The 10 Shows in Ireland That Earn Their Price

1.Kilkenny, Wicklow & Glendalough Tour & Sheepdog Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,599 reviews · from $34Our pick

Leave Dublin for Glendalough’s monastery and lakes, cross the Wicklow Mountains, and watch a farmer direct trained sheepdogs on a working farm. Finish with free time in medieval Kilkenny. English-speaking guides such as Gina, Godfrey, Harry, and Quiggs provide commentary, while round-trip transport keeps the long day simple.

“Mark was a fun guide. His self deprecating humor was enjoyable. He allowed for plenty of quiet time to rest along the way. The sheepdog show was so much fun. Farmer Michael and his place were great. Kilkenny was lovely and a place I won’t soon forget. I would just update the buses either to allow chargers or to have USB-C cables.”

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2.Dublin Irish House Party Live Show, Dinner Option Available

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,246 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Spend about three hours at Dublin’s Lansdowne Hotel, an 18th-century Georgian townhouse, with an optional three-course Irish dinner followed by live music, storytelling, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, harp, and champion Irish dancing. Choose dinner and show or show only. Drinks cost extra, and the family-friendly performance suits children age five and up.

“The food and music was excellent. The 3 musicians and the Irish dancer were all top class. We had a great time”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,171 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $56

Spend about three hours at Dublin’s Belvedere Hotel with live Irish music, singing, and dance created by Jim Murrihy of Damhsa. Dinner comes first at 6:45pm, followed by an interactive show at 8pm. Expect professional performers, audience participation, and a family-friendly evening, with drinks sold separately.

“The food was very good and service was great. The music and dancing was very enjoyable. Really enjoyed the night”

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4.Music and Dance Show at The Irish House Party

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 744 reviews · from $34

Spend an evening in an 18th-century Dublin townhouse with lively hosts, world champion Irish musicians, and dancers. The 90-minute show explains the harp, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán through music, stories, humor, and audience interaction. Add a three-course Irish dinner at 6:30 PM, or arrive for the 8:00 PM performance alone.

“this was lovely, they involved the audience and told stories as well as dancing. it was all around a great experience! dinner was wonderful as well.”

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5.Irish Music and Dance Show with Dance Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 567 reviews · from $28Best value

Meet upstairs at The Merchant’s Arch in Temple Bar for a two-hour Irish music and dance session. Local instructors teach simple steps, then performers present Irish dances and songs with live musical accompaniment. You’ll have a reserved table overlooking the River Liffey and Ha’Penny Bridge, with drinks available to buy.

“My friends and I did this class on St Patrick’s Day and had a wonderful time. The instructors were amazing!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Head to Taylors Three Rock in Rathfarnham for a four-course Irish meal, Irish coffee, live traditional music, award-winning dancers, storytelling, and audience participation. The show runs about two hours, with drinks extra and no hotel pickup. Plan your taxi or Uber carefully, since the venue is outside central Dublin.

“This was a very enjoyable evening. It was a long distance from Dublin, and my friend and I were not part of a bus group, but the staff made room for us anyway and treated us well. We appreciated that.”

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7.Irish Night Show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 208 reviews · from $39

Spend about 3.5 hours at the Merry Ploughboy Pub, a Dublin County venue run by traditional musicians. Choose show-only admission or add a three-course Irish dinner, then watch live singers, musicians, and stepdancers perform from 8pm. Expect communal tables, audience participation, plenty of humor, and a location about 30 minutes from central Dublin.

“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”

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8.Hysterical Histories Cork Dinner Theatre Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 187 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66Top rated

Spend about two and a half hours at Amicus on Paul Street with local performers including Angela, Marie, Andrew, Liam, or Claire, depending on the evening. Enjoy a two-course Irish meal, live music, comic sketches, Cork history, and time to ask the cast for local tips. Drinks cost extra, and dietary needs should be shared when booking.

“We had a fantastic time. Great dinner and great performance. Very accommodating with food related needs”

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9.Connemara, Sheepdog Show and Medieval Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews

Travel from Galway in a small group of up to 20 people, stopping at Aughnanure Castle, Connemara viewpoints, Leenane, a working sheep farm, and Cong Abbey. Your English-speaking guide shares local stories, while farmer Joe demonstrates how trained sheepdogs work. The tour lasts 7.5 hours and returns to Galway.

“My boyfriend and I really enjoyed the tour. We were very happy with our tour guide and bus driver, Michael. We couldn’t have imagined a better day. Thank you for the amazing experience. We give a clear recommendation.”

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10.Hysterical Histories, Comedic Dinner Theater Show

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $62

At 43 Paul St, actors including Angela, Marie, and Andrew welcome you in costume for a comic tour through Cork’s past. Expect two courses of local food, dessert, live Irish music, audience interaction, and lessons in speaking Cork like a local. The venue has two flights of stairs and no elevator.

“My husband and myself had a very entertaining evening learning about the history of Cork. The actors were funny and engaged with their entire audience. I would definitely recommend young and old to not miss this treat of a show.”

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