Neighbourhood

Dublin 8’s Inchicore, named after ‘Sheep Island’ in Gaelic, originated as marshy land outside medieval Dublin. In the mid-19th century, Victorian development around the Great Southern & Western Railway shaped it into a bustling suburb. Inchicore thrives today with diverse residents, including students, young workers, and locals. We’ve been made feel welcome and part of the Dublin 8 community since we opened our doors in November 2018. Inchicore is full of sound, decent, and friendly people and businesses. We believe in giving back and nurturing the communities that support us. Click the button below to view a list of organisations, charities and sports clubs which we have supported and continue to support. 

Kilmainham Gaol

Opened in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol is a significant site in Irish history, where revolutionary leaders, including those of the 1916 Easter Rising, were detained and executed. Notably, Charles Stewart Parnell MP, the ‘uncrowned King of Ireland,’ was imprisoned in 1881. The gaol served as Dublin’s county jail for centuries, hosting ordinary individuals. Today, it stands as one of Europe’s largest unoccupied prisons, attracting thousands of tourists annually and frequently serving as a film location due to its excellent preservation.

Stillgarden Distillery

Stillgarden Distillery, located in Goldenbridge Estate, offers an exciting experience with a curated collection of Stillgarden Spirits. The Stillgarden Distilling Academy and Experience include interactions with distillery experts, a historical adventure, botanical exploration, tastings, demonstrations, and a lunch from local caterers. The unique experience concludes with creating a personalized spirits recipe. Stillgarden, known for transforming a local litter black spot into a community park and linear garden, is right next door to Rascals.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, founded in 1684 by James Butler, First Duke of Ormond, initially served as a retirement home for old soldiers. Built on a historic site dating back to the 7th century, it replaced a medieval hospital and monastery. Over 243 years, it housed army pensioners. In the 1980s, extensive restoration by the OPW transformed it into the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), preserving its historical significance. The grounds are home to a number of music concerts and festival each year, including Forbidden Fruit.

Gravity Climbing Centre

Gravity Climbing Centre, established in 2011 in Inchicore, offers high-quality bouldering, a sport involving climbing short ‘boulder problems’ without ropes or harnesses. It’s a sociable, addictive, and fun workout suitable for all skill levels, from novices to national champions. With color-coded problems, participants can choose challenges at their level. The center hosts competitions, including the Irish Bouldering Championships and the G Force annual open, attracting climbers from Ireland and beyond. Conveniently located next door, climbers can enjoy beer and pizza at Rascals afterward.

St. Patrick’s Athletic F.C.

Richmond Park is the home of League of Ireland football club St. Patrick’s Athletic. Established in 1929, the club is a hugely popular local football team in Dublin 8. They’ve won nine league titles and experienced massive success in the 1950s and 1990s. They’ve never been relegated from the premier division and count five FAI cups and three league cups among their honours. Celebrating over 90 years in existence, you can watch St. Pat’s play their home games most Friday evenings, with a 7.45pm kick-off being the standard. The season runs from February to October, more details here. St. Pat’s home ground is just a five minute walk from Rascals.

Richmond Barracks

Richmond Barracks, originally part of Dublin-Cork defense, was named after the Duke of Richmond. Soldiers based there participated in the Crimean War, Boer War, and World War I. In 1916, the Royal Irish Regiment from the barracks was deployed to quell the Easter Rising, and captured rebels were held there before internment in Wales. In 1922, the Free State Army took over, renaming it Keogh Barracks. Today, it houses a museum and heritage center. Rascals is a short 10-min walk away.