Dublin Mountain Pub Tour: 3 pubs with live traditional music

Three pubs, mountain scenery, and a singalong in the Dublin Mountains

A small group pub tour through the Dublin Mountains with a maximum of 15 people, visiting three local pubs where you'll hear live traditional Irish music and enjoy local craft beers and whiskeys. The fully guided tour includes transport by air-conditioned vehicle and runs for five hours, with a live English-speaking guide.

Step-by-step itinerary

Dublin Mountain Pub Tour and Scenic Drive

• Drive through Dublin Mountains countryside
• Visit The Merry Ploughboy pub main bar
• Drive to second local pub with beverages
• Enjoy traditional Irish music at last pub
• Have a pint or two at mountain-top pub

The experience

The evening starts with a drive through the Dublin Mountains, passing through scenic countryside as you head toward The Merry Ploughboy pub at the foothills. This is the main bar, not a tourist show, where you'll get your first taste of how locals spend their evenings. From there, the tour moves between three different pubs scattered across the mountains, each one offering craft beers, whiskeys and the kind of atmosphere you won't find in the city center.

Live traditional Irish music kicks in at the last pub, and the singalong is real: you're encouraged to join in if the mood takes you. The short drives between stops let you soak in the scenery without the tour feeling rushed, and the small group size (maximum 15 people) means you're not herded through like a standard city crawl. An air-conditioned vehicle handles all the transport, so the focus stays on the pubs and the people you meet, not on navigation.

The tour runs five hours total. It's worth eating something before you go: the pubs serve food, but having a base helps you pace the evening. Public transport options are nearby if you need them to get to the starting point.

What’s included

• Visit to three local pubs in the Dublin Mountains.
• live traditional Irish music at the final pub.
• fully guided tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between pubs.
• the chance to join a singalong with other guests.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 18:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Please wait by The City Hall Building at The Bottom of Castle street which is just off Lord Edward Street, Also its best to have food before the tour as not all the pubs serve food.”

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Rural Pub Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to join other travelers for live music and singalongs in three local mountain pubs rather than visit city center venues on your own.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

168 verified traveler reviews

5 ★167

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between The Merry Ploughboy and the other pubs on this tour?

The Merry Ploughboy is your first stop, set at the foothills of the Dublin Mountains in a scenic area. You visit the main bar there, not a tourist show. The other two pubs are local spots deeper in the mountains, with the final one at the top where live traditional music happens.

Do I need to drink alcohol to enjoy this tour?

The tour visits pubs and encourages you to have a pint or two, but there's no requirement. Each pub serves non-alcoholic drinks alongside the craft beers and whiskeys, and the focus is on the scenery, the music and the company as much as the drinks themselves.

Is there live music at all three pubs?

Live traditional Irish music is guaranteed at the last pub you visit. The other two pubs are local spots where you'll experience authentic pub culture, though the music is the main event at the final stop.

How does the small group size change the experience?

The tour caps at 15 people, which keeps it intimate enough to actually talk to other guests and the guide, rather than feeling like a standard city pub crawl. You move as a group between the three pubs in an air-conditioned vehicle, so the pace stays relaxed.

What should I know before booking this tour?

You must be at least 18 years old. The tour runs five hours and involves driving through the Dublin Mountains and walking into three different pubs, so it's suitable for all fitness levels. Eating something before you go is advisable, since the pubs are the focus rather than a meal stop.