There is no official U2 museum in Dublin, Ireland – the hometown of the iconic rock band U2. However, there are several attractions and locations in Dublin closely associated with the band that any U2 fan would appreciate visiting. Keep reading to learn more about the history of U2 in Dublin and the closest things to a U2 museum that can be found in the city.
Brief History of U2 in Dublin
U2 formed in Dublin in 1976 when the members were still teenagers. The original lineup consisted of Bono (lead vocals), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums). All four members attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin and posted a notice on the school’s bulletin board looking for musicians to form a band.
Early U2 rehearsal spaces included Larry Mullen Jr.’s kitchen and the crypt at Mount Temple. One of their earliest gigs was at a talent show at Mount Temple in March 1977 when they were still called Feedback. Later that year, they changed their name to The Hype before finally settling on U2 in 1978.
During the early years, U2 played small venues around Dublin like McGonagle’s and The Baggot Inn. Their first show outside of Ireland was in London in December 1979. The band’s first three albums – Boy, October, and War – brought them increasing success and popularity outside of Ireland. But they always maintained strong ties to their hometown.
Dublin and Ireland more broadly have always played a central role in U2’s music and identity. They’ve written songs like “Running to Stand Still” and “Red Hill Mining Town” that explicitly reference the Dublin of their youth. Over the decades, their sound has evolved, but Dublin and Irish influences have remained.
U2 Landmarks in Dublin
Though there is no official U2 museum, there are quite a few landmarks and locations closely associated with the band that fans can visit in Dublin:
Mount Temple Comprehensive School
This is the school where U2 first formed and met as teenagers. The actual school building no longer stands today, but there is a plaque on the site commemorating the history of U2 at the location. Fans sometimes visit to pay tribute to the birthplace of the legendary band.
Windmill Lane Studios
U2 recorded their albums Boy, October, War, The Unforgettable Fire, and The Joshua Tree at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin. The Joshua Tree, in particular, turned them into global superstars. While the original studios no longer exist today, you can visit the buildings that now stand in their place and appreciate the history.
Dandelion Market / St. Stephen’s Green
Dandelion Market is the setting referenced in the U2 song “Running to Stand Still.” It was a real market located in what is now St. Stephen’s Green park. You can walk through the park and envision the setting that inspired that classic song.
McGonagle’s
This pub on South Anne Street in Dublin was one of the first venues that U2 ever played in their early days. Though the pub has changed ownership and undergone renovations over the years, you can still visit today for a pint and live music.
The Baggot Inn
The Baggot Inn on Lower Baggot Street is another historic Dublin venue where U2 played some of their earliest gigs. The pub is still open today and features live music. Fans can stop by for a drink in the same spot as a young U2 once performed.
National Music Exhibition
The National Music Exhibition inside the National Leprechaun Museum contains a section dedicated to U2 with some costumes, instruments, and artifacts from throughout their career. It’s a small U2 exhibit, but a rare chance to see some U2 memorabilia curated in one place.
U2 Walking Tour
A great way to see all the key U2 sites in Dublin is to take a guided walking tour. There are U2-focused tours that will take you to the childhood homes of the band members, schools they attended, and early gig venues while recounting stories from their formative years and career.
Should There Be an Official U2 Museum?
Many major bands – like The Beatles and Elvis – have their own museums filled with artifacts that allow fans an immersive experience. While there are some small exhibits, Dublin lacks a substantial museum fully focused on U2. Some believe the city deserves an official U2 museum considering what a source of local pride and global fame the band has been for Ireland.
However, there are challenges to creating a U2 museum. Cost and finding a location are significant hurdles. U2 would also have to fully support the project by contributing artifacts and memorabilia from their personal collections and archives. They are busy with new albums and tours, which may make it difficult to focus time and resources on a museum.
Some propose The Little Museum of Dublin, which already hosts small art and cultural exhibits, as a potential home for an official U2 museum in the future. Fans hold out hope it could happen someday. But for now, visiting the meaningful U2 historical sites around Dublin may be the closest experiences to a true museum.
Visiting U2 Sites and Exhibits
Though not exhaustive, here is a sample one day itinerary for hitting some of the key U2 landmarks and exhibits in Dublin:
Morning
– Visit the site of the former Mount Temple Comprehensive School where the members first met and formed the band as teenagers. Snap some photos outside the plaque commemorating the history.
– Walk through St. Stephen’s Green and picture the setting that inspired the song “Running to Stand Still.” Listen to the song on your headphones while in the park for added effect.
– Stop into McGonagle’s pub for a morning pint in one of U2’s early gig venues. Look around and try to envision them as young musicians playing for a crowd.
Afternoon
– Have lunch at The Baggot Inn while seated near the stage where U2 once performed. Soak in the musical history.
– Venture down to Windmill Lane Studios. While studios are no longer there, stand outside and appreciate that U2 recorded some of their most acclaimed albums inside those walls.
– Visit the National Music Exhibition at the National Leprechaun Museum. Check out the U2 artifacts and memorabilia on display.
Evening
– Experience one of the U2 walking tours of Dublin to see childhood homes, schools, and gig venues from their past while hearing great stories about the band’s origins.
– Have dinner at one of U2’s preferred restaurants or bars in Dublin, like The Clarence Hotel, which Bono and The Edge own.
Conclusion
While Dublin does not have a formal U2 museum, visiting meaningful sights related to the band’s history and exhibits displaying U2 artifacts allows fans to appreciate their origins. Exploring U2’s heritage in Dublin is likely the closest experience for now to visiting an official museum. However, if one ever opens in the future, it would be a dream come true for U2 fans and a fitting tribute in their hometown. The band’s story began in Dublin, and the city deserves to celebrate and commemorate their legacy fully.
