Working together with Dublin City Council, the Department of Culture, and key city stakeholders, we’re igniting innovative and inclusive nightlife initiatives across the city, merging culture, safety, and public engagement.
As Dublin’s Night-Time Economy (NTE) Advisor, I’m thrilled to share the progress we’re making to transform the city’s nightlife into a vibrant, safe, and welcoming experience. Within three months of my appointment, we launched Dublin’s Night-Time Economy Committee, a collaboration of over 30 stakeholders, including the Vintners’ Association, An Garda Síochána, the Restaurant Association of Ireland, and Dublin City Council. Together, we’re committed to creating a night-time economy that reflects Dublin’s reputation as a world-class city.
In our inaugural meeting on July 2, 2024, we established a structured strategy to drive Dublin’s night-time economy. With a Steering Group for policy direction and an Advisory Group focused on actionable, creative solutions, we’ve laid the groundwork for a sustainable, thriving night-time economy.
Looking ahead, we have exciting initiatives on the horizon, such as a potential Electronic Music and Arts Festival and a World Food Trail in 2025
The recently launched Dublin Night-Time Economy Strategy has garnered significant media and public support. Built with input from “Your Dublin, Your Voice” surveys, the strategy highlights our commitment to inclusive, community-driven nightlife. It aligns with national programs like Creative Ireland and the Arts Council and reflects our dedication to engaging stakeholders from across the city.
This year’s Nocturnal Beats at Culture Night Late – ranked a top-10 event in The Irish Times out of 1,700 nationwide – extended cultural events, for the first time, until 2:30 am in seven venues, showcasing our efforts to expand Dublin’s nightlife offerings. We also piloted a Late-Night Welfare Area, providing essential support services; this will become semi-permanent by the end of 2024 to add a further layer of safety to our nightlife.
Under our guidance and support, diverse events like Summer Nights, a multicultural series with music, food, and alcohol-free options, have flourished. Programs like the Dublin Book Festival – After Dark Series, Comedy Culture in the Capital, and various film screenings celebrate local voices and reflect our goal of a vibrant, culturally rich nightlife.
A crucial focus of our work is balancing nightlife with community needs. I’ve engaged closely with publicans, residents, and venues in neighbourhoods like Camden Street to address noise and behaviour concerns, ensuring our night-time activities respect both community and commercial interests.
Looking ahead, we have exciting initiatives on the horizon, such as a potential Electronic Music and Arts Festival and a World Food Trail in 2025, along with already established campaigns like the NTA Late-Night Transport Campaign and Safe and Sound anti-social behaviour initiative.
It’s an honour to be part of Dublin’s transformation into a dynamic, inclusive night-time destination, and I look forward to sharing more updates in future editions of the Dublin Economic Monitor.
Night-Time Economy Advisor for Dublin City
