Róisín Dubh
Róisín Dubh is a privately held Irish music and comedy venue in Galway that operates a live entertainment venue with bar and produces touring comedy and music events at multiple partner venues, anchored by the annual Galway Comedy Festival generating €1 million+ in local economic impact.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersGalway, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Róisín Dubh does
Róisín Dubh is a privately held Irish music and comedy venue headquartered at 9 Dominic Street Upper in Galway, registered as Irish Company No. 344119. The company operates a single-anchor live entertainment venue with an on-site bar, while also functioning as a promoter and producer of comedy and music events that extend across multiple partner venues in Galway (Leisureland, Town Hall Theatre, Black Box Theatre) and through co-promotion of the Galway International Arts Festival Big Top. Its core technical infrastructure is centered on a professional-grade audio and lighting installation — a d&b audiotechnik PA with 24Stops tops and 21S subs driven by 40D amplifiers, MIDAS Pro1 FOH console with DL251 stage box and M6 monitors, and an Avolites Quartz lighting desk running Titan v15.0 — housed on a 13' x 13' right-angled triangle stage with dedicated backline, dressing rooms, and crew facilities. The venue operates without on-site parking but benefits from free local street parking after 18:30.
The company's revenue model is multi-stream, with primary income from ticket sales through its owned e-commerce platform (roisindubh.net) and walk-up bar sales, supplemented by event promotion and production fees from external venues. Pricing is unit-based and event-tiered, ranging from €7 Silent Disco entry with complimentary drink offers, to €10 Tuesday Comedy Showcase tickets bundled with a free Heineken pint and free Silent Disco after-party entry, to multi-tier pricing for larger touring acts (e.g., Paul Smith: Happy with General, Balcony, and VIP Front Rows tiers at Leisureland). A registered-user membership layer provides discounted pricing and order history access; ancillary revenue is generated through an external merchandise storefront operated by Strange Brew.
Róisín Dubh serves two distinct sides of the live entertainment market: end consumers purchasing tickets to comedy and music performances in the West of Ireland, and touring comedians and musicians seeking a venue with professional production capabilities and an established audience base. The venue is the primary driver of the annual Galway Comedy Festival, which delivers €1 million+ in local economic impact and averages 18,000 tickets sold across 100+ acts, 65+ shows, 16 venues, and 7 days. Notable performer relationships include Dara Ó Briain, Tommy Tiernan, Paul Smith, Bill Burr, Ed Sheeran, Two Door Cinema Club, Franz Ferdinand, and The Undertones, with international comedian endorsements (Stewart Lee, Phill Jupitus, Rich Hall) naming it among the top 10 venues worldwide. The company has also produced broadcast content for RTÉ (Ireland's national broadcaster), including 'Stand & Deliver Live from Róisín Dubh' (2010) and 'Laughter In The Eyre' (2019), and manages national tours for select comedians such as Dylan Moran. Marketing is centered on the website, an email newsletter to registered subscribers, earned media from press coverage, and social media presence.
Róisín Dubh firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Róisín Dubh
- Legal name
- Róisín Dubh
- Website
- https://roisindubh.net
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Róisín Dubh is a privately held Irish music and comedy venue in Galway that operates a live entertainment venue with bar and produces touring comedy and music events at multiple partner venues, anchored by the annual Galway Comedy Festival generating €1 million+ in local economic impact.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Róisín Dubh industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Entertainment Venue
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live Music Clubs & Venues (MPAGAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Comedy Clubs (Nightlife Venues) (MPAGAIAH), Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
Keywords
Where Róisín Dubh is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Galway
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Róisín Dubh business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets to comedy shows, music performances, and club nights. Tickets available online with member pricing for registered users and walk-up sales at the venue bar.
- Venue Bar Sales: On-site bar generating revenue from food and beverage sales during events. Contact emails indicate separate management for bar operations.
- Event Promotion and Production: Revenue from promoting and producing live comedy and music events at their venue and external venues including Leisureland, Town Hall Theatre, Black Box Theatre, and Galway International Arts Festival Big Top.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tuesday Comedy Showcase - Standard admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Silent Disco Tuesday - Standard admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paul Smith: Happy - Balcony Seating |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paul Smith: Happy - VIP Front Rows |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Paul Smith: Happy - General Seating |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Róisín Dubh product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Róisín Dubh operates a live music and comedy venue in Galway, Ireland, hosting ticketed stand-up comedy performances, live music concerts, club nights, and recurring showcases. The company also produces and promotes events at external Galway venues including Leisureland, Town Hall Theatre, and Black Box Theatre, and is the driving force behind the annual Galway Comedy Festival.
Product overview
Róisín Dubh is a music and comedy venue in Galway, Ireland, offering a portfolio of live entertainment services centered around its core venue and partner locations. The primary offerings include stand-up comedy events (Róisín Dubh Comedy Events) featuring major international and Irish headliners, and live music performances (Róisín Dubh Music Events) hosting established acts. Supporting these core services are recurring event series including the Tuesday Comedy Showcase and Silent Disco nights. The company also produces the annual Galway Comedy Festival and presents larger events at partner venues such as Leisureland. Online ticket sales through their website provide the primary revenue channel, supplemented by merchandise sales through an external partner.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Róisín Dubh Comedy: Comedy promotion and management division producing and promoting stand-up comedy shows and managing national tours for comedians.
Products and services
- Róisín Dubh Comedy Events Stand-up comedy performances and comedy showcases featuring established and emerging talent from Ireland and internationally, including major headliners like Dara Ó Briain, Tommy Tiernan, and Bill Burr. Targeted at comedy fans and general live entertainment seekers.
- Róisín Dubh Music Events Live music performances hosting national and international acts including Two Door Cinema Club, Franz Ferdinand, Ed Sheeran, and The Undertones, spanning indie, rock, and folk genres. Targeted at music fans and live entertainment seekers.
- Tuesday Comedy Showcase Weekly comedy showcase held every Tuesday night featuring rotating line-ups of established and emerging comedy talent from Ireland and abroad. Tickets priced at €10 including a free pint of Heineken and free entry to Silent Disco after the comedy.
- Silent Disco Silent disco events held every Tuesday night at the venue featuring resident DJs Ted & Joe playing music, with €7 entry at the doors including a free shot of Jagermeister.
- Galway Comedy Festival Annual comedy festival generating approximately €1 million+ for the local economy with an average of 18,000 tickets sold, featuring 100+ acts across 65+ shows in 16 venues over 7 days.
- Online Ticket Sales Web-based ticket purchasing system allowing users to buy tickets online at member prices, with digital ticket delivery via email and order history access through user accounts.
- Róisín Dubh Merchandise Store Online merchandise store selling Róisín Dubh merchandise, artwork, t-shirts, models and socks through external partner Strange Brew.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average 18,000 tickets sold during Galway Comedy Festival week, with festival generating millions of euros for local economy
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Róisín Dubh
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Róisín Dubh technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Róisín Dubh partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.
- Impatient ProductionssupportingPresented by Róisín Dubh Comedy, by arrangement with Impatient Productions for Ruby Wax's 'Absolutely Famous' Irish tour in May 2027. Venue handles local promotion while production company manages tour logistics.
- LeisurelandcoreMajor partner venue for presenting larger-scale comedy and music events. Róisín Dubh promotes and produces shows at Leisureland, including Paul Smith: Happy tour dates in April 2027 and Tommy Tiernan World Tour of Galway dates in December 2026. Provides additional capacity for headliner acts.
- Town Hall TheatresupportingExternal venue partner for presenting music and comedy acts in Galway. Part of the venue's multi-venue presentation strategy.
- Black Box TheatresupportingVenue partner for presenting acts including Ruby Wax performances. Part of the network of Galway venues used for event presentation.
- Galway International Arts FestivalcoreCo-promotes the Big Top stage at Galway International Arts Festival, one of Ireland's premier arts festivals. This partnership expands venue's reach and supports the annual Galway Comedy Festival production.
- RTÉcoreNational broadcaster partnership for producing live stand-up shows including 'Stand & Deliver Live from Róisín Dubh' (2010) and 'Laughter In The Eyre' (2019) filmed at Galway Comedy Festival. Significant media partnership showcasing Irish comedy talent nationally.
- TicketmastersupportingThird-party ticketing platform for some events. Ruby Wax Vicar Street show uses Ticketmaster for ticket sales while other shows use venue's own ticketing system.
- TicketSolvesupportingThird-party ticketing platform used for various venue shows including Ruby Wax performances at Hawk's Well Theatre, Lime Tree Theatre, The Everyman Cork, The Lark Balbriggan, and Black Box Theatre Galway.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Róisín Dubh competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Stand Comedy Club: Multi-location comedy club brand (originally Edinburgh, now Glasgow and Newcastle) running programmed comedy rooms with member schemes and ticketed showcase nights — directly comparable to Róisín Dubh's comedy programming.
- Whelan's: Long-established Dublin live music venue with a similar capacity profile and indie/alternative music programming focus, plus spoken-word and comedy nights. Closely matches Róisín Dubh's venue tier and programming approach.
- The Academy (Dublin): Dublin mid-capacity live music venue comparable in scale to Róisín Dubh, focused on touring indie, rock and alternative acts with similar bar-driven venue economics.
- Vicar Street: Dublin-based live music and comedy venue operating a comparable mid-sized programmed room model with both standing and seated configurations. Most directly comparable Irish peer for live comedy and music touring acts.
- The Olympia Theatre: Heritage Dublin theatre hosting major touring comedy and music acts with multi-tier seating and standing formats. Direct competitor for headline comedy tours stopping in Ireland.
Regional players
- Limelight Belfast: Belfast live music and comedy venue with a comparable multi-room programming model including headline touring acts and emerging artists, operating in a separate regional market from Róisín Dubh.
- Cork Opera House: Cork's main receiving house for touring comedy and music, with a larger seated capacity but analogous role as a regional presenting venue for the acts Róisín Dubh also programs.
- Dolan's Warehouse: Limerick live music and comedy venue operating a similar regional mid-capacity programming model. Closest regional peer for a Galway-based operator targeting touring acts outside Dublin.
Broad incumbents
- Gaiety Theatre (Dublin): Established Dublin theatre presenting touring comedy, musicals and live entertainment as part of a broader programming slate. Comparable as a presenting venue competing for the same national touring content.
- 3Arena: Ireland's largest indoor arena operated by AEG, hosting the same touring comedians and musicians as Róisín Dubh but at arena scale. Represents the upper-bound competitive threat for premium touring content.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Róisín Dubh social profiles
Digital presenceRóisín Dubh financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Róisín Dubh leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Róisín Dubh funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Róisín Dubh M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Róisín Dubh
What does Róisín Dubh do?
Róisín Dubh operates a live music and comedy venue in Galway, Ireland, hosting ticketed stand-up comedy performances, live music concerts, club nights, and recurring showcases. The company also produces and promotes events at external Galway venues including Leisureland, Town Hall Theatre, and Black Box Theatre, and is the driving force behind the annual Galway Comedy Festival.
Is Róisín Dubh a public or private company?
Róisín Dubh is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Róisín Dubh founded?
Róisín Dubh was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Róisín Dubh based?
Róisín Dubh is headquartered in Galway, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Róisín Dubh make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are venue Bar Sales and event Promotion and Production.
Who are Róisín Dubh's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Stand Comedy Club, Whelan's, The Academy (Dublin), Vicar Street and The Olympia Theatre. Regional players are Limelight Belfast, Cork Opera House and Dolan's Warehouse. Broad incumbents are Gaiety Theatre (Dublin) and 3Arena.
Does Róisín Dubh have an API?
No public API is recorded for Róisín Dubh.
What industry is Róisín Dubh in?
Róisín Dubh's product category is Live Entertainment Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAIAB, Live Music Clubs & Venues, with a secondary code of MPAGAIAH, Comedy Clubs (Nightlife Venues). Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7900.