Gay Dublin Dublin City Guide

Curation by Bastiaan Ellen, words by Laura Tucker

Full of cordial characters who’ll win you over with their lilting accents and rust-tinted beards, Ireland’s capital Dublin is an alternative city break that will embrace you with charisma like no other. A small city with an outsized reputation for multiculturalism and hedonism, where centuries of heritage fuse with breath-taking natural landscapes and the odd stag do, Dublin is bound to leave an impression. Boasting a cosmopolitan outlook with old school charm, this mercurial city quietly embraces progressive culture, gradually shedding its conservative past. Despite the presence of Catholic orthodoxy, Gay Dublin is out and proud, having legalised gay marriage by popular vote in 2015 and playing host to tonnes of queer events throughout the year. In June there’s Pride month centred on Merrion Square, or alternatively come during May for the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, a celebration of famed gay literary legend Oscar Wilde and gay accomplishments in theatre. Other events include the LGBTQ+-focused Gaze Film Festival and Béar Féile where otters, bears, admirers and friends come out en masse to crown Mr Ireland Bear. For your ultimate Dublin gay travel guide, look no further.

The best hotels in Dublin

Whether you decide to visit Dublin in June for Pride month, or during one of the many other international city-wide events, Mr Hudson’s gay travel guide recommends that you book accommodation well in advance – particularly if you want to stay at one of the stylish beauties below. Of our top picks, 5-star The Westbury Hotel is a real winner, voted the number one hotel in Ireland by Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards in 2018. Providing guests with lush comfort in a great central location close to bustling Grafton Street and the historic Trinity College, The Westbury Hotel features elegant heritage décor and an impressive original art collection. During your luxurious stay, feel free to take afternoon tea in The Gallery, sip a martini in Gatsby-esque bar The Sidecar, fill up on fine Parisian cuisine on Balfe’s brasserie terrace, or marvel at the city view in 1930s-style at signature restaurant WILDE. Another purveyor of 5-star luxury is The Marker Hotel on the cultural hub of Grand Canal Square. Combining architectural features drawing on the Irish landscape and a sleek, modern aesthetic, The Marker Hotel knows its art, showcasing a unique gallery of Irish multimedia stunners all available to buy.

The Wilder Townhouse

Next up is the Clontarf Castle Hotel, a fusion of boutique modern styles and luxury comforts, just 10 minutes from the city centre. Its tranquil location and ancient architectural form make this hotel a real oasis, with its surroundings of golf courses and rugged coastline a definite bonus. For a stylish yet cosy stay, opt for The Wilder Townhouse, a 4-star minimalist guesthouse with individually designed rooms and a relaxed atmosphere. The history of this stunning townhouse is another selling point, located as it is on Adelaide Road, a famed hub of some of the most important creative, literary and political revolutionaries from days gone by. Those who have breakfast as a firm feature on their minds should check in at the Avoca House B&B, based in the leafy residential area between Drumcondra and Glasnevin, just a short drive from the city centre. Family-run by the Turner family and their friendly pups, Peanut and Chilli, Avoca House B&B offers all guests a full Irish or continental breakfast, kindly accommodating any dietary requirements.