Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the band cost?
Our rate is dependent on distance from Dublin and which day of the week your event is taking place. Considerable discounts are available for Sunday-Thursday weddings see our ‘Packages Available’ page or Contact us for more details. We pride ourselves on offering excellent value for money.
How many people are in the band?
The standard Prickly Pairs line-up comprises a seven-piece live band with lead vocalist backed by live drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, saxophone and trumpet. To suit budgetary requirements this core band can be reduced in size or expanded if necessary. Just ask!
What artists do you cover?
Below is a sample of just a few of the artists we cover. If you have a specific artist or song that you’d like us to look at, no problem! With reasonable notice we are always happy to oblige.
ABBA, AMY WINEHOUSE, ANDY WILLIAMS, AVICII, BEN E KING, BILL HALEY, BILLY JOEL, BRUNO MARS, BUDDY HOLLY, CHRISTY MOORE, CHUCK BERRY, DAFT PUNK, DEAN MARTIN, DION AND THE BELMONTS, DIRE STRAITS, EDDIE COCHRAN, ELTON JOHN, ELVIS PRESLEY, ERIC CLAPTON, FLEETWOOD MAC, FRANK SINATRA, FREE, GARTH BROOKS, IMELDA MAY, JACK JOHNSON, JAMES BROWN, JAMIE CULLUM, JERRY LEE LEWIS, JOE DOLAN, JOHN DENVER, JOHNNY CASH, JOHN PAUL YOUNG, JOHN TRAVOLTA, JOURNEY, KINGS OF LEON, LIONEL RICHIE, LOU REID, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, MADNESS, MUMFORD AND SONS, MUNDY, NAT KING COLE, OASIS, PAOLO NUTINI, PHARELL WILLIAMS, QUEEN, RIGHT SAID FRED, ROBBIE WILLIAMS, ROXY MUSIC, ROY ORBISON, SLADE, STEELERS WHEEL, STEREOPHONICS, STEVE HARLEY, STRAY CATS, SURFARIS, TAKE THAT, TINA TURNER, THE BEATLES, THE BLUES BROTHERS, THE CHAMPS, THE COMMITMENTS, THE KILLERS, THE MAVERICKS, THE MONKEES, THE POGUES, THE POLICE, THE PROCLAIMERS, THE SAW DOCTORS, THE STUNNING, THE TRAMMPS, THE TROGGS, THIN LIZZY, TOM JONES, TONY CHRISTIE, U2, VAN MORRISON, WET WETWET – AND MANY, MANY MORE!!!!
How long does the band play for?
We generally play for up to 3hrs inclusive of a 10-15 minute break to coincide with refreshments/afters food. Background music is played over our system during the break. Want us to play for longer? No problem! Just let us know what you need and we’ll tailor things to suit your needs.
What time do you start/finish at?
This depends on what time meals/speeches finish at, bar closing times and general house rules. We are extremely flexible (especially our guitarist who can still touch his toes!) so just contact us for an outline schedule to suit your specific requirements.
How long does it take the band to set up?
Once we are given the go ahead from hotel staff and have access to the stage area, we take approximately forty-five minutes to set up. We play music over our system during this time.
Do you travel?
Yes. We perform nationwide.
Do you play music to cater for older people?
Absolutely! We cater for a wide variety of musical tastes and can include waltzes, middle-of-the-road numbers and good old-fashioned rock and roll to keep the more ‘mature’ guests happy. We pride ourselves on being able to keep all ages happy and dancing.
Do you provide all your own sound and lighting equipment?
Yes. All we need is electricity and we`re all systems go!
Can you provide a DJ?
Absolutely! Check out the ‘Packages Available’ section of this site for details!
What is your dress code?
Usually we dress in various shades of black. However, we are open to suggestion if your event requires something a little different.
What venues have you played in?
Below is a list of just a few venues across the country that we have played in. This is only a taster as space does not permit a more comprehensive list. Chances are that, unless you are having your event in a shebeen in deepest Connemara, we are very likely to be familiar with your venue’s technical specifications, acoustics and the necessary requirements to make your night a fun-filled and exciting one from start to finish! Even if we haven’t played your venue before, we always make it our business to do our homework on new venues beforehand so that there are no surprises on the night!
BALLYMASCANLON HOUSE HOTEL, DUNDALK, CO. LOUTH
BARBERSTOWN CASTLE, STRAFFAN, CO. KILDARE
BEAUFIELD MEWS, STILLORGAN, CO. DUBLIN
BOYNE VALLEY HOTEL, DROGHEDA, CO. LOUTH
CABRA CASTLE, KINGSCOURT, CO. CAVAN
CARNEGIE COURT HOTEL, SWORDS, CO. DUBLIN
CARTON HOUSE, MAYNOOTH, CO. KILDARE
CASTLE DURROW, CO LAOIS
CASTLE LESLIE, CO MONAGHAN
CASTLEKNOCK HOTEL & GOLF CLUB, DUBLIN 15
CAVAN CRYSTAL HOTEL
CITYWEST HOTEL, NAAS ROAD
CLONTARF CASTLE, CLONTARF
CROMLEACH LODGE, SLIGO
DANBY LODGE, WEXFORD
DUNBOYNE CASTLE, CO. MEATH
FINNSTOWN HOUSE, LUCAN, CO. DUBLIN
GLENDALOUGH HOTEL, CO. WICKLOW
HOTEL KILKENNY
HOTEL KILMORE
JOHNSTOWN HOUSE HOTEL, ENFIELD
JURY’S HOTEL, BALLSBRIDGE, DUBLIN 4
KILASHEE HOUSE HOTEL, NAAS, CO. KILDARE
KILKEA CASTLE, CASTLEDERMOT, CO. KILDARE
KINNITY CASTLE, BIRR, CO. OFFALY
KNIGHTSBROOK, TRIM, CO. MEATH
LEIXLIP HOUSE HOTEL, CO. KILDARE
LIFFEY VALLEY HOUSE HOTEL, LEIXLIP
LYRATH ESTATE,KILKENNY
MARLFIELD HOUSE, GOREY
MORAN’S HOTEL, RED COW COMPLEX
NEWGRANGE HOTEL, NAVAN CO. MEATH
POOLAPHUCA HOUSE,BLESSINGTON
POWERSCOURT HOUSE, ENNISKERRY, CO. WICKLOW
RATHSALLAGH HOUSE, DUNLAVIN, CO .WICKLOW
ROGANSTOWN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, SWORDS
ROYAL ST. GEORGE YACHT CLUB, DUN LAOGHAIRE
SETANTA HOUSE, CELBRIDGE
SUMMERHILL HOUSE HOTEL, ENNISKERRY
TATTERSALLS, RATOATH, CO. MEATH
THE ALEXANDER HOTEL, MERRION SQUARE
THE AMBER SPRINGS HOTEL, GOREY, CO. WEXFORD
THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL, KILL, CO. KILDARE
THE ARDBOYNE HOTEL, NAVAN
THE ARDENODE HOTEL, BALLYMOREUSTACE
THE ARKLOW BAY HOTEL, ARKLOW, CO. WICKLOW
THE ASHBOURNE HOUSE HOTEL, CO. MEATH
THE ASHDOWN PARK, GOREY, CO. WEXFORD
THE BRIDGE HOUSE, TULLAMORE
THE BROOK LODGE, MACREDDIN VILLAGE, CO. WICKLOW
THE CASTLE ARCH HOTEL, TRIM, CO. MEATH
THE COOLQUAY LODGE, THE WARD, CO. DUBLIN
THE DAVENPORT HOTEL, MOUNT STREET
THE DUNRAVEN ARMS, ADARE, CO. LIMERICK
THE FERRYCARRIG HOTEL, CO WEXFORD
THE FOUR SEASONS, MONAGHAN
THE GANDON INN, PORTLAOISE
THE GLENROYAL HOTEL, MAYNOOTH, CO. KILDARE
THE GLENVIEW HOTEL, GLEN O’ THE DOWNS
THE GRAND HOTEL, MALAHIDE
THE GRESHAM HOTEL, O’CONNELL ST.
THE GREVILLE ARMS HOTEL, MULLINGAR, CO. WESTMEATH
THE K CLUB, STRAFFAN, CO. KILDARE
THE KEADEEN, NEWBRIDGE, CO. KILDARE
THE KILLINEY COURT HOTEL, CO. DUBLIN
THE MARRIOTT HOTEL, DRUIDS GLEN
THE MARRIOTT HOTEL, JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE
THE MARINE HOTEL, SUTTON
THE MONT CLAIRE HOTEL, MOUNT STREET
THE MULLINGAR PARK HOTEL, CO. WESTMEATH
THE NEPTUNE BEACH, BETTYSTOWN
THE OSPREY, NAAS, CO. KILDARE
THE REGENCY HOTEL, WHITEHALL
THE ROYAL DUBLIN HOTEL, O’CONNELL ST.
THE SEVEN OAKS, CARLOW
THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL, ST. STEPHEN`S GREEN
THE SLIEVE RUSSELL, BALLYCONNEL, CO CAVAN
THE SPA HOTEL, LUCAN, CO. DUBLIN
THE SPRINGFIELD HOTEL, LEIXLIP, CO. KILDARE
THE STAND HOTEL, CURRAGH, CO. KILDARE
THE STATION HOUSE HOTEL, KILMESSAN, CO. MEATH
THE STRAFFAN COURT, MAYNOOTH, CO. KILDARE
THE TALBOT HOTEL, WEXFORD
THE WESTGROVE, CLANE, CO. KILDARE
TRUDDER LODGE, WICKLOW
TULFARRIS HOTEL, BLESSINGTON LAKES, CO. WICKLOW
WINEPORT LODGE, ATHLONE
WOODENBRIDGE HOTEL, CO. WICKLOW
