Reviewed · DUBLIN TOURS
Merry Ploughboys Irish Night Dublin Admission Ticket
The Merry Ploughboys Irish Night pairs a pub meal with live Irish music and dance, giving you a full evening of entertainment rather than a quick performance. The band works the room with sing-alongs and clapping, and the dancers bring both graceful and high-energy steps to the stage.
I like two things here: the show invites you to join in, so it feels less like watching from a seat, and the meal can include familiar Irish dishes such as beef stew and fish chowder. One point to check before you book: the $41.03 ticket may not include dinner, and the evening can run later than you might expect if service is slow.
Key points to know

- Budget for dinner separately: One account says the three-course meal was not included in the admission price. Confirm the current ticket and menu details before you pay.
- Expect music, singing, and dance: The performance includes audience participation, Irish songs, and dancers, with both slower pieces and lively numbers.
- Dinner comes before the main show: One account describes eating first, with dessert and coffee or tea served during the performance.
- Allow the full evening: The experience lasts about 3 hours and 40 minutes. A reported start-to-show wait ran longer than expected, so avoid tight plans afterward.
- Good for mixed ages and tastes: Families, couples, and groups can all find something here, with at least one family noting children’s chicken nuggets were available.
- Check the cancellation terms: The ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed, except if the experience is canceled for not meeting its minimum number.
A pub evening with more than a stage show

The Merry Ploughboys Irish Night is designed as a complete Dublin evening: you arrive at the pub, sit down for food, then spend the rest of the night with traditional music and dancing. The draw is not just the performers. It is the combination of a shared meal, a pub setting, and a show that asks the room to take part.
That format suits you if you want an easy way to experience Irish music and dance without piecing together a restaurant booking and a separate performance. It is also a useful choice for a final night in Dublin, when you may want one planned event that fills the evening.
The trade-off is that a dinner show is a longer commitment than a concert. The full experience is listed at about 3 hours and 40 minutes, and the main performance may not begin as soon as you arrive. If you prefer a short show or a quiet meal, this may feel like too much of an evening.
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Dinner first, with a few menu questions to settle

The meal is a real part of the appeal, but it needs a little advance checking. The ticket costs $41.03 per person, and one account specifically says a three-course dinner was not included in that price. That detail matters: do not assume the admission ticket covers food simply because the event is described as dinner and show.
Check the booking page carefully for exactly what the ticket includes. If the meal is separate, factor the extra cost into your evening budget, along with drinks. This is the main point that could change the value calculation.
The food itself receives strong praise overall. Dishes mentioned include Irish beef stew, mixed fish chowder, trout, chicken, vegetable soup, fresh vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Those are examples of what has been served, not a promise of the current menu, so check what is available when you book.
Vegetarian diners should also confirm the current choices. One couple was pleased with the food and specifically noted that the wife was vegetarian, while another diner described a vegetable soup. That is encouraging, but it does not tell you which vegetarian main courses are available on a particular night.
Families have a useful data point too: one family said children could order chicken nuggets. If you are bringing children, ask about the current children’s menu rather than relying on that single example. The evening is described as suitable for families, but the performance still takes place over a long stretch of time.
The show builds through song, clapping, and dance
The evening’s central attraction is the live performance by the Merry Ploughboys, with music, singing, and Irish dance. The band mixes slower songs with upbeat numbers and encourages audience participation. You may be asked to clap along or join a sing-along, so expect a sociable room rather than a formal concert where the audience stays quiet.
That interaction is one of the experience’s best features. It gives the night a sense of occasion, especially if you are visiting Dublin with family or friends. You do not need to know Irish songs in advance to enjoy the room joining in.
The dancers add a change of pace. One detailed account appreciated seeing styles beyond the familiar Riverdance model, including flute music paired with graceful dancing as well as faster, high-energy steps. The different performance sections were described as flowing together with the music, rather than feeling like separate acts stitched onto a dinner.
The show appears to include music after the dancers as well, so the entertainment is not simply a short dance set followed by an end announcement. The performers are also praised for their humor and audience connection. If you want a traditional Irish night with both musicians and dancers, this format covers the main elements in one place.
Timing: plan for a full evening

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes, so leave breathing room around it. One account expected a 6:30 p.m. start and thought the show would begin at 7:30, but the performance started at 8:15 that night. That is one evening, not a guaranteed schedule, but it is a good reminder that dinner and service come before the main entertainment.
A separate account described arriving, checking in, being seated, ordering drinks, and finishing the meal before the performance began. Dessert and coffee or tea were served during the show. This sequence can make the evening feel like a proper night out, but it also means the music may begin later than you expect.
Service can be uneven when the room is busy. Some accounts describe prompt drinks and attentive staff, while one person found the wait staff slow during a crowded night and had trouble ordering another drink. If you are on a tight schedule, make your plans conservative and do not count on leaving at a precise time.
If you need to depart early, consider how that affects the value. One attendee left before the end to avoid the crowd exiting at once. You may miss part of the entertainment, so this works best when you can stay through the final music and dance.
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Is $41.03 good value?

At $41.03 per person, the ticket can be reasonable for a long evening of live music, dance, and pub atmosphere. The strongest value comes if you want all those elements in one outing and are happy to spend several hours at the venue.
But the meal-inclusion question changes the arithmetic. If the ticket only covers admission, dinner and drinks are additional expenses, and the night costs more than the headline price. Confirm the exact inclusions before booking, then compare the total with what you would spend on a separate meal and show.
The food and service are not perfectly predictable. Many accounts praise the meal, with particular enthusiasm for the chowder and beef stew, while others describe food as decent rather than exceptional. Service also appears to vary with the crowd. I would book primarily for the combined music-and-dance experience, with dinner as a welcome part of the night rather than the sole reason to go.
Getting there and making the booking
The location is listed as Dublin, Ireland, and the provider is Merry Ploughboys Irish Night. One person staying in Dublin city center recommended booking a shuttle through the pub, saying it made the trip easier than dealing with public transport that evening. That is a useful option to investigate, but check directly whether a shuttle is available for your date and what it costs.
The experience uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is booked an average of about 20 days in advance, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if this is a fixed part of your plans. That average is not a guarantee that every date sells out, so check the dates that work for you.
The ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed if you cancel or ask for an amendment. If the event is canceled because it does not meet its minimum number of participants, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. With the strict cancellation terms, book only once your evening is firm.
Service animals are allowed, and the experience is listed as suitable for most participants. If you have a specific access or dietary need, confirm the details with the provider before booking, since the available information does not spell out every arrangement.
Who will enjoy this Irish night?
This is a good fit if you want a lively, organized evening and enjoy traditional music, group participation, and dance. The family-friendly reports make it worth considering for a multigenerational outing, especially if your group likes sharing a meal and watching a performance together.
It also works well for first-time visitors who want one event that brings several familiar parts of Irish culture together. You get live songs, musicians, dancers, and Irish food in a pub setting, without having to arrange separate stops.
You may want to skip it if you are looking for a small, quiet music session, a quick performance, or a tightly timed evening. The show is structured, the audience is encouraged to take part, and the full program takes several hours. The meal cost also needs confirming, and a busy night may mean slower service.
Should you book the Merry Ploughboys Irish Night?
Book it if you want a sociable Dublin evening that combines food, Irish music, audience participation, and dance. The strongest reasons to go are the mix of performers and the chance to enjoy the show as part of a full pub night, not just a seat in front of a stage.
Before you commit, confirm whether dinner is included, ask about current vegetarian and children’s options if needed, and leave enough time for the evening to run its course. With those details settled, this can be a memorable choice for a family, a group, or anyone who wants a lively introduction to Irish music and dance.
FAQ
How long does the Merry Ploughboys Irish Night last?
The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
How much does the admission ticket cost?
The listed price is $41.03 per person.
Is dinner included in the ticket price?
The available information is unclear. One account says the three-course meal was not included in the ticket price, so confirm the current inclusions before booking.
What entertainment is included?
The evening includes traditional Irish music, singing, audience participation, and Irish dance.
Is the experience suitable for children?
It is described as suitable for most participants, and one family said children enjoyed the evening and could order chicken nuggets. Check the current menu if you are bringing children.
Can vegetarians find something to eat?
One diner specifically noted that a vegetarian in the party was happy with the food. Confirm the current vegetarian choices with the provider before booking.
Can I change or cancel my ticket?
No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If it is canceled because the minimum number of participants is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.
Is a mobile ticket available?
Yes. The experience features a mobile ticket, and booking confirmation is provided at the time of purchase.
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