Dublin Guide for rock and metal fans

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a city rich in musical history and creativity. You feel it the moment you arrive and start walking through the city center. It’s impossible to stay indifferent to the rock references you find around every corner.

The city is famous as the birthplace of legendary artists like U2, Thin Lizzy, Sinéad O’Connor, Kodaline, and The Script. They all left an unmistakable mark on the global music scene — which you will discover everywhere you go.

Iconic venues like 3Arena and the Olympia Theatre host incredible live shows throughout the year. If you love rock and metal concerts, checking Dublin’s concert schedule is a must for your trip.

If you want to enjoy good food and a rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere, Captain Americas and the Hard Rock Cafe Dublin are great places to relax and admire memorabilia from local and international artists.

No rock fan’s itinerary is complete without a visit to the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum Experience. It offers a fascinating look into the musical heritage of Dublin and Ireland.

Famous landmarks like the Phil Lynott statue and the historic Windmill Lane Recording Studios round out the ultimate Dublin rock experience.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ROCK IN DUBLIN

* The Bruxelles pub, on Harry Street, is a temple of Dublin rock. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, this bar became a meeting spot for the members of Thin Lizzy. The pub still honors them to this day. The walls, covered in memorabilia and photographs, make it a must-visit stop. And, of course, the Phil Lynott statue stands right next door.

* For many people, U2 has become synonymous with Dublin. The band was formed here in 1976, and their connection to the city remains strong today, even after decades of global success. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. shaped, and were shaped by, the streets and neighborhoods of Dublin. For U2 fans, or for anyone who enjoys visiting landmarks in rock history, a trip to Dublin is a great opportunity to follow in the band’s footsteps. Explore places that witnessed their rise to fame, such as the Windmill Lane Recording Studios, where U2’s “Sweetest Thing” video was filmed, and Bonavox, the shop that gave Bono his nickname.

* Captain Americas opened in 1971 as Ireland’s first cookhouse & bar. Its walls are covered in memorabilia celebrating music and sports icons, from a guitar signed by Guns N’ Roses to items from U2, R.E.M., AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and the Rolling Stones, as well as Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves. You’ll find a similar atmosphere at the Hard Rock Cafe.

* Several artists have recorded and released live material in Dublin. Among them: David Bowie, with the live album A Reality Tour, recorded during two sold-out shows in November 2003; R.E.M., with the double live album Live at the Olympia, following the band’s five-night residency at the beautiful Olympia Theatre in 2007; and Bruce Springsteen, with the CD and DVD Live in Dublin – Bruce Springsteen with The Sessions Band, which brings together footage from three shows performed in November 2006 at the historic venue then known as The Point Theatre, later renovated and reopened as today’s 3Arena.

* In 2012, Sinéad O’Connor, Glen Hansard, Bono, and other artists gave an impromptu performance on Grafton Street in Dublin on Christmas Eve to raise funds for people experiencing homelessness. The video, filmed by Myles O’Reilly, is truly moving.