At 71 Meath Street, a blue sign marks Liberty Market, a landmark market in Dublin’s Liberties district. Beyond the entrance, the aisles of this covered market are packed with stalls. Come for a pair of shoes, wool or alterations, and you may leave with a jacket discovered along the way. Opened in 1973 in The Liberties, the market offers an insight into what unfolds between Dublin 8’s major attractions. Here, local trade can be seen in the details of a shop window, a conversation or a garment chosen for repair.
Take a first lap before stopping at a stall. The façade gives little indication of the layout inside, and the merchandise quickly fills your view. The directory of the Irish Organisation for Market and Street Traders describes a general market where clothing, jewellery, toys and household goods sit side by side. Local press has also noted shoes, bags and scarves. Stock varies according to the traders and deliveries. If you are looking for a particular size or type of item, ask directly at the stall. It is often quicker than going through every rail a second time.
There are also good reasons to come with something to repair rather than a shopping list. Alterations are among the services associated with the market, and haberdashery has its place in the aisles. For those who enjoy browsing for treasures, the contrast between the stalls is a good reason to take a second look. In 2026, local newspaper The Liberty featured Assisi, a stall selling archive Italian designer clothing. It is an example of the place that specialist sellers can find amid a very everyday offering. If you buy a second-hand garment, take the time to check the seams, fastening and actual size.
Liberty Market opened in 1973. For its fiftieth anniversary, The Liberty met traders, some of whom had run their stalls for decades. Their accounts offer a measure of changing shopping habits. A stall can outlast several fashion trends, adapt its stock and continue to serve the same families. Reading these stories makes it easier to understand why a market can remain a neighbourhood landmark even as commerce changes around it.
To place the market in its setting, walk along Meath Street between Thomas Street and The Coombe. The street was laid out at the end of the 17th century on land belonging to the Earl of Meath, who intended to develop a residential area there. An account published by The Liberties Dublin, drawing on a study by Dublin Civic Trust, traces the street’s transformation. In the 20th century, clothing shops, food businesses and covered markets shaped the life of this thoroughfare. Look above the shopfronts. The presence of homes upstairs partly explains the close relationship between residential life and trade on this street.
Several names can be confusing on a map. Liberty Market refers to the covered market on Meath Street. Iveagh Market stands on Francis Street, in a building linked to the history of street trading. Newmarket refers to another area further south, near The Coombe. Keep these three landmarks in mind when planning a walking route. On Francis Street, antique dealers and homeware shops extend the stroll with a different kind of treasure hunting.
The market is held from Thursday to Saturday. Late morning is an easy time to visit if you want to take your time looking around. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a first visit, and longer if you plan to try on clothes or make several purchases. The address to remember is 71 Meath Street. From Thomas Street, walk down Meath Street and look for the entrance on the eastern side, near Engine Alley. The city council launched a redevelopment of Meath Street in February 2026. During the works, follow the pedestrian route indicated on site. If you need step-free access or are travelling with a wheelchair, call the market before setting out to check the access available.
From the market, you can head back towards Thomas Street and continue to the Guinness Storehouse. To reach the historic centre, take Francis Street instead and continue towards the cathedral quarter. On Meath Street itself, look up to see St Catherine’s Catholic Church, a landmark among the shopfronts. In just a few streets, you will have crossed a neighbourhood where commercial signs, churches and industrial heritage reveal very different aspects of the city.
Want to extend your visit without having to rush around? Here are a few well-located places to stay near the must-see attractions.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
71 Meath Street, The Liberties, Dublin, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
53.34117, -6.27853
Free entry. Purchases and alteration services are charged according to the stall.
