There are few things more closely tied to the story of Dublin than the River Liffey. It has been a route into the city, a workplace, a meeting point and a backdrop to everyday life for centuries. This September, Dubliners will have a chance to experience it from a different perspective as the inaugural Dublin City Council Liffey Festival brings the river and its quays to life for an entire weekend.
Taking place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, from 12 noon to 6pm each day, the free festival will stretch from Sir John Rogerson’s Quay to Custom House Quay and George’s Dock, with plenty happening on the water itself.
Rather than simply being something to look at as you cross one of the city’s bridges, the Liffey becomes the centre of the action. There will be opportunities to get out on the water, explore Dublin’s maritime history, hear stories of the people who have lived and worked along the river, and enjoy plenty of music, entertainment and family-friendly activities along the quays.
The weekend gets underway with one of Dublin’s great sporting traditions, the 106th Dublin City Liffey Swim. First held in 1920, the race will see swimmers make their way through the heart of the city from Rory O’More Bridge to the finish at Custom House Quay. It is a fitting way to open a festival centred on getting people closer to the river.
For those who would rather be on the water than watching from the banks, there will be plenty of opportunities to have a go. HQ2O Watersports will offer discounted pre-booked sessions in katakanus, currachs and hydrobikes, while Canoeing Ireland will bring paddle activities and water displays to the river. There will also be some decidedly more spectacular moments, with jet pack performances adding a touch of the unexpected to the weekend.
The Liffey’s maritime character will be particularly evident at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, where visitors can step aboard some of the vessels visiting the festival. Among them will be the Pelican of London, an impressive Class A Tall Ship, and the RCC Cosaint, the Revenue Commissioners’ new cutter used to patrol Ireland’s coastline.
For anyone interested in the stories behind the river, the Live at the Liffey stage offers a chance to dig a little deeper. Across the weekend, historians, archaeologists, maritime experts and members of Dublin’s dock-working communities will explore everything from Viking Dublin and the archaeology of the river to the lives of the people who worked along the quays.
Historian and tour guide Pat Liddy will look at The Liffey: The River that Made Dublin, while Donal Fallon will delve into some of the lesser-known stories of Dublin’s Docklands. There will also be talks from Lar Joye of Dublin Port Company and archaeologist Dr Niall Brady, alongside stories and memories from the Dublin Dock Workers Preservation Society.
At George’s Dock, guided walks will offer another way to explore the waterfront, looking at how the Liffey and its surrounding areas have changed over time. The Liffey Waterfront: From Boom to Decline and Back Again will uncover some of the characters, landmarks and stories that have shaped this part of the city.
And there is plenty happening beyond the history and heritage. Across the quays, expect live music, street theatre, craft workshops, face painting, food and drink and fairground attractions, with the different festival areas providing plenty of reasons to wander along the waterfront and see what is happening next.
Sunday brings one of the weekend’s biggest spectacles as boats, rowing clubs and community vessels come together for the Dublin City Council Liffey Festival Flotilla. Gathering at Custom House Quay before travelling along the river towards Dublin Port, the flotilla will offer a chance to see the Liffey from yet another angle, accompanied by an eight-piece orchestral and vocal performance from Glasshouse Ensemble.
It is perhaps the most fitting way to end a weekend dedicated to a river that has always been more than just part of Dublin’s landscape. The Liffey has helped shape the city, its communities and its character. For two days this September, the invitation is simply to get closer to it.
Whether you fancy taking to the water, stepping aboard a tall ship, listening to stories of old Dublin, catching some live music or simply taking a stroll along the quays, the Dublin City Council Liffey Festival offers a good excuse to rediscover a very familiar part of the city.
Dublin City Council Liffey Festival takes place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, from 12 noon to 6pm, across Custom House Quay, George’s Dock, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and the River Liffey. Entry is free, with some paid activities available to book in advance.
For the full programme and booking information: www.dublinliffeyfestival.ie
