Culture Date with Dublin 8

Our Purpose, Mission & Vision

Purpose

To nurture cultural life in Dublin 8, bringing people together through creativity, heritage, and shared experience.

Mission

To cultivate a thriving, inclusive cultural quarter in Dublin 8, celebrating heritage, inspiring artistic expression, and connecting communities, visitors, and cultural institutions.

Vision

Dublin 8 is a vibrant cultural district where heritage, creativity, and community spirit converge, renowned for its world-class landmarks, diverse artistic voices, and unforgettable cultural experiences.

Our Values

Rooted in Place: We honour and celebrate the cultural heritage of Dublin 8, from its iconic institutions to community histories. Our work is grounded in the spirit of the local, shaped with residents, cultural partners, and neighbourhood groups to ensure Culture Date with Dublin 8 belongs to everyone who lives, works, and visits here.

Inclusive and Collaborative: We believe culture is for everyone. By removing barriers and co-creating with communities, artists, and institutions, we design experiences that are open, accessible, and shaped by shared ownership. Collaboration is not an afterthought but the foundation of how we work.

Creative and Sustainable: We spark curiosity, discovery, and moments of wonder while working with care for people and place. Our ethos encourages programming of events and activities that embed culture into the fabric of Dublin 8 in ways that are imaginative, meaningful, and lasting.

Signature Initiatives

Annual Neighbourhood Festival

An annual celebration every May that brings the area to life through free and low-cost, inclusive, and collaborative cultural events. The festival showcases the history, heritage, and creativity of Dublin 8 across its cultural landmarks, community spaces, and neighbourhood streets.

Discover Dublin 8 Website Portal

A dedicated online hub providing access to cultural information, programming highlights, and year-round visibility for partners. It also shines a light on the people of Dublin 8, sharing community projects, local histories, and personal stories that celebrate the neighbourhood’s spirit and creativity connecting audiences with all there is to see and do across Dublin 8.

Dublin 8 Cultural Attractions Map

Created to highlight the area’s rich heritage and cultural landmarks, this map helps residents and visitors explore Dublin 8, from medieval history to modern art, with many sites just a short walk from one another.

Dublin 8 Cultural Attractions Passport

The passport is a fun and interactive way to connect audiences with multiple sites and experiences across the district. Visitors can collect stamps at participating museums and attractions, encouraging exploration, repeat visits, and deeper engagement with local culture.

Faces Behind D8

Faces Behind D8 introduces the people who make Dublin 8 what it is. The series takes you behind the scenes, into museums, gardens, workshops, and community spaces, to meet the curators, bell ringers, historians, and neighbours who bring life to the area. Through their voices, we uncover the passion, creativity, and sense of place that define this remarkable part of the city.

Achievements to Date

Since its launch, the Culture Date with Dublin 8 festival has welcomed over 36,000 attendees and delivered more than 500 free and low-cost events celebrating the area’s rich heritage, creativity, and community spirit. The festival has partnered with over 100 local organisations, from community groups and independent businesses to museums, galleries, and world-class breweries, coming together to showcase the vibrant cultural life that makes Dublin 8 one of Ireland’s most dynamic and connected districts.

Cultural Landmarks & Partner Venues

Culture Date with Dublin 8 is supported by a network of the area’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks from museums and galleries to breweries, archives, and community spaces. Our collaborating venues include major institutions such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Kilmainham Gaol, The Phoenix Park, and Guinness Storehouse, alongside beloved local spaces like Richmond Barracks, Pallas Projects, La Catedral Studios, and many, many more.

Explore the full list on our Supporters and Partners page

Media

Culture Date with Dublin 8 has been featured across local and national media including The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, RTÉ, Irish Examiner, Sunday Business Post, The Gloss Magazine, Totally Dublin, FM104, Dublin City FM, and many more.

Who

Culture Date with Dublin 8 is an initiative of Dublin City Council and independent creative producer and curator, Grace McEvoy, in collaboration with our programming partners and supporters.

To get involved or become a supporter please contact: grace@culturedatewithdublin8.ie