Ireland
Get to the heart of Dublin
A TECH POWERHOUSE WITH A LITERARY SOUL – IRELAND’ S CAPITAL PAIRS WORLD-CLASS VENUES WITH AN UNBEATABLE WELCOME
N estled between the
mountains and the sea, Dublin blends centuries of history with cutting-edge innovation. Ireland’ s capital and largest city is a major European business hub, with excellent international connectivity, a thriving knowledge economy and a renowned Irish welcome. It is a place where meaningful connections happen naturally. Because the city is compact and highly walkable, delegates can move easily between historic landmarks, world-class hospitality and a dynamic cultural scene.
Getting there is straightforward. Dublin Airport serves more than 190 destinations in its summer schedule, and US pre-clearance makes onward travel to North America seamless. Once in the city, an efficient public transport network links venues, hotels and attractions.
The flagship venue is The Convention Centre Dublin( The CCD), Ireland’ s first purpose-built international convention centre, set on the banks of the Liffey just 15 minutes from the airport. Its flexible spaces can host meetings, conferences and exhibitions for up to 8,000 delegates. It has a 2,000-seat auditorium, 4,500 square metres of exhibition space and banqueting for up to 3,000. Six foyers with panoramic views over the city, the bay and the mountains flood the building with natural light, making them ideal for networking and hospitality.
The CCD is also one of the world’ s most technologically advanced venues, with state-of-the-art lighting, sound, rigging and IT in every space. The CCD opened in 2010 as the world’ s first carbon-neutral convention centre and now holds both ISO 20121 and ISO 14001 certification. Dublin itself
has climbed the Global Destination Sustainability Index every year since entering the top 40 – from 29th in 2024 to 17th in 2026.
It was named Europe’ s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre at the World Travel Awards every year from 2017 to 2026.
Other options include the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, a newer city-centre venue beside Dublin Castle, with 20 event spaces across the complex and capacity for up to
Top left: Christ Church Cathedral, Nave Banquet Dinner, Dublin City
Middle left: Epic, The Irish Emigration Museum, Dublin City Docklands
Bottom left: Guinness Storehouse, St James Gate, Dublin City
Right: CCD Exterior at Night
1, 100 delegates. There is also the historic Round Room at the Mansion House. For something more distinctive, planners can look to The Sugar Club, Vicar Street, The Heritage Centre at No. 6 Kildare Street and The Button Factory.
Dublin is also a global centre for enterprise, home to more than 1,000 multinational companies across technology, finance, life sciences and the creative industries. Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, eBay and X all have European headquarters or major operations here, earning the city the nickname“ Tech Capital of Europe”. Financial services are equally integral to the economy.
Education plays its part too. Dublin is Ireland’ s largest centre of learning, with several universities, including the country’ s oldest, Trinity College Dublin, founded by Elizabeth I in 1592. Add one of Europe’ s youngest populations and the result is lively nightlife and a rich arts, culture and music scene that international delegates can immerse themselves in.
Then there is the literary heritage. Dublin has produced Nobel laureates WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett, as well as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Dracula creator Bram Stoker. It was designated a UNESCO City of Literature in 2010. As James Joyce once remarked:“ For myself, I always write about Dublin, because if I can get to the heart of Dublin I can get to the heart of all the cities of the world.”
For planners, the lesson is simple: get to the heart of Dublin, and a memorable event will follow. n
ISSUE 145 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 31