Culture Date with D8, 2025
This year’s Culture Date with Dublin 8 takes place from Wednesday the 7th to Sunday the 11th of May. There are more than 100 events taking place in Dublin 8, which is arguably Ireland’s most historic urban quarter. Culture Date with Dublin 8’s program includes over 100 activities, such as talks, guided walking tours, family friendly activities and live concerts and performances which take place in some of Ireland’s most iconic locations.
Dublin 8 is home to locations and events which played a prominent part in the shaping of modern Irish history. From Kilmainham Gaol, where Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet were imprisoned before their deaths and the leaders of the 1916 Rebellion and those who participated in the War of Independence and Civil War were executed, to Christchurch Cathedral and Saint Patrick’ s Cathedral, Dublin 8 has made an immense contribution to Ireland’s historic and cultural legacy. Some of the various events which are on the Culture Date with Dublin 8 program include:
Swift’s Dublin: A Walking Tour Thursday 8 May
Jonathan Swift, who was born in Dublin in 1667, is best remembered for being the writer of Gulliver’s Travels, a satirical tale on human nature. He became Dean of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in 1713 and remained in that position until his death in 1745. He was deeply moved by the plight of the city’s poor and advocated tirelessly for them. Along with that, upon his death, Swift donated 12,000 pounds, which at the time was a huge sum of money, to establish Saint Patrick’s Hospital, which was founded in 1746 and was the first psychiatric hospital in Ireland and one of the first in the world.
This walking tour takes place on Thursday 8th May at 5.30 pm. The tour is free of charge and will start near Dublin Castle and finish at Saint Patrick’s University Hospital with light refreshments. It is approximately one hour long. Booking is essential and you can reserve your place online at the link below.
Yoga in the Nave, Christchurch Cathedral
Qualified Yoga instructor Sophie Gough will lead a 45 minute yoga morning and evening session in the nave of Christchurch Cathedral, which was built the late 12th century. The sessions take place on Wednesday the 7th of May at 8 am and Friday the 9th of May at 6.45 pm. The cost is 15 euros per session and you will need to bring your own yoga mat. Booking is essential and you can reserve your place at the link below.
Yoga in the Nave | Culture Date with Dublin 8 – Culture, History and Heritage in Dublin 8
Irish Coffee Making Class at the Dublin Liberties Distillery
Learn how to make Irish coffee by combining espresso, Dubliner Irish Whiskey and freshly whipped cream to make the perfect Irish coffee on this tour at the Dublin Liberties Distillery on Mill Street, Dublin 8. The classes take place from Friday the 9th to Sunday the 11th of May at various times and cost 10 euros per person and last approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Book your place at the link below.
Pearse Lyons Distillery Tours and Whiskey Tasting,
These tours take place from Wednesday the 7th to Sunday the 11th of May at various times. The Pearse Lyons Distillery is based in the former 19th century Church of Saint James on James Street, which was deconsecrated as a church in 1964. Here, you can learn about the different stages of whiskey distilling. Five different whiskeys and three gins are all produced at this working distillery. These tours are at the special price of 5 euros, which includes whiskey tasting of a single whiskey and a tour of the historic cemetery behind the distillery which has burials dating to the late 12th century. All proceeds from these tours go to The Little Flower Penny Dinners service. You can book your place on the tour at the link below.
We Love Markets at the Digital Hub
If you fancy a bit of shopping for unique gifts for yourself or others, the Digital Hub in Dublin 8 is hosting a market on Sunday the 11th of May on Roe Lane, Dublin 8. The market will host over 50 stalls selling goods such as locally produced artisan food, clothes, furniture and bric-a-brac. The market will also host a performance by Dublin group Lavery whose music is described as a fusion of jazz, neo-soul and samba. The event is free and is open to all. No booking is required.
If none of these activities pique your interest, there are many other activities scheduled for this wonderful festival of Dublin 8’s culture and heritage including storytelling, walking tours of Thomas Street, Meath Street and Francis Street as well as a Grand Canal nature walk and Irish dancing classes. You can check out the full program for the festival at the Culture date with Dublin 8 website below.
Festival | Culture Date with Dublin 8 – Culture, History and Heritage in Dublin 8
