Dublin’s Living Canvas:
Southside Art Tour
Where every wall has something to say
Sculpture, stone and street art across the southside
2 hours, €26
The southside is where most first-time visitors already spend their time, but even its most familiar streets are carrying more art than most people ever stop to notice, and very few tours cover it properly.
This two-hour walk moves from Stephen's Green through St Patrick's and Christchurch, finishing in Temple Bar, tracking the sculpture, architecture and street art that even regular visitors tend to miss.
Guided by someone who has spent years working inside Dublin's galleries and public art projects, this is less about ticking off famous names and more about learning to actually look. By the end, you'll walk these same streets differently.
This tour is a rare chance to experience world-class art, including some real literary and artistic heavyweights, some of Dublin's most beautiful public spaces, brought to life by a guide who knows this city and its stories inside out, all in a pleasant morning stroll that gives a broad overview of the range of public art in this part of the city.
What to Expect
Two hours moving through some of Dublin's grandest streets, tracking the art layered into every corner of them.
The vibe:
Familiar Ground, Fresh Eyes
Stories on Every Corner
More Than Meets the Eye
Ages
Suitable for all ages, and families are welcome! However please be mindful that the route involves approx 2.5km / 1.5 miles of walking
When:
Please find availability on the calendar at the top of the page for live tour options
Time:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Start point:
Wolfe Tone Statue, Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Route Outline
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We begin in Stephen’s Green, one of Dublin’s most charming parks, where we’ll explore statues and sculptures - going beyond the normal sights of the park to enjoy some more unusual visual features.
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We’ll make our way through some quiet streets tucked away within the busiest area of the capital. These streets boast a number of murals, installation and quirky mosaics - we’ll take these in at a nice pace away from the noise.
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The park and streets around St Patrick’s Cathedral have a wealth of quirky architectural features and examples of design with hidden meanings! We also have the option of a rest stop at a café in the park
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We’ll continue towards Christchurch Cathedral where we’ll encounter artwork created with, and for, the local community. We’ll also see some public art that challenges what we expect art to look like - and what it can be made from
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We finish in Temple Bar, where some of Ireland's most celebrated artists have left their mark on walls, facades and public spaces. A fitting end to a tour that proves great art doesn't belong in galleries alone.
Please note: this schedule is an outline of the normal route.
Some specific stops may change depending on the tour and the logistics on the day. If you are interested in covering a particular type of art, please get in touch in advance and we will do our best to include this.
Alternatively, you may be interested in booking a Private Tour with us for a fully tailored experience
Where to Find Us
The meeting point is at the Wolfe Tone Statue on Stephen’s Green.
This is a small triangular plaza on the north eastern side of the square, across the street from the Shelbourne Hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. You can contact us at hello@dublininsider.ie
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Originality. Fun. In-depth storytelling.
Each of our tours are designed to strike a balance between these.
The tour material is carefully researched, but you won’t feel like you’re being given a lecture by a professor.
The tours are lively and fun, but it’s not cheap entertainment. We use fun and engaging language to give a rich and nuanced look at our subject matter.
These tours are genuinely original! Unlike most off-the-beaten-path tours, these actually are that. We think it’s disrespectful to our customers to market a tour as a ‘hidden sight’ only for three other tours to be doing the same thing in the same place.
If you come on a Dublin Insider tour, you go authentically beneath the surface. It’s not a marketing tagline, it’s what we actually do.
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We offer a full 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour.
Dublin can be rainy (even in summer!) and we still run our tours. The only exception is if an official storm warning coincides with the day of the tour. We will keep you updated if this is the case (this happens only in extremely rare circumstances).
Also, we do not cancel the tour if only one person has booked onto it. We are committed to giving all our customers a fantastic tour of Dublin, this mission still applies if it’s a tour for one person!
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Our standard tours involve about 2.5km / 1.5 miles of leisurely walking with a rest stop. We love families! Our ‘Cultural Orientation Tour’ is the only tour not suitable for families with children under 18.
If you have specific mobility needs, please get in touch in advance so we can create the best tour experience for you
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Because we keep our group sizes small to ensure a great experience, we strictly require advance bookings. Spots usually fill up 3-5 days in advance, so lock in your dates early!
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Comfortable walking shoes are a must, and a water bottle is advisable. There will be a rest stop and, if it’s a small group, it’s possible to stop at a shop en route, should you need a quick refreshment.
Sunscreen and a light rain jacket (yes, both!) is a good idea too. Over the course of 2-2.5 hours, sometimes the weather can change from very sunny to a rain shower and back to sunny again.