The Dublin Marathon is Ireland's largest and most beloved marathon, drawing over 25,000 runners through the streets of the Irish capital on the last Sunday of October. The course is a scenic loop starting and finishing on Merrion Square, passing through Phoenix Park, the Liffey quays, and leafy south Dublin suburbs. Dublin's legendary warmth and hospitality, thriving pub culture, and compact walkability make it one of the most enjoyable marathon weekends in Europe.
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The Event
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Dublin Marathon 2026 |
| Date | Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Venue | Merrion Square (Start & Finish) |
| Address | Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland |
| Airport | Dublin Airport (DUB) |
Early November in Dublin is cool and often damp, with temperatures typically between 5-11°C (41-52°F). Wind and rain are common, so prepare for wet conditions, but the cool temperatures are excellent for distance running.
The Venue: Merrion Square
Merrion Square is one of Dublin's finest Georgian squares, lined with elegant 18th-century townhouses and beautiful garden grounds. The start and finish area is located on the streets surrounding the square, in the heart of Dublin's south city centre. The Marathon Expo is typically held at the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) in Ballsbridge during the days before the race.
What's nearby:
- National Gallery of Ireland — a world-class art gallery with free admission, right on Merrion Square
- Government Buildings & Leinster House — Ireland's parliament is located on the square
- Trinity College Dublin — home of the famous Book of Kells, a 10-minute walk north
- Grafton Street — Dublin's premier shopping street with buskers and cafes, a 5-minute walk west
Important: Bib collection takes place at the RDS Expo in Ballsbridge (served by DART and Dublin Bus). Go on Friday or Saturday and bring your race confirmation and photo ID.
Race Expo
The Dublin Marathon Expo is typically held at RDS (Royal Dublin Society), in Ballsbridge, about 3 km southeast of the city centre. You must collect your race bib and timing chip at the Expo before race day.
When to visit: The Expo usually runs Friday and Saturday before the race. Friday is less crowded. Allow at least an hour for bib collection and browsing.
What to bring: Your registration confirmation email and a valid photo ID.
Getting there: Dublin Bus routes 4, 7, and 7a to the Merrion Road entrance.
Where to Stay
The best areas to stay are Dublin 2 (around Merrion Square, St Stephen's Green, and Grafton Street — closest to the start/finish), Temple Bar (lively, central), or Ballsbridge (close to the Expo at the RDS). Dublin is compact and walkable, but hotel prices spike significantly on marathon weekend — book early.
Getting There
From Dublin Airport (DUB)
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircoach 700 | ~30 min to city centre | 7.00 EUR (single) | Runs 24/7; stops at major hotels |
| Dublin Bus 16/41 | ~45 min | 3.30 EUR | Cheaper but slower |
| Taxi / Ride-hail | ~25 min | 25-35 EUR | Metered; supplement for airport pickups |
The Aircoach is the best option for most visitors — it runs frequently, is comfortable, and stops at several key locations along the route into the city centre. Dublin does not have a rail link to the airport.
Public Transport
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Luas/Bus ride | 2.00-2.70 EUR (Leap Card) |
| Day cap (Leap Card) | 8.00 EUR |
| Visitor Leap Card (3 days) | 19.50 EUR |
Dublin's public transport includes the Luas (tram), Dublin Bus, and DART (commuter rail along the coast). Buy a Leap Card for the best fares — it works on all three systems.
Where to Eat
Temple Bar & City Centre — Dublin's famous cobblestone quarter is packed with pubs and restaurants. Look beyond the tourist traps for excellent seafood, modern Irish cuisine, and cozy bistros. Ranelagh & Rathmines — south Dublin suburbs with excellent independent restaurants, cafes, and brunch spots popular with locals.
Dublin Food to Try
- Irish Stew — slow-cooked lamb with potatoes, carrots, and onions; the ultimate comfort food for a cold November evening
- Coddle — a traditional Dublin dish of sausages, bacon, and potatoes stewed together; working-class comfort food at its best
- Full Irish Breakfast — rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, eggs, beans, and toast; a hearty start to the day
- Boxty — Irish potato pancakes, sometimes stuffed with fillings, found in traditional restaurants
- Guinness — not technically food, but a post-race pint of the black stuff in Dublin, where it is brewed, is an absolute must
Budget eating: Dublin's dining scene has become expensive, but you can eat well at pubs for 12-16 EUR for a main course. Supermarkets like Dunnes, Tesco, and Centra offer good-value meal deals. The food stalls at George's Street Arcade serve affordable lunches.
Essential Dublin Tips
Currency. Euro (EUR). Cash vs card. Ireland is very card-friendly. Contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere. Some smaller pubs and market stalls may still prefer cash. Tipping. 10-15% at sit-down restaurants for good service. Not expected in pubs when ordering at the bar. Language. English and Irish (Gaeilge) are the official languages. English is spoken universally. Weather in November. Average highs of 9-11°C (48-52°F) and lows of 4-6°C (39-43°F). Rain is very likely — bring a waterproof jacket and expect grey skies. Safety. Dublin is generally safe for tourists. Be cautious around O'Connell Street late at night and watch for pickpockets in busy areas.
What to See
- Guinness Storehouse — Dublin's most popular tourist attraction; learn how Guinness is made and enjoy a pint with panoramic views from the Gravity Bar
- Trinity College & the Book of Kells — see the stunning 9th-century illuminated manuscript in the Old Library's Long Room
- Kilmainham Gaol — a powerful museum in a former prison that played a central role in Irish history and the struggle for independence
- Phoenix Park — one of the largest enclosed urban parks in Europe, part of the marathon course, home to wild fallow deer
- Temple Bar — Dublin's cultural quarter with live music pouring out of every pub, art galleries, and vintage shops
- St Patrick's Cathedral — Ireland's largest church, dating from 1220, with beautiful grounds
Race Data & Statistics
The Dublin Marathon has been a fixture of the Irish running calendar since 1980, growing from a few hundred participants to one of Europe's most popular and best-supported marathons, regularly selling out within weeks of registration opening.
| Statistic | Data |
|---|---|
| First edition | 1980 |
| Course record (men) | 2:08:04, Asefa Mengistu, 2023 |
| Course record (women) | 2:22:20, Gladys Chesir, 2023 |
| Typical finishers | ~20,000 |
| Average finish time | ~4:20:00 |
| Entry method | Open registration (sells out quickly) |
Historical Finish Time Distribution
| Bracket | Approximate % of Finishers |
|---|---|
| Sub-3:00 | 7% |
| 3:00-3:30 | 11% |
| 3:30-4:00 | 17% |
| 4:00-4:30 | 22% |
| 4:30-5:00 | 23% |
| 5:00+ | 20% |
Dublin attracts a broad mix of runners, from elite athletes to first-timers drawn by the city's legendary crowd support. The course is gently rolling with a net-flat profile, but the late October weather can be unpredictable, and wind and rain occasionally slow the field. For context on where your goal time ranks, see our marathon finish time analysis and positive split data.
Dublin sells out fast -- registration typically closes within days of opening. Enter early and have a training plan ready. The cool, damp conditions are actually physiologically ideal for distance running, but pack a disposable rain layer for the start. See our weather impact analysis for more on racing in cool, wet conditions.
Quick Reference
| Need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airport | Dublin (DUB), ~25-30 min by Aircoach |
| Venue | Merrion Square |
| Nearest station | Pearse DART Station (10 min walk) |
| Transport to venue | Aircoach to city centre, walk or Luas |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Cash needed? | Rarely — cards accepted nearly everywhere |
| Language | English (Irish also official) |
| Weather | 4-11°C (39-52°F), cool and often rainy |
| Tipping | 10-15% at restaurants |
| Emergency | 112 / 999 |
Race Preparation:
- What Is a Good Marathon Time? — Percentiles from 1.2M finishes to set your goal
- How Weather Affects Marathon Performance — What race-day conditions mean for your pacing
Gear:
- Best Marathon Running Shoes — Data-backed picks for race day
Training Plans:
- Marathon Training Plan — Structured programme for every goal time
Also Racing HYROX in Dublin?
If you're also training for HYROX, check out our HYROX Dublin Travel Guide for venue info, hotels near the HYROX venue, and race-day logistics.
This guide will be updated as more event details are confirmed. Last updated: May 2026.