Temple Bar

While planning your vacation in Dublin, you should definitely include Temple Bar. The name is used both for an Irish pub and an iconic neighbourhood in Dublin. Believe it or not, this Irish neighbourhood is home to one of the best Irish pubs in the world and a place for the hottest bars, trendy nightspots and artist performances. Moreover, it's a great cultural centre with theatres and schools. There is a fascinating history behind the Temple Bar in Dublin.

Origin story
The area now called Temple Bar was a popular spot in ancient times. The Vikings set up camp here as far back as 795 AD. The remains of their original defences can still be found near Dublin Castle.

The name Temple Bar is composed of two English words. The family with the surname Temple is believed to be responsible for the first part. They settled in Ireland as colonists, building their estates and gardens in the middle of the River Liffey. The provost of Trinity College,  Sir William Temple, built his grand residence and gardens here in the early 1600s. "Bar" originates from the Gallic word "barr", which means path or step. Long before, it used to be an area of transition for some boats and workers.

Temple Bar is scattered over the south bank of the Liffey River, referred to as central Dublin. Since 1707, Temple Bar has hosted a customs house, where all the government paperwork related to import and export was processed. Warehouses, taverns, and brothels began to appear nearby, too. As a result, the area was buzzing with activity. This continued until 1791 when the customs house moved to more extensive facilities. For this reason, Temple Bar immediately fell into a decline. The decay continued over the years. By the 1960s, developers had demolished several old structures in the city. Due to its miserable state, Temple Bar was left intact. As time passed, the area became a slum, untouched by modern standards.

In the mid-20th century, a bus company proposed constructing a giant bus depot in Temple Bar. While the bus station project was under review, the nearby buildings were leased out at affordable rents. Consequently, the low rent payments attracted owners of small stores and shops, artist studios, and art-based businesses. That is when Temple Bar in Dublin was born. Protests kept the bus depot from ever being built as planned. Therefore, as you tour Dublin, you'll frequently hear comments that the adorable area could have been nothing but a large bus station. Now, you know the historical details of the spot.

Currently, Temple Bar is flourishing. While taking a slow walk on the cobbled streets, you'll admire the original architecture that has survived intact. Off-shooting streets and narrow laneways are full of open-air markets and shops to browse through. Packed with trendy boutiques, galleries, cafés, pubs, and art studios, it's a part of the city that is constantly busy.

Temple Bar tastes
When the sun goes down, the volume goes up. Temple Bar has the highest density of pubs in Dublin, so you'll easily find a place that suits your tastes and budget. You can choose between buzzing bars and quiet traditional spots. The Temple Bar Pub offers a remarkable range of gourmet sandwiches and pizzas, smoked and fresh salmon, and crab meats. During your visit, take a break at the Coffee & Gelato house, where you can find a range of freshly made on-site treats.

Are you feeling hungry? Trust your sense of smell and let it guide you. The meals are local and international, from the famous Piglet Wine Bar in the Old City to the crowded Boxty House. The outdoor tables at Piglet Wine Bar are suitable for a glass of wine and a side of people-watching. The nearby Queen of Tarts serves a wide range of homemade cakes, including chocolate pecan tarts and cheesecakes. The last one welcomes you to taste traditional Irish boxty: potato pancakes, dumplings and Guinness bread. Reserve a table at Rosa Madre, which serves the best local seafood for a real treat.

Urban delights
The place that stands out from the rest is the Irish pub, Temple Bar. Temple Bar is a memorable experience for all beer and Irish culture fans. It has become a tourist attraction where many visitors taste a wide variety of Guinness beers. Today, Temple Bar is famous worldwide for its traditional ambience, prominent charm, and friendliness. It is a family-owned pub in the heart of Dublin City. Enjoy incredible conventional Irish music all day, the most extensive collection of whiskies in Ireland, and the largest selection of pub sandwiches anywhere in the world.

In addition to Temple Bar, there are other striking Irish pubs, such as "The Foggy New" and "The Palace Bar". The popular expression "pub crawling," which means going from bar to bar to liven up the night, perfectly relates to the area. Buskers, street artists, and exhibitions create a celebration atmosphere in the neighbourhood. If you are a show fan, check out any theatres—Smock Alley, the Projects Arts Centre, and the Olympia. You can explore a market, visit a gallery, go to a gig, or just bump into a café. Street musicians hop from pub to pub, playing their hearts out for the revellers. The rhythmic sounds of live Irish traditional music may tempt you for a dance and a pint at the Oliver St John Gogarty bar.

House Square, a local headquarters, has a gorgeous top roof, which makes it a splendid all-weather venue. It borders such creative destinations as the Irish Film Institute, The National Photographic Archive, and The Gallery of Photography. Every Saturday, a colourful and buzzing food market takes place here. Do not hesitate to purchase fresh fruit, veg, cheesemongers, and oysters. Temple Bar Book Market can be found around the corner.

Sadly, rowdy behaviour and pickpockets can sometimes ruin such a lighthearted atmosphere. Due to its popularity, some tourists may think Temple Bar is overpriced, overhyped, and overcrowded. Therefore, Temple Bar is the best place to spend a lovely evening and listen to live music.

• Sometimes it is hard to find a taxi at the end of the night.
• High prices compared to other parts of Dublin.