The Liberties has been dubbed the “Brooklyn of Dublin” by National Geographic, a label that has sparked plenty of conversation closer to home.
Long associated with working-class history, industry and the unmistakable presence of the Guinness Storehouse, the area has traditionally been viewed as somewhere people pass through rather than linger in. But over the past decade, the neighbourhood has undergone a noticeable transformation — one that blends regeneration with a renewed appreciation for its historic core.
The comparison to Brooklyn isn’t about imitation. Instead, it points to a balance between grit and creativity — a place where heritage buildings turn into house distilleries, artist studios, cafés and cultural spaces without entirely losing their edge.
Dating back to the 12th century, the name “The Liberties” comes from a time when residents settled just outside Dublin’s city walls to benefit from tax freedoms. That sense of independence has always defined the area. Its boundaries today encompass Thomas Street, Meath Street and Cornmarket, and while new housing and commercial developments have reshaped parts of the landscape, the historic fabric remains visible.
One of the clearest examples of that past-meets-present dynamic is the return of whiskey distilling to the area. During the 19th century, The Liberties was home to six major distilleries at the height of Irish whiskey’s global dominance. By 1976, production in the neighbourhood had ceased entirely. Now, distilling is back.
@john.fallons 400 years of history lies between the walls at Fallons, we were bound to tell a story or two! #dublin #dublincity #theliberties #story #history ♬ original sound - Fallons 1619
The Dublin Liberties Distillery, home to Dubliner Irish Whiskey, operates out of a 17th-century former mill and tannery. Nearby, Roe & Co Distillery revived the old Guinness Power Station, reopening it in 2019 after decades of dormancy. Both projects have leaned heavily into the area’s industrial past while pitching themselves as part of a modern Irish identity.
@amandaskyeeee Thank you Arthur Guinness for your service. #houseofguinness @NetflixUK #guinessfactorydublin #dublinireland #thingstodoinireland ♬ Starburster - Fontaines D.C.
That pattern of restoration rather than erasure has fuelled the “Brooklyn” narrative.
Creativity has also taken root in a more visible way. La Catedral Studios, housed in a former Victorian clothing factory, provides space for dozens of Dublin-based artists. Jam Art Factory continues to champion Irish printmakers, while the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) remains one of the area’s defining institutions, opening its annual graduate showcase to the public each spring.
Just up the road, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), located in the historic Royal Hospital Kilmainham, anchors the wider district culturally, housing thousands of works in a setting that reflects centuries of history.
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Food and hospitality have evolved too. Places like The Fumbally, Hen’s Teeth, and Lucky’s on Meath Street operate as hybrid spaces — part café, part gallery, part event venue — while restaurants such as Variety Jones and Spitalfields have drawn national and international attention without abandoning local roots. At Spitalfields, long-time regulars still occupy their usual bar stools despite its Michelin recognition — a reminder that change hasn’t entirely displaced community.
Yet The Liberties’ identity isn’t solely defined by reinvention. It remains home to some of Dublin’s most significant landmarks, including St Patrick’s Cathedral, which dates back to 1220, and Marsh’s Library, Ireland’s oldest public library. Nearby, Kilmainham Gaol stands as one of the country’s most important historical sites.
And then there are the pubs. The Brazen Head, dating to 1198, claims the title of Ireland’s oldest pub. Arthur’s, The Lord Edward, and Fallon’s (The Capstan Bar) continue to anchor the area with a distinctly local atmosphere that predates any international comparisons.
@thebrazenheaddublin If you’re looking for somewhere cool to visit in Dublin, look no further than the oldest pub in Ireland ☘️ #thebrazenhead #dublin #dublinpubs #gastropub #livemusic #dublinfood #dublincity #irishpub #thingstodoindublin ♬ Nuthin but a G Thang x Without me - Kuya Magik
Calling The Liberties the “Brooklyn of Dublin” may be shorthand for outsiders trying to capture its energy. But for Dubliners, the reality is more nuanced. The area has always been resilient, creative and proud of its independence.
If anything, the label reflects something that has long existed — a neighbourhood where history and modern identity sit side by side, sometimes uneasily, but unmistakably alive.
