The Convention Centre Dublin

Description

The Convention Centre Dublin is a striking, ultra-modern event landmark situated directly on the banks of the River Liffey in the vibrant Docklands zone. Offering a versatile rotation of large-scale public exhibitions, massive conventions, and seasonal family spectaculars, it stands as one of the most exciting cultural things to do with kids in Dublin. The iconic glass-fronted multi-functional venue features a soaring glass atrium that provides families with panoramic views over the city skyline, the Irish Sea, and the distant mountains as they move between massive exhibition floors.

Ticket prices are determined individually by the independent production company or specific festival organiser hosting the event within the complex. For instance, major family-focused events like the annual spring Dublin Comic Con feature single-day entry prices starting from approximately £10.08 (€12.00) for children aged 5 to 12, while tiny toddlers under the age of 5 can walk through the gates completely free of charge. While accessing the main venue foyers requires a valid ticket for a scheduled show, advanced online booking is highly recommended across all calendar lines to secure seats for popular matinees.

If you are looking for the best place for an inspiring day out with family and kids, this premier architectural powerhouse perfectly balances educational enrichment with a comfortable, world-class visitor environment. It provides a spacious and safe indoor destination where mature children can discover specialized hobbies, meet comic creators, dive into interactive technological displays, and enjoy spectacular live entertainment out of the unpredictable Irish weather.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

  • Iconic Glass Atrium Architecture: Features six distinct light-filled foyer levels enclosed in a massive glass drum, providing stunning views.
  • Massive Multi-Venue Layout: Houses a highly flexible array of 22 top-tier event spaces, including a majestic 2,000-seat auditorium and massive exhibition halls.
  • State-of-the-Art Accessible Facilities: Engineered with level step-free entry ramps, multi-floor lifts, and a specialized Changing Places bathroom hoist system.
  • Advanced Sound Induction Systems: Features built-in structural induction loops and high-spec infra-red radiators across all primary halls for assistive hearing.

Detailed Highlights

  • The Glass Drum Foyers: Moving up through the six levels of the iconic tilted glass cylinder is an adventure in itself. Children love riding the sweeping escalators and looking out through the massive clear facade to watch boats pass on the River Liffey below.
  • The 2,000-Seat Auditorium: This world-class tiered performance hall hosts spectacular symphonic concerts and seasonal events. Families are immersed in pristine acoustics and excellent sightlines, making live performances deeply engaging for kids.
  • Interactive Workshop Areas: During major public conventions, the upper-level meeting spaces are transformed into hands-on learning zones. Kids can join creative comic-drawing masterclasses, interact with SFX makeup pros, and learn basic animation skills.
  • The Forum Exhibition Hall: This massive ground-floor space frequently fills with expansive public displays, pop-culture stalls, and interactive stands. It gives families endless floor space to safely wander and discover unique merchandise or creative displays.
  • Panoramic Event Dining: The fifth-floor foyer offers a spectacular, elevated food theatre space. Families attending select banquets or public shows can enjoy treats while watching the sunset melt over the Irish Sea and the Dublin mountains.

Specific Internal Spaces and Features

  • The Auditorium: The premier, multi-tiered performance space featuring 2,000 acoustic seats and dedicated wheelchair slots.
  • The Forum Hall: The expansive ground-floor exhibition space designed for large public events, conventions, and pop-up retail stalls.
  • The Liffey Hall: A flexible, large-scale meeting and presentation area located on the first floor.
  • The Wicklow Halls: A collection of bright, adaptable rooms on level two frequently utilized for festival dining and catering hubs.
  • The Six Light-Filled Foyers: A series of modern networking platforms stacked vertically inside the main glass drum atrium.
  • Liffey Boardrooms 1–4: Private, leather-seated meeting spaces used for intimate panels or small event operations.
  • Wicklow Meeting Rooms 1–5: Sun-drenched rooms complete with integrated control panels for adjustable automatic sunblinds.
  • The Ground Floor Foyer: The dramatic, soaring entrance lobby where public visitors register for major conventions.

Facilities

  • Toilets: Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on every floor. A specialized Changing Places facility equipped with a Wispa 200kg maximum-load hoist system is available on the ground floor.
  • Buggy Parking & Accessibility: The building is fully accessible with smooth level floors, wide corridors, and spacious elevators servicing all tiers. While strollers are permitted, individual event guidelines vary regarding whether prams can enter specific auditorium rows during live performances.
  • Lockers & Cloakrooms: While individual secure customer lockers are not provided, a public cloakroom service is typically operated by event hosts during major public exhibitions to store heavy winter coats.
  • Food Options: The venue operates internal cash catering stands, food theatres, and bar facilities behind feature walls during public events. However, please note that no outside food or drink purchased elsewhere is permitted to be brought into the venue spaces.

What to see

What Visitors Love

  • The breathtaking glass architecture and escalators make simply moving through the building highly exciting for young kids.
  • Pristine building cleanliness, exceptionally modern facilities, and top-tier climate control.
  • Incredible transport convenience with the Luas tram line stopping virtually at the side doors.
  • Deeply supportive and professional staff hosts who readily assist with pushchairs and accessibility routing.

What Visitors Don't Like

  • The venue does not allow families to bring their own packed lunch boxes or outside juices inside the building.
  • Peak festival hours can see long queues form for internal cash catering food stands and toilets on the busier floors.
  • Secure on-site basement parking is premium-priced and can fill up quickly during massive multi-day conventions.

Pro-Tips

  • Beat the Midday Convention Rush: For massive family events like Dublin Comic Con, secure an Early Entry ticket to walk in at 9:30 AM. This lets you beat the main general public queues that form at 11:00 AM.
  • Coordinate Accessibility Needs Early: If your family requires one of the 20 dedicated wheelchair user slots in the main auditorium, make sure to book this companion seating directly through the designated box office during ticket purchase.
  • Dress for Variable Effects: Since the advanced main halls are equipped for professional touring spectacles, some events may utilize pyrotechnics, loud acoustics, or strobe lighting. Check with site staff upon arrival if your children are sensory-sensitive.

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

General Entry Adult Ticket: Ranges from £21.00 to £44.52 (€25.00 to €53.00) depending entirely on the scheduled performance or touring artist

Pricing URL: https://www.theccd.ie/all-events/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

  • Event Operational Hours: The venue doors typically open to public ticket holders from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM onwards on performance dates, remaining operational until midnight depending entirely on the show schedule.
  • Underground Car Park: Open from 7:00 AM to midnight, 7 days a week.

Address: The Convention Centre Dublin, North Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, Ireland

Post Code: D01 T1W6

Council: Dublin City Council

County: Dublin

  • By Luas (Tram): Hop on the Red Line directly to the Spencer Dock Stop, which sits immediately adjacent to the building layout.
  • By Train: A short 15-minute walk from Connolly Station, making it highly straightforward for families traveling from outer counties.
  • By Bus: Extensively serviced by central city routes including lines 143, 151, and the local docklands transport links halting along the quays.
  • On-Site Car Parking: The venue features a secure public underground basement car park managed by Euro Car Parks, offering 321 spaces, 14 disabled spaces, 10 electric vehicle charging points, and a tight height limit of 2.1m. Rates are €4.20 per hour or €30.00 per day, with a flat evening rate of €18.00 (6:00 PM to midnight). A 10% service fee applies to basement parking transactions.
  • Alternative Parking: Just across the Samuel Beckett Bridge, on-street pay-and-display parking is available on Stoney Road, Forbes Street, and Hibernian Road at a cost of €3.00 to €3.50 per hour (7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday to Saturday). Nearby multi-stories include the National College of Ireland Car Park (€3 p/h, €10 p/day) and Point Village Parking (from €4.20 p/h).

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