If you’re going to Dublin and you haven’t heard of Temple Bar, you haven’t done your research.
It’s the cobblestoned, tourist-packed, slightly chaotic cultural quarter wedged between the River Liffey and Dame Street, and it is absolutely worth a quick walkthrough.
Enough so that we walked through twice.
The area is small enough to cover on foot in about twenty minutes if you’re just wandering, but that’s not really the point. The point is to slow down, duck into a pub, order a Guinness, and watch the throngs of tourists pass by.
The pubs here are legendary – The Temple Bar pub itself is basically a required stop, even if just to say you did it.
Expect it to be loud, packed, and outrageously photogenic.
Beyond the pints, there’s actually a decent amount going on. Street performers set up throughout the day, and the weekend market brings in food stalls and enough shopping to keep all the tourists happy.
Fair warning – This IS Tourist Central.
The prices reflect that.
You’re not going to stumble across a hidden gem that the locals have been keeping secret. The locals are mostly somewhere else drinking cheaper beer and rolling their eyes at the whole thing.
But here’s the thing – it’s fun anyway. Once.
Would we return? No chance. This is a one-and-done, although it’s a must-do one.
Creamy Pints and Premium Whiskey
Creative signage at the Old Temple Bar
The Old Temple Bar
Aren’t they all old here?
Guinness For Strength
One of the many Guinness signs
Guinness In Baby Bottles
Imagine someone using marketing like this today – somebody would feed their baby Guinness and then successfully sue them…
The Snug Bar
A Snug is usually a small private area near the bar or behind a wall where women could have a drink away from the men.
Temple Bar 360
A 360 shot at the main corner in Temple Bar. Click and scroll around.
The Temple Bar
This is the image most people think of when someone mentions Temple Bar
Feckin Eejit
Colorful signage in the tourist district
Sketchy Alleys
It’s a dark alley leading to Love Lane
Love Lane
Part of Dublin trying to clean up dark dingy alleys
