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The Irish Dance Party in Dublin
Live Irish dancing and music at Merchants Arch Bar — world-class performers teach you the steps. Daily 3–5pm. Rated 4.8 from 1,039 reviews. From €25.
From €25 starting price · live price may vary
Check dates & prices ↗ Free cancellation on most dates · Booked securely with Viator
Duration2 hours
PriceFrom €25
Rating4.8 from 1,039 reviews
BookingSecurely via Viator
The IrelandMe take
What stands out about this one
Our practical read of the published itinerary, traveller feedback and local context—not the operator’s sales description.
Every afternoon at 3pm, the upstairs room at Merchants Arch Bar on Wellington Quay turns into something you won't find at any other venue in Dublin. Four world-class, award-winning Irish dancers take the floor. A live Irish singer hosts the whole thing, weaving songs and stories in between the performances and keeping the atmosphere warm rather than touristy.
Over the two hours, you'll watch four choreographed dance performances and then get pulled into it yourself. There are two group dance teaching sessions built into the event — a 20-minute block and a 10-minute block — where the dancers break down the steps and actually get the room moving. It's more fun than it sounds, even if your two left feet have a lot to say about it.
The published itinerary is the deciding factor here. Check the current meeting point and stop timings before committing.
One practical detail
Get there five minutes early and grab a window seat. The reserved table arrangement means you won't be scrambling for a spot, but settling in before the host kicks things off helps you relax into it from the start rather than arriving flustered.
How the experience works
You arrive at your own reserved table, the bar is open throughout, and there's a full food menu if you want to stretch the afternoon into an early evening. It runs every single day, 3pm to 5pm, 4.8 stars from over a thousand reviews. Some things just keep delivering.
What the price covers
- Live entertainment
- Tour escort/host
- All activities
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel drop-off
The published itinerary
Use this to judge the pace and where your time actually goes. Operators can adjust stop order for traffic, weather or opening times.
- Merchants Arch Bar (Upstairs), 49 Wellington Quay - 3pm to 5pm daily - Two hours of live Irish music, dance performances and group dance instruction. Musicians host and MC the event, playing traditional instruments and explaining the history of the songs and dances. Four dance performances plus two group dance teaching sessions. Full bar and food menu available.
Local tips that make the day better
Wellington Quay is right on the river. If you're coming from the city centre, it's a nice walk along the south Liffey bank from O'Connell Bridge. Temple Bar is immediately behind you, so the area is lively and easy to find without needing a map.
The food menu is genuinely good. Merchants Arch is a proper bar, not a tourist trap with a set menu. If you're planning to eat, a bowl of chowder or a burger before the performances start means you can focus on the dancing once it gets going.
Come thirsty but not in a rush. Two hours is the right amount of time — long enough to feel the full shape of the show, short enough that you're still buzzing when it wraps up and the evening is still young. The Temple Bar area right outside has plenty of options for wherever the night takes you next.
If you've got kids with you, this is a genuinely great pick. It's participatory, it's loud enough to be exciting, and it's short enough to hold younger attention spans. The dancers are patient and encouraging during the teaching sections, and no one's going to be graded on their performance.
Good to know before booking
The event runs daily from 3pm to 5pm. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to join in — and you should plan to join in. Children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on an adult's lap. Groups can be up to 60 people. Public transport is nearby. Hotel transfers are not included, and all fitness levels are welcome.
Make more of the area
- The Houses of Guinness Walking Tour — A 2 hour 45 minute walk through the actual homes and haunts of the Guinness dynasty, finishing with a pint at the spot where Arthur Guinness married in 1761.
- The Road to Independence: Private Walking Tour of Dublin — A private 2.5-hour walk through the Easter Uprising sites, from the GPO to the Garden of Remembrance, with a knowledgeable English-speaking guide.
Questions before you book
How long is The Irish Dance Party in Dublin?
The published duration is 2 hours. Allow extra time to reach the meeting point and for your onward plans.
How much does The Irish Dance Party in Dublin cost?
The listed starting price is From €25. Live prices can change by date, group size and availability.
What should I know before booking?
The published itinerary is the deciding factor here. Check the current meeting point and stop timings before committing.
Ready to decide?
Check the live times before building the rest of your day.
From €25 · 2 hours Check dates & prices ↗
