About Meeting House Square
Tucked right in the heart of Temple Bar, Meeting House Square is one of Dublin's most vibrant public parks and open spaces, where the buzz of the city's cultural quarter meets relaxed green vibes. This sprawling plaza, surrounded by iconic Temple Bar pubs, galleries, and street art, has been a gathering spot since the 1990s redevelopment. Spanning over an acre, it's paved with granite but dotted with benches, planters bursting with seasonal flowers, and shady trees that offer a welcome respite from the cobblestone streets of Fleet Street and East Essex Street. Whether you're people-watching the buskers or joining a free outdoor gig, it's the perfect slice of Dublin's lively spirit.
What to Expect
Expect a dynamic atmosphere: during the day, families picnic on the steps, street performers juggle and strum fiddles, and the air smells of fresh coffee from nearby cafes like the Oliver St John Gogarty. Evenings light up with projections on the towering 'box' building, hosting film screenings, yoga sessions, and the Temple Bar TradFest. In summer, the Temple Bar Food Market sets up on Saturdays, tempting with artisan cheeses, wood-fired pizzas, and craft beers. It's wheelchair-accessible, dog-friendly (leash up), and free, making it ideal for all ages. The square's acoustics are legendary for impromptu music sessions echoing off the walls.
Insider Tips
Visit at dusk for the magical lighting when the square glows amber , grab a pint from the Auld Dubliner across the way and settle in. For quiet moments, head to the quieter corners near the Dublin Castle side. Combine with a stroll to the nearby Ha'penny Bridge for epic Liffey views. Check templebar.ie for event calendars to catch rooftop cinema or silent discos. Pro tip: the square's fountains are great for cooling off little ones on hot days, but watch for puddles after rain. As a local, I love how it captures Temple Bar's creative soul without the nightclub frenzy , a true gem among best parks in Temple Bar, Dublin.
With its blend of history (named after a Quaker meeting house once here), culture, and community, Meeting House Square embodies why Temple Bar remains Dublin's beating heart. Over 300 years of gatherings have happened here, from markets to protests, now evolving into a modern park-like haven. Sensory overload in the best way: hear fiddles, smell street food, feel the cobble underfoot.