Peter Power, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, his team and the Temple Bar Company joined artists, jugglers and Cúpla Clown at Temple Lane South to launch Temple Bar 35 - a programme of cultural events celebrating 35 years since the transformation of Temple Bar into Dublin’s cultural quarter.
Running from the 1 July to 31 December 2026, Temple Bar 35 will bring music, art, theatre, dance, talks and film to Meeting House Square and venues across the quarter. The programme is part-funded by the European Commission, with support from Dublin City Council and Diageo Ireland.
The celebration marks a European success story. In 1990, as part of Dublin’s year as European City of Culture, plans were announced to save Temple Bar – an area then earmarked to become a central bus depot – and instead reimagine it as a cultural and creative district. Redevelopment commenced under the Temple Bar Area Renewal and Development Act 1991, underpinned by over €35 million in EU funding, mostly from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
That investment transformed the city. Today, Temple Bar is a thriving cultural quarter where musicians, performers, businesses and local communities come together, attracting more than 20 million visitors each year. The area supports over 5000 jobs and generates in excess of €750 million annually – demonstrating the lasting impact of one of Ireland's most significant European-backed regeneration projects.
The launch is especially timely. From 1 July 2026, Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months – with Dublin Castle, the seat of many Presidency events, on Temple Bar’s doorstep. Temple Bar 35 offers a living example of what the partnership between Europe and Dublin has achieved, and the “Power of Together”, the transformative power of investment from Europe’s budget.
“Temple Bar is one of the most visible and successful examples of what European investment can achieve. Thirty-five years ago, European funding helped turn a district destined to become a bus depot into the beating heart of Dublin’s cultural life. As Ireland takes up the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, just across from Dublin Castle, Temple Bar 35 is a fitting celebration of a partnership between Europe and this city that has paid extraordinary dividends – cultural, social and economic.”
Peter Power — Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland
“Temple Bar 35 is our thank-you to the vision that saved this quarter and to the people who fill it every day. The Temple Bar Company was built by the traders and businesses who believed in this place, and we are proud to mark 35 years with a programme that is overwhelmingly free and open to everyone. From trad raves in Meeting House Square to family playdates with jugglers and clowns, this is culture for the whole city.”
Martin Harte — Chief Executive, The Temple Bar Company
“Temple Bar belongs to every Dubliner and to everyone who visits our city. What began as a bold act of imagination in 1991 is today a global calling card for Dublin. I am delighted to help launch Temple Bar 35 and to celebrate a cultural quarter that continues to bring people together, support thousands of jobs and showcase the very best of Dublin.”
Councillor Daryl Bannon — Lord Mayor of Dublin
“The renaissance of Temple Bar stands as one of the great success stories of Irish and European cultural investment. My department welcomes Temple Bar 35, a programme that honours that legacy while looking firmly to the future. In the year Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, there could be no better place to celebrate the enduring value of investing in culture.”
Patrick O’Donovan TD — Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Temple Bar 35: A programme of cultural events running 1 July – 31 December 2026 across Temple Bar, celebrating 35 years since the area’s redevelopment as Dublin’s cultural quarter. Highlights include Trad Rave, Euro Pop and Classical nights in Meeting House Square, the ‘Temple Bar – Before the Renaissance’ photographic exhibition, the Big Temple Bar Playdate, outdoor film screenings and productions at Smock Alley Theatre. Full programme at lovetemplebar.com.
About The Temple Bar Company: The Temple Bar Company is a membership organisation of traders and businesses that champions and promotes Temple Bar as Dublin’s cultural quarter, delivering year-round cultural programming for the benefit of the city.
Funders and Supporters: Temple Bar 35 is part-funded by the European Commission, with support from Dublin City Council.
Europe's Budget, The Power of Together: Temple Bar: A story of transformation, creativity and community
- Avaldamiskuupäev
- 7. juuli 2026
- Autor
- Esindus Iirimaal