The Irish Dance Party - Interactive Show - Tickets €25 per person

The Irish Dance Party is a 2-hour interactive cultural event held at The Merchants Arch Bar in Temple Bar, Dublin. Founded in 2008 by Daniel, a professional Irish musician and all-Ireland champion Uilleann piper, the business combines live traditional Irish music with choreographed dance performances and group dance lessons. The event runs daily from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, with group bookings available at other times.

The experience centres on three core elements. Live Irish musicians host and narrate throughout, performing well-known songs such as The Wild Rover, Whiskey in the Jar, and The Galway Girl, while explaining the history and stories behind them. They also play traditional Irish instruments including Uilleann pipes, tin whistle, and bodhran. The professional dancers, many of whom have performed with touring shows and won world titles, deliver three choreographed performances. Between performances, they teach three simple ceili-style group dances lasting 20 minutes, 20 minutes, and 10 minutes respectively.

You remain seated at your own reserved table throughout, with full bar access and a choice of traditional Irish meals. The venue itself is a striking 19th-century listed building with a spiral staircase, located in the heart of the city centre. From upstairs, you have unrivalled views of the River Liffey and the Ha'penny Bridge. The bar stocks Irish beers and whiskeys alongside international selections.

The event has been Dublin's number one activity for language school students for over 12 years. It caters to individuals, couples, and groups of all kinds, and is regularly booked for hen parties, stag parties, corporate events, and birthday celebrations. The Irish Dance Party is ranked 1 of 71 Classes & Workshops in Dublin on TripAdvisor, with over 1,626 reviews and a rating of excellent by 614 travellers. It has been voted one of the top 5 hen party activities in Dublin by the White Pages Wedding magazine.

You'll be seated at a reserved table for a 2-hour show featuring live Irish music and singing, three choreographed dance performances by world-class dancers, and interactive dance lessons where you'll learn three simple Irish group dances. Between performances there is time to relax, order drinks from the full bar, and enjoy the views of the River Liffey and Ha'penny Bridge from this historic venue.

The team includes Daniel, founder and all-Ireland champion Uilleann piper who has performed for Barack Obama; Alana, 22, placed 2nd in the World Championships and is reigning Dublin champion, also a newly qualified physiotherapist; Molly, who has toured professionally for five years as female lead with Celtic Legends and A Taste Of Ireland; Sadhbh, 20, a Dublin champion with 6 consecutive World Championship medals; Rosie Leonard, Leinster title holder who has competed at National, All Ireland and World Championships; and Gary Taaffe, a Dublin-based vocalist and musician.

All three group dances are taught as simple dances in a friendly manner by award-winning dancers, and the event is designed to be fully interactive with no dance experience required.