Temple Bar

Temple Bar (Irish: Barra an Teampaill) is a historic neighborhood on the south bank of the River Liffey in central Dublin. Bounded by Dame Street, Westmoreland Street, and Fishamble Street, the district has preserved its early modern street layout, with narrow, cobblestoned lanes. The name probably goes back to the Temple family, whose members lived here in the 17th century. The area's history is rich in cultural and political events, including the world premiere of Handel's oratorio Messiah in 1742 and the founding of the Society of United Irishmen in 1791. After falling into decline in the 20th century, Temple Bar was revitalized as a cultural quarter in the 1990s. Today it is home to numerous institutions such as the Irish Film Centre, the Project Arts Centre, and the Central Bank of Ireland. Here you'll find a lively nightlife with plenty of pubs and restaurants, as well as weekly markets for art, fashion, and literature on the redesigned squares.