Dublin Nightlife

Dublin’s nightlife caters well for all ages and tastes, whether you are looking for a modern nightclub, a bar playing Irish traditional music or one of the “late night boozers” for a quiet after-hours drink.

The focal point for much of Dublin’s nightlife takes place at Temple Bar; a series of cobbled streets populated by countless pubs, bars, music venues, restaurants and nightclubs. In the daytime Temple Bar is awash with street performers and many of the bars (which almost all serve excellent homemade food) are host to musicians playing Irish traditional music or are blaring out rock music from the speakers. By night Temple Bar becomes busy and atmospheric, with many establishments staying open until 3am.

Of the many pubs on offer in the area, be sure to visit The Porterhouse (who only serve their own unique ales), The Oliver St. John Gogarty, the Turks Head, the eponymous Temple Bar itself and Eamonn Doran’s. Should Temple Bar be too busy for you, there are also a number of excellent alternatives all the way along the nearby Dame Street and the adjoining St. George’s Street.

Late-nighters who simply fancy a ‘late taste’ should head to Whelan’s on Wexford Street, one of Dublin’s oldest pubs; The Bleeding Horse on Camden Street or Sinnots on South King Street, which are all open until the early hours.

Dublin is also an important staging post for bands and artists on tours, with most nights in the city guaranteeing a world-famous act performing at one of Dublin’s many venues. Vicar Street is a magnet for some of the world’s best comedians and musicians, likewise the Olympia Theatre and The Button Factory (formerly Temple Bar Music complex).

Theatre-lovers are also well-served, with top-class productions always taking places at the Focus Theatre, Project Dublin and the Tivoli.

Day Excursions From The City

Many who come to Dublin to gain a real taste of Ireland hire a care and venture out of Dublin and into the surrounding counties to soak up the history and the general splendour of rural Ireland.

A popular self-drive day tour is to the historic Boyne Valley, which takes in Tara, Newgrange and Monasterboice, travelling into County Meath and County Louth.

Travelling along the N3 towards Navan, stop off at the Hill of Tara - one of Ireland’s premier landmarks - and visit the mystical ancient site. From the Hill of Tara, make the historical town of Drogheda your next stop. The town dates back to 200BC and the arrival of the Celts in Ireland and is associated with many of Ireland’s most significant events, including the Battle of the Boyne, St. Oliver Plunkett, Poynings Law, Cromwell’s Siege and the surrender of the Irish Chieftains to the King of England.

Taking the N51 towards Slane, Newgrange is also steeped in significant Irish history and is home to an enormous tomb which dates back to 300BC. The tomb is decorated with ancient artwork and the guided tour which takes you inside is utterly engaging.

Before heading back to Dublin, take in the 10th Century ruins at Monasterboice, north of Drogheda. This will give you a fantastic photo opportunity from the top of the ruins’ Round Tower where you are able to see for miles around and as far as the Mourne Mountains.

Another popular day trip by car is the scenic drive through bog roads, valleys and mountain gaps from Dublin to the Wicklow Hills. Particular highlights on this spectacular journey include passing through the Calary Bog and the inimitable views offered around Great Sugar Loaf Mountain before taking in the formidable Roundwood Reservoir.

The route along the ‘Military Road’ (so-called by the English who constructed it in the 1800’s to eliminate Irish rebels during the 1798 rebellion) is breathtaking, taking in glens, boglands, mountainous ranges, the beautiful Glenmacnass Waterfall and incredible mountain lakes - the very essence of County Wicklow and the beauty of rural Ireland.

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