Culture

A centre of culture, no matter which art form is your favourite.

Dublin has a rich and vibrant culture. Art, photography, literature, theatre, film, and music are all well represented in the city through cultural institutions and attractions. Many of Ireland’s leading artists and performers are also from Dublin, including literary titans, Hollywood actors, top selling recording artists, and innovative photographers and designers.

From the 6th century, Ireland’s literature has developed and thrived. Some of the English language’s greatest literary works were penned by Irish writers, including Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, and Joyce’s Dublin-set Ulysses.

Dublin also has a rich musical heritage. Some of the world’s most famous bands were formed in Dublin and include Dublin-born musicians, including the acclaimed band U2, Westlife, and The Script. Theatre also flourishes in the city.

The Temple Bar area is at the heart of Dublin’s cultural scene.

With a lively nightlife and many tourist attractions, Temple Bar is home to many cultural institutions including the Temple Bar Gallery and Studio, the Irish Film Institute, the Temple Bar Music Centre, the Arthouse Multimedia Centre, and the Irish Photography Centre. Other cultural attractions in Dublin include the Museum of Modern Art Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Dublin Writers Museum, and the Hugh Lane Gallery.

To celebrate its rich cultural mosaic, Dublin is the host of some of Ireland’s largest cultural events – including the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival which brings over 120 films to the screens of Dublin’s city centre; the Temple Bar TradFest, Dublin’s largest Irish music and culture festival; and Culture Night Dublin when residents and visitors can experience the city’s boundless culture at over 80 museums, galleries, theatres, cathedrals and other cultural institutions throughout our city.