Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

Waltons World of Music, South Great George’s Street

As the stage production of the Grammy/Tony/Sundance/Oscar award-winning musical Once makes its European debut in Dublin this week, it seems the perfect time to take a wander through some of the most memorable Dublin locations from the movie.

1. Walton’s World of Music

Waltons music shop on South Great George’s Street features in several key scenes in the film. The most notable of course is when Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova sit down at one of the pianos and perform ‘Falling Slowly’ for the first time. Staff at the shop regularly receive requests to allow fans of the film to recreate the famous scene…

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

Could this be the famous piano?

Waltons was founded in the early 1920’s and is a music school as well as a musical instrument shop. Although you may not be able to drag a piano all the way home, a tin whistle from Waltons makes for a quirky little musical souvenir.

Waltons
69 South Great Georges St, Dublin 2
+353 (0)1 475 0661
Mon – Sat 9am – 6pm
Sunday 12pm -5pm

2. Grafton Street

The movie opens with Glen Hansard singing his heart out in front of Dunnes Stores on Grafton Street. Before breaking into the music industry, Hansard himself used to be a regular fixture on this street, along with busking pals Damien Rice and Mic Christopher.

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

The next big thing?

Little has changed since their hey day. Walk down Grafton street on any given day and you’ll find it to be an open-air stage for an eclectic mix of musicians and artists. In the short stroll from St Stephen’s Green to the Molly Malone statue you’re likely to see anything from sand sculptures to classical violinists and fire breathers to good old-fashioned singer-songwriters with guitars.

3. Temple Bar

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

Temple Bar

In the final few moments of the film, Glen and Marketa are seen taking a sunny walk through Temple Bar. It’s a bittersweet scene. On the one hand, they’re celebrating the completion of their album but ultimately they have decided to go their separate ways.

Temple Bar has become one of Dublin’s most touristy destinations. If you want to see the area at its best, wander around its markets on a Saturday morning. There’s an excellent farmer’s market on Meeting House Square as well as fashion stalls showcasing creations by up and coming designers on nearby Cow’s Lane.

4. St. Stephen’s Green Park

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

Fusilier’s Arch, St Stephen’s Green

When his day’s earnings are stolen on Grafton Street, Hansard is seen giving chase to a robber through the Fusilier’s Arch at the Grafton Street corner of St Stephen’s Green. The arch commemorates the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died in the Second Boer War.

St. Stephen’s Green park is Ireland’s most famous Victorian era park. The park includes a number of interesting features including a scented garden for the blind, an ornamental gazebo, lakes, a bandstand and memorials and statues dedicated to notable Dubliners including James Joyce, Robert Emmet and Theobald Wolfe Tone.

5. Simon’s Place Coffee Shop

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

Simon’s Place, Coffee Shop, George’s Street Arcade

In one of the film’s early scenes, Glen and Marketa are seen chatting over a cup of tea in the window of Simon’s Place Coffee Shop on George’s Street. Later they cross the street to Waltons music shop. The café is located within George’s Street Arcade, one of Dublin’s oldest indoor markets, dating back to 1894.

Travel Edits | Five Dublin Film Locations from Once Musical

George’s Street Arcade

Simon’s Place is always at its busiest at lunchtime when queues often spill out the door. The café prides itself on its freshly made soups and thickly cut ‘doorstep’ salad sandwiches.

Simon’s Place
22 South Great George’s Street
Dublin 2 
Mon- Sat 8.30am – 5.15pm
 

11 Comments

  1. 19th February 2013 / 11:56 pm

    Very cool, Fiona! I saw the movie a while ago and even have the soundtrack. Yet another reason to visit Dublin. 🙂

  2. 20th February 2013 / 5:43 pm

    Great idea for a post. I’d imagine there are lots of fab movies that have been filmed in Dublin and Ireland in general.

  3. 21st February 2013 / 4:15 pm

    Cool way to explore a city. I’m in Atlanta right now for one day…maybe I’ll hit up some Gone with the Wind spots:)

  4. 21st February 2013 / 11:15 pm

    Oh, Dublin. I actually love the song Falling Slowly, but I’ve never seen the play or film. I know most of these places, so it’s about time I get on that!

  5. 22nd February 2013 / 11:59 am

    This is so cool! I love Dublin and every time you write about it you always show me such different places. Maybe time to go back??

  6. 22nd February 2013 / 5:51 pm

    looved the movie and the wino just saw the musical and said it was so cute! now we just want to be back in dublin.

  7. 23rd February 2013 / 1:05 am

    oh Dublin. i do heart thee. next time though, i’ll be visiting you in the summertime.

  8. Gerry Cooley
    17th May 2013 / 2:49 pm

    great stuff, as a dublin tour guide might do a one off “Once” TOUR.
    The house where She lived with her child and where the Piona is Delivered to is in Mountjoy Square on the Northside of Dublin//

  9. gerry cooley
    17th May 2013 / 2:52 pm

    here is a short Irish T.V. piece I did about 5 best Pub “Snugs” in Dublin. Broadcast nationally April 2010.

  10. 15th April 2015 / 3:59 pm

    The Film Once Fab Fab Fab and ideal locations in a great City

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