The Race
The Dublin Marathon starts on Fitzwilliam Street in the Georgian southside and follows a circuit through Phoenix Park, the Liberties, Ballsbridge, and back through the city centre to finish on Nassau Street adjacent to Trinity College. The course is flat by marathon standards - Dublin is built on level ground around the Liffey - and the October Bank Holiday timing gives it a distinct atmosphere: the city is at its autumnal best, and the streets are quieter than a normal weekday.
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course type | Flat loop through the city and Phoenix Park. Start: Fitzwilliam Street. Finish: Nassau Street. |
| Certification | Athletics Ireland certified |
| Race day | Last Monday of October (Irish Bank Holiday) |
| Start location | Fitzwilliam Street Upper / Merrion Square, Dublin 2 |
| Finish location | Nassau Street, Dublin 2 (adjacent to Trinity College) |
| Elevation gain | Minimal (flat city course) |
| Total finishers | ~20,000 |
| Cutoff time | 6 hours |
| Avg race-day temp | 8 to 14°C (late October, Dublin) |
| Free race-day transport | No (DART and Dublin Bus recommended) |
Bank Holiday timing: The Dublin Marathon is one of very few major races run on a Monday. The Irish October Bank Holiday means runners from the UK and Europe can travel Saturday or Sunday and race on Monday without using an extra day of annual leave.
Entry
The Dublin Marathon operates open entry, with places available on a first-come, first-served basis when registration opens in January. Charity places and club places are also available. There is no ballot.
Race Weekend
The Expo: Friday and Saturday
The Dublin Marathon expo takes place at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) in Ballsbridge on Friday and Saturday. Number collection is at the expo; there is no race-day collection. The RDS is a short walk from the DART (Lansdowne Road station) or a 15-minute taxi from the city centre.
Race Day: Monday Morning
The start in the Fitzwilliam Street area is walkable from most city centre hotels. Wave starts from approximately 09:00. The October Bank Holiday means less city traffic than usual. The course is well-supported, particularly through the city centre sections.
Phoenix Park
The course passes through Phoenix Park - one of Europe's largest enclosed urban parks - in the early miles. The park is flat but can be exposed to westerly wind. The atmosphere in the park sections is quieter than the city streets; use them to settle into your race pace.
After Finishing
The finish on Nassau Street is in the heart of the city. Post-race food and drink in the finish area. The DART, Dublin Bus, and taxis connect to hotels in all directions. A Monday finish means the city's pubs and restaurants are operating normally - unusual for a marathon finish day in most cities.
Where to Stay
Stay in the Georgian southside - St Stephen's Green, Merrion Square, or the Grafton Street area. These put you within a short walk of both the Fitzwilliam Street start and the Nassau Street finish. The northside and Docklands hotels require a walk or bus to the start area.
The Merrion Hotel
££££Dublin's finest hotel in four Georgian townhouses. The gardens are exceptional. A 10-minute walk from the finish line and a short walk from the Phoenix Park start corridor.
The Shelbourne
££££The great Dublin hotel on St Stephen's Green. The Irish Constitution was drafted here. Strong position for both the start (Fitzwilliam Street) and the Nassau Street finish.
Westbury Hotel
£££Central Grafton Street location with large rooms and good breakfast. Two minutes from the finish on Nassau Street via Johnson's Court.
Clayton Hotel Burlington Road
££Large hotel near Ballsbridge and the RDS expo venue. Easy DART connections. Good value for marathon weekend. The post-marathon meal options in the immediate area are better than you'd expect.
Generator Dublin
£The best budget option in Dublin city centre for marathon weekend. Private rooms available. The Smithfield location is walking distance from both the start area and the post-race tram network.
See & Do
Dublin is a compact city best explored on foot. The Georgian southside, the Liberties, and the river quays are all flat and walkable. Most of what is worth seeing is within a 2km radius of Trinity College.
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
The 9th-century illuminated manuscript is in the Old Library, a short walk from the Nassau Street finish. The Long Room - 65 metres of oak bookshelves - is the finest room in Ireland. Allow 1 hour.
St Stephen's Green
The Georgian park at the southside hub. Flat, well-maintained, with benches for post-race legs. The surrounding streets - Dawson, Kildare, Merrion - have the best Georgian architecture in the city.
National Museum of Ireland
On Kildare Street, adjacent to Leinster House. The Archaeology museum contains the Tara Brooch, the Ardagh Chalice, and the Broighter Gold - the finest collection of early medieval Irish metalwork in the world. Free entry, flat throughout.
Guinness Storehouse
On Crane Street in the Liberties - the former fermentation plant of the St James's Gate Brewery. The museum on seven floors ends with a pint in the Gravity Bar. This is not a flat building.
The Docklands and Grand Canal Dock
The regenerated docklands east of O'Connell Bridge have the best contemporary architecture in Dublin, including Daniel Libeskind's Grand Canal Theatre (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre). Flat along the quays.
Marsh's Library
Ireland's oldest public library (1707), on St Patrick's Close beside the Cathedral. Entirely unchanged in 300 years: dark oak cases, chained books, reading cages. Flat interior. Open to the public.
After the Race
Dublin's DART coastal railway is one of the most useful post-race recovery tools in European marathon running. The coast north and south of the city is accessible in 25 to 35 minutes, flat throughout, and at its autumn best in late October.
Malahide Village and Castle
Day tripA 12th-century castle in flat estuary parkland on the north Dublin coast. The demesne has 250 acres of flat walking. The village pub and the sea view are the correct conclusion to a day trip from a sore-legged runner.
Kilkenny
1 nightA medieval city in the Nore Valley with a 12th-century castle, a butter-coloured cathedral, and the most concentrated medieval streetscape in Ireland. Flat valley floor walking on the Medieval Mile.
Dún Laoghaire
2 nightsThe East Pier walk is 1.2 km out over the sea, flat granite underfoot. The People's Park Farmers Market on Saturday. The James Joyce Museum at the Martello Tower. Recovery with sea air and no traffic.
Howth and Malahide
4 nightsThe Howth Cliff Path is the most dramatic walk in the greater Dublin area: clifftop with open sea views, returning via the harbour for smoked salmon and brown bread. Then two nights in Malahide for castle gardens, estuary walks, and the DART back to the airport.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the finish?
Nassau Street, adjacent to Trinity College in the city centre. A short walk from most central Dublin hotels.
How do I enter?
Open entry, first-come first-served when entries open in January. Charity places available year-round. Register at dublinmarathon.ie.
How do I get from the airport?
AirCoach to O'Connell Street: approximately 35 minutes, runs every 15 minutes. Taxi from the airport to the city centre takes 25 to 45 minutes.
What is the weather typically like?
Late October: 8 to 14°C with Irish autumn conditions - rain possible, wind likely in Phoenix Park. Dress for the worst and hope for the best.
What is the best area to stay?
St Stephen's Green and Trinity College area - 5 minutes from the Nassau Street finish. The Merrion, Shelbourne, and Westbury are all strong options.
When is the expo?
Friday and Saturday before race day at the RDS in Ballsbridge. Number collection is at the expo; no race-day collection.
Is the race on a Monday?
Yes - the last Monday of October, the Irish October Bank Holiday. This lets you travel Saturday or Sunday without using annual leave for the race day.
Does the course go through Phoenix Park?
Yes, the course passes through Phoenix Park - one of Europe's largest enclosed urban parks. The Park section is exposed; bring a throwaway layer for the start.
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, at the start area. Bags reunited with runners at the Nassau Street finish. Use the official race bag.
How do I get back to my hotel after finishing?
The Nassau Street finish is central. Most hotels are walkable. DART and Dublin Bus connect to other areas. Taxis available at the finish.