U2’s Dublin

Sooner or later most U2 fans make the trip to Ireland to see for themselves where it all began and continues to this day. The pictures and descriptions below should get you on your way. Who knows, you may run into not only other U2 fans from all over the world but also perhaps a band member or two!

Baggot Inn One of the clubs U2 played in the early days… alas, now closed143 Lower Baggot
Dockers Pub A favored pub of the band, particularly Edge, and conveniently around the corner from Windmill Lane and Hanover StudiosSir John Rogerson’s Quay
Waterfront Rock Cafe Another club the band played in the early days… also no longer there (and featured in the movie The Commitments) Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Projects Art Centre Where Paul McGuinness first saw the band perform; now just a cavity in the earth Essex Street East
Point Depot Theatre Theatre in which U2 played their fan-favorite New Year’s ‘89 gig; still a great place in which to hear live music North Wall Quay
Hanover Studios U2’s recording headquarters; one of the more likely places in Dublin for meeting the band or drooling over Bono’s animal-print interiored Mercedes! Hanover Quay
Clarence Hotel Old Dublin hotel along the Liffey bought and renovated by U2 a few year’s back Wellington Quay
The Kitchen U2’s nightclub in the basement of the Clarence Hotel; very dark and cavelike inside, a bit like wandering into a Flintstones episode! Wellington Quay
River Liffey but we’re north and south of the river…” The River Liffey, looking toward the Half Penny Bridge
Moydrum Castle Castle used on the cover of The Unforgettable Fire album… a very haunting place Athlone (northwest of Dublin)
Slane Castle Castle used by U2 in recording material for The Unforgettable Fire album, and also where they played a few concerts Slane (northwest of Dublin)
Windmill Lane The original Windmill Lane Studio and where most fans start their U2 pilgrimage; picture from 1993, before the walls were painted over and construction begun in 1997 The wall fans are relegated to today (not to be confused with the Not Wall (see right)… and not nearly as much fun or as interesting, bah! Windmill Lane, off Creighton Street
Bono’s childhood home 10 Cedarwood Road North of the city
Larry’s childhood home, and where the band first rehearsed 60 Rosemount Avenue North of the city
Mt. Temple Comprehensive Where it all began – the school all four band members attended at some point and where Larry put up the advert looking for bandmates Malahide Road
Ballymun Flats One of the seven towers Bono sings of in “Running To Stand Still,” a housing project north of the city; do NOT go here on foot — this is a bad area Editors Note: Ballymun Flats has gone through many changes since this write up. It is our understanding that Ballymun Flats is a thriving area, and has a bright future ahead of it. So the next time your in Dublin make plans to see Ballymun Flats. And yes get out of the car! Ballymun, near Dublin Airport
Bono’s gates Gates at Bono’s house; the writings and artwork on the gates are worth a long look, whether or not you’re a U2 fan Click on the picture at left to see a larger image and check out the amazing detail in the drawing of the high-heeled shoe County Killiney
Tosca Restaurant owned and operated by Bono’s brother, Norman… make sure to check out the artwork hanging on the walls; you may spot something of Bono’s. Suffolk Street
Nini’s Former site of Gavin Friday’s Mr. Pussy’s Cafe, now a sandwich shop owned by Bono’s brother Norman Suffolk Street (beside Tosca)
Kilmainham Gaol Where U2 filmed their video for “A Celebration”; also used in the movie “In The Name of the Father” – worth a visit for historical as well as U2 reasons. Inchicore Road
Bonavox Hearing Aid Store Reasons abound for how Bono (Vox) got his name; this is one explanation given compliments of the Lypton Village. Earl Street North
POD Nightclub for the techno-music inclined; also a haunt of Bono’s. Harcourt Street
Dandelion Market Now the St. Stephen’s Green shopping center, it was once an open-air space where U2 played in the early days. St. Stephen’s Green

U2’s Dublin courtesy of rubyeuropa of www.generationu2.com