Meeting House Square is one of my favorite cozy spots, located in the heart of Dublin’s Cultural District. It is a charming and modern modular square that packs a ton of activity inside its high walls. It is ringed with tasty restaurants, art, and history.
Here you will find indie film, photography, good restaurants, a weekly food market, and changing public events. The Square is nearly hidden if you are not looking for it, with only three narrow alleys that feed into the dramatic, innovative square. And it is worth looking for.
Saturday Temple Bar Food Market
Whenever I’m in Dublin on a Saturday, I plan my day around a visit to the Meeting House Square Food Market. On Saturday morning, the Square is bustling with food vendors, covered by dramatic umbrellas that shield the market from sun and rain.
The market is packed with compelling offerings of prepared foods, produce, cheese, and more.
As a potato-addict, it’s usually difficult for me to resist one of the market’s potato cakes or potato rostis piled high, making them even more irresistible. I always wait patiently while the vendor heats up the potato cake.
It’s usually easy to grab one of the Square’s artsy wood bench-on-wheels, consuming my delicious finds and people-watching — ogling the other market fare that I’m resigned to pass-up.
Luckily, Dublin is a great walking city so it’s easy to burn off a few calories before the next meal.
Ireland’s National Library Photographic Archive
The National Photographic Archive in managed by Ireland’s National Library – and entrance is free. Here you will find powerful photo exhibits that focus on Irish culture and history. On one visit I saw a fantastic black & white photo exhibit, “Shaped by History,” documenting the Limerick Milk Market in the 1970s.
On another trip, I saw “Portraits of the Invisible.”
This year, as part of the Centenary of Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising, the gallery will feature photographs from from the period through October 1916.
Irish Film Institute
Tucked into a corner of Meeting House Square is the worthwhile Irish Film Institute that features interesting indie films.
It’s also a pleasant place to hang-out given its outdoor terrace where you can grab a beer, and an indoor high-ceilinged atrium where you can grab a meal or a snack.
Gallery of Photography & Book Store
This friendly gallery is a great place to see a Photography exhibit. And the spot is packed with books that compel you to browse all day.
Il Baccaro Restaurant
Il Baccaro, is tucked into a corner of Meeting House Square and also has charming outdoor seating. When I first found this place, I was perusing the menu when a local passing by called to us that it was fabulous. I took this as a sign to return. So on a final night in Dublin, I returned to Meeting House Square, determined to try Il Baccaro before I left town.
Even though it was a Bank Holiday, Il Baccaro was open for an 8pm dinner. The host was very welcoming and seated me at a cozy table beneath the exposed brick of this old and former wine cellar.
The interior with its rounded ceiling was spacious and felt whimsical, like sitting in a brick barrel. I had the most delicious pasta arrabiata and a glass of Chianti. Such simple pasta of rich and spicy tomato sauce with perfectly al dente penne.
The meal was leisurely and unrushed as I enjoyed the ambiance of this special place that I had stumbled upon by happenstance. By 10pm there were only a couple of tables still occupied and the evening was clearly winding down. I exited into silent Meeting House Square, and had the peaceful, dimly lit square all to myself. How different it was from the lively Saturday market a couple of days before.
Other Restaurants on Meeting House Square
The Square features old-timer restaurant The Port House Pinxtos…
…as well as more of a new-comer The Meeting House, with its covered outdoor tables that look onto the Square.
Meeting House Square is Modular
Meeting House Square certainly has many personalities. Sometime the large modern umbrellas offer a protective covering.
At other times the umbrellas are folded down opening the innovative square to the sky.
The piazza-style space is cleverly modular with the umbrellas and seating on rollers. And Meeting House Square hosts all kinds of events from festivals to concerts to outdoor movies.
When passing through Dublin, it’s definitely worth checking out Meeting House Square’s calendar of Events, as well as all the other nearby cultural offerings.
