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9th January 2025
04:58pm GMT
Obviously we love Dublin just as she is. It's got quit an array of stalwarts. Museums, walks, parks, theatres, pints and toasties, trad music sessiúns, cobblestone streets, Poolbeg Towers, an expansive coast and the eternal charm of its Georgian doors. But sure, there's always room for improvement, and Dublin is ready to level up.
There's no vibe-killer like missing the last Luas or getting ghosted by the last 145. But what if Dublin caught up to the 21st century and had round-the-clock transport? Imagine stepping off the DART at 4 a.m. after a night of bad decisions (and great memories) or cruising home on a midnight bus without having to fight for a taxi. The upcoming BusConnects upgrade could make this happen, with more 24-hour buses hitting the streets early this year.
It would be great to see this extend to other public transport systems as well. Dublin in 2025 would be on European-City-Level-Expert if it could just get the transport together.
Dublin's food scene is hopping even with the cost of living, trying its level best to take it down. But imagine we had our very own permanent indoor food market. We're talking about a Borough Market style temple of taste: artisanal breads, rich local cheeses, hot bowls of ramen, and tacos that slap. A buzzing hub where chefs, foodies, and the merely hungry mingle over plates of ridiculously good grub. A place that could foster budding talent and provide a place for all our fave food trucks to have a little residency. Rain, shine, or sideways sleet, this market would be the beating heart of the city.
We have so many unused spaces that could fill this void, and people have been trying to get it off the ground in one way or another for years. Here's hoping 2025 is when we finally get to see it.
For too long, the River Liffey has been something Dubliners mock and cross but don't celebrate. What if we used our river the way other European cities use theirs? Like it's an asset and not a hindrance. Flood it with riverside bars and cafes where you can sip a cocktail as the sun sets over Ha'penny Bridge. Floating stages hosting live music. Weekend markets stretching along the quays. And yes, even river cruises where you can wine and dine with unbeatable views.
Cities like Paris and Vienna have transformed their rivers into cultural hotspots—why not Dublin in 2025? The Liffey could go from being the butt of every stinky joke to the place to be with a little investment; sure, why not spend Apple's 13 billion on that?
Dublin's nightlife has felt… muted lately. Sure, we love an old man pub, but where are the sweaty, bass-heavy dancefloors? Nothing seems to have filled in the Andrews Lane Theatre/Hanger void. There are super cool underground raves that you have to sign up for, and you don't know where you'll land. But those come with an edge of 'how will I get home' and can be a little exclusive. Wouldn't it be great to see Dublin City get another RíRá or The Globe, get a Tripod 2.0 or a Craw Daddy 2025?
The city needs a proper comeback for clubs and dedicated spaces where the music takes over. Let us dance in ways we'll cringe at in the morning. Give people with rhythm space to show off. Give us dark rooms, strobe lights, and a banging sound system. Dublin, we know you can do it.
You may think this is a niche wild card. Or is it just a personal preference? Maybe you're right, but I truly think if there was a dumpling food crawl in Dublin, everyone and their nanny would be out giving it a goddamn go. Dublin's dumpling scene is low-key fire, but it's screaming for its moment in the spotlight. Think Chinese jiaozi, Korean mandu, the Momos from Monty's of Katmandu and every fusion take in between.
Local legends like Big Fan are already killing it, but we're dreaming bigger: proper ticketed guided tours that hit the hidden spots, paired with stories about how multicultural influences have meant that you can travel the world in Dumplings between the canals.
Imagine Dublin's rooftops covered in lush greenery. If you've ever been to Paris, you'll know what I mean. The city meshes with nature. France literally has a goal to cover 100 hectares of roofs and walls in greenery by the end of 2025, blending biodiversity with urban living. Imagine Dublin did something similar. A Dublin where rooftop ecosystems cool the city, filter the air and create habitats for birds and pollinators.
Think community gardens above the streets, wildflowers swaying on top of your local coffee shop, or even rooftop walking trails that double as green oases (okay, that's a reach, but dream big, eh). These elevated pockets of nature would make Dublin magnetic. Our Fair City could set a new standard for blending sustainability with city architecture, creating something that's endlessly marketable from a tourist perspective and could help us reach our climate goals. There's genuinely no reason not to do this in Dublin in 2025.
Dublin has one of the 'dirtiest' electricity grids in Europe. We're fossil-fueled out of the wazoo, and while we have made strides with the windmills and solar panels on new builds, apartment complexes seem to lag behind. What if Dublin just got it together and incentivised this sort of thing for these big forgotten buildings? Imagine what they could add to the grid. Apartments, businesses, and public buildings could be generating so much clean energy, cutting carbon footprints while reducing bills.
It's the kind of move that just makes sense, even if the initial expense would be pricy. The benefits are so profound in the long term I almost can't believe it's not already legally required.
Here's the dream: stumbling out of a gig at midnight, only to find streets alive with food trucks serving everything from crispy Korean chicken to vegan burgers so good you forget they're vegan. Dublin's got the talent—its chefs are already killing it—but we need to put it on wheels and let it shine after dark. Late-night street food is a mainstay in NYC, and if dancefloors make a comeback, it could be here, too.
Few taco trucks on Camden Street or Bahn mi on Capel Street from midnight could transform the city's energy, creating mini pop-up festivals if the DiFontaines dance parties of yore are anything to go by.
Dublin deserves after-hours hangouts that matcha. Not everyone's chasing pints and beats until 3 a.m. Some of us are just looking for a late-night spot to caffeinate and create. But there's literally nowhere to do that at the moment. Accents have a special place in the hearts of the millennials who remember what they gave to us. If we could see a return to this now, drinking is on the decline; it would be a great addition to the city.
We want more dimly lit coffee shops with warm vibes, steaming flat whites, and plenty of space for creatives to hatch their next big idea. Artists, writers, and overthinkers need this. Dublin deserves after-hours hangouts that matcha.
Let’s Give the Streets Back to the People. Dublin’s streets could be spaces where people truly live. Imagine parts of the city centre transformed into car-free zones, where cyclists glide down dedicated lanes, outdoor markets spill onto the streets, and pedestrians wander freely without dodging traffic. It works on Capel Street. Imagine it was the whole quays?
Think Grafton Street energy, but everywhere: vibrant neighbourhoods where cafes and pop-up art exhibits spill out onto wide, tree-lined streets. With fewer cars choking the roads, we’d see cleaner air, quieter streets, and a sense of community built into the urban fabric.
Cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Barcelona have already shown how reclaiming streets can transform the way people interact with their surroundings. In Dublin, pedestrianized zones could bring back a slower, more human pace of life. It’s about setting the tone for a more sustainable, connected, and downright enjoyable Dublin in 2025.
Let’s make it happen.
