Ballsbridge Walking Tour

Our walking tour of Dublin’s elegant Ballsbridge district begins outside the historic Royal Dublin Society (RDS), where we uncover its fascinating origins and unexpected role in the 1916 Easter Rising. From there, we trace a westward path back toward the heart of Dublin, weaving through tree-lined avenues and hidden corners rich with stories of culture, politics, and revolution.

Along the way, we explore connections to some of Ireland’s most remarkable figures—among them a renowned writer who once worked quietly as a librarian, and Éamon de Valera, the schoolmaster turned revolutionary leader who narrowly escaped execution to become one of Ireland’s most defining political figures.

This route also reveals the architectural elegance of Ballsbridge, from quaint Arts and Crafts cottages to grand Victorian mansions, historic libraries, and graceful bridges. We pause to admire two striking examples of 20th-century modernist design that symbolize Dublin’s evolving spirit.

Though now a peaceful, prosperous neighborhood, Ballsbridge was once a fierce battleground during Easter Week 1916. On streets like Northumberland Road and Haddington Road, we revisit the scenes of intense fighting that left an indelible mark on the city’s history.

A blend of architecture, literature, and rebellion, this tour captures the layers of Dublin’s past—where refinement and revolution coexist in one of the city’s most storied districts.