Night markets could point the way forward for Dublin's after dark economy
Night markets could become a lot more common around Dublin, as the expansion of after dark family friendly activities is being considered.
This was discussed at the most recent Economic Development and Enterprise SPC, where Acting Administrative Officer Joanna Travers highlighted the activities of Dublin City Council’s Economic Development Office. Having had a productive 2025, this office promotes the vibrancy of the city and fosters important international connections.
From major happenings like the Pendulum Summit, Ms Travers explained how these types of events offer major benefits, demonstrating Dublin as an important host city for international business and leadership gatherings. Going beyond the event itself, these kinds of endeavours ensure international delegates visit the city which builds momentum for relationships between organisation and partnerships well into the future.
The office supports cultural and creative events, night-time economy activations, city-brand and place-making initiatives, community-led festivals and markets, and business showcases. In 2025, €85,000 was allocated toward events supporting Dublin’s growth.
Green Party Councillor Donna Cooney highlighted night markets as a prime example of something that could breathe new life into the city after dark. She said it could be linked into the council’s city rejuvenation plan as it would be fantastic to see markets not just on Moore St but around Temple Bar, “down the middle aisle” of O’Connell St, and all around the city.
She highlighted walking down Henry Street in recent weeks and delighting at the hustle and bustle of activity on display as the streets were filled with families. However, she noticed that the only business open that encouraged people to stick around was an ice-cream shop, and that a late market with food and coffee stalls would have encouraged people to enjoy all the city has to offer for longer.
A council manager stated they have been working closely with the City Rejuvenation Team, Failte Ireland, DublinTown, Temple Bar Company and various stakeholders on initiatives such as night markets. They said they’ll be soon working out the details on how new endeavours would operate before putting a call out for funding and operators.
Ms Travers highlighted the work being done by the Night-Time Economy Advisor Ray O'Donoghue who has helped transform Dublin’s late night cultural scene, improve transport, and address safety over the past two years. Having supported over 200 events, Mr O’Donoghue has been responsible for over 200,000 people enjoying late night events across Dublin city.
Equality and inclusivity is an important component of the Economic Development Office, such as through 10,000 of financial support toward TechFoundHer 2025. This entrepreneurial event highlights women-led tech and saw over 300 guests attend its summit.
The Dublin Economic Monitor is also a key contributor to the office’s activities, as through the ‘Your Dublin, Your Voice’ survey and a quarterly report they discover the lived experiences of people on the ground across the city. A new endeavour is the Dublin Economic Monitor Podcast which aims to connect with new audiences.
One way the Economic Development Office connects with young people is through its support of Enfuse, which connects local enterprises with teams of Master’s students from Dublin’s universities. The Social Enterprise Awards also celebrates innovation and is awarded €60,000 in funding in 2025.
Boosting the profile of Dublin City Council is also an important aspect, which Ms Travers said is not just about ensuring visibility but “telling the story of what our offices does.” Over the past 12 months, the council has increased its social media following by 100%. This includes 18.8k followers (88% increase) on Instagram, 4k followers (130% increase) on TikTok, and 1.8k followers (195% increase) on LinkedIn.
Following Dublin City Council’s decision to cease using X after controversies involving its owner Elon Musk and the AI chatbot Grok, this growth in alternative social media platforms indicates the council’s willingness to adapt to new media landscapes.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme