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Open House Dublin is Ireland’s biggest architecture festival and for the sixth year in a row is allowing you to explore parts of the city that normally stay behind closed doors. With tours of most of the buildings by professionals and/or enthusiasts you will definitely learn lots of new things about Dublin’s finest buildings new and old. 

But I’m not really interested in architecture…

Open House Dublin is not just about architecture. It is about fantastic and amazing buildings in our city and getting to see how wonderful they are on the inside as well as out. Have you ever been to the viewing deck on the top of Dublin’s tallest building, Liberty Hall? It’s on the list and well worth a visit. 

If history is more your thing, a trip to North Great George’s Street on the Northside of the city is definitely recommended over the weekend. Here you can visit no less than four Georgian residences, some fully restored residences Number 11, Number 50, Number 40 and one in the midst of restoration, Number 13. 

On Patrick Street there is the Iveagh Trust Museum Flat, a typical 3 room flat in the Iveagh complex which was occupied by the same family for many years. The final resident, Nellie Molloy, had lived there from childhood until her death in her 90s and had kept the flat as it had been during her former years. At her express wishes the flat has remained this way and is carefully maintained by the trustees of the Iveagh Trust as a perfect example of early 20th century tenement living.

Arts

If the arts are what you like, then a trip to the brand new National Academy of Dramatic Art, The Lir on Grand Canal Quay would be perfect. It was purpose built and is sure to be an example of how a purpose built building should function and nurture it’s inhabitants and their talents.

City Assembly House on South William Street, the first ever purpose built public gallery area in Britain or Ireland is sure to provide a nice contrast to The Lir and is a new addition to the Open House programme this year.

Actually, I’m just interested in modern architecture

For those of you genuinely interested in new and different modern structures, there are several extraordinary private homes open over the weekend. The Plastic House in Spencer Street North looks interesting as does The Shack in Howth, new to the tour and just completed this year. The Cupboard House in Clonarf, also new to the programme this year, built 2010 is described as

A house to double as gallery gave rise to a series of flexible spaces, which can be transformed by the occupant. All the essentials of daily living are housed behind a folding white wall – kitchen, stairwell, fireplace and settee.

The most important thing about Open House Dublin is that it is completely free.

Tours have very specific times, so please do check them out and create your own programme on the website by registering here first. The new ‘My Programme’ feature has proved to be very useful so take full advantage of it!

Some tours were to be pre-booked and for the most part are now full. However most of the guided tours operate on a first-come, first-served basis over the weekend so get planning, take lots of photos and enjoy exploring and adventuring through the architecture of Dublin, new and old!