Windmill Lane Recording Studios — Attraction in Dublin

Windmill Lane Recording Studios is a true gem in Dublin’s musical scene—a place immersed in history, innovation, and a palpable passion for music. Located a short walk from the city centre, the studio stands out with its iconic Art Deco architecture and legendary reputation, having hosted global superstars from U2, The Rolling Stones, and Lady Gaga to contemporary icons like Ed Sheeran and Hozier.

Visitor Experience

From the moment you arrive, the experience feels exclusive and personal. Tours are given in small groups, allowing guests to truly immerse themselves in every aspect of the studio’s legacy and operations.

Types of Courses and Learning Experiences

Undergraduate & Degree Programs:

BA (Hons) in Music Production (Griffith College & Pulse College): This accredited degree places students at the heart of music creation, with modules covering studio recording, music technology, live sound, music theory, sound design for games, critical listening, music business, and audio post-production. Hands-on training takes place in the Windmill Lane studios, using industry-standard software (e.g., Pro Tools, Logic Pro X) under the guidance of experienced professionals.

International Twinning Programme:

In partnership with B4M NHQ (India), students can complete the final year of their audio/music technology degree at Windmill Lane and Pulse College, earning an internationally recognized qualification with direct studio experience in Dublin.

Pulse College, headquartered at Windmill Lane, is Ireland’s only Avid Pro Tools Pro School, offering official certification courses in this essential audio software

For music aficionados, seeing the historic mixing desks and sound equipment up close is a thrill. The facilities include three state-of-the-art studios, with Studio One large enough to accommodate an 80-piece orchestra. The recording process is explained in detail, with interactive opportunities to learn about sound engineering and music production. Even those who aren’t deeply involved in music come away with a greater appreciation for the artistry and technology behind the world’s biggest hits.

Atmosphere & Legacy

The studio exudes a creative energy, blending old-school analog warmth with cutting-edge digital innovation. The walls are lined with memorabilia from Grammy award-winning records and iconic film scores produced on-site. There’s a welcoming vibe whether you’re a die-hard music geek or a casual visitor—staff go the extra mile to answer questions and make everyone feel at home.

Standout Features

Historic legacy:** Opened in 1978, Windmill Lane was pivotal in both traditional Irish music and the global rise of Irish rock, especially through its association with U2, who recorded multiple landmark albums here.

World-class facilities: The studios offer top-tier equipment and outstanding acoustics, making them a destination for both international artists and local creatives.

Educational tours:** The visitor experience covers everything from sound engineering basics to the cultural impact of recorded music, all presented in an accessible, engaging format.

Location:** The studio’s convenient location in Dublin Docklands, close to Trinity College and public transport, makes it easy to fit into your city itinerary.

Final Thoughts

Mind-blowing and absolutely fascinating for anyone interested in music or culture. Walking the halls where legends recorded iconic albums is an unparalleled thrill. The staff’s passion, combined with the immersive and intimate tour format, ensures that every visitor leaves with lasting memories and a deeper understanding of the music industry. A must-do for anyone visiting Dublin—highly recommended! I’d give Windmill Lane Recording Studios a full five stars...

Every so often you might plan to go to a restaurant, see a movie or a show not quite knowing what to expect.

And then being enthralled and so impressed with the experience that you want to tell all your family and friends before the word gets out!

That's exactly how I and others felt with our visit to Windmill Lane Studios.

A number of factors worked in our favour; first of all, the guide was very personable and hugely informative with so many insider stories; certainly really impressive and it was only at the end of the tour when we found out who he really was; more later.

Being a very cold Friday late afternoon visit, this worked in our favour as there were just four of us so we felt like being on a private tour.

So many associate Windmill Lane with U2 and indeed they recorded and mixed many of their albums there.

But it was really the staff technical expertise and the impressive studio space that attracted so many of the world's greatest stars to choose Windmill Lane over other recording studios.

During your visit, you'll hear so many stories about the many stars who used Windmill Lane. Likewise you'll learn about the recording and mixing process, the key role of the sound engineers and how they achieve amazing music working with so many global icons of contemporary music.

Sharing any more of this unique visit would probably just be a spoiler.

For so many visitors to Dublin, they are on a headlong rush to do Trinity, The Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick's etc etc. I've done them all; worthwhile, fine but touristy.

But Windmill is different; its personal, contemporary, authentic and just so unexpected in so many great ways.

And now, just one spoiler alert coming up.

At the end, we asked another staff member about our tour guide. Well, it turned out that he is one of the three owner directors of Windmill. No wonder we heard all the insider stories of some of the world's...

While I was on a ‘U2 Walking Tour of Dublin’ one of my fellow tourees recommended the Windmill Lane Recording Studios visitor tour, as U2 recorded many of their albums there, so I decided to sign up. First, it’s only about an hour-long and a jam-packed one at that, taking you through the history of the recording studio, the artists that have recorded there, and a look at the different recording studios within that are used for various projects of various scale (individual bands, orchestras, etc.)

They wrap things up in the large live recording studio designed for 100-piece orchestras and a recap of the studio’s history as played over binaural headphones that really puts the ‘surround’ in surround sound. Our tour guide, Maria, was super pleasant and articulate about the ins and outs of the studio. When she tells us that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (RIP) recorded in a certain part of the studio, it’s extra cool and enlightening. Whether you’re a fan of U2, or The Rolling Stones, Kylie Minogue, Miley Cyrus, The Commitments, Riverdance, The Corrs, The Chieftans, Def Leppard, Bruce Springsteen, or any of the other myriad artists who have recorded at this legendary studio, or just interested in the art of studio production, this tour has you covered wither way.

As this tour fills up, and has specific tour times (they are an active studio after all) I recommend buying tickets in advance to make sure you’re not left out of your...