Between 1990 and 1999 Dublin underwent a cultural renaissance that transformed our capital into a magnet for music lovers and partygoers from around the world.
The decade was the birth of the Celtic Tiger which brought investment, confidence, and energy to Dublin’s streets.
For the first time disposable income rose, and with it, demand for entertainment, Music venues, clubs, and bars flourished.
Alongside Brit Pop, Ireland embraced the global rave and electronic movement.
Clubs like The Kitchen (co-founded by U2), POD, and The Temple of Sound became legendary.
DJs such as Johnny Moy and Francois Pappin spun house, techno, and trance to packed dancefloors.
The Irish dance scene fused international beats with local spirit, creating euphoric nights that drew crowds from across Europe.
As well as the club scene Dublin’s live music scene thrived. Whelan’s, The Olympia, The Mean Fiddler and more hosted Irish acts like The Frames, The Cranberries, and Aslan, alongside international stars.
Busking on Grafton Street became a rite of passage—Damien Rice and Glen Hansard among its alumni.
Festivals like Féile and Witnness brought thousands together in celebration of sound.
A once rundown part of the south city centre was reborn as Dublin’s cultural quarter.
Temple Bar became a buzzing maze of pubs, galleries, and music venues.
Tourists flocked to its cobbled streets for trad sessions, singalongs, black beer and late-night revelry.
At the same time, led by Microsoft, American tech companies choose not to follow the historical business trend of investing in the UK choosing Dublin to base their European headquarters.
By the end of the ’90s, Dublin had become a city where tradition met innovation—where fiddles and synths shared the stage, and every night promised a story.
As a result Ireland’s musical heartbeat pulsed louder than ever, inviting the world to dance along.
Written by Feargal Skoff.
Feargal hosts The Night Cruise on Monday morning from 1am to 3am, as well as Monday and Tuesday evening from 11pm to 1am.
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