Temple Bar is a cultural quarter in central Dublin. It gets busy at night, especially on weekends. Souvenir shops and galleries accommodate sightseers and art enthusiasts earlier in the day. The drinking and dining in touristy venues starts in the afternoon and after sunset Temple Bar becomes a rowdy party scene.
Resident Sir William Temple, provost of Trinity College in 1609, may have given the area its name. The cramped district became derelict in the 19th century. The cheap rents attracted small shop tenants and (tattoo) artists, which gave the area the bohemian atmosphere that saved it from demolition. Temple Bar was regenerated as a cultural district in the 1990s. Here you’ll find one of the oldest streets in Dublin, Fishamble Street, which is a good example of how the medieval character was preserved.
It’s free to browse the brightly painted shops and sit in the pubs, but souvenirs and drinks don’t come cheap. Do as the locals do and enjoy a pint of draught (beer on tap) while listening to live music. You can’t miss the bright red Temple Bar pub, one of the district’s oldest and most crowded bars.
For art, visit the Irish Photography Centre and Temple Bar Gallery and Studio. Ireland’s famous musical acts feature on a massive Wall of Fame on the Rockarchive Gallery in Temple Lane. On weekends, head to the Cow’s Lane market for fashion, Temple Bar Square for books, or Meetinghouse Square for fresh produce or an outdoor movie in summer.
At night, music pours out from the pubs and clubs, along with many staggering patrons. If you are not here for serious partying, raise a glass and sing along with a band, or watch a game of sports televised inside many of the pubs. Enjoy the nightlife and good luck with understanding an intoxicated Irishman!
Temple Bar lies in between Dame Street and the River Liffey. It connects many Dublin landmarks and is a stop on the Dublin hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Get a guide from the Temple Bar Information Centre to see what’s on. Most pubs close before midnight and all venues are closed by 3 a.m.
