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Earlier this year National Geographic turned its attention to Dublin’s Liberties, profiling a neighbourhood the magazine says has seen a recent cultural revival. Writer Jillian Dara reports that some locals now call the area the “Brooklyn of Dublin,” a comparison the piece quotes but does not attribute to named sources.
A neighbourhood finding its new rhythm
Once known primarily for its industrial past, The Liberties is being reframed as a hub for artists, small producers and nightlife. Dara describes a “modern revival” in which old buildings host new uses: artisan studios, craft shops, cafés and distilleries have moved into the streets.
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That mix of heritage and fresh enterprise has attracted creatives. The article says the area’s “foundation of free spirit and resilience” helps explain why artists and entrepreneurs feel at home there.
From factories to studios
One example cited is La Catedral Studios, which repurposed a former Victorian clothing factory to provide workspace for more than 40 artists. Nearby, Dublin’s Antique Quarter on Francis Street preserves a different strand of the neighbourhood’s past.
Heritage sites and preserved culture
The Liberties still holds several long-standing attractions that draw visitors. The area includes the Guinness Storehouse, along with historical sites such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Marsh’s Library, which the piece describes as part of the neighbourhood’s “rich collection of preserved cultural attractions.”
What to see and where to eat
Dara lists live traditional music, contemporary print art and a variety of small venues as things to do while in the area. For food and drink, she highlights an array of independent cafés, bars and restaurants.
- Two Pups
- At Bite of Life
- Notions Bistro and Natural Wine Bar
- Hen’s Teeth
- Lucky’s
- The Fumbally
- Arthur’s Pub
- Fallon’s
- The Brazen Head
- The Lord Edward
- Variety Jones
Is it really Dublin’s Brooklyn?
The comparison to Brooklyn is framed as an expression of the neighbourhood’s newfound trendiness rather than a literal equivalence. The Liberties does not offer Brooklyn’s landmarks—no bridge or Coney Island—but the article argues the area shares a similar energy: a growing art scene, independent businesses and lively nightlife.
That assessment is based on observations in the feature rather than on attributed local quotes, so it should be read as a journalistic impression rather than a definitive label.
Whether the National Geographic profile changes perceptions at home or abroad remains to be seen, but the piece has put a spotlight on a part of Dublin that is blending historic character with contemporary creative life.
