5 neighbourhoods to investigate in Dublin

Stoneybatter was already slowly growing in popularity before The Guardian published an article on the area. Since then, money and culture have poured in, and as a result all kinds of pubs, cafes, eateries and shops (many of which are featured throughout this guide) have popped up.

Once a Viking settlement and an important port, now home to a number of sights like Dalkey Castle and a harbour with boats to take you to Dalkey Island. There are fantastic views and a lot of great food and drink options. Dalkey has also been home to Van Morrison and Maeve Binchy and still is home to Bono, The Edge and Neil Jordan.

Portobello has long been a property hotspot. It’s a very desirable city suburb thanks to the combination of its proximity to canals, Camden Street pubs and various shops. Everything is within a short walking distance of each other, even the city centre is only a 10-minute walk away.

North of Stoneybatter/Smithfield and a 20-minute walk from O’Connell Street, Phibsborough has an abundance of places to check out. It’s a very active, vibrant place with a mix of old and new venues. Sports bars and cafes sit comfortably next to the latest signs of gastro gentrification in the form of artisanal delis and shops.

This north side coastal suburb overlooking Bull Island was the location for the famous Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Nowadays, it is home to a number of attractions including Dollymount Beach, St Anne’s Park and Clontarf Castle. There are well-known watering holes and very good restaurants on Vernon Avenue and Clontarf Road.