When it comes to Temple Bar, it’s like Mecca for tourists visiting Dublin, understandably, as this is the most famous place with very touristy bars and where the craic is mighty. But in the middle of it all is a quiet and peaceful oasis for enthusiasts of the motion picture. Irish Film Institute, first known as National Film Institute, is so much more than just a cinema.
First of all, it looks very strange, the good kind of strange. Its indoor area “pretends to be an outdoor” which gives it a very unique vibe while still doing a good job of protecting the guests with the glass ceiling – a useful feature for rainy weather. Secondly, it has a very nice and quiet beer garden at the back of the building, on the way to the Archive, and if you truly love Irish movies, The IFI Archive is an absolute must-visit in Dublin – if you are lucky, you might even get a tour.
But the true fun for any film lover is the little hidden treasure hunt that is on display throughout the building in the shape of small QR codes that will tell you an amazing story about IFI and Irish films in general. It’s good fun and well worth a read.
