About The Complex
Smithfield's powerhouse arts venue, The Complex, sits comfortably in the extended Drumcondra cultural orbit, drawing locals from Croke Park crowds and DCU students alike. This massive multi-disciplinary space in repurposed market buildings hosts visual art galleries amid theatre, music, and dance. Venture from Drumcondra Road, past the Luas, into warehouse-scale rooms where bold installations command attention.
Galleries feature site-specific works: think massive murals splashed with neon, kinetic sculptures whirring softly, and projections mapping Dublin's industrial past. The air hums with creativity, scents of fresh paint mingling with coffee from the foyer cafe, all under soaring ceilings that echo the area's market heritage.
What to Expect
Free visual art exhibitions alongside ticketed events; rotating shows spotlight Irish collectives, photography, and new media. Family art trails and late-night openings add variety.
Insider Tips
Catch cross-discipline nights when galleries stay open post-show; electric atmosphere. Follow with Drumcondra's Brazen Head, Ireland's oldest pub. Book workshops for hands-on fun. Weekends suit families; midweek for solitude. This venue elevates Drumcondra area's scene with scale and diversity, ideal for immersive art days.
Programming 365 days, it's a cornerstone for Dublin's northside arts lovers.