In short
The 2027 Irish Life Dublin Marathon is on Sunday 24 October 2027, the October bank holiday weekend. It starts at 08:45 on Leeson Street Lower by St Stephen's Green and finishes on Mount Street Upper by the Pepper Canister Church, less than 1 km away. Runners: stay around St Stephen's Green, Merrion Square or Temple Bar and walk to the start and back from the finish. Supporters: stay near the Luas Green Line to cheer at Wood Quay and Milltown, and book a room with free cancellation before ballot results on Wednesday 25 November 2026.
Course sheet In race order, not to scale
- Leeson Street LowerStart, downhill to St Stephen's Green
- Wood Quay and O'Donovan Rossa Bridgemile 2 (km 3) · cheer spotPast Christ Church and across the Liffey
- Phoenix Parkmile 5 (km 8)Chesterfield Avenue and the Phoenix Monument
- Kilmainhammile 11.5 (km 18)Past Kilmainham Gaol, towards halfway on the Crumlin Road
- Terenuremile 17 (km 27)A support zone in the village, after the run down Templeogue Road
- Milltownmile 19 (km 31) · cheer spotBy the Dropping Well pub, just before the long climb
- Roebuck Roadmile 21.5 (km 35)Heartbreak Hill, the toughest climb of the race
- Northumberland Roadmile 25.3 (km 41) · cheer spotThe final mile, under a mile to go
- Mount Street UpperFinish by the Pepper Canister Church
Race morning
There is no shuttle, and from a central hotel you do not need one: the start is on Leeson Street Lower, at the corner of St Stephen's Green. In 2026 runners were asked to arrive by 08:00, drop bags on Merrion Square North (from 07:15, by bib colour) and allow 15 to 20 minutes to walk from there to their wave. The Luas Green Line stops at Dawson, St Stephen's Green and Harcourt, a few minutes from the start, and on Sundays it runs from about 07:00. On the 2026 race weekend the southside DART was closed for engineering works, so check Irish Rail before you rely on it.
Where to stay
Pick an area to see hotels and rentals there at live prices.
Start Finish Acheer spot Course
Live map · St Stephen's Green and Merrion SquareHotels and rentals at live prices, Fri 22 Oct to Mon 25 Oct
Open the live map for St Stephen's Green and Merrion Square ↗
Prices and availability come from booking sites through Stay22. Change the dates on the map if you are staying longer.
Watch the race
See your runner by the Liffey early on, again at Milltown on the Luas Green Line, then in the final mile before you meet at Lincoln Place (the 2026 meeting area).
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mile 2 (km 3)
Wood Quay
An official support zone in 2026, where runners cross the Liffey, about 10 minutes on foot from Temple Bar. Then walk 10 to 15 minutes to the Luas Green Line at Trinity or St Stephen's Green and ride south to Milltown (about 15 minutes); you will have well over an hour to spare.
Stays near Wood Quay and O'Donovan Rossa Bridge ↗ -
mile 19 (km 31)
Milltown
An official support zone in 2026, opposite the Dropping Well pub, a 5 minute walk from Milltown Luas stop, just before the long climb to Roebuck Road. Then take the Luas north to Charlemont and walk about 20 minutes along the Grand Canal to Northumberland Road. Allow about 40 minutes in all, which works if your runner is aiming for about 3:15 or slower.
Stays near Milltown ↗ -
mile 25.3 (km 41)
Northumberland Road
An official support zone in 2026, in the final mile, where Irish Life gathered supporters to cheer runners home (the Irish Life Mile). From here, head to the meeting area on Lincoln Place while your runner finishes and collects their bag.
Stays near Northumberland Road ↗ -
Meet your runner
Runners cannot stop or meet anyone at the finish line. Watch the finish from Herbert Street or around Mount Street Crescent, then meet at the post-race meeting area on Lincoln Place, next to bag collection on Merrion Square North (2026 set-up).
The official hotels, explained
The race has no hotel booking service for runners who already have a place. Instead it lists recognised international tour operators whose packages include a guaranteed entry and a hotel, for runners from outside Ireland; Marathon Tours & Travel's 2027 package, for example, is four nights at the Westbury off Grafton Street, with a 30% deposit plus the entry fee and no refunds.
| Official hotel offer | Our maps | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Recognised international tour operators (12 on the 2026 list), including Marathon Tours & Travel and Sports Tours International | Every hotel and rental near each area |
| Prices | Listed on the official site | Live prices from several booking sites |
| Minimum stay and cancellation | Terms differ by operator. Marathon Tours & Travel: four nights (21 to 25 October 2027), a 30% deposit plus the entry fee, and nothing is refundable. | Filter for free cancellation |
| Need to buy a package? | Yes | No |
See the official hotel offer ↗ · We link to the official option and explain its terms, so you can compare before you book.
When to book
- NowBook a room with free cancellation near the start.
- Thu, 12 Nov 2026Ballot opens.
- Tue, 17 Nov 2026Ballot closes.
- Wed, 25 Nov 2026Lottery results. The booking rush starts.
- Wed, 14 Jul 2027Official bib resale opens.
- Your cancellation dateKeep or cancel before it passes.
- Sun, 24 Oct 2027Race day.
Free guide
The Unofficial 2027 Dublin Marathon Where to Stay Guide
Every area, the race morning plan and the booking dates in one place, updated every year.
Questions
Where should I stay for the Dublin Marathon?
Around St Stephen's Green and Merrion Square, so you can walk to the start, the bag drop and the finish. Temple Bar and Ballsbridge are about 25 minutes on foot, and Sandyford is a direct Luas ride away.
Is it better to stay near the start or the finish?
You do not have to choose. The start on Leeson Street Lower and the finish on Mount Street Upper are less than 1 km apart, with the bag drop on Merrion Square North in between (2026 set-up).
How do I get to the start of the Dublin Marathon?
Walk if you can. Otherwise take the Luas Green Line to St Stephen's Green, Dawson or Harcourt, a few minutes from the start. In 2026 the southside DART was closed for works that weekend, so check Irish Rail before relying on it.
Where can supporters watch the Dublin Marathon?
In 2026 the race listed 15 support zones. Wood Quay (mile 2), Milltown (mile 19) and Northumberland Road (mile 25.3) link up well on foot and on the Luas Green Line, and the Phoenix Park (mile 5) suits supporters staying on the northside.
When should I book my hotel for the Dublin Marathon?
Now, with free cancellation. Ballot results come out on Wednesday 25 November 2026, and race weekend is also a bank holiday weekend in Ireland.
When is the 2027 Dublin Marathon ballot?
It opens at 09:00 on Thursday 12 November 2026 and closes at midnight on Tuesday 17 November. The 4 euro ballot fee is refunded if you are not drawn, and the entry fee is 130 euros plus fees.
Official race site ↗ · Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16