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food-drink · Friday 28 August 2026 · 12:00pm 
Dublin Craft Beer Festival 2026
At RDS · Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
At RDS · Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Three days at the RDS, dozens of independent breweries, live music, and no shortage of food - the Dublin Craft Beer Festival is one of the better late-summer reasons to head to Ballsbridge. It draws a mix of serious beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers who just want a good afternoon out, and the RDS gives it the space to breathe: this is a walk-around-at-your-own-pace event rather than a formal sit-down affair. Tickets start at €20, which makes it accessible enough for a pair looking for something different on an August bank holiday weekend.
The festival brings Irish and international independent breweries together under one roof for three days from 28 to 30 August. You will find a broad range of styles on pour - from Irish pale ales and stouts through to continental lagers, sours, and experimental releases that rarely make it into off-licences. Many of the brewers are on hand themselves, which means you can ask questions and get recommendations rather than just queuing at a faceless bar.
Drinks are purchased through a tokens system - you buy tokens on arrival (or in advance) and exchange them at brewery stands. It is a standard festival setup that keeps queues moving and lets you dip between breweries without fuss. Food stalls run throughout all three days, covering the basics and a bit more, so you are not relying on crisps to line the stomach. Live music adds to the atmosphere across the weekend without drowning out conversation.
The RDS sits on Merrion Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, roughly 2 km south of the city centre. The DART is the easiest option - Lansdowne Road station is a five-minute walk from the main RDS entrance. From the city centre, buses 4 and 7 both serve Ballsbridge directly. If you are coming from the south, the N11 runs buses from Donnybrook that are a short walk away.
Driving is not recommended for an event like this. Street parking in Ballsbridge is metered and fills quickly on busy days. Save yourself the hassle and take the DART.
Ballsbridge is one of Dublin’s more pleasant neighbourhoods to walk around before or after an event - Georgian terraces, embassy buildings, and the Dodder riverbank are all within a few minutes on foot. There is more to see in Ballsbridge and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to RDS in Ballsbridge? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Ballsbridge area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.