly good but I wondered if one was better than the others. There’s also a website for the Irish Dance Party, where it looks like you can actually learn a few steps. Has anyone done this?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8346 posts
I don't have an answer for the type of show you are asking about, but I will tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin last summer. You may want to consider it as an option or in additon to your show.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
3822 posts
Kristen, did you ever get to Dublin and if so which evening’s entertainment did you chose?
Posted by
OP
New York
521 posts
Hi Barbara, We went with the Merry Ploughboys. They include a shuttle that takes you a little bit out of town which was the deciding factor for us. The location and pub are beautiful and the food was very good. We loved the show and would highly recommend it!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15579 posts
I went to one on my guided tour. It was strictly for tourists and mostly groups - that was the whole audience of hundreds, a far cry from genuine Irish entertainment. On the other hand, most people seem to enjoy themselves, maybe I am the odd one out.
Posted by
7 posts
We are going to do The Brazen Head folklore dinner.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15579 posts
I did that too, on my own after the tour. Least recommended thing to do in Dublin. The food was mediocre, the storyteller was kind of boring and sometimes hard to hear. I'd been to the Leprechaun Museum before that where I heard all the stories and legends - plus a lot more - in a much pleasanter atmosphere and could ask questions of the guide. On the way out I passed by the one of their pub rooms where there was trad music and a lively atmosphere. I wished I'd spent the evening there instead.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
3822 posts
Thanks Kristen, will put it on our list for our trip in May. Since we will be there for 12 days we might just also go to the Irish House Party also.
Posted by
New England
12 posts
Attended the Irish House Party three years ago and very much enjoyed it. There was a wonderful dinner with desert and the show afterwards was wonderful. They performed a lot of traditional Irish songs and included step dancing to some of them. The majority of the other guests were retirees, so it was a nice mellow, family-friendly evening. Would absolutely do it again!