Your place to stay for royal hospital kilmainham concerts

At the heart of every community, music can be found in the soul. The Hendrick Hotel is no different, we’ve a strong passion for the arts and you can see that as soon as you walk into the lobby. We love that we are near to Royal Hospital Kilmainham, it makes it easy for festival goers and gig lovers to come from the event back to their rooms.

Overview of royal hospital kilmainham and gardens

The Royal Hospital Kilmainham is an important fixture in Irish history. Just like Kilmainham Gaol and Dublin Castle are too. The RHK has had a couple of lives through the years, from it’s days as a monastery to then becoming a hospital for injured and retired soldiers.

In recent years the building is home to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, IMMA. The museum is a wonderful experience and a brilliant activity to do before a concert in the evening. What’s more is admission to IMMA is free, so it’s a perfect opportunity to visit other parts of the venue you won’t see at the concert.

History of concerts at the royal hospital kilmainham

The first concert was held at the RHK in 2008. Leonard Cohen played to a packed crows on two nights in June. This spine tingling concert set the tone for many years to come in the RHK. Since 2008, the majority of concerts have been held in early summertime. As the Royal Hospital Kilmainham is an open air venue, like the concerts at Phoenix Park and Trinity College, it’s best on warm summer evenings.

While there were a couple of flashes in the pan, and a yearly Forbidden Fruit event, it was not until 2014 that headliners played regularly in RHK. In fact, since 2014, 50 of the 16 concerts have taken place, compared to just 16 over 6 years previous.

The late teens saw Tame Impala, Stereophonics, Faithless, Aphex Twin, Green Day, Lilly Allen and so many more rock out this Dublin 8 venue. In 2022’s action packed return My Chemical Romance opened up the entertainment followed by Liam Gallagher and Massive Attack in a curtain closer on the 2022 season.

Royal Hospital Kilmainham Concerts & Events 2026

WellFest Dublin 2026

Addison Rae – Live at Royal Hospital Kilmainham

The Prodigy – Royal Hospital Kilmainham

Deftones – Live in Dublin

Direct bus service to dublin airport

If you’re flying in for one of your favourite artists, our hotel has a direct bus route to Dublin Airport. Take just a 40 minute journey from the Airport to our hotel. This service runs virtually 24 hours a day. So you’ll never stay waiting for your flight.

Distance from the Hendrick hotel

Our hotel is one of the popular hotels near Royal Hospital Kilmainham, and it’s a simple walk from Smithfield passed the National Museum of Ireland, Heuston Station and down onto Military road. If you are unsure of your way from the hotel to the RHK venue just ask our friendly staff for some guidance.

Being within walking distance, if you’re looking for a hotel near Royal Hospital Kilmainham, The Hendrick is an excellent option for you. The rooms at the Hendrick Hotel are made for gig goers! Whopper Wi-Fi for streaming tunes before you go, a power shower along with Rituals toiletries to make sure you look your best before the concert!

Chill out and have a pre drink in our bar. We’ve got tempting cocktails to start you off, or you can check out the tonnes of cool pubs in Smithfield to get your groove on! Just down the road is Fidelity, a bar by Whiplash. You can discover plenty more places to try in the neighbourhood.

When all is over, you’re ready for bed, jump into our luxurious King Koil mattress. You’ll only really know a nights sleep once you’ve rested on one of these. In the morning, relax in bed and cure yourself watching our flat screen tv. You can cast your favourite series using the Chromecast function in every room.

Concert preparation

You’ve got your tickets, found a great nightly price, now it’s time to make your way to the city centre Dublin for a brilliant gig and hotel stay.

Planning ahead: allowing sufficient time for checking in

A lot of people arrive to Dublin City Center from Heuston train station. We recommend getting to the hotel by 2.30pm to begin the check in process. Make sure you bring your ID, and that your lead booker is over 18 years old!

If you arrive to the Hendrick early, grab a bite in one of the brilliant spots around our neighbourhood while we continue to get your room ready. We have complimentary WiFi access in the hotel lobby. We have 24-hour reception, incase you didn’t have time to check in to the hotel before your concert. Our excellent staff will be on hand to help you when you need.

List of concert services available on site

When you leave the hotel for Royal Hospital Kilmainham, you’ll take a short walk to the venue. Once you’ve had your ticket scanned, it’s about a 5-minute walk until you have got into the venue, you’ll find that there is lots to do inside.

In the central location, you will find two large bars, with Heineken and their other beers on tap. Close to the bars you will find some of the best food establishments in Dublin City. These food trucks offer up everything from Irish Breakfast Rolls to Wood-Fired pizza from one of Temple Bar’s favourite pizzerias.

There will of course be toilets and medical aid tents should you need this. The Royal Hospital Kilmainham also offers accessible access. Our Hotel is fully accessible, just speak to our hotel staff if you require any further assistance.

Entrance times and stage times for special guests

At the RHK, there are generally two types of gigs. Headline shows and the Forbidden Fruit festival. Shows that have their own headliner, like Rod Stewart on May 26th will usually open gates at 5pm, and support acts or special guests will start around 5.30pm. Headliners generally take to the RHK stage at 8pm, and finish their show at 22.45.

At Forbidden Fruit 2024, the event times are slightly different. The festival gates will open at 2pm, with smaller stages starting at 2pm before the main stage gets underway on either day at 15.30. Three of the five stages, Main, Undergrowth & Lighthouse will run then until 22.45.

Professional cameras allowed? rules for photography and video recording

There is no professional cameras allowed. Also, you cannot bring any kind of recording device or drone. This includes cameras with a detachable lens too.

Bringing garden furniture? rules for park gate entry

Chairs and other garden furniture are also not allowed. There are a small amount of seating areas, particularly at areas with food trucks. On days with nice weather, the entire venue is a grass area, perfect for sitting in. However, also note that even during rain, umbrellas are prohibited.

The wrap up

The Hendrick Hotel near Royal Hospital Kilmainham is just a 20 minute walk from one of the best Dublin 8 venues. Just moments from Heuston Railway Station and centrally located to a 24 hour bus service from Dublin Airport. Get an unbeatable Hotel Price when you come to Dublin for a concert at the RHK.

FAQs About Hotels Near Royal Hospital Kilmainham