There are several trad shows with dinner in Dublin, and I realize it’s very touristy and the antithesis of what Rick Steves would recommend. However, the last time we were in Ireland we found it difficult to find any trad music that our kids could see since children are no longer allowed in pubs past 9pm (and that seemed to be when music started at many pubs). So, we ended up booking Celtic Nights. It was lovely as our table was literally touching the stage. I hesitate to book again because as we walked out I noticed that a lot of the table locations would have been quite hard for my kids to see and there’s no guarantee on where you will sit. I considered booking tickets for Riverdance but I have a toddler that is too young (per the website- ages 3 and up only). Has anyone been to multiple shows? If so, which was your favorite?
Posted by
2032 posts
On a business trip we were taken to Johnnie Fox's "the Highest Pub in Ireland" by our Dublin hosts. It's outside of Dublin and I think you would need a car, taxi or arrange a trip. They have shuttle buses. It was a good deal of fun and children are allowed. Yes, it was touristy. But the music was excellent and the evening delightful. Our adult daughter was with us and she was picked from the audience to be one of the "dancers". https://johnniefoxs.com/
By the way, after the performance the musicians went into the snug and played.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
4037 posts
A musical pub crawl might be another option. I don't know if this was the company I used many years ago, this one allows children (the crawl is over by 8:15 p). You'd want to research options and reviews, I just grabbed the first link on the google.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1860 posts
Music often starts earlier on Sundays.
Posted by
1822 posts
We saw Riverdance in Dublin. You definitely wouldn't want that for an intimate evening. I mean that's going to the theatre. Also, don't go the first night you arrive from an international flight...zzzzzzz! Ask my husband how he knows!
Anyway, maybe an early pub crawl if allowed. Ours was fun and low key and you walk a bit and the kids wouldn't get restless in the sense that you're in one place.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
We’ll have been across the pond for well over a week (arriving by ferry from Holyhead, Wales around 4:45pm), so I’m not too worried about jet lag at that point. The pub crawl is interesting but I’m wondering about having time to get downtown from the ferry port, drop bags at our hotel and get dinner before the pub crawl starts. I’ll have to explore that option a bit.
Thank you for all the suggestions so far!