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music · Saturday 5 September 2026 · 7:00pm 
The Waterboys Featuring Steve Earle
At 3Arena · East Link Bridge, Dublin 1, Co. Dublin
At 3Arena · East Link Bridge, Dublin 1, Co. Dublin
The Waterboys are one of the great Irish-Scottish bands - a group whose 1988 album Fisherman’s Blues lodged itself permanently in the Irish psyche and has never really left. This September they return to Dublin for something genuinely special: a full Fisherman’s Blues Revue at 3Arena, with legendary fiddler Steve Wickham back in the fold and American singer-songwriter Steve Earle performing as a full member of the ensemble. It is the kind of reunion show that earns the name - not a nostalgia cash-in but a proper live reworking of a beloved era, timed to coincide with Atlantic Rain, a three-disc set of previously unreleased recordings from those original sessions released in July 2026. Good for anyone who grew up with “Fisherman’s Blues” or “And a Bang on the Ear”, and worth knowing about even if you came to the Waterboys late.
The eight-piece revue format means this is more band than concert - fiddle, vocals, acoustic instruments woven together rather than a headliner-plus-support setup. Steve Earle, who once said the only bands he ever wanted to be in were the Rolling Stones, NRBQ and the Waterboys, will sing his own songs as well as adding guitar and mandolin to Waterboys numbers. Expect the songs from Fisherman’s Blues and Room to Roam to get a serious airing alongside material from Atlantic Rain. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; standing areas are limited to those aged 14 and over. Bags must fit within 40cm x 40cm x 20cm - leave the large rucksack at the hotel.
3Arena sits on the North Wall Quays at the East Link Bridge, about 20 minutes’ walk from O’Connell Street along the northside quays. The easiest option by far is the Luas Red Line - The Point stop is right beside the venue, and the tram runs from Abbey Street and Jervis in the city centre in around 15 minutes. Dublin Bus route 151 stops on Castleforbes Road, a two-minute walk from the entrance. If you are coming by Irish Rail, Connolly Station connects to the Luas. Driving is possible but parking is limited - the Point Village car park nearby requires pre-booked tickets and fills quickly on show nights, so public transport is the sensible call for a Saturday evening.
The North Wall and Docklands area has changed enormously over the last two decades and there are good places to eat and drink before the show along Grand Canal Dock and Sheriff Street. The city centre is a short walk or Luas stop away for more options before or after. There is more to see in Dublin and across Co. Dublin.
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