Dublin: Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Tour in Temple Bar

Summary

Temple Bar’s music legends and recording studio secrets in Dublin

You’ll wander backstage at Dublin’s Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum with a local guide who knows every story and secret corner. See real recording studios still in use, spot memorabilia from icons like U2 and Thin Lizzy, and maybe catch that lingering scent of old guitars or hear distant chords drifting down the hall. It’s more than a tour — you’ll feel part of Dublin’s music heartbeat.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I booked the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience in Dublin mostly out of curiosity — I mean, how often do you get to poke around a real working studio where Van Morrison and Sinead O’Connor actually recorded? Walking through Temple Bar’s cobbled streets that morning, I could already hear some busker belting out U2 (of course), but stepping inside the museum was a different kind of buzz. Our guide — Aoife, who had this infectious laugh — started us off with stories about Thin Lizzy and The Script. She pointed at this battered guitar on the wall and said it still gets used sometimes. That smell of old wood and something faintly metallic hung in the air. It felt lived-in, not staged.

I didn’t expect to feel so giddy seeing Michael Jackson’s photo tucked next to Irish legends — like he’d just wandered through here one night. There was this moment when Aoife let us peek into one of the studios (she whispered we had to be quiet in case someone was recording), and honestly, it felt surreal knowing someone might be laying down tracks just meters away. At one point she let us touch the soundproofing foam on the walls — weirdly soft, almost like memory foam? She joked that if we sang, nobody outside would have to suffer through it. I nearly took her up on it but chickened out.

The tour is only about 75 minutes but somehow packs in decades of music history. There were little details everywhere: scribbled setlists taped to doors, faded posters curling at the edges, even a coffee mug left behind by someone (maybe famous?) that made me laugh. We ended back outside in Temple Bar right where we started, sun peeking through for once — and I kept thinking about all those voices echoing through these rooms over the years. If you’re even a little bit into music or just want a peek behind Dublin’s curtain, I’d say go for it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum

• Arrive at Temple Bar cultural quarter
• Join 1.5-hour guided museum tour
• Visit exhibits on Irish Rock 'N' Roll
• Go behind scenes of recording studios
• See memorabilia of famous artists
• Learn about artists' lives and careers
• Finish tour in Temple Bar area

Top questions

How long is the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience tour?

The guided tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours (about 75 minutes).

Where is the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum located?

It’s located in Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter.

Is this museum tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Will we see actual recording studios during the tour?

Yes, you’ll go behind the scenes into real working studios used by famous artists.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted at the museum.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to Temple Bar.

Do I need to book with a group or can I join solo?

You can join solo or with others; there may be a minimum number required for tours to operate.

What’s included

Your visit includes entry to the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience in Temple Bar plus a fully guided 1.5-hour tour led by a local expert who shares stories and access to working recording studios where Ireland's musical legends have played.