Drumcondra is an affluent, sports-loving neighbourhood that is busiest during the summer months when Gaelic football is in full swing. It’s an area with little luxury but a place you’ll find some of the most community-driven, friendly people on Dublin’s North Side. Its ideally located for travellers and students with transport links, well-connected roads and a rail line running through it and connecting us to the city and beyond. DCU St Patricks and All Hallows Colleges are located in Drumcondra and give visitors and residents a great selection of pubs, parks and things to do on our doorstep.
Visit Croke Park
Croke Park isn’t just the main attraction in Drumcondra, it’s also the biggest stadium in Ireland for both sports and concerts. Ireland’s traditional sports, Gaelic football and hurling draw huge crowds with games during the summer until the finals in September. The stadium accommodates crowds of up to 83,000 in high season and tickets are like gold dust. You’ll have no problem getting tickets for league matches which run from January onwards. Dublin fans are the best in the world and dominate the historic Hill 16, a stand we have made our own with chants of ‘Hill 16 is Dublin only’. Attending a match is a hair-raising, emotional experience for lovers of the sport and a sight to behold for visitors. If you’re not lucky enough to get a ticket, you can enjoy the Croke Park Hall of Fame or the Skyline walk, giving you the best views of the city.
Glasnevin Cemetery
The name gives it away, but we’ve included a trip to Glasnevin Cemetery in our guide to Drumcondra as it should be on everyone’s ‘things to do in Dublin’ list. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a day trip in Dublin, but this cemetery is more than just a resting place for the dead. Glasnevin is a fascinating museum that details the long, fascinating history of Ireland through the records of 1.5m people who’ve lived and died here. Enjoy a guided tour of a visit to the museum and learn about the people who shaped Dublin as we know it. Look out for familiar names, particularly revolutionaries who are buried here.
Restaurants & Cafes
One thing Drumcondra has in abundance is restaurants. You’ll find everything from casual eateries and takeaways to French Creperies and the finest brunch spots in the city. Local hotspot Bread and Butter boast an amazing range of artisan products, one of the best hot chocolates you’ll ever taste. Andersons have some of the best hangover cure breakfasts in the area, with everything from eggy delights & the full Irish to sweet treats like pancakes & pastries. The Independent Pizza Company is a family-friendly neighbourhood spot where you can get yourself some magnificent wood-fired, thin-based pizzas at surprisingly affordable prices. Il Corvo, located in the middle of Drumcondra, is the Italian you’ve been dreaming of. Fresh pasta, fresh seafood and high-quality ingredients make a meal you’ll think about long after you’ve finished.
Pubs & Bars
You’re spoiled for choice if you’re looking for watering holes in Drumcondra. You’ll find everything from hole-in-the-wall pubs to bars with fantastic pub grub, depending on what you’re looking for. A favourite among locals is Fagan’s Public House on Drumcondra Road Lower, where former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern took U.S. President Bill Clinton in September 1998. Kennedys Pub on Lower Drumcondra Road is one of the oldest pubs in Drumcondra and it’s a great place to share a pint with the locals. Pubs in the area are packed to the rafters and spill onto the street on Match Days so make sure to get there early to get a seat and a view of the TV.
Gardens & Green Space
Located slightly further north than Drumcondra, in the leafy suburb of Glasnevin, The National Botanic Gardens provide an oasis of calm in an otherwise busy area. They have a fantastic assortment of tropical plants, flowers and ferns, an arboretum, and plenty of information about the origins and species of the plants and flowers that thrive here. Many of the species of plants are some of the most endangered in the world, and these state-owned gardens work hard to preserve them and educate visitors on how we can help. The audio tours are educational and well worth tuning in to. This is also an oasis for rare wildlife, with red squirrels and the occasional spotting of exotic birds. It’s the beautiful back garden of Drumcondra.
Plan a trip to Drumcondra, one of the prettiest suburbs of Dublin City with the help of our handy guide.
