Visit Grafton Street.

Grafton Street (Sráid Grafton in Irish) is one of Dublin’s most popular streets. With its famous statue of Phil Lynott and Provost’s House, it’s a pedestrian-only street with a high level of shopping.

History of Grafton Street

A chic and popular street

The name Grafton Street comes from the name of the landowner: the Duke of Grafton, a wealthy Dubliner who owned many plots of land in the area.

The street’s undeniable commercial appeal soon allowed it to develop according to the ambitions of its merchants. Large jewelry stores were established, as were cafés, pubs and restaurants. Among the best-known names, Bewley’s Oriental Café, opened in 1927, has survived to the present day (it closed in 2007, but reopened immediately, only to go bankrupt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 epidemic and imposed confinement).

For brand lovers, Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein occupy the street! And for those who like their food on the go, the street is teeming with fast-food outlets!

Generally speaking, Grafton Street is a springboard for musicians, who test their tunes with the public. There are also mimes, clowns and other ambitious performers!

Visit Grafton Street

A popular shopping street for street musicians

Grafton Street links College Green in the north with St Stephen’s Green Park in the south. Busy any day of the week, it’s a favorite haunt of street singers, who give it their all! Many of today’s best-known artists, including Damien Rice and Rodrigo y Gabriela, took their first musical steps on this street. Successful first steps, as passers-by are always on the lookout for new talent!

Phil Lynott statue

The area is so popular with musicians that Grafton Street is home to a statue of Phil Lynott, the Irish singer and bassist of the band Thin Lizzy, who died in 1986.

Erected on Harry Street on August 19, 2005, this bronze monument symbolizes Irish musical talent, and is a source of pride for Dubliners! To find it, head for the Pub “Bruxelles”: impossible to miss, it’s right in front of the Pub’s terrace!