Temple Bar's 'Love Lane' restored over a decade on from its installation
DUBLIN'S 'LOVE LANE' in Temple Bar has officially been restored, over a decade after its initial installation in 2014.
The lane, which is located in Crampton Court, was restored by the original artist Anna Doran, supported by Dublin City Council and the Temple Bar Company.
The lane is comprised of tiles bearing deconstructed hearts and short messages. There are over 100 public contributions that are displayed on tiles on the lane, which include quotes, poems, lyrics and dedications.
There are hundreds of tiles on the lane.
Over the years, the lane has been subject to graffiti and damage. In 2018, it was revamped by Doran, and this year it has been redesigned to 'better withstand the challenges of being a public mural and to ensure its longevity.'
Love is alive in Dublin! ❤️ As part of the 'Love The Lanes' initiative, Dublin City Council and the Temple Bar Company celebrate Anna Doran's restoration of 'Love Lane' in Crampton Court.
This vibrant pathway features over 100 public contributions of quotes, poems, and…
pic.twitter.com/SoVzHcqmYm
— Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil)
June 11, 2025
Speaking during the restoration in a video put out by the council, Doran said: 'I get lots of different types of quotes. Some of them are poetry, some of them are lyrics from songs, some of them are quite Dublin quotes, like, 'you're a smasher, two eggs and a rasher'.'
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Some other messages on tiles include 'You're bleedin' deadly' and 'Le ghrá, anois agus go deo'.
'What I find really amazing is how people when they submit their quote for their time they'll tell me the background behind each of the tiles. So every single tile here has a story behind it and it's really special.'
Doran said that it was her fourth time doing the lane. The same concept and design has been maintained but this time, the lane has been fully tiled using custom tiles for outdoor use. These were installed by professional tiler Dan Milici, aiming to significantly extend the mural's lifespan.
The lane pictured in October 2023.
AlexMastro / Alamy Stock Photo
AlexMastro / Alamy Stock Photo / Alamy Stock Photo
'I think the public are going to be really excited about this new phase of Love Lane,' Doran said.
The lane has long been a popular spot in the city for tourists and others hoping to take pictures – it is not unusual to see newlyweds posing for pictures in front of the tiles.
Doran added that she never would've imagined that her outdoor artwork would become so popular.
'Love Lane has long been a heartfelt tribute to Dublin—a lane created for the people, by the people. It celebrates the city's spirit and community.'
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Irish Times
a day ago
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‘I love love, so I got really excited': Restored Love Lane in Temple Bar draws tourists
Dublin's Love Lane, on Crampton Court in Temple Bar , has been a beacon of love for many locals and tourists for more than a decade. Sitting behind the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin city centre and with an entrance a stone's throw from socialist bookshop Connolly Books, it stands at the intersection of culture and bustle in Dublin . Eleven years ago, a local initiative saw the lane adorned with a mural of love hearts and sentimental messages, many of which were later complemented by couples scribbling their names and initials. Although it may not have the name-recognition of the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, it nonetheless acts as a small escape for loved-up passersby. READ MORE The lane recently underwent a restoration from Dublin City Council and the Temple Bar Company, in which mural artist Anna Doran imposed song lyrics, poems and famous quotes alongside deconstructed hearts. Love Lane has gone viral online many times over, notably on the online video-sharing platform TikTok, and before its recent restoration had names and messages in every nook and cranny. The Irish Times visited the lane on a Wednesday afternoon to see the completed restoration. Marc and Noelia, a Spanish couple visiting Dublin for a few days, weren't aware of the lane's newfound TikTok fame and stumbled upon it by chance. 'We just saw a group of people turning right and after a second we followed them,' Noelia said. 'We don't usually do this, going to romantic attractions,' she said, but they enjoyed reading the lane's singular Spanish-language quote: 'Eres para mi', which translates as: 'You are mine'. [ Taste of Dublin at Merrion Square: the best things to do, see and eat Opens in new window ] The couple didn't think Dublin city centre had a particularly romantic atmosphere. However, in an unusually warm midday sun, they said they were going to enjoy a pint somewhere in Temple Bar. The lane played host to love of all shapes and sizes, with many best-friend pairings also making the pilgrimage to write their names on its wall. Becky and Alannah, best friends from Manchester, were in Dublin for only one day. 'This is our first love mural, but we do a lot of 'couply' things,' they said, almost in unison. Friends Becky and Alannah, from Manchester, write their names on the wall at Love Lane, Temple Bar. Photograph: Stephen Conneely Their day-trip city break plans included 'to drink, eat, and explore ... like a couple would!' Alannah said while Becky laughed. 'I saw that it was shut the other day, but we just thought we'd come over and see it,' Becky said after calling the now-washed-away love notes 'so cute'. Becky then wrote the pair's name on a tile, which read: 'You're my best friend'. However, she had to ask Alannah whether she had one or two 'l's in her name, prompting more laughter between the friends. [ The ultimate guide to the Irish summer: 50 great things to do come rain or shine Opens in new window ] Kiara and Isis, friends from San Francisco, 'didn't really plan anything in Dublin' for their four-day trip to the city. 'We're just seeing where the vibes take us,' Kiara said. They had seen a few TikTok videos of Love Lane before they left the US, many of which describe it as a 'must-do when in Dublin'. 'I love love, so I got really excited,' Kiara said, encapsulating the heart of the lane.
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Temple Bar's 'Love Lane' restored over a decade on from its installation
DUBLIN'S 'LOVE LANE' in Temple Bar has officially been restored, over a decade after its initial installation in 2014. The lane, which is located in Crampton Court, was restored by the original artist Anna Doran, supported by Dublin City Council and the Temple Bar Company. The lane is comprised of tiles bearing deconstructed hearts and short messages. There are over 100 public contributions that are displayed on tiles on the lane, which include quotes, poems, lyrics and dedications. There are hundreds of tiles on the lane. Over the years, the lane has been subject to graffiti and damage. In 2018, it was revamped by Doran, and this year it has been redesigned to 'better withstand the challenges of being a public mural and to ensure its longevity.' Love is alive in Dublin! ❤️ As part of the 'Love The Lanes' initiative, Dublin City Council and the Temple Bar Company celebrate Anna Doran's restoration of 'Love Lane' in Crampton Court. This vibrant pathway features over 100 public contributions of quotes, poems, and… — Dublin City Council (@DubCityCouncil) June 11, 2025 Speaking during the restoration in a video put out by the council, Doran said: 'I get lots of different types of quotes. Some of them are poetry, some of them are lyrics from songs, some of them are quite Dublin quotes, like, 'you're a smasher, two eggs and a rasher'.' Advertisement Some other messages on tiles include 'You're bleedin' deadly' and 'Le ghrá, anois agus go deo'. 'What I find really amazing is how people when they submit their quote for their time they'll tell me the background behind each of the tiles. So every single tile here has a story behind it and it's really special.' Doran said that it was her fourth time doing the lane. The same concept and design has been maintained but this time, the lane has been fully tiled using custom tiles for outdoor use. These were installed by professional tiler Dan Milici, aiming to significantly extend the mural's lifespan. The lane pictured in October 2023. AlexMastro / Alamy Stock Photo AlexMastro / Alamy Stock Photo / Alamy Stock Photo 'I think the public are going to be really excited about this new phase of Love Lane,' Doran said. The lane has long been a popular spot in the city for tourists and others hoping to take pictures – it is not unusual to see newlyweds posing for pictures in front of the tiles. Doran added that she never would've imagined that her outdoor artwork would become so popular. 'Love Lane has long been a heartfelt tribute to Dublin—a lane created for the people, by the people. It celebrates the city's spirit and community.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
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