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.

CONSTANTLY GETTING SMARTER

Besides boasting many historic gems, the port area stands out for its forward-thinking spirit. As the runner-up in the prestigious European Capital of Innovation awards in 2021, the Smart Docklands district has clearly established itself as a model of innovation. From drones to digital twins and connected lifebuoys, Dublin has a range of cutting-edge technology projects underway. (smartdocklands.ie)

For instance, the Smart Docklands
programme – an initiative of Dublin City Council and the Connect Research Centre at Trinity College Dublin – has deployed one of the world’s first neutral host small-cell and 5G networks to explore how we can build next generation mobile networks, as well as developed a telecoms unit to support future connectivity investments across Dublin.

It has also attracted Google AirView to Dublin, which uses Google’s Street View car in order to measure the city’s air quality street-by-street, and build hyper local air quality mapping for the first time in Ireland.

The Academy of the Near Future accelerates sustainable and inclusive smart city development by upskilling and educating people through workshops and training materials. It has been rolled out to 1,000 students across Ireland, as well as a number of schools and community groups across the Docklands.
(nearfuture.ie)

In addition, the community-powered Dublin Cycle Buddy app allows cyclists to find safe, bike-friendly routes, and the Dublin Discovery Trails app, which launches in January 2023, highlights the area’s industrial history with a number of walking routes and trailblazing Augmented Reality (AR) technology.