Dublin Street Art Tour

Explore Dublin Through Street Art Walking Tour

Looking for a unique and colourful way to experience Dublin? Whether you’re new to the city or have been here a while, a Street Art Walking Tour is a perfect way to discover Dublin’s creative side – all within walking distance of Atlas Language School! 

Dublin’s street art scene is alive with bold colours, social messages, humour, and local identity. From internationally known artists to underground creators, this tour brings you face to face with the soul of the city.

🟣 1. U ARE ALIVE – Grantham Street

We begin just a few minutes from Atlas, at Maser’s famous U Are Alive mural. Maser is one of Dublin’s most iconic street artists, known for his colourful, uplifting, and often political work. This joyful mural is hard to miss — even on a grey day, it brings a splash of colour and positivity. It once said “So get your head out of your phone”, reminding us to look up and be present.

Click here to view ‘U ARE ALIVE’

🔵 2. PHONE ZOMBIES – Wexford Street

A short walk brings you to Phone Zombies by Kevin McSherry and Katherina Rupit. Commissioned by Subset (more on them later), this mural explores phone addiction and its emotional toll. Keep an eye out for hidden words like “loneliness”, “hope”, and “unity”. What message do you take from it?

Check out McSherry’s information on ‘Phone Zombies’ here.

🟢 3. LIBERTY LANE

Tucked behind Camden Street, Liberty Lane is a legal graffiti spot where murals constantly change. It’s a treasure trove of pop culture, politics, and local talent. Two standout pieces:

• A portrait of DJ Próvaí from Kneecap, a political Irish rap trio known for their activism. 
• Earrach by ADW, a celebration of spring, Irish mythology, and Saint Brigid.

A portrait of DJ Próvaí

🟡 4. THE GEORGE – George’s Street

This LGBTQ+ venue regularly features art tied to Irish culture and activism. You might see a mural of Sinéad O’Connor, the late singer and activist who stood up for women’s rights, mental health, and the LGBTQ+ community. Her legacy lives on in music and art.

The mural of late singer and activist, Sinéad O’Connor

❤️ 5. LOVE LANE – Crampton Court, Temple Bar

Temple Bar can be busy, but don’t miss this hidden gem. Artist Anna Doran transformed Love Lane with tiled hearts, quotes, Irish sayings and murals promoting kindness and conversation. It’s part of a city initiative to bring art into neglected laneways — and one of the most Instagrammable spots in Dublin!

Anna Doran’s transformed Love Lane

🔴 6. PROJECT ARTS CENTRE – Essex Street East

Here, Maser once painted a Repeal the 8th mural during Ireland’s abortion referendum. When forced to remove it, the centre responded with a new mural –  today, you’ll see a watermelon, a symbol some connect to the Palestinian movement. Is it just fruit, or something more? That’s the power of street art.

🟤 (Optional) THE BUTTON FACTORY

If time allows, walk around the corner to see rotating murals on this music venue. Past works include a piece by Sarah Bracken Soper, highlighting the “unseen” homeless through a shadowy yellow figure – referencing Focus Ireland’s work nearby.

Irish DJ, BP Fallon

🟠 7. BLOOM’S HOTEL – Anglesea Street

This colourful hotel pays tribute to James Joyce’s Ulysses, with murals by artist James Earley in a stained-glass style. It’s a rare example of a modern hotel celebrating Irish literary history — and proof that public art can beautify even tourist-heavy spaces.

🔵 8. CLIMATE 111 – Fish Mural by Subset

Just down the street, Subset’s Climate 111 mural depicts a fish trapped in a plastic bag — a striking visual of our environmental impact. Subset is a collective of artists known for raising awareness about social issues like homelessness, climate change, and censorship. They famously protested Dublin City Council’s restrictions on murals by painting them over in grey with the phrase “Make Dublin Grey Again”.

Subset’s ‘Climate 111 mural’

🌈 9. CANVAS DUBLIN – Various Locations

As you walk through the city, look out for painted traffic boxes — part of the Dublin Canvas project. Since 2015, these have turned dull grey boxes into colourful mini-artworks. Anyone can apply, and the aim is simple: Less grey, more play.

🗺️ Practical Info for the Tour:

If you’re taking a full-time course at Atlas Language School Dublin, you’ll get access to a great selection of electives and social activities included in your programme. One of the most popular (and completely free) is our Street Art Walking Tour, led by one of our social programme activity leaders right here at the Dublin campus

• Time: 1.5 to 2 hours (leisurely pace)
  
• Start: U Are Alive mural (Grantham St, near Atlas)
  
• End: Temple Bar/City Centre
• Great For: Art lovers, photographers, culture seekers, curious minds

Street art is more than decoration – it’s a way for artists to share stories, opinions, and ideas. This tour gives you a unique way to see Dublin beyond the typical tourist trail. So keep your eyes open, explore the hidden corners, and maybe even get inspired to create your own art.

Written by Caoimhe O’Keeffe