We stayed in the hotel last August where one of these was held (Arlington Hotel) and we opted out due to the cost. We spend way less than 50$/pp on dinner. We enjoyed music elsewhere. Also, in Donegal they let the kids in the pubs (I think this is a thing in general outside of Dublin proper--nobody cares much) and we saw some Irish dancers there (they come once a week or something) and that was very enjoyable (and we participated, lol).