Dublin

Travelling from the UK it’s a short flight across the Irish Sea to Dublin and perfect for a long weekend away. Dublin airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe and is well connected for flights from mainland Europe, the United States and beyond.

It’s probably fair to say that a few people go to Dublin mainly for the lively atmosphere of Temple Bar and may not get much further than their favourite bars and restaurants but there is loads of other things to see and do in the Irish capital.

Getting Around

The best way to get around is on foot. However if you prefer not to walk then the trams are an efficient way to get to where you want to go.

The Luas is Dublin’s modern 2-line tram system and consists of a green line and a red line. The green line links the north and the south of the city through the city centre and is more useful to tourists than the red line which runs from the centre to the suburbs in the west.

For the best value on public transport buy a LEAP card which gives you a 31% discount on cash fares and unlimited travel for 1, 3 or 7 days.

The cost of a card is; 1 day: €8, 3 days: €16, 7 days: €32

Temple Bar

Lots of people who travel to Dublin go for the craic - a good time spent with friends, often in cosy bars with live music and a pint of Guinness or a good whiskey. Temple Bar in the centre of Dublin is where you’ll find all the tourist bars, clubs and a large selection of restaurants.

St Patrick’s Day

In Dublin St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in style with a four day festival starting off with the National Parade which starts at Parnell Square and finishes at Temple Bar. Over 500,000 spectators on average watch the parade every year where you can see pageantry, dance and Irish music. As you would expect, Dublin is incredibly busy at this time of year so you should plan your travel, accommodation and visits to tourist attractions well in advance.

Guinness Storehouse Experience

When Arthur Guinness founded his brewery in Dublin in 1759 he never could have known that his stout would become one of Dublin’s finest exports, drunk by people around the world.

Today you can tour around the Guinness Brewery at St James Gate. The tour spans seven floors of the Brewery and ends at the Gravitas Bar on the top floor where you can sample a pint of Guinness while taking in the panoramic views over Dublin.

Tour tickets cost €28.60 and include a pint of Guinness or soft drink in the Gravitas Bar.

If you prefer a tipple of whiskey rather than stout there are a couple of Whiskey Museums you might want to check out.

Dublin Jamieson Experience

Located at the site of the original factory at Bow Street, at the Jamieson Distillery you can take a tour or take part in a cocktail making session, learn how to blend your own whiskey or enjoy a whiskey tasting session.

Prices start at €26 for a standard tour and whiskey tasting session. Check out the website for details on other whiskey experiences.

Irish Whiskey Museum

At the Irish Whiskey Museum they work with over 30 brands of whiskey from across Ireland and Northern Ireland. You can take a guided tour to learn about the history of Irish whiskey followed by a whiskey tasting session. There’s a soft drink option for children and on-drinkers.

Tours prices start at €25 per person.

Irish Rock n Roll Museum

There’s a long line of successful rock bands that have come out of Ireland. From U2 and Van Morrison through to The Script and Hozier and at the Irish Rock and Roll Museum you can trace their journeys from humble beginnings to worldwide fame with a guided tour.

The museum in Temple Bar is open 7 days a week and an adult ticket costs from €26.

Art and Literature

James Joyce

The Dublin-born author, famous for the novel Ulysses and The Dubliners, a collection of short stories is celebrated throughout the city.

The James Joyce Centre at North Great George Street promotes his life, literature and legacy. They host walking tours, exhibitions and workshops.

The statue of James Joyce is located at North Earl Street, just off O’Connell Street.

Oscar Wilde

Born in Dublin in 1854, Oscar Wilde’s childhood home was at 1 Merrion Square. The building is now home to the American College Dublin but the playwright’s home is still preserved and you can tour round it. Pay on the door for general admission. Guided tours are available on select days and should be booked online.

House Admission (pay on the door): €12 per person

In the park across from the house you’ll find a statue dedicated to Oscar Wilde.

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

The Literary Pub Crawl has been going since 1988 and follows in the footsteps of Dublin’s literary figures such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde . The tour takes the form of street theatre where you can hear actors quoting lines by Beckett, Joyce and Wilde. The tour lasts two and a half hours and visits four pubs.

Tickets start at €20 and include a private visit to Trinity College front square.

Statue of Molly Malone

Molly Malone was a fictional character who was referenced in the song Cockles and Mussels, a song about Molly pushing her wheelbarrow through the streets of Dublin selling cockles and mussels. The song was so popular that it has become an unofficial anthem of Dublin.

You can find the statue at Suffolk Street in front of the Tourist Information Office.

Ha’Penny Bridge

Running through the heart of Dublin is the River Liffey. 21 bridges span the river but the most famous one is the Ha’Penny Bridge. Connecting Batchelors Walk to Temple Bar this pedestrianised bridge is used by around 30,000 every day to safely cross the river.

Shopping

The two main shopping centres in Dublin are Grafton Street on the south side and Henry Street which is north of the river.

Grafton Street is a fully pedestrianised street which runs from Trinity College. Here you’ll find the department store Brown Thomas as well as a range of mid-range and upmarket stores. The street goes all the way down to St Stephen’s Green where you’ll also find St Stephen’s Green shopping centre.

Henry Street, close to O’Connell street, is another fully pedestrianised zone with a range of high street shops.

The Book of Kells

Created by Celtic Monks around 800 AD, the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript made of vellum and containing the four Latin Gospels of the New Testament. Originating on the island of Iona in Scotland it was moved to a monastery in Kells, Ireland during the Viking raids and lay there for centuries before being taken to Dublin during the Cromwell invasions.

It’s now on permanent display in Trinity College and I would recommend going to see it. The artwork is really incredible with intricate, colourful designs and beautiful calligraphy.

Tickets cost €25.50 per person

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

In 1870 Saint Patrick’s Cathedral was designated as the national cathedral for the whole of Ireland and hosts a number of public ceremonies including Irelands Remembrance Day services.

The cathedral is open to the public 7 days a week with admission costing €11 per adult. Family tickets ( 2 adults and up to 3 children) costs €31.

Finally

Whether you just want to take in the lively atmosphere of Temple Bar, go shopping in Grafton Street or learn more about Dublin’s history and culture there’s something to suit most tastes.