Dublin is the busiest place in Ireland for dogging by a long way: more than 1,500 of the 5,300-plus spots and meet-ups shared around the country are in the capital. The Phoenix Park, Dollymount and Bull Island get talked about most, but there are over 20 places in and around the city that people use, from the beaches of north county Dublin to Killiney and the Dublin Mountains.
Here’s what people say about each one, with a map for every spot we can pin. Most of them are busy with walkers, swimmers and families by day, so the notes say when things tend to get going. Spots come and go over the years, so take each one as a place to start.
The Phoenix Park
Upper Glen Road car park
The most talked-about spot in Dublin. It’s one of only two car parks in the Phoenix Park that stay open 24 hours – the other is just inside the Knockmaroon Gate, and that gets mentioned too, with meets from 11pm. Regulars call Upper Glen Road “the regular spot”, with meets usually set for around 10pm and others from 11pm. Expect couples, single men, and couples looking for another couple – on weeknights as well as weekends. Every other car park in the park closes an hour before dark, so don’t get locked in.
View on Google Maps
Northside
Dollymount Strand and Bull Island
The northside’s busiest spot, and a long-standing one. Meets on the strand and around Bull Island run from about 8 or 9pm until well after 11.30, with the picnic bench by the roundabout a common meeting point, and the dunes get used too. An old tip from 2010: park on the long road towards the beach, just before the roundabout, and leave your interior light on or flash your lights. It’s a favourite with couples who like to watch other couples, and some regulars have their own nights – one couple used to let members know they’d be there every Tuesday and Thursday. You can still drive onto the beach from the Wooden Bridge end at the Bull Wall – the council shut the Causeway Road access for good in 2015, after barring cars from the whole beach for a few months in 2014. Lifeguards have logged people in the dunes during the day and called the gardaí, so leave it until after dark.
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St Anne’s Park, Raheny
Right beside Bull Island, and often part of the same night out. Members talk about meeting in the park in the evening, and the car park on James Larkin Road, across from Bull Island, is handy for both. One couple even set an early start, at 5pm, for anyone who wanted to watch.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the car park on James Larkin Road
North county Dublin
Howth Summit
The car park at Howth Summit is the spot people name most on the peninsula, with meets from about 8 to 10pm and couples among the regulars. Some head down to the harbour instead on a Saturday night, and plenty pair Howth with Bull Island on the same evening.
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Sutton, by the Dart station
The beach beside Sutton Dart station, at Sutton Cross. One regular member mentioned he’d be there from about half eight or nine.
View on Google Maps · the map shows Sutton Dart station; the strand is a short walk away
Portmarnock beach car parks
The car parks at Portmarnock beach have been used for years, usually late – between 11 and midnight – and mainly by couples, though everyone’s welcome. One couple said that if it was quiet they’d head on to the Phoenix Park and stay until two.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the north car park; there’s another at the south end
The back roads around Dublin Airport
“The back of the airport” comes up again and again – the lay-bys on the quieter back roads rather than the main road, usually from around 10pm. It’s especially popular with couples who want to be watched, and people often pair it with Bull Island or Swords on the same night. The exact lay-bys get shared privately, so there’s no single pin for this one.
Swords and Malahide estuary
One of Dublin’s oldest spots: the lay-by with a bench on Estuary Road, across from the water and near where the swans gather – “real dark”, as one regular put it. Meets are usually from about 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and sometimes much later. Couples park at the bench to watch and be watched. Be warned that a few regulars have said it’s gone quieter lately, so check who’s heading out before you make the trip.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the roadside parking beside a bench on Estuary Road, facing the water; there are a couple more benches along this stretch
Balbriggan beach
Meets on the beach by the playground and the little castle facing the sea, from around 8pm, with plenty of secluded spots further along. The back beach gets mentioned too.
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Red Island car park, Skerries
The car park out on Red Island, the headland at Skerries, gets named as a spot, and people pair Skerries with Balbriggan and Swords on the same night, often late – 11pm or midnight.
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Rush South Beach
The car park down by the beach just off Rush Main Street – go to the far left-hand side and park at the back. A couple mentioned meeting there on a Tuesday night as recently as 2023.
View on Google Maps · the map shows South Beach
Southside and the coast
Poolbeg and the Great South Wall
Out by the Poolbeg lighthouse, late – from about 11pm – with couples and single men both heading out, and couples especially welcome.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the Great South Wall parking
Sandymount Strand
The parking by Sandymount beach, from around 10pm – one regular member mentioned heading there, hoping to meet women who are up for some fun.
View on Google Maps · the map shows car park 1; there are three along the strand
Deer Park, Mount Merrion
A popular late spot in south Dublin, usually from 10 or 11pm. People park in the lay-by beside the pedestrian entrance on Redesdale Road, and meets happen on the benches and near the dog park, with couples and singles both welcome.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the lay-by on Redesdale Road
Killiney Hill car park
The main car park for Killiney Hill Park, off Burton Road. Meets tend to be later here – 10.30 or 11pm, especially on a Friday – one friendly group of guys said they’d love to meet a couple who enjoy being watched. Couples and single men both go.
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Killiney beach car park
The car park by the beach under the Dart bridge, from about 9pm, and single men say they’ll be there, keen to meet couples and women who fancy some company.
View on Google Maps
The Dublin Mountains
Kilmashogue Woods car park
A secluded forest car park in the foothills, with couples meeting here after about 9pm. It’s small, and it can be shut at short notice when there are snow or ice warnings. Several nearby forest car parks, such as the Hell Fire Club and Cruagh Wood, lock up in the evening, so check before you go.
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Killakee View Point
Up the mountain road, “the viewpoint” at Killakee looks out over the city and Dublin Bay, and it’s been a meeting place for years – from early evening along the Featherbed road to late night, when one young couple said they’d be there between 10pm and midnight.
View on Google Maps
West Dublin
St Catherine’s Park, Lucan
A big park on the Liffey between Lucan and Leixlip, where people set up meets at a discreet spot off the beaten track. The exact meeting point gets shared privately with whoever’s coming.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the park’s main car park
Adamstown station car park
The car park at Adamstown train station is quiet at night, and it’s been named as a discreet spot with plenty going on.
View on Google Maps · the map shows the station car park on Adamstown Avenue
Porterstown, by the Castleknock Hotel
The small car park on the left just past the Castleknock Hotel, with a path down into the trees. Couples have used it late at night, and earlier evenings, from 9 to 10pm, get mentioned too.
View on Google Maps · the map shows Porterstown Park’s overflow car park
Corkagh Park, Clondalkin
A daytime spot for some: the quiet corners behind the caravan park at Corkagh. It’s right beside a busy campsite, so pick your moment.
View on Google Maps · the map shows Corkagh Park’s south car park
Before you go
Irish law is strict: under section 45 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, sex in any public place is an offence, even if nobody sees it – and car parks count. So keep it late and out of the way, stop if anyone else turns up, never film anyone, and leave nothing behind. Check car park hours so you don’t end up locked in, and go easy on the locals: a few complaints is all it takes for a spot to get closed. Our guide to dogging in Ireland covers the law and the scene in more detail.
