Cycling the Country Exhibition is Now Open!

1 May 2025

 Cycling the Country  

Now open at Dublin Port Substation!   

Running Dates: Wednesday 30th April to Saturday 17th of May

Opening Times: Wednesday to Saturday 11:30am to 3:30pm

This panel exhibition from the National Museum of Ireland traces the story of cycling in Ireland; from the earliest walking machines and high-wheelers to the safety bicycle that transformed daily life. Through historical images, stamps, personal recollections, and vintage advertisements, it highlights how bicycles became central to work, leisure, and community life across rural and urban Ireland. 

By the 1930s, bicycles had become the main mode of transport in every parish in Ireland, reshaping rural and urban life alike. The exhibition brings this history to life with personal stories and photos, from learning to ride to late-night cycles. 

Discover tales of milk deliveries by bike, holiday journeys, first bicycles bought with confirmation money, and even late-night rides without lights (and the risky business of avoiding the law!). 

Explore the story of the bicycle and how it transformed everyday life across Ireland.  

Located in the Substation, this exhibition complements Dublin Port’s ongoing work to open up the port to the public. Recently, Dublin Port opened the Tolka Estuary Greenway, a 2.8km walking and cycling route with scenic views over the estuary and Dublin Bay, further connecting people to the port’s unique landscape and environment. 

Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or curious about how bikes shaped Irish society, this is a journey through history not to miss. Come for the views, stay for the stories!