Fifty Years of Hare Krishna in the Heart of Dublin
Since the early 1970s, the Hare Krishna movement has been a vibrant thread in the cultural tapestry of Ireland. We aren't just a building; we are a community that lives, breathes, and serves alongside you in the city.
Our Dublin Journey: A Timeline
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Describe your image
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Describe your image
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Early 1970s – Devotee Tribhuvanatha arrives in Ireland and attempts to introduce Krishna consciousness through The Late Late Show.
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1973 – Prabhavisnu brings a group of devotees to Dublin. They begin street kirtan and book distribution, first sleeping in a van before renting a bungalow in Sutton, where Sunday programs attract around 60 visitors.
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1978 – The first major ISKCON temple opens at Belvedere Place, and ISKCON is officially registered as a charity in Ireland.
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1982–1983 – Devotees move to Castlefield House in Templeogue, where Sri Sri Radha Madhava are installed, establishing the first Radha-Krishna temple in Ireland.
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Mid–Late 1980s – Due to various challenges, devotees move between several locations including Clontarf, Navan, Dun Laoghaire, and Stillorgan, while continuing preaching activities.
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Late 1980s–1990s – Outreach continues through centres in Temple Bar, Dame Street, and South William Street, including the Golden Avatar restaurant and temple.
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1998 onward – Govinda’s restaurant opens on Aungier Street, later followed by Govinda’s on Abbey Street, which becomes the centre for temple programs.
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Present Day – The ISKCON Dublin temple on Abbey Street serves the community with daily worship, kirtan, festivals, and Sunday programs, with Sri Sri Panca Tattva presiding.
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What’s Next – The community is now working toward establishing a larger permanent temple for ISKCON Dublin, which will provide more space for worship, festivals, cultural programs, and outreach for the growing congregation in Ireland.
"That’s Us”
You’ve likely seen or tasted the fruits of Hare Krishna without even realising it.
The Chanting on O'Connell Street
If you’ve heard the rhythmic beat of the mridanga drum and felt the uplift of the chanting near the GPO - that’s us. This is called Harinama Sankirtana. We bring this music to the streets of Dublin as a free gift of peace, believing the sound vibration helps clear the stress of city life for everyone who hears it.
The Wholesome Food at Govinda’s
If you’ve enjoyed a "Govinda’s Special" or a hearty plate of vegan curry on Middle Abbey Street - that’s us. Every meal is Prasadam (sanctified food), prepared with the intention of non-violence (Ahimsa) and offered to the Divine before it reaches your plate.
The Charity You Support
If you’ve seen Food for Life donation points or volunteers feeding the vulnerable- that’s us. We believe that "no one should go hungry within a ten-mile radius of a temple." Your support allows us to provide nutritious, plant-based meals to those in need across the city.
