There are plenty of great bars and pubs around Dublin where visitors can hear traditional Irish music. However, for the novice or first-timer, getting an intimate feel for the songs can be a bit difficult when listening in the tight, crowded and noisy quarters of a small pub with poor acoustics and a sub-par sound system. In such circumstances, it can be difficult for newcomers to understand the lyrics of the songs or get an understanding of why they have meant so much to the Irish people over so many years. An evening at the Merry Ploughboy Pub provides a welcome alternative for those who want to get a better understanding of Irish music and culture.
Dublin Pub Owned by Musicians
The Merry Ploughboy Pub isn’t a traditional pub as such, but more a banquet hall with a stage and a professional sound system. The pub claims to be the only one in Ireland that is owned and managed by the musicians who play there. The house band, the Merry Ploughboys, has been performing at the pub nightly for 22 years.
The excellent sound system makes it easy for guests to understand every word of every song, but the Merry Ploughboys also take time in between numbers to explain what the songs are about, and what makes that particular song significant.
The pub is located about seven miles from Dublin’s City Centre and can be reached easily on the M50. Those staying in the city centre can hop on a private bus chartered by the Merry Ploughboy at any of five different locations. The bus also provides a return trip after the show.
Songs of Ireland
The Merry Ploughboys band consists of four men who sing and play instruments. What makes their show entertaining is the way they interact with their audience, both in terms of helping the audience to understand the songs, but also helping guests feel comfortable in joining in to sing-along on a chorus or two. The songs the group performs range from the comic to the poignant, covering the full range of humor and heartache that makes up the Irish experience.
A portion of the evening is also devoted to a performance by local Irish step-dancers who give the audience a taste of this unique art form. The entire show lasts two hours, from 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Traditional Irish Food and Drink
Along with the music, no evening in Ireland is complete without good food and drink, and the Merry Ploughboy provides plenty of both. The ticket price includes a three-course dinner where guests can enjoy dishes such as homemade seafood chowder, Irish beef braised in Guinness, or a shank of Wicklow lamb. Of course, since it’s a pub and it’s in Ireland, there’s plenty of Guinness and Jameson on hand.
The Merry Ploughboy Pub Rockbrook, Edmondstown Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin, Ireland
353-(0)1-493-1495
The music, dance and food of Ireland can all be experienced in one evening at the Merry Ploughboy Pub.
Kathleen Curry - As a self-professed travel guru Kathleen Curry has spent many of her days and future retirement savings on travel. She has worked in the ...
