Dublin in Summer

Dublin takes on another life when the summer hits. The rain finally eases off and the city transforms into a buzzing spot where Dubliners leave their coats at home and reclaim the streets, making the most of the warmer weather. Chatting over wonky pub tables cluttered with pint glasses and packs of Tayto becomes one of the most popular pastimes, as does catching up with friends on the way to a gig. It’s all about making the most of our (almost) endless summer evenings where the sun doesn’t set until around ten o’clock.

Explore Dublin’s cobbled streets this summer with a stay at our red-brick Georgian building, The Dean Dublin Centre. Or watch the sun set on the city with a cocktail in hand overlooking Dublin Bay and the River Liffey at The Dean Docklands.

And this summer is shaping up to be yet another good one. Here are my top picks for Dublin. 

Street Parties, Park Parties, Pride Parties

Letting your hair down in Dublin is never too difficult. One of the best times to do so is during Dublin Pride Festival, which runs from June 24th to the 28th, with free events all weekend long in Meeting House Square, Merrion Square and of course, the Parade through the streets on the 27th. Keep the party going long past your bedtime at the Mother Pride Block Party (easily one of the highlights of the summer) where Scissor Sisters headline on the 27th and Sofi Tukker follows on the 28th.

It’s hard to imagine Dublin without live music. It’s been part of Irish culture for as long as anyone can remember and, on the banks of the River Liffey, it’s found a permanent home at trad sessions in pubs and in venues dotted across the city where some of the biggest and best names play. Luckily for anyone staying with us in Dublin Centre, one of the city’s best music festivals happens just a few steps from the hotel throughout June. Live at Iveagh Gardens is a staple in the music lovers' calendar and this year Elvis Costello, Garbage, and Johnny Marr make up some of the ten headliners taking to the stage in this intimate, walled garden venue.

Later on in the summer, hop on a short, scenic train ride this August along the coast to the Howth Roots & Blues Festival for three days of live music from the 7th to the 9th. The lineup will be announced soon, but if previous years are anything to go by, there’ll be well known Irish artists and plenty of up-and-comers playing in small venues and on makeshift stages throughout the village. Don’t leave Howth without trying some of the fresh seafood in the restaurants dotted along the pier either, they’re worth the train ride alone.

On the rare occasion when your travels take you to Dublin when there’s no big draw concert on, head to any of the city’s great pubs to listen to live traditional music. When it comes to choosing a pub, you can’t go wrong with either O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row (not far from our Dublin Centre spot) or The Cobblestone in Smithfield. Made famous by The Dubliners, O’Donoghue’s is an institution and you can expect to stumble upon the classic Irish scene of a group of musicians gathered in a corner of the pub, cranking out the tunes all night long. Over in Smithfield, The Cobblestone is one of the most important pubs in the city for the modern revival of traditional Irish music. It has so much charm and the almost chaotic energy makes the music feel even more alive, and truly, you never know who you might bump into there on any given day. Hop on the Luas right beside The Dean Docklands which will whisk you through the city and drop you right in the centre of Smithfield. 

There’s Nowhere Like Dublin When The Sun Shines

Ask anyone who knows Dublin well and they’ll tell you that the most sought after seat in the city on a sunny day is outside Grogan’s on South William Street. And for good reason too. This is my top pick for the unbeatable Irish combo of a pint of stout and a ham and cheese toastie. The pub works on a first come, first served basis, so nab a seat when you can and settle in for an evening of people-watching and experiencing a city in full swing from a front row seat. 

Ireland is well known for beer and whiskey, but you’re missing a trick if you skip our incredible food scene. Summer is made for rooftops, and it’s a little known fact that collectively, The Dean hotels have the most terraces in Dublin. Start up top with the brilliant menu at Ryleigh’s in The Dean Docklands, or if you find yourself in our sister spot in Ranelagh, The Devlin, head on up to Layla’s. This country produces a brilliant amount of top notch freshly-grown organic food that creative chefs turn into unforgettable meals. And their work isn’t going unnoticed; there are 45 restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide in Dublin. Spitalfields in The Liberties elevates traditional Irish cuisine in a pub setting, carnivores love the meat cooked on an open fire in Mister S on Camden Street, and if you’re in the mood for a proper night out, Big Fan’s Chinese menu mixed with party atmosphere on Aungier Street should be on your list.

Say you’re in town in June and you want to taste as much of what Dublin has to offer in one spot. You’re not dreaming, Taste of Dublin is real, and it is delicious. This food festival takes place from the 11th to the 14th in Merrion Square, and here you’ll find over 60 dishes from 15 of Dublin’s best restaurants, with the best summer’s day out in the land to boot. Add in plenty of artisan producers showing off their goods, talented chefs giving demonstrations and inventive cocktails for tasting or savouring and you’ve got an ideal foodie day out. Bonus points for being half way between both The Dean Dublin Centre and The Dean Docklands. Take your pick of which one to roll back to, tummy and heart full. 

Dublin in the summer is one of a kind. It’s a city that rewards you for going with the flow, striking up a conversation with a stranger and seeing where the evening takes you. Book in a stay with The Dean on whichever side of the city takes your fancy. North, south… or both?

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Cían Byrne is an award winning travel writer and author of the Moon Guide to Ireland. He splits his time between the mountains and cities, where he’s always on the lookout for a good pub and the next great place to eat.