Step back in time and discover a very different Temple Bar. Before it became Dublin’s cultural quarter, Temple Bar was a neighbourhood of traders, workshops, markets, vacant buildings and everyday city life. Through a fascinating collection of historic photographs from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, this exhibition captures a district on the cusp of transformation.

Featuring archive images displayed alongside contemporary photographs taken from the very same locations, Temple Bar: Before the Renaissance offers a unique visual journey through the streets, laneways and landmarks that have shaped one of Dublin’s most recognisable neighbourhoods. From dramatic changes in architecture and public spaces to the subtle details that remain unchanged, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how cities evolve, what is gained and lost through regeneration, and the stories embedded within our streets. Whether you remember the Temple Bar of decades past or are discovering its history for the first time, this exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see the area through the lens of time and transformation.

Temple Bar: Before the Renaissance is both a celebration of the quarter’s rich past and a reminder of the vibrant community and culture that continue to define it today.