Open House Dublin This Weekend!
January 17, 2023 12:01pm
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So what is Open House Dublin?
It’s Ireland’s largest festival of architecture! Organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation every October, there are more than 150 free tours, talks, and events to choose from, offering unparalleled opportunities to explore the built environment of Dublin city and county.
The Iveagh Markets, starting point of the Guinness Legacy in the Liberties tour, Sunday 16 October, 11am. Photo by Kieran Doyle O’Brien.
What are some highlights?
The programme includes historical and contemporary tours of iconic buildings, private homes, exemplary social housing projects, public spaces and parks, all led by expert guides. There will also be some Irish Sign Language-interpreted tours.
Here are a few of our top picks:
- A wealth of building tours – far too many to name! Check out https://openhousedublin.com/ for the full list.
- Drop-in walking tours across the city, including a walking and singing tour of the north city with Traditional Irish singers; a tour focused on the Guinness legacy in the Liberties; a walking tour of Newmarket in Dublin 8; a walking tour of Cherrywood, one of the largest urban developments in Europe; and a trek around Stoneybatter with architect and Member of European Parliament Ciaran Cuffe.
- Open House Dublin Route Plans, highlighting drop-in events and suggestions the best walking routes to reach them over the weekend.
- Exhibitions galore! Housing by Henry J Lyons showcases a selection of Henry J Lyons housing projects and solutions to how to live more sustainably in a denser city. People Powered Places assesses innovative methods of community participation in planning and housing design. Nul Punt Wolk in the Hugh Lane Gallery remaps the greater urban area around Phoenix Park and Dunsink Observatory.
- The Site-Specific Film Series, a programme of short documentaries commissioned by the IAF during the pandemic, celebrating the personalities, processes, creativity and transformative impact that surround the act of designed space. The 17 films will be screened in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar on Friday and Saturday night during the festival.
Stoneybatter mural. The Stoneybatter Walk takes place Sunday 16 October, 2pm.
Anything for families?
Absolutely! Open House Dublin offers young people and families the chance to get up close with architecture through workshops and activities at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Ireland and the Chester Beatty Library.
Families can also set off on self-guided Architrek tours designed by architects. Routes can be downloaded from the Open House Dublin website.
Nul Punt Wolk exhibition at the Hugh Lane Gallery, open Thursday 13 October, 10am-6pm, Friday 14 October and Saturday 15 October, 10am-5pm. Photo by berte and harmey.
Is there a cost?
No! All Open House Dublin events are completely free, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, including Staycity Aparthotels.
Check out the full Open House Dublin programme at https://openhousedublin.com/ and choose your next adventure!