Sir John Rogerson’s Quay | Dublin

Overview

Sir John Rogerson’s Quay runs along the south bank of the River Liffey in Dublin’s Docklands, sandwiched between City Quay to the west and Britain Quay to the east. Today it is a lively waterfront promenade that offers sweeping views of the river, the modern Samuel Beckett Bridge and the ever‑changing skyline of Dublin’s financial quarter. The quay is home to a handful of the city’s few surviving campshire warehouses, a restored mid‑19th‑century diving‑bell museum, and a series of ashlar‑granite walls and cast‑iron fittings that speak to its industrial past. Its location in the regenerated Docklands makes it a popular backdrop for film crews, photographers and anyone looking for a blend of historic atmosphere and contemporary city life. The quay is also listed as a filming location on the Dublin City Film Office site.

History

In 1713 Dublin Corporation granted Sir John Rogerson – a former Lord Mayor and prominent property developer – a lease of 133 acres on the Liffey’s south bank, on the condition that he construct a quay. Work began in 1716, with a dual‑wall system: an outer wall facing the river and an inner wall set back inland. The space between was filled with sand and gravel dredged from the Liffey, creating a solid platform for maritime traffic. By the early 1720s the initial phase was complete, and maps from 1756 already show a fairly developed quay.

Throughout the 19th century the quay accommodated larger freight vessels, especially colliers that delivered coal to the nearby Hanover Quay gas works. Shipbuilding, cold‑stores and the distinctive ‘campshire’ sheds – originally military‑style storage buildings – dotted the waterfront. By the turn of the 20th century the quay was a hive of shipping activity, a fact immortalised by James Joyce when Leopold Bloom walks past the bustling lorry traffic in the opening of the “Lotus‑Eaters” episode of Ulysses.

A particularly iconic feature is the diving‑bell, fabricated by Grendons of Drogheda in the 1860s. The bell was in constant use until 1958, assisting in the construction and maintenance of Dublin’s quay walls. After the port modernised, the bell was rescued by port staff and placed on public display in 2000 as part of a community‑led heritage project. In 2014 Dublin Port commissioned a permanent exhibition, raising the bell on a purpose‑built platform and creating a small museum beneath it.

Recent Development & Sustainability

The southern Docklands have seen intensive regeneration in the 21st century. A flagship example is 76 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, an eight‑storey Grade A office building completed in 2020. Developed by TIO and now owned by the Munich‑based family office AM Alpha, the tower offers panoramic river‑front views and houses tenants such as Rabobank, Accenture and JP Morgan. The building was designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and a BER A3 energy rating, making it one of the most sustainable office developments in Dublin. A pocket park at ground level provides a sheltered meeting space for workers and residents, reinforcing the quay’s mixed‑use character.

What to See & Do

Campshire Warehouses – These rare stone‑fronted structures are among the few remaining examples in Dublin. Their robust ashlar‑granite façades and cast‑iron mooring hooks hint at a time when the quay was a bustling hub for cargo handling.
The Diving‑Bell Museum – Visitors can view the historic diving‑bell up close, now perched on a raised platform with a modest exhibition space underneath that explains its engineering significance and its role in shaping the Liffey’s quays. Admission is free and the museum is open during daylight hours (see Visiting the Diving‑Bell Museum below).
Granite Quay Wall and Steps – The quay wall, rebuilt around 1870, features ashlar granite coping, granite steps with cast‑iron railings, and stone setts that line the promenade. Walking the length of the wall offers a tactile sense of the craftsmanship that went into Dublin’s 19th‑century civil engineering.
Panoramic River Views – From the quay you can photograph the sweeping arches of the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the modern glass towers of the Docklands, and the historic silhouettes of the older warehouses. The location is a favourite spot for both amateur and professional photographers.
Liffey Boat Tours – Operators such as Dublin River Cruises launch from nearby Custom House Quay and Grand Canal Dock, offering 30‑minute trips that showcase the quay, the bridge and the skyline from the water.
Outdoor Exploration Games – Seasonal scavenger‑hunt style games, promoted by local event organisers, use the quay’s historic markers as checkpoints, providing a fun way for families and groups to discover the site.

Diving‑Bell Museum – History and Visitor Info

The 90‑ton diving‑bell was built in 1866 by Bindon Blood Stoney, Dublin Port’s chief engineer, and fabricated by Grendons of Drogheda. It allowed six workmen to descend through an air‑lock to the riverbed, where they could level the ground for massive concrete blocks used in quay‑wall construction. The bell remained in regular use until 1958, when newer construction methods rendered it obsolete. After being saved by port staff, it was displayed in 2000 and given a permanent home in 2014, with a small museum beneath the raised platform that explains the technology, the harsh working conditions and its contribution to Dublin’s expansion.

Visitor information – The museum is free of charge. Opening hours are:

Summer (April – September): 09:00 – 17:00
Winter (October – March): 10:00 – 16:00 No tickets are required; simply approach the platform on the quay. Since its reopening, more than 1.5 million visitors have explored the exhibit. A special soft‑values exhibition ran from July to October 2025, and the museum regularly hosts temporary displays tied to Dublin Port’s heritage programme.

Architecture & Recent Developments

Beyond the historic warehouses, the quay now hosts a series of contemporary office and mixed‑use buildings. The most prominent is 76 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, a nine‑storey office block that caps the southern end of the quay. Its façade combines chequered opaque and clear glazing with a stone‑box western wing, designed to meet bomb‑proof security standards for its State Street Bank tenant. The building’s sustainable credentials (LEED Gold, BER A3) are complemented by a ground‑level pocket park and secure bicycle parking.

Other recent additions include a residential block with 112 units and ground‑floor retail spaces, as well as the striking orange‑trimmed entrance hall of the office tower. These developments sit alongside the Dublin Port Greenway, a traffic‑free 7 km route that links the quay to the wider Docklands and offers a pleasant cycling and walking corridor.

Cultural Highlights & Events

Docklands Festival (July) – Open‑air concerts, food stalls and cultural performances spill onto Sir John Rogerson’s Quay each July, creating a lively atmosphere after dark.
Photography Walks – Guided walks run from late spring to early autumn, focusing on the contrast between historic stonework and contemporary glass façades. Check local listings for exact dates.
Open‑Air Cinema (August) – During the summer months, pop‑up cinema evenings are occasionally programmed on the quay, offering films against the backdrop of the Liffey.
Seasonal Exploration Games – Interactive games for families use historic markers as checkpoints, running throughout the summer school holidays.

Getting There & Parking

Public transport – The quay is a short walk (≈300 m) from the Grand Canal Dock Luas Red Line stop. Several Dublin Bus routes serve the area, including the 47, 56A and 77A which stop at ‘Custom House Quay’. The nearest DART stations are Tara Street and Connolly, both within a 15‑minute walk.
Driving – Street parking is limited and often time‑restricted. The most convenient car‑park is the Grand Canal Dock Car Park (on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay itself) which offers hourly and daily rates. Expect a short walk from the car‑park to the promenade.
Accessibility – The promenade is largely level and wheelchair‑friendly. A few sections near the historic warehouses have steps, but nearby ramps provide alternative access to the diving‑bell exhibit and the main walkway.
Bicycle – The quay forms part of the Dublin Port Greenway, a traffic‑free 7 km route popular with cyclists and walkers. Bike‑hire stations are located at Grand Canal Dock and at the nearby Marker Hotel.
Naval vessels – Occasionally Irish Naval Service ships such as the LÉ Bernard Shaw are docked nearby, offering a glimpse of modern maritime activity.

Visiting Tips

Best time for photos – Sunset provides warm light that highlights the contrast between the historic warehouses and the modern glass façades.
Typical visit length – Most visitors spend about 30 minutes strolling the quay; allow an extra 15 minutes if you plan to explore the diving‑bell museum.
Crowd patterns – Weekdays (Monday‑Wednesday) tend to be quieter; the quay can feel busier on weekend afternoons when the Docklands Festival events are running.
Nearby amenities – Coffee shops, restaurants and convenience stores line Grand Canal Dock, offering quick refreshment breaks. The area also hosts a number of pop‑up food stalls during the summer festival.
Seasonal highlights – In addition to the July Docklands Festival, the quay is a popular spot for organised photography walks in May‑September and for occasional open‑air cinema evenings in August.

Nearby Attractions

Arran Quay – Just a few minutes’ walk east along the river, this historic stretch offers additional warehouses, cafés and the Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC) at Custom House Quay. [/arran-quay/]
Grand Canal Dock – The vibrant “Silicon Dock” area hosts a range of cafés, restaurants and co‑working spaces, perfect for a coffee break after exploring the quay.
Samuel Beckett Bridge – The striking harp‑shaped bridge is best viewed from the quay at sunset.
Dublin Port Visitor Centre – A short walk north, the centre provides insight into modern maritime trade and occasional guided tours.

Events & Activities

Liffey boat tours – Several operators launch from nearby docks (Custom House Quay and Grand Canal Dock). A short river cruise gives a different perspective of the quay, the bridge and the Docklands skyline.
Docklands Festival (July) – Open‑air concerts, food stalls and cultural performances spill onto Sir John Rogerson’s Quay each summer.
Photography walks – Organized groups meet on Saturday mornings from May to September, focusing on the interplay of historic stonework and contemporary glass.
Outdoor exploration games – Seasonal interactive games use the quay’s historic markers as checkpoints, appealing to families and school groups.

Practical Information

Sir John Rogerson’s Quay is a public promenade that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and admission is free. The diving‑bell museum is also free to enter and can be explored during its daylight opening hours (see Visiting the Diving‑Bell Museum). The quay is easily reached on foot from the Grand Canal Dock Luas Red Line stop, and it lies within the central Docklands area, making it accessible from most city‑centre hotels. For further details, including any special events or temporary exhibitions, visitors can consult the Dublin City Film Office page linked above.

Coordinates recorded in the Irish heritage database: 316997, 234336 (grid reference). The quay’s ashlar granite wall dates from c. 1870, with later height adjustments made during recent works around the Samuel Beckett Bridge.