There was a time when a continuous cacophony reigned over Dublin’s famous Docklands. Back then, the port area was dominated by massive maritime industries. But change has been in the air for a long time. The ships still come into Dublin in large numbers, and trucks roll off and on with staggering precision. But the wider Docklands area, which straddles both banks of the River Liffey, has been transformed into a vibrant business and tech hub.

The Docklands have also become a thriving cultural centre. North Wall Quay has long been home to the 3Arena (formerly the Point Depot), a state-of-the-art concert venue that has proudly stood Liffeyside for over 30 years. In that time, it has hosted an array of legendary performers, from Frank Sinatra to Nirvana, Elton John and U2.

Closer to the city, Custom House Quay is home to one of the top-rated visitor attractions in Dublin. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is an interactive showcase of how the Irish diaspora made such a big impact on the world, with adventure, adversity and triumph featured in hi-tech galleries.

An absolutely fascinating and engrossing experience, EPIC provides an incredible insight into Ireland’s cultural heritage and the remarkable influence its citizens have exerted around the world. With loads to see, hear, touch and read, the interactive EPIC exhibition offers an unforgettable look at the unique achievements of Ireland and its people.

It’s just one of the many gems in an area that continues to grow in popularity. Indeed, the docklands are filled with an exciting range of activities and attractions just waiting to be explored.

NORTH INNER CITY FOLKLORE PROJECT

For a fascinating insight into Dublin’s dockside and tenement history, the North Inner City Folklore Project is an invaluable resource. An engrossing collection of artefacts, photographs and recordings of the lives of ordinary Dublin people, the project is the passionate undertaking of local Terry Fagan.

Terry is a fountain of fascinating knowledge about the area’s history and, if you give him the chance, he’ll spin stories that truly beggar belief. The Irish national anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, nearly met a fiery end at the hands of its composer, Patrick Heeney – saved only by the quick reflexes of its lyricist Peadar Kearney – metres from where the project is based.

Terry will also regale you with tales of the notorious Monto, once the biggest red light district in Europe, and the (alleged) site of some eyebrow-raising tales involving both the King of England, and our own WB Yeats. The area was also surprisingly important to the revolution in Ireland, serving as a network for gathering and disseminating information for Michael Collins and others.

In addition to the Visitor Centre, Terry also runs the Red Lights & Revolution walking tour of the Monto area, which includes stories of the ladies who worked there, the Great Lockout of 1913 and the 1916 Easter Rising. It costs €10 and lasts two hours which, in the company of Terry Fagan, is money very well spent.
(folkloreproject.ie)