Dublin Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

29 to 31 October 2027 · ExpectedDublin, Ireland

Dublin Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Dublin.

Tours in Dublin Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Race day sits on the October bank holiday weekend.

Airport to Finish: Merrion Square

Dublin airport (DUB) has Dublin Express and Aircoach buses to the centre in 30 minutes.

Start in Fitzwilliam Street, a loop through Phoenix Park and south Dublin.

Public transport directions to Finish: Merrion Square

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Smithfield and Phibsborough	Cheaper hotels on the Luas tram.
Mid-range	Temple Bar edges and St Stephen's Green	Central and walkable.
Splurge	Ballsbridge and Merrion Square	Grand hotels near Aviva Stadium.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Generator Dublin
Mid-range: The Hendrick Smithfield
Splurge: The Shelbourne

Links search the nights from 28 October to 1 November. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 29 to 31 October 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 27 October

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayHowth coastal walk Half day · Family
Cliff path and seafood.
EatKehoe's Classic pub

Day before the race

Thursday 28 October

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingBook of Kells and Trinity College Half day · Indoor · Family
The Long Room library.
EatThe Brazen Head Ireland's oldest pub

Race day

Friday 29 October

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointPhoenix Park.
Cheer pointMerrion Square finish.
EatLeo Burdock Fish and chips

Recovery day

Monday 1 November

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingGuinness Storehouse Half day · Indoor
Gravity Bar pint with a view.
Rain or heat backupChester Beatty Library.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Howth coastal walk

Cliff path and seafood.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Wicklow mountains and Glendalough

Monastic site and lakes.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor · Family

Book of Kells and Trinity College

The Long Room library.

See times and prices

Dublin Zoo.
EPIC emigration museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife

Traditional Irish music pub crawl

Live sessions.

See times and prices

Full day

Cliffs of Moher day trip

Long day to the west coast.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Wicklow mountains and Glendalough

Monastic site and lakes.

See times and prices

After dark

Temple Bar, Camden Street.

6 tours worth booking for Dublin Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Cliffs of Moher day trip	Full day	Everyone
Howth coastal walk	Half day	Families
Wicklow mountains and Glendalough	Full day	Families
Book of Kells and Trinity College	Half day	Bad weather, Families
Guinness Storehouse	Half day	Bad weather
Traditional Irish music pub crawl	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

The Brazen Head Ireland's oldest pub
Leo Burdock Fish and chips
The Woollen Mills Irish food by the Ha'penny Bridge
Kehoe's Classic pub

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Family

Book of Kells and Trinity College

The Long Room library.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor

Guinness Storehouse

Gravity Bar pint with a view.

See times and prices

EPIC.
Chester Beatty Library.

Getting around on event days

Luas trams and buses; Leap card or contactless. Croke Park and Aviva Stadium are walking distance or a DART stop away.

Day trips from Dublin

Howth: 30 minutes by DART
Glendalough: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Dublin Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Dublin Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 29 to 31 October 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Finish: Merrion Square?

Dublin airport (DUB) has Dublin Express and Aircoach buses to the centre in 30 minutes. Start in Fitzwilliam Street, a loop through Phoenix Park and south Dublin.

Where should I stay for Dublin Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Temple Bar edges and St Stephen's Green: Central and walkable.

What else can we do around Dublin Marathon?

Good short outings in Dublin include Guinness Storehouse, Howth coastal walk, Book of Kells and Trinity College. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Dublin Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Howth coastal walk, Wicklow mountains and Glendalough, Book of Kells and Trinity College. Dublin Zoo.

How far is Finish: Merrion Square from Dublin centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Start in Fitzwilliam Street, a loop through Phoenix Park and south Dublin.

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