If you love literature, history, and lively pubs, you’re going to love Dublin.
What I really loved was how walkable the city is. You can wander the cobbled streets, stumble across Georgian squares, and find colourful doors around every corner without needing to rack up 30,000 steps a day; always a bonus!.
The history in this city is incredible, too. I loved stepping into Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and wandering through Dublin Castle. Even a casual stroll along the River Liffey feels steeped in centuries of stories.
Cafes and pubs are everywhere, and they make exploring even more enjoyable. I spent mornings sipping strong coffee and sneaking bites of fresh pastries, and evenings ducking into cosy pubs for hearty dinners and a pint or two of Guinness. It’s the kind of place where the food, drinks, and atmosphere all blend together to make you feel surprisingly at home.
Dublin has its share of surprises. Tiny bookshops, quirky galleries, and hidden murals make every turn feel like a discovery. I loved finding a quiet lane with a mural I didn’t expect, or popping into a cafe tucked into an alley that smelled like heaven.
The locals add so much to the city’s charm. They’re warm, funny, and easy to strike up a conversation with. Even just watching street performers or musicians on a Saturday afternoon, you can feel the city’s energy and humour in the air.
And while it’s a city, Dublin is also a perfect base for a bit of adventure. A short drive or train ride takes you to cliffs, beaches, or the Wicklow Mountains. You can spend a morning exploring history and an afternoon chasing some of Ireland’s epic landscapes.
By the time I left, I felt like I’d experienced a city that’s full of personality, warmth, and so much history. Today, I’m going to be sharing all of my favourite attractions in Dublin, hoping that you’ll fall as hard for it as I did.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle dates to 1204 and was the seat of British power in Ireland for over seven centuries. Its lavishly furnished State Apartments can be toured and are used by the president of Ireland to host visiting dignitaries. Other areas of interest include the Gothic Chapel Royal and the Chester Beatty Library with its collection of Asian and Middle Eastern prints, paintings, and manuscripts.
The State Apartments, grounds and gardens are open daily and free to explore.
Old Kilmainham Gaol
Although a former jail may not sound like an interesting destination, in Dublin’s case it is one of the most interesting historical tours the city offers. Old Kilmainham Gaol has held numerous leaders of Ireland’s fight for independence over the years from the 1780s to the 1920s. Most famously the commanders of the 1916 Easter rebellion, Pádraig Pearse and James Connolly were held here before being executed in the prison yard.
Your tour guide brings these stories to moving and vivid life as you tour the chilling cellblock and end the tour in the prison yard where executions took place. There is also a 30-minute audiovisual presentation that recounts Ireland’s political history over the past 200 years.
Entrance to the Gaol is by guided tour only. Tickets must be reserved online and are for timed entry.
General Post Office (GPO)
The General Post Office has a prominent role in Irish history, chosen by the insurgents in the 1916 Easter Rising. The building itself is impressive with its Neoclassical façade and was built between 1814 and 1818.
In 1916 Republican forces stormed the building and issued the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Most of the original building was gutted from the fighting, though the front of the building survived. You can still see bullet marks on the pillars from that fateful period.
The GPO was rebuilt and reopened in 1929. It now houses the GPO Witness History museum, an interactive gallery that recounts the historic and violent events surrounding the uprising and the role the GPO played in it. Admission is 13.50 euros for adults.
Abbey Theatre
One of the most famous theaters in the world, the Abbey houses Ireland’s national theatre company. Founded in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and his patron, Lady Gregory, it became a centre for an Irish literary renaissance, staging the first plays by young playwrights like Sean O’Casey and J.M. Synge. The original structure burned down in 1951, replaced by a modern auditorium, albeit one with excellent space and acoustics for the theatrical productions it stages.
Check out the schedule for what’s on during your stay. Plan ahead and don’t make the mistake I did. I counted on attending whatever production was available the night I had free in Dublin (apart from those I’d already booked for a dinner and music pub show and a comedy night to sample some of the best Irish humour), only to find the theatre dark; closed that particular night!
Christ Church Cathedral
Construction on the present Christ Church Cathedral (one of two Protestant cathedrals in Dublin along with St. Patrick’s), began in 1172 by Strongbow, a Norman baron who conquered Dublin for the English Crown, and continued for 50 more years.
By 1875 the cathedral needed major renovations and these changes gave it the look it has today. Strongbow himself is buried in the cathedral, beneath an impressive effigy statue.
The vast crypt, with its 12th- and 13th-century vaults, is Dublin’s oldest surviving structure and contains an exhibition on the Treasures of Christ Church. But the most comically bizarre attractionsare the mummified bodies of a cat and rat shown in a display case, which were trapped in an organ pipe in the 1860s, and who now chase after each other for eternity!
Christ Church offers self-guided tours that include admission to the crypt and special exhibitions at a cost of 8 euros for adults.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The largest cathedral in Dublin, St. Patrick’s was built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. Legend has it that St. Patrick baptized many converts at a well here in the 5th century. It is the longest church in the country, something that came in handy when Oliver Cromwell’s troops turned the church’s nave into a stable for their horses in the 17th century.
Don’t miss the heraldic Choir of St. Patrick’s, decorated with colourful medieval banners, and look for the tomb of Jonathan Swift, who was dean of the church from 1713 to 1745, but is most famous for authoring such books as Gulliver’s Travels.
Living Stones is the cathedral’s permanent exhibition celebrating St. Patrick’s life. General admission tickets cost 7.50 euros for adults.
National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery is located on beautiful Merrion Square. Its outstanding art collection ranges from masterpieces dating back to the Renaissance to an excellent collection of Irish art. The Gallery was built in 1864 by Francis Fowke, who also designed London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.
Look for noteworthy canvases by the likes of Caravaggio, Van Gogh and Vermeer, along with
paintings from the 17th-century French, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish schools, a small British collection and works by French impressionists such as Monet and Renoir. Be sure to save time for the Yeats Collection, displaying more than 30 works by Irish Impressionist Jack B. Yeats, Ireland’s most notable 20th-century painter. The museum is free of charge.
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Irish Museum of Modern Art presents the work of contemporary Irish artists as well as mounting regular international exhibitions. The museum also displays art by such luminaries as Picasso and Miró.
The elegant hospital building was designed by Sir William Robinson and built between 1684 and 1687 as a retirement home for soldiers. There is free admission to the museum.
National Museum of Archaeology
Just off Merrion Square is Ireland’s National Museum of Archaeology. The museum is home to a fascinating collection of Irish artifacts, including the largest collection of Celtic antiquities in the world, one of the highlights being discoveries of gold jewelry.
There is also a permanent exhibit on the Norsemen called Viking Ireland. Here you’ll find a full-size Viking skeleton, weaponry, and a replica of a small Viking boat. An exhibition entitled Kinship and Sacrifice centers on several Iron Age “bog bodies” found eerily well preserved from their immersion in Ireland’s peat bogs. Admission is 5 euros for adults.
National Museum of Decorative Arts and History
The National Museum of Decorative Arts and History’s extensive collection of furniture, silver, glass, and other decorative arts, forms another part of Ireland’s National Museum system. The huge Collins Barracks are a great setting for the museum. Built in 1704, they were renovated to house the collection, which opened in 1997.
Designed by Thomas Burgh who also created the Old Library at Trinity College, this building was once the largest military barracks in the world. Fittingly there is also a military collection in the museum, which tells of Ireland’s military history from 1550 to the 21st century. Admission is free.
EPIC Irish Emigration Museum
The Irish Emigration Museum focuses on the epic story of Ireland’s emigrations in the mid 1800s due to such economic factors as the Great Potato Famine. The museum is set near the docks here many had to leave their home and country behind forever. Each visitor gets a symbolic passport before embarking on their tour of the 20 galleries.
The museum does a good job in telling the human stories behind those people who were forced to leave, the struggles they faced, and where they moved to across the world. There is a 16.50 euro admission fee. You can avoid the crowds with a skip-the-line ticket costing $19.18 per person.
Little Museum of Dublin
The endearing Little Museum of Dublin, collected its items from the people of Ireland to help tell their story through their own belongings. The museum seeks to tell Dublin’s history in the past century through the stories and personal items of the residents themselves. The collection includes a wide variety of materials, including photographs, advertisements, letters, personal objects, and other collected items that help tell the story of life in Dublin since 1900. Housed on the first floor of a Georgian building, there’s even an exhibit on the rock band U2.
Admission is 12 euros for adults. You can also purchase a skip-the-line ticket for $11.62 per person that includes a guided tour of the museum.
The Book of Kells at Trinity College
A visit to see the magnificently handwritten and illustrated, 9th century Book of Kells was one of the highlights of my Dublin experience. Start with the fact that the setting itself is remarkable, on the grounds of Trinity College, built in 1592. Wander through the cobble stone squares and past the elegant colleges whose graduates include Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde. Make your way to the Old Library, which is a beautiful space to visit, particularly for book lovers like myself.
Its principal treasure is the Book of Kells, considered to be the most striking manuscript ever produced in the Anglo-Saxon world. There are often crowds on hand to share he experience, but it is worth to wait for a chance to look at the painstaking and beautiful artistic detail lavished by the artists on its pages.
The Old Library houses the largest collection of books and manuscripts in Ireland. The Long Room will take your breath away. This is the narrow main room of the Library, housing about 200,000 of the 3 million volumes in Trinity’s collection, as well as such items as the Trinity College Harp, the oldest medieval harp in Ireland, appearing on the flag of the Irish president and serving as the model for the Guinness logo.
An adult ticket is €18. A fast track access ticket can be purchased for the Book of Kells that also includes an exterior tour of Dublin Castle for $56.96 per person.
Dublin Writers Museum
Book lovers and particularly those who enjoy reading famous Irish authors will find plenty of interesting things to peruse on the walls and in the display cabinets of the Dublin Writers Museum.
This collection is devoted to preserving the city’s rich literary tradition up to 1970. Of course, this means that Irish authors from the past 50 years are not considered, but the rich historical collection is impressive, nonetheless. The building itself is interesting, comprising two 18th-century houses. Note the impressive stucco work decorating the upstairs gallery.
The upstairs gallery contains busts and portraits of the literary greats, but the more popular exhibits are downstairs, including Samuel Beckett’s phone (with a button for excluding incoming calls), and a first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Admission is 7.50 euros for adults.
Custom House
The Custom House is the city’s most spectacular Georgian building. Extending 375 feet along the north banks of the River Liffey. It is the work of James Gandon, an English architect who arrived in Ireland in 1781, when the building’s construction commenced and was not finished until 10 years later.
Just east of the Custom House is one of the city’s most striking pieces of public sculpture, a set of life-size bronze figures created in 1997 by Rowan Gillespie and known as Famine. These haunted, gaunt figures were created to highlight the terrible toll of the Great Hunger of 1845-51.
The Spire
The Spire, or the Monument of Light, is one of the newest additions to the city’s skyline. Ian Ritchie’s spectacular 395-foot-high, stainless steel monument was erected in 2003. It is seven times taller than the nearby General Post Office. Approximately 10 feet in diameter at its base, the monument tapers to only 1 foot at its top, which gently sways when the wind blows.
Ha’penny Bridge
The city’s most famous and photogenic bridge is the Ha’penny Bridge, built in 1816. One of the world’s oldest cast-iron bridges, the pedestrians who used it were once charged a half penny toll to cross, a fee that was collected up until 1919. The bridge was built to replace the passenger ferries that used to shuttle people between the two banks of the river.
St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green, is a 27-acre delight with lawns, flower gardens, a Victorian bandstand, and a lake with lots of waterfowl, connected by paths inviting a stroll amidst the lovely surroundings.
This is a great spot to take a break from city sightseeing. There are also many statues such as the memorial to W. B. Yeats and another to Joyce by sculptor Henry Moore.
Merrion Square
Peaceful Merrion Square, built between 1762 and 1764, is just a few blocks east of St. Stephen’s Green. It is bordered on three sides by some of Dublin’s best-preserved Georgian town houses. These are especially photogenic, as many of them are artistic treasures with brightly painted front doors crowned overhead by intricate fanlights.
Don’t miss the colorful statue of Oscar Wilde inside the park. Wilde who grew up across the street at No 1; he is dressed in his customary smoking jacket and rests casually on a rock. From here you can purchase a Dublin Rogues Walking Tour for $11.62 per person to learn more about the unique personalities associated with Merrion Square.
Phoenix Park
Europe’s largest public park, Phoenix Park stretches 3 miles along the Liffey’s north bank. There is an amazing variety of things to see and do here, including a visit to Europe’s oldest zoo, stopping off at the Parks’ Visitor Center in Ashtown Castle to learn more about the park’s history, or having a glimpse at the home of the Irish President.
But being outdoors is what makes Phoenix Park special. There are green lawns, woods, lakes, and playing fields. There is also a larger herd of fallow deer that you might spot on your excursions. Sundays are a great day to check out sporting events such as cricket, polo, football (soccer), baseball and more.
Gas lamps line both sides of Chesterfield Avenue, the main road that divides the park and an 1896 Victorian Tea Room near the Avenue still serving park visitors. You can rent bikes at the main gate to get around the spacious park and enjoy the diverse scenery. You can visit at any time of day, but visits are best made during daylight hours.
Guinness Storehouse
Dublin’s most popular attraction in Dublin is this homage to all things Guinness. An old fermentation plant in the St. James Gate Brewery has been converted into the seven-story Guinness Storehouse Museum. The museum tells the story of the company’s beloved Stout, including company’s history, how the beer is made and how it became the brand it is today. The top floor Gravity Bar is highlight, with great views over the city, and where you can sample the end product!
The tour takes about 90 minutes and tickets cost 18 euro per adult. You can buy your entrance ticket for a self-guided tour in advance at a cost of $30.22 per person.
Old Jameson Distillery
On the opposite side of the River Liffey, you can continue your tastings experience with a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin’s old horse market area, Smithfield. Jameson’s whisky is on offer at the end of tours.
Founded in 1791, this distillery has produced one of Ireland’s most famous whiskeys for nearly 200 years. In 1966, production moved to an ultramodern distillery in County Cork. After major renovation, the original distillery has been turned into a state-of-the-art museum and whiskey experience. Tours can focus on either an exploration of the history of the old distillery or be more hands on such as learning how to blend your own whiskey, or develop your cocktail-making skills. Tours include a complimentary tasting; 25 euros for adult admission/tour. Or buy your guided tour ticket in advance for $29.58 per person.
Temple Bar
Temple Bar is a colorful, cobbled street area of the city that runs parallel to the river. This 10-block stretch is a very popular nighttime destination, packed with restaurants, cafes, galleries and traditional pubs with music and crowds of people enjoying the scene. people and music spilling out. Be sure to check out the old stone buildings and the Temple Bar pub itself while exploring the area, which has the highest density of bars in Dublin!
Discover a Trad Session
Music is an integral part of the Irish culture. Be sure to ask for where you can find a group of local musicians sitting in at a local pub for a wonderful evening of music known as a trad session. I traveled just north of the city to Howth on my trip and had a pub meal while listening to the wonderfully enthusiastic musicians entertain the crowd and themselves with some delightful music. This was one of my best nights in Ireland, so don’t miss out on the local music scene!
Go on a Literary Pub Crawl
What better way to mix learning more about Dublin’s rich literary heritage while experiencing friendly ambience of traditional pubs than on this two-hour literary pub crawl? Delve into Dublin’s literary past and pub culture with entertaining and informative actors during this tour. Wander Dublin’s streets to visit sites and pubs that inspired some of Ireland’s most famous authors; there is even a fun literary quiz at the end of your tour! The cost of the tour is $18.04 per person.
Grafton Street
Though only a half dozen short blocks in total, Grafton Street is the heart of Dublin’s traditional shopping district. The area is full of shoppers and tourists, along with street performers vying for their attention. This is a pedestrian street that connects Trinity College to St. Stephen’s Green. You might also consider a stop at the famous Bewley’s café for a tea. Grafton Street has Dublin’s most renowned department store, Brown Thomas. A walk here past flower sellers and colorful shops and restaurants is an enjoyable pastime whether you are looking to buy or just strolling along and people watching.
A visit to Dublin will certainly give you a deeper understanding Irish history, from its rich Celtic and Norse roots through the political troubles that divided the nation. But the lingering memories of this vibrant city will likely revolve around recollections of meeting locals and some delightful craic at a local pub, listening to a scintillating trad session of local musicians, or watching a performance of an Irish playwright at the Abbey Theater.
Let Dublin soak in by stretching your toes in St. Stephens Green, relax like Oscar Wilde in Merrion Square, wander through Phoenix Park, stop in at Bewley’s Tavern on Grafton Street for tea or crane your neck to spy the top of the Spire on O’Connell Street.
No matter whether you have Irish roots or not, you’ll have a newfound affinity for this charming city along the River Liffey and its gregarious residents!
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