Docklands and Grand Canal Dock

The Dublin Docklands lie on both sides of the River Liffey, roughly from Talbot Memorial Bridge east to the 3Arena, mainly in the D01 and D02 postal districts with some fringes in D04. From the late twentieth century the area was regenerated as an extension of the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

On the south side, Grand Canal Dock surrounds the enclosed harbour where the Grand Canal meets the Liffey, on the border of Dublin 2 and Ringsend in Dublin 4. Since 2000 it has been heavily redeveloped and has become a hub for multinational technology companies, sometimes nicknamed "Silicon Docks".

The Docklands are a mix of offices, apartments, venues and redeveloped warehouses.

• Major venues include the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the 3Arena and the Convention Centre Dublin; the Samuel Beckett Bridge crosses the Liffey here.
• Grand Canal Dock is home to the European offices of several large technology firms, and the balance between development and gentrification has been debated.

• Luas Red Line: the Docklands extension runs along Mayor Street with stops at George's Dock, Mayor Square and Spencer Dock, ending at The Point beside the 3Arena.
• DART and rail: Connolly and Tara Street stations are a short walk from the IFSC, and Pearse and Grand Canal Dock serve the south Docklands. Docklands station serves the Maynooth commuter line.
• The city centre is within walking distance.

Much of the housing built during the regeneration is apartments. The area spans the North Inner City and South East Inner City local electoral areas, whose average rents for new tenancies differ noticeably (see the cost note).

The area is dense and central, and open space is mostly the waterside around Grand Canal Dock and along the Liffey quays and civic spaces created during the regeneration. If you have children, check the nearest schools and childcare carefully before you sign.