These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Dublin
- 1st Place: Dalkey – This affluent and historic seaside village combines literary heritage, medieval charm, and stunning coastal scenery. Attractions include Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre, the bustling harbour for boat trips to Dalkey Island, and a vibrant main street lined with gourmet restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops. The town’s elevated vantage points, like Killiney Hill, offer spectacular views of Dublin Bay, earning it the nickname the “Montmartre of Dublin.”
- 2nd Place: Skerries – A classic, welcoming seaside town in North County Dublin, Skerries retains a charming, traditional atmosphere. Its attractions are centred around its active fishing harbour, a beautiful Blue Flag beach, and a picturesque working windmill. The town is famous for its excellent seafood restaurants, coastal walks to the Martello Tower and lighthouse, and a thriving community spirit evident in its lively pubs and summer festivals.
- 3rd Place: Lusk – A historic inland village with a strong sense of community, Lusk has preserved its rural character while being within Dublin’s commuter belt. Its unique attraction is the remarkable 9th-century Round Tower, which is incorporated into a later medieval church structure. The town offers a glimpse into ancient Ireland, with a charming main street, traditional shopfronts, and serves as a peaceful gateway to the rich agricultural hinterland of North Dublin.
The 2025 Irish Restaurant Award winners for county Dublin
- Overall: Chapter One.
- Café: Two Boys Brew
- Casual Dining: Crudo
- Chef: Visham Sumputh of Etto
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: Volpe Nera
- Customer Service: Roly’s Bistro
- Employee Excellence Award: Charlie O’Reilly of Happy Out x Together Academy
- Gastro Pub: HERA
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Saddle Room at the Shelbourne
- Innovator of the Year: Bar 1661
- Local Food Hero: Jess Kelly, The Village Butcher
- Newcomer: Forêt
- Pub of the Year: Neary’s
- Restaurant Manager: Cian Lynch of Uno Mas
- Sustainable Practices: Glas Restaurant
- Use of Social Media: Kicky’s
- Wine Experience: Bar Pez
- World Cuisine: Rasam Restaurant
Awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Dublin:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Dublin combines cultural heritage with urban appeal, with Trinity College’s Book of Kells and Dublin Castle offering historical depth. The Guinness Storehouse provides a journey through Ireland’s iconic stout, while Phoenix Park’s vast green spaces are ideal for cycling. The River Liffey’s scenic walks and Kilmainham Gaol’s historical tours make Dublin a versatile destination for culture and history. Dublin is Ireland’s third smallest county by size (922 square km) and largest by population (1,458,154). Dublin is also Ireland’s most visited tourist county by a margin, with around four million international visitors per year.
