Discovering Dublin: The Hellfire Club

Montpelier Hill which is better known as The Hellfire Club to Dubliners, is an amazing spot for a low-incline walk. The Hellfire Club walk has a variety of short forest trails to explore and provides gorgeous views of the city from the south-west.

It can get busy on the weekends but if you get there early you should not have too much trouble finding parking. Parking is free but it is limited. You do not need a car to get there but I would recommend driving if you can because the closest bus won’t get you very close leaving a 45-minute walk on small country-style roads to the start of the Hellfire Club walk.

Car park opens at 7am (April to September) and 8am (October to March)

Car park closes at 9pm (April to September) and 5pm (October to March)

At the top of the hill sits a large hunting lodge where some spooky activities are said to have taken place. There are many legends associated with the hunting lodge as an object of occult activities. The building was erected by R.H. Connolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Parliament, as a shooting lodge, about the year 1725.

The building was sold after Conolly’s death and is said to have become the Irish Hellfire Club’s meeting place. The club was founded in 1735 by Richard Parsons who was known to dabble in black magic.

The Hellfire Club is now burnt-out and abandoned. While the building is now full of graffiti and people’s litter, the view from the top of Montpelier Hill and inside The Hellfire Club can’t be beat. If you are looking for a free and active activity to do in Dublin be sure to add the Hellfire Club walk to your list!