Day of the Dead Festival – Dublin – Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Day of the Dead Festival in Dublin celebrates Día de los Muertos, a vibrant Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones, rooted in Aztec traditions and Catholic influences (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days). Held annually around 1–2 November, it aligns with Ireland’s Samhain, a Celtic festival marking the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead. Organized by the Mexican Community in Ireland and supported by the Embassy of Mexico, Dublin’s events began gaining prominence in the 2010s, with 2023 featuring exhibitions, food events, and workshops.

The festival emphasizes joy over mourning, with ofrendas (altars), marigolds, sugar skulls, and traditional foods like pan de muerto. In 2024, events included an altar exhibition and a Drink & Draw workshop, drawing hundreds to venues like Rascals Brewing Co. and Grá Bar. The 2025 festival continues this cultural fusion, promoting community engagement and Mexican-Irish heritage.

Event Highlights

• Ofrenda Exhibition: 1–2 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum), free or $5.35–$10.70 USD.
• Drink & Draw Workshop: 1 November, 8:00 PM–10:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., Grá Bar), $26.75–$32.10 USD, includes art supplies.
• Mexican Food Pop-Up: 1–2 November, 6:00 PM–10:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., Rascals Brewing Co.), $10.70–$21.40 USD for food.
• Cultural Talks: 31 October, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, speculative venue (e.g., Dublin City Library), free or $5.35 USD.
• Community Parade: 2 November, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, speculative route (e.g., Temple Bar to St. Stephen’s Green), free.

City

• Dublin: Ireland’s capital, known for its historic architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and landmarks like Temple Bar and Trinity College.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues:
  • EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum: Custom House Quay, Dublin, D01 T6K4 (exhibitions).
  • Rascals Brewing Co.: Goldenbridge Estate, Dublin, D08 HF68 (food pop-up).
  • Grá Bar: 3 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 CX67 (workshops).
  • Dublin City Library: 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin, D02 HF66 (talks).
• Administrative Contact: Embassy of Mexico in Ireland, 19 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 C7K6 (inquiries only).
• Note: Venues speculative based on 2023–2024 events; full list TBD October 2025 at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx or www.eventbrite.ie.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 31 October–2 November 2025 (Friday–Sunday).
• Duration: 3 days.
• Opening Times (Estimated):
  • Exhibitions: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.
  • Workshops: 8:00 PM–10:00 PM.
  • Food Pop-Ups: 6:00 PM–10:00 PM.
  • Talks: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
  • Parade: 2:00 PM–4:00 PM.
• Note: Times speculative; full schedule TBD October 2025 at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx or www.eventbrite.ie.

Venue / Location

• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum: Accessible, exhibitions with ofrendas and cultural displays.
• Rascals Brewing Co.: Accessible, food pop-up with Mexican cuisine.
• Grá Bar: Accessible, creative workshops in Temple Bar.
• Dublin City Library: Accessible, talks on Mexican-Irish cultural connections.
• Additional Venues: Speculative (e.g., Latin American Christmas Market at Smithfield Square, D07 E8F8), TBD October 2025.
• Note: Full venue list at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx or www.eventbrite.ie.

Contact Information

• Email: info@dublincity.ie (Dublin City Council events).
• Phone: +353 1 222 2222 (Dublin City Council).
• Website: www.eventbrite.ie (ticketing); www.dublincity.ie (city events).
• Ticketing: Book via www.eventbrite.ie (opens October 2025) or at venue box offices (e.g., Grá Bar).

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Free events open to the public; ticketed events (e.g., workshops) via www.eventbrite.ie (opens October 2025) or venue box offices (cash/card). Cancellations until 15 October 2025 (~$2 USD fee).
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD as of August 2025):
  • Ofrenda Exhibition: Free or $5.35–$10.70 USD (speculative, based on 2024 EPIC events).
  • Drink & Draw Workshop: $26.75–$32.10 USD (based on 2023 Grá Bar €27 event).
  • Mexican Food Pop-Up: $10.70–$21.40 USD (food/drink, based on 2023 Rascals event).
  • Cultural Talks: Free or $5.35 USD (speculative, based on Dublin City Library events).
  • Community Parade: Free.
  • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per ticket (speculative).
  • Concession/Student: ~$2–$5 USD discounts for students, under 16s, over 60s (ID required) on ticketed events.
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for exhibitions and parade with supervision; workshops may require adult accompaniment.
• Additional Notes:
  • Pricing estimated from 2023–2024 events (e.g., Grá Bar €27, Rascals food pop-up) and similar festivals (e.g., Latin American Christmas Market). Full pricing TBD October 2025 at www.eventbrite.ie.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Mexican heritage and Irish-Mexican cultural connections.
• Events & Festivals: 3-day celebration with exhibitions, workshops, and food.
• Education & Learning: Talks and workshops on Día de los Muertos traditions.

Cultural Significance

Dublin’s Day of the Dead Festival bridges Mexican and Irish traditions, reflecting shared themes of honoring the dead, seen in Samhain and Día de los Muertos. Supported by the Embassy of Mexico, it fosters cultural exchange through ofrendas, traditional foods, and community events. In 2023, events like El Milagro’s pop-up at Rascals drew diverse crowds, highlighting Dublin’s growing multicultural scene. The festival aligns with Ireland’s Halloween, emphasizing life’s cyclical nature.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Mexican cuisine at Rascals Brewing Co. ($10.70–$21.40 USD, e.g., tacos, tamales); snacks/drinks at Grá Bar, Dublin City Library ($5–$15 USD).
• Nearby Dining (Dublin):
  • The Church: Junction of Mary Street & Jervis Street ($10–$25 USD, 10-minute walk from Dublin City Library).
  • 777 Restaurant: 7 South Great George’s Street ($15–$30 USD, 5-minute walk from Grá Bar).
  • El Grito Mexican Taquería: 9 Merchant’s Arch, Temple Bar ($10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk from Grá Bar).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at Rascals, Grá Bar; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free exhibitions and parade suitable for families with supervision.
  • Workshops (16+) may require adult accompaniment for under-16s.
• Accessibility:
  • Venues (e.g., EPIC, Rascals) are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact mexirl@embamex.sre.gob.mx for ISL or sensory accommodations.
  • Full accessibility details TBD October 2025 at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx.

Getting There

• By Air: Dublin Airport (DUB, 10 km from city centre, 20-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Dublin Bus to O’Connell Street (5-minute walk to Dublin City Library).
  • Train: Irish Rail to Connolly Station (10-minute walk to EPIC).
  • Luas: Red Line to Jervis (5-minute walk to Grá Bar).
• By Car: Paid parking at Q-Park Stephen’s Green (~$3 USD/hour, 10-minute walk to Grá Bar).
• Rideshare: Free Now or Uber from DUB (~$15–$25 USD to the city centre).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events: None confirmed; based on 2023–2024 patterns.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Ofrenda Exhibition: 1–2 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, EPIC, free or $5.35–$10.70 USD.
  • Drink & Draw Workshop: 1 November, 8:00 PM–10:00 PM, Grá Bar, $26.75–$32.10 USD.
  • Mexican Food Pop-Up: 1–2 November, 6:00 PM–10:00 PM, Rascals, $10.70–$21.40 USD.
  • Cultural Talks: 31 October, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, Dublin City Library, free or $5.35 USD.
  • Community Parade: 2 November, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, Temple Bar, free.
• Note: Programme speculative; full details TBD October 2025 at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx or www.eventbrite.ie.

Past Notable Performances

• 2023 Highlights: El Milagro pop-up at Rascals (tacos, tamales), Drink & Draw at Grá Bar, Embassy of Mexico’s altar exhibition.
• 2024 Highlights: Day of the Dead Altar Exhibition at EPIC, Latin American Christmas Market at Smithfield.
• Past Achievements: Growing attendance since the 2010s, with 2023 events drawing diverse crowds.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Eco Practices: Recycling bins at venues; digital programmes encouraged.
• Cultural Focus: Promotes sustainable community engagement through shared traditions.
• Note: 2025 details TBD at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Drink & Draw ($26.75–$32.10 USD) teaches Día de los Muertos art.
• Talks: Free or $5.35 USD, covering Mexican cultural heritage.
• Exhibitions: Free or $5.35–$10.70 USD, educating on ofrenda traditions.

Cultural Activities

• Exhibitions: 1–2 November, EPIC, free or $5.35–$10.70 USD.
• Workshops: 1 November, Grá Bar, $26.75–$32.10 USD.
• Food Pop-Ups: 1–2 November, Rascals, $10.70–$21.40 USD.
• Talks: 31 October, Dublin City Library, free or $5.35 USD.
• Parade: 2 November, Temple Bar, free.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets via www.eventbrite.ie (October 2025); limited workshop spaces.
• Weather Prep: November (40–50°F) is cool and rainy; pack waterproofs.
• Explore Locally: Temple Bar (free, 5-minute walk from Grá Bar); Trinity College ($10 USD, 10-minute walk from Dublin City Library).
• Public Transport: Use a Leap Card for Dublin Bus/Luas (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.embamex.sre.gob.mx (no app).

Local Attractions

• Dublin:
  • Temple Bar: Cultural quarter (free, 5-minute walk from Grá Bar).
  • Trinity College: College Green ($10 USD, 10-minute walk from Dublin City Library).
  • Dublin Castle: Dame Street ($8 USD, 5-minute walk from Grá Bar).

Accommodation Options

• Dublin:
  • Hotels: The Morrison, Ormond Quay ($100–$200 USD/night, 10-minute walk to EPIC).
  • B&Bs: Ariel House, Ballsbridge ($50–$100 USD/night, 15-minute walk to Dublin City Library).
  • Hostels: Abbey Court Hostel, Bachelor’s Walk ($20–$50 USD/night, 5-minute walk to EPIC).
  • Airbnb: Dublin apartments ($50–$150 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the November peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at major venues; Mater Hospital (10-minute drive from city centre).
• Security: Volunteer stewards at events; bag checks at Rascals, Grá Bar.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues; umbrellas for parade.