Named after a church that once stood in the district, Donnybrook lies on the southside of Dublin’s city centre. It was historically known for the Donnybrook Fair, an annual agricultural event that later became notorious for drunken brawls. The fair was abolished in 1855 but the term “donnybrook” lives on as a description for public quarrels.
Things to do in Donnybrook
If you’re interested in the local history, spend an afternoon exploring the Donnybrook Cemetery, which has been used as a burial site since the 9th century. It was once the location of a Celtic church founded by Saint Broc (after which Donnybrook is named), with a wall in the middle of the cemetery believed to be the remains of the church. Keep an eye out for the graves of British painter William Ashford and Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce.
Golfers can enjoy a round at the Elm Park Golf Club, which centres around an 18-hole parkland course. In addition to its driving range, practice ground and putting green, the club features an on-site shop stocked with golfing equipment and apparel. Non-golfing family members can take advantage of the tennis courts or try their hand at bowling.
Want to develop your culinary skills? You can attend a cooking class at Donnybrook Fair, a state-of-the-art cookery school offering courses in everything from bread making to sushi. It also boasts a specialty grocer well-stocked with artisan goods and organic produce, as well as an in-store sommelier to help assist with purchasing wine.
Getting around Donnybrook
Donnybrook is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Dublin and 25 minutes from Dublin Airport. Regular trains connect to the Sandymount and Sydney Parade railway stations while buses travel throughout Donnybrook.