Staying Near Shelbourne Park: 15 Central Dublin Hotels Compared

Grand Canal Hotel is the single central hotel closest to Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium, sitting directly opposite Grand Canal DART Station and roughly 1.2 km from the stadium - a 15-minute walk along the canal towpath. This four-star, family-run property has been refurbished with Smart TV-equipped rooms and free high-speed WiFi, while the Waterbank Gastro Bar provides a functional post-event dining option without requiring you to head into the city. The on-site gym and private parking make it the most logistically complete option for anyone whose primary reason for visiting Dublin includes Shelbourne Park events. The Aviva Stadium is also reachable on foot in around 20 minutes, making this property work equally well for rugby or football events.

• Private parking on site
• Directly opposite Grand Canal DART Station
• Waterbank Gastro Bar and Canal Express café on site

Waterloo Lodge (official site) is a restored Georgian townhouse in Ballsbridge, approximately 2 km from Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium - accessible by a 10-minute taxi or a short cycle. The Aviva Stadium is a 10-minute walk, which positions this property well for anyone combining greyhound racing with a rugby or football fixture. Rooms include private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and free tea and coffee, and the full Irish breakfast is consistently rated as a strong point. There is a bus stop directly outside the property, and the 24-hour reception is practical for guests arriving late after evening race meetings.

• 10-minute walk to Aviva Stadium
• Bus stop directly outside the property
• Full Irish breakfast included

Kilronan House is a family-run B&B in Dublin's Georgian Quarter, located approximately 2.8 km from Shelbourne Park - reachable by a short LUAS or taxi journey. Less than 5 minutes from Grafton Street and St. Stephen's Green, it sits in one of Dublin's quietest central neighbourhoods while keeping the city's main attractions fully walkable. The freshly cooked breakfasts are one of the most consistently praised features across guest reviews, and the concierge service includes tourist information and boarding pass printing - practical for visitors combining an event visit with a city break. Free WiFi, luggage storage, and parking on request round out a no-frills but high-quality guesthouse offer.

• Freshly cooked breakfast daily
• Luggage storage available
• Free WiFi throughout

The Harcourt Hotel occupies eight Georgian listed buildings on Harcourt Street, including a former home of George Bernard Shaw, and sits on the LUAS Green Line - making Shelbourne Park accessible via a tram-to-DART connection in under 25 minutes total transit time. The hotel's DTwo bar and nightclub and an all-weather heated beer garden with a 20-foot screen make it a functional social hub for sports-focused visits. Over 100 bedrooms, free WiFi, and the '1900' restaurant cover the essentials. The Iveagh Gardens are directly behind the hotel, and Trinity College and St Patrick's Cathedral are within walking distance, giving this property real day-trip range beyond event attendance.

• Located on LUAS Green Line for direct city access
• DTwo bar with 20ft screen for live sports
• All-weather heated beer garden

Leonardo Hotel Dublin Parnell Street is located on the northside of the city centre, roughly 3.5 km from Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium - best accessed via DART from Connolly Station to Grand Canal Dock in about 12 minutes. The property was recently refurbished with new Dream beds, air conditioning, and spa toiletries, giving it a quality-per-price advantage over older central competitors. It is a 5-minute walk from Temple Bar and under 10 minutes from Dublin Castle and Trinity College, making it a strong base for mixed itineraries. Connolly Station is a 15-minute walk, and O'Connell Street bus connections to Dublin Airport are within easy walking distance.

• Newly refurbished rooms with air conditioning
• 5-minute walk to Temple Bar district
• On-site fitness room

Fitzsimons Hotel Temple Bar is a boutique property in Temple Bar overlooking the River Liffey, approximately 3.2 km from Shelbourne Park - most practically reached via DART from Tara Street to Grand Canal Dock. The hotel's four bars with nightly live music and a nightclub make it the strongest option for visitors who want post-race entertainment without travelling. Most rooms have city views and some have private balconies with Liffey outlooks. ->

• Rooftop terrace with city views
• 4 bars with nightly live music
• Tara Street DART Station within walking distance

The Mercantile Hotel occupies a historically significant 18th-century Georgian terrace on Dame Street, metres from Dublin Castle, Grafton Street, and Temple Bar - roughly 3 km from Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium via DART from Tara Street. The property's 105 newly appointed rooms preserve original architectural character while introducing modern technology, making it one of the more distinctive central options in this selection. Its position on Dame Street places it at the intersection of Dublin's commercial, shopping, and cultural zones, and the new river boardwalk is walkable. Tara Street DART Station is a short walk, providing a direct connection to Grand Canal Dock for Shelbourne Park race nights.

• 105 newly refurbished rooms in a protected Georgian structure
• Dame Street location - metres from Dublin Castle
• Short walk to Tara Street DART Station

The Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin sits beside St Patrick's Cathedral and is a 5-minute walk from Dublin Castle - roughly 3.5 km from Shelbourne Park, reachable by a 15-minute taxi or DART from Pearse via Grand Canal Dock. Rooms feature separate bathtubs and showers with city views, and select categories include Nespresso machines - a meaningful step above standard central hotel rooms. The Velvære Spa includes a Thermal Suite with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and heated loungers, available for an additional charge and restricted to guests aged 18 and over. Complimentary gym access is included for all guests, and the Dyflin Bar serves signature cocktails and dishes in a polished setting.

• Velvære Spa with Thermal Suite experience
• Separate bathtub and shower in all rooms
• 5-minute walk to Temple Bar and Grafton Street

Wren Urban Nest is a centrally located property 300 metres from the City Hall and 400 metres from Dublin Castle, positioned approximately 3.2 km from Shelbourne Park - DART-accessible from Tara Street to Grand Canal Dock. The hotel is fully allergy-free, a rare and practical differentiator for guests with sensitivities, and operates a 24-hour front desk with a concierge service. The Chester Beatty Library, Gaiety Theatre, and St Patrick's Cathedral are all within a short walk. A buffet and Full Irish/English breakfast are offered daily, and the shared lounge and bar provide functional social space without the nightclub atmosphere of neighbouring Temple Bar properties.

• Fully allergy-free property
• 300 metres from City Hall
• 24-hour front desk and concierge

NYX Hotel Dublin Portobello is a 4-star property in the Portobello neighbourhood, 1.2 km from St. Stephen's Green and roughly 2.5 km from Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium - accessible via a short taxi or bus along South Circular Road. Rooms are air-conditioned and include a coffee machine, fridge, safety deposit box, flat-screen TV, and private shower bathroom, with select units offering city views. The hotel's fitness centre, restaurant, bar, and 24-hour room service give it a strong self-contained profile for guests who prefer not to move around the city for meals after late events. Fitzwilliam Square and St Patrick's Cathedral are both within short walking distance, adding genuine daytime itinerary value.

• Air-conditioned rooms with fridge and coffee machine
• 24-hour room service available
• Fitness centre on site

The Address Connolly is built into Dublin's Connolly Station in Dublin 1, making it the most transport-connected hotel in this selection - DART to Grand Canal Dock for Shelbourne Park takes approximately 8 minutes and costs around €2.50. The hotel features the NORTH restaurant and bar, where Irish-crafted design pieces appear throughout the interiors and the menu focuses on seasonal, sustainable cuisine with an extensive cocktail list. The C Spa and fitness centre add a wellness dimension rarely found at this price point for a station-adjacent hotel. Spacious rooms sourced with traditional Irish design make this one of the more characterful options in Dublin 1, and the IFSC is a 5-minute walk for business travellers.

• Located at Connolly Station - 8 minutes by DART to Shelbourne Park area
• C Spa and fitness centre on site
• NORTH restaurant with seasonal Irish cuisine

Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre is situated in the Docklands, next to the 3Arena, EPIC Ireland museum, and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre - placing it within the same event corridor as Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium, roughly 2 km away by taxi or a 25-minute walk along the waterfront. Busáras and Connolly Station are both a 2-minute walk, and a DART to Grand Canal Dock takes around 6 minutes, making this the most direct central hotel connection to the stadium in this selection. Rooms feature power showers, flat-screen TVs, and a workspace area, and the hotel includes wheelchair-friendly room options. The stylish bar and Costa Coffee outlet in the lobby provide flexible dining without requiring guests to go out.

• 2-minute walk to Connolly Station and Busáras
• Adjacent to 3Arena and EPIC Ireland museum
• Wheelchair-friendly room options available

The Croke Park Hotel is a 4-star property situated directly opposite Croke Park stadium in Dublin 3, approximately 4 km from Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium - reachable by taxi in around 15 minutes or via Connolly Station by DART. Rooms include duck-down duvets, bathtubs and showers, premium toiletries, and 50-inch Smart TVs - among the most specification-complete rooms in this selection. The Sideline bar and restaurant operates all day with cocktails, draught beers, and a relaxed evening dining menu. For visitors combining a greyhound racing visit with GAA events at Croke Park, this is the only hotel in this guide that covers both venues without switching base.

• Directly opposite Croke Park stadium
• Rooms with bathtub, shower, and 50-inch Smart TV
• 15-minute drive from Dublin Airport

The Trinity City Hotel is a boutique property a 2-minute walk from Trinity College and one minute from Tara Street DART Station - making DART access to Grand Canal Dock for Shelbourne Park a 10-minute journey. Rooms are large by Dublin city centre standards, featuring laptop safes, full-length mirrors, flat-screen TVs, and luxury toiletries; select rooms have panoramic city views. The open-plan restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows serves light lunches and an evening dinner menu, and the heated outdoor terrace is a usable feature in Dublin's climate. Private parking is available on request - a meaningful practical advantage given how scarce central Dublin parking is.

• 1-minute walk to Tara Street DART Station
• Laptop safe in all rooms
• Private parking available on request

Marine Hotel is located in Sutton Cross, a coastal suburb approximately 14 km north of Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium - reached by DART from Sutton Station to Grand Canal Dock in around 25 minutes, with services running regularly. This is the outlier in this selection, but it suits visitors who want a quieter, coastal base rather than a city-centre stay, with most rooms having Dublin Bay sea views and free parking included. The indoor pool, sauna, and Cucinos Italian restaurant give it a leisure profile that no other property in this guide matches. The Pangaea Spa is directly opposite the hotel, and Portmarnock Golf Course is within a 5-minute drive - making this a practical choice for a longer trip combining greyhound racing with golf or coastal activities. ↗

• Indoor swimming pool and sauna
• Free parking on site
• Most rooms with Dublin Bay sea views