Reviewed · EVENING TOURS IN DUBLIN

Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket

4.5 · 59 reviews 3 hours 40 minutes (approx.) From $41 Operated by Merry Ploughboys Irish Night · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The Merry Ploughboys Irish Night gives you the classic Dublin evening: a pub, a plate of Irish food, live musicians, dancers, and plenty of clapping along. The show is the main event, with talented performers mixing slower tunes, lively songs, flute music, Irish dancing, and good-natured audience participation.

I like the strong music and dance program, which several visitors found to be the highlight of the night. I also like the family-friendly feel. Children can attend, and the evening has enough humor and audience involvement to keep a mixed-age group interested. The main point to check is the dinner arrangement: the advertised experience includes admission, but some booking information and one recent account conflict over whether the three-course meal is included.

  • Traditional Irish entertainment: Live folk music, singers, flute playing, dancing, and sing-alongs fill the evening.
  • About 3 hours and 40 minutes: Plan on a full evening rather than a short stage performance.
  • Audience participation: Expect clapping, singing, and direct involvement from the room.
  • Food choices: Dishes mentioned include Irish beef stew, fish chowder, trout, chicken, vegetables, mash, and vegetarian options.
  • Family-friendly setting: Children can attend, with chicken nuggets available according to one account.
  • Strict cancellation terms: The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

A Dublin Evening Built Around Music and Craic

Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket - A Dublin Evening Built Around Music and Craic

The Merry Ploughboys Irish Night is designed as a complete night out, not just a concert. You arrive at a traditional pub, check in at the door, take your seat upstairs, order drinks, eat dinner, and settle in for a show that asks you to join the fun.

That structure matters. Dublin has plenty of pubs with music, but finding a single evening that includes a meal, staged Irish dancing, and a dedicated band is harder. Here, you can enjoy the entertainment without moving from pub to pub or working out a late-night route across the city.

The program has a familiar Irish shape. The band plays a mix of slower songs and faster numbers, singers work the room, and the audience is encouraged to clap and sing. The dancers add a visual change of pace, with flute music and energetic performances rather than a show made up only of high kicks.

I would describe the tone as polished but informal. You are not sitting silently in a concert hall. The performers interact with the room, and the humor depends partly on how willing you are to join in.

What Happens During the 3-Hour-40-Minute Evening

Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket - What Happens During the 3-Hour-40-Minute Evening

The evening begins with check-in at the front door. You are then shown upstairs to your table, where a server takes drink orders and the meal service begins.

The timing can vary. One account describes a prompt arrival, quick seating, and drinks served without delay. Another reports slow service because of the crowd and a show start around 8:15 p.m., despite a stated 6:30 p.m. beginning. I would not book this expecting a tightly timed theater performance.

Dinner comes before or around the early part of the entertainment, with dessert and coffee or tea described as being served during the performance. The exact order may depend on the night and the pace of the dining room.

Once the music begins, the band carries much of the evening. You can expect Irish songs, audience sing-alongs, clapping, and jokes aimed at getting people involved. The dancers then provide a livelier visual section before the musicians return for more music and interaction.

Allow the full three hours and 40 minutes. If you have an early flight, a fixed dinner reservation, or another evening booking, this may feel too long or too unpredictable. If you want one relaxed night with several parts woven together, the length works well.

The Music and Dancing Are the Main Reason to Go

Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket - The Music and Dancing Are the Main Reason to Go

The entertainment earns the strongest praise. The band is described as fun, talented, and good at drawing the audience into the room. That audience contact is important. You are not only watching Irish music from a distance, you are likely to clap, sing, and respond to the performers.

The musical program also has useful variety. Slower songs give the evening room to breathe, while faster numbers raise the energy. The return to music after the dance section keeps the program from feeling like a single uninterrupted stage act.

The dancers are another major draw. If you have seen large Irish dance productions, you may expect a performance built around the familiar Riverdance style. This show is described as offering something different, including flute music, graceful dancing, and high-energy sections that fit naturally with the band.

I would choose this experience for the sense of participation as much as for the technical skill. If you prefer to sit quietly and study every note, the audience involvement may feel distracting. If you enjoy a room that claps, sings, and laughs together, it is a good match.

Dinner: Pleasant Irish Fare, With One Important Catch

Food quality appears to be solid, though it is not the sole reason to book the evening. Specific meals described include mixed fish chowder, Irish beef stew, puréed vegetable soup, trout, chicken, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. The beef stew and fish chowder receive particularly warm praise, while one vegetarian diner was happy with the choices available.

That range is useful for a group. A meat eater, vegetarian, and child do not necessarily need to order the same kind of meal. Chicken nuggets were available for children in one account, although you should not assume every menu detail will be identical on your date.

The setting is a pub, so the food is best judged as part of the whole night rather than as a stand-alone fine-dining meal. One account calls the food delicious, while another calls it decent. That is a fair expectation: you are paying for dinner plus entertainment, not booking a destination restaurant.

The biggest practical issue is the meal inclusion wording. The supplied price is $41.03 per person, and the experience is presented as a dinner and show. Yet one account specifically warns that the three-course meal was not included in the price. Because that conflict affects the value, confirm the exact package and menu at checkout before paying.

If dinner is included, the price can be reasonable for an evening lasting nearly four hours and combining food with a live show. If admission covers only the performance, you should budget separately for the meal and drinks.

The Pub Atmosphere Makes It Feel Less Formal

Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket - The Pub Atmosphere Makes It Feel Less Formal

The Merry Ploughboys Irish Night takes place in a pub rather than a formal theater. That gives the evening its character. You have a table, drinks are available, and the performance unfolds in the same room where you are eating.

I like that arrangement because it keeps the night social. You can talk with your companions over dinner, then turn your attention to the music. The transition from meal to show is simple, with no need to leave your seat or find a second venue.

The tradeoff is that service and timing are part of the experience. A packed dining room can slow drink refills or push back the music. One account describes giving up on a second drink after failing to catch the server’s attention. If you want flawless restaurant service and a precise curtain time, keep your expectations modest.

The pub setting also helps the show feel accessible. You do not need special clothing or a detailed understanding of Irish music. Come ready for a relaxed night, and be prepared to take part when the performers invite the room to sing or clap.

A few more Dublin half-days to weigh up

Who Will Enjoy This Irish Night Most

I would recommend the show to several kinds of visitors:

  • First-time Dublin visitors who want a single evening focused on Irish music and dance.
  • Families with older children, since the program is suitable for mixed ages and child-friendly food is available.
  • Couples looking for a memorable final night in Ireland.
  • Groups with different tastes, since the meal, pub setting, songs, and dancing offer several kinds of entertainment.
  • People who enjoy participation, especially singing, clapping, and light stage interaction.

It may not suit you if you want a short performance, a quiet meal, or a highly formal production. It is also less attractive if you dislike fixed evening schedules or have little patience for slow service during a busy night.

The show has also been used for birthday celebrations, including an 18th birthday. If you are marking a special event, tell the venue in advance, but do not assume a personal acknowledgment is guaranteed. One birthday celebration did not receive a greeting, while another account describes a birthday made especially fun.

Timing, Transport, and Practical Details

Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket - Timing, Transport, and Practical Details

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. The stated booking time is 6:30 p.m., but the performance itself may begin later after seating and dinner. I would keep the rest of your evening free.

If you are staying in Dublin city center, a shuttle through the Merry Ploughboy Pub may be available. One account recommends arranging it to avoid dealing with public transportation that evening, but the supplied information does not give a route, cost, or operating schedule. Check those details before relying on it.

Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the ticket is mobile, which keeps the arrival process simple. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The available details do not specify table layout, step-free access, or seating arrangements, so contact the provider directly if you have mobility needs beyond the stated service-animal policy.

The cancellation rule deserves attention before you commit. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the provider cancels because the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Otherwise, changing plans means risking the full amount paid.

Is $41.03 a Fair Price?

The value depends almost entirely on what the ticket includes. At $41.03 per person, the price is appealing for a nearly four-hour evening with live music, Irish dancing, a pub setting, and dinner included.

The entertainment itself is the strongest part of the purchase. You are getting more than background pub music, with a dedicated show, singers, dancers, audience interaction, and a structured evening. If you would otherwise pay separately for a meal and a music performance, the combined format may save both money and planning time.

Drinks appear to be ordered separately, and the meal inclusion needs checking. That uncertainty is not a small detail. Ask what the voucher covers, which courses are included, and whether children have a different menu or price.

I also suggest comparing the cost with a normal pub meal plus free live music. The Merry Ploughboys experience costs more than simply walking into a pub, but it gives you a planned program and Irish dancing in addition to the meal. For a one-time Dublin visit, that added structure may be worth it.

Should You Book the Merry Ploughboys Irish Night?

Book it if you want a classic, social Irish evening with music, dancing, food, and plenty of audience involvement. The performers are the clear strength, and the program suits families, couples, and groups celebrating a special occasion.

Before booking, confirm whether your $41.03 ticket includes the three-course dinner. Also leave plenty of time for the evening, arrange transport if needed, and remember that the booking cannot be refunded or changed.

I would skip it if your priority is a quiet meal, a short concert, or exact timing. For everyone else, especially a first visit to Dublin, this is a practical way to put several Irish traditions into one night.

FAQ

Where does the Merry Ploughboys Irish Night take place?

It takes place at the Merry Ploughboys Irish Night in Dublin, Ireland.

How long does the experience last?

The evening lasts approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.

What does the entertainment include?

The program includes traditional Irish music, singing, Irish dancing, flute music, audience participation, clapping, and sing-alongs.

Is dinner included in the ticket price?

The supplied details are not consistent on this point. The experience is presented as a dinner and show, but one account states that the three-course meal was not included. Confirm the inclusions before booking.

What foods may be available?

Food described includes mixed fish chowder, Irish beef stew, puréed vegetable soup, trout, chicken, vegetables, mashed potatoes, vegetarian choices, and chicken nuggets for children.

Is the show suitable for children?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for families, and children’s food was available in one account.

Can I use a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience offers a mobile ticket.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can most people participate?

Yes. The provided information states that most people can participate.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the provider cancels because the minimum number is not met, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

More like this

Evening Tours in Dublin, compared.

The full Evening Tours in Dublin list →
Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 1,171 reviews· from $56

Belvedere Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner

Read our review →
Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour with Live Guide
★★★★★★★★★★4.2· 309 reviews· from $30

Big Bus Panoramic Night Tour with Live Guide

Read our review →
Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 216 reviews· from $102

Skip the Line: Irish Night Show Including 4-Course Dinner Ticket

Read our review →
Irish Night Show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 208 reviews· from $39

Irish Night Show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub

Read our review →
Sunset Cruise in Howth
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 149 reviews· from $30

Sunset Cruise in Howth

Read our review →
Dublin Live Guided Panoramic Open-Top Night Bus Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.0· 92 reviews· from $31

Dublin Live Guided Panoramic Open-Top Night Bus Tour

Read our review →
Glendalough Night Hike and History Tour
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 55 reviews· from $44

Glendalough Night Hike and History Tour

Read our review →
Dublin Temple Bar Night Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 34 reviews· from $14

Dublin Temple Bar Night Tour

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Ireland

Pick a coast road, a castle or a counter.