Did you know Drumcondra is one of the oldest residential suburbs in North Dublin? Or that it was the original location for Fair City (Ireland’s national soap opera) before RTÉ built a custom set over in Donnybrook? Drumcondra is a safe, vibrant place to live and one which we love to get out and explore. Here are some of our favourite things to do on a day off in Drumcondra.
Where to eat
One thing we’re not short of in Drumcondra is a great selection of restaurants, a lot of which are boutique and a little more exotic than their city centre counterparts. If you are in the market for some delicious traditional crepes or a selection of gourmet sandwiches, Andersons Creperie never disappoints. For something a little more unusual, visit Shouk, a tiny Middle Eastern/North African themed restaurant on the side of an old school for the deaf. Carnivores, vegetarians and vegans are 100% catered to and best of off its BOYB so you can save your pennies!
Where to drink
Drumcondra has a real energy about it, especially during GAA final season (usually late August- early September). Any time of the year you’ll find a pub with a great vibe, filled with locals and tourists and often with music or sports in the background. We’re fans of McGrath’s pub next to the train station, a low-key pub that is known for its great food and colourful characters. If you’re visiting on a match day, you’d have to head to Quinn’s for a real match day experience or the rest of the year as a hub for fun-loving students.
Where to shop
If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Saturday or Sunday take a stroll down to Drumcondra’s local market, the ABC Market, right beside Shouk. ABC stands for Art, Bites, Crafts and that’s exactly what this boutique has in store for its lucky visitors. The stalls sell a mixture of artisan food, handcrafted items and unique textiles & clothes that you won’t find anywhere else in Dublin. It’s run by Drumcondra locals giving the market a very homely and welcoming quality.
Where to walk
Dublin doesn’t really do royal residences (obvious, as we don’t have a monarchy!) but Drumcondra is the proud home to one of Dublin’s only palaces. If the weather is fine, take a stroll out to our hidden gem, the Archbishops Palace, just a few minutes’ walk from our campus. The palace and its grounds were extensively refurbished over the past 10 years and although lay-people cannot enter the building, the grounds are a great place for a leisurely stroll on a nice day. You’ll also meet plenty of Drumcondra’s finest canine residents along the way which for us, is often the highlight of the day!
Whatever your reason to visit Drumcondra, we can guarantee top quality overnight accommodation at a fraction of the cost of over-priced city centre hotels. DCU rooms are conveniently located, great value and ideal for groups. To make an enquiry or a booking, contact our friendly reservations team today!
