Today, Dublin is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and a must visit for anyone visiting Ireland. You’ll need at least a few days in the city to explore all the amazing attractions Dublin has to offer. Founded by the Vikings in 998AD, the city has a very interesting past with quite a few stories to tell! This is your time to tick a few of these famous spots off your list…
1. Visit Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol is one of the biggest unoccupied prisons in Europe. Now, it stands as a haunted museum, accessed by millions of tourists every year. When the prison first opened in 1796, it was one of the most modern of its time. Since then, it has housed many political prisoners including those associated with the 1916 Easter Rising. Guided tours can get very busy so if you plan to visit, we recommend that you book your tickets online.
2. See Glasnevin Cemetery
The Glasnevin Cemetery, dating back to 1832, holds over 1.5 million graves in Dublin. It famously contains monuments and graves of some of Ireland’s most prominent figures including Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Arthur Griffith, Luke Kelly of the Dubliners and many more! Onsite, visitors can learn all about the history and the lives of the buried in the world’s first ever cemetery museum.
3. Explore Dublin Castle
Built in 1204, Dublin Castle was the seat of the UK government administration in Ireland until 1922. Today, it houses The Chapel Royal and The Chester Beatty Library which displays treasures from all over the world. Dublin Castle also houses The Revenue Museum which offers an interesting history of tax collection in Ireland, and the State Apartments, which are used for Presidential inaugurations and other prestigious functions. The castle grounds are free to explore but please note that admission to the State Apartments is by guided tour only.
4. Have a pint at the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse is probably Dublin’s busiest tourist attractions and for good reason! The museum is set out over seven floors, which all surround a glass atrium in the shape of a pint of Guinness. The exhibition covers the process of making Guinness, right through to the marketing, sales and distribution of the finished product. Take in the 360 degree views of the city from the Gravity Bar, one of Dublin’s highest vantage points.
5. Walk Around Trinity College
Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. It is Ireland’s oldest university and has had many famous students including Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and Jonathan Swift. Visitors to the College can enjoy guided tours of the magnificent Old Library and Book of Kells Exhibition. It truly never fails to amaze!
6. Enjoy The (Free Entry) National Museums of Ireland
3 out of 4 of our national museums are located in Dublin. The Museum of Archaeology and the Natural History Museum are located quite close to each other off Kildare Street. The Decorative Arts and History Museum is located at the Old Collins Barracks on Benburn Street. All of these museums are free entry and well worth a visit!
7. Visit Christchurch Cathedral & Dublinia
Christchurch Cathedral is the oldest of Dublin’s two cathedrals and the home to the largest crypt in Ireland. This cathedral famously contains the tomb of Strongbow, a medieval Norman-Welsh warlord, who came to Ireland to bring military aid at the request of King Diarmuid MacMorrough. At Christchurch, you’ll also find secular carvings and the mummified corpses of a Cat & a Rat, commonly nicknamed Tom & Jerry! The adjacent Dublinia Exhibition covers the period of Dublin’s interesting history from the arrival of the Anglo-Normans to the closure of the monasteries in the 1540s.
8. Check out the Night Life at Temple Bar
Temple Bar is one of the best places to be in Dublin by night! It’s a vibrant district for live music and traditional Irish culture. Here, you can find the Irish Film Institute and some of the best art galleries in Dublin, giving it a reputation as the culture quarter. Don’t miss out on visiting some of Temple Bars most popular watering holes like The Palace Bar, The Temple Bar Pub, Oliver St. John Gogarty’s and The Auld Dubliner.
9. Browse Shops on Grafton Street
Grafton Street and the surrounding area contains some of the best shopping spots in Dublin. The street is also known for being lined with buskers, and has been a launching pad for many iconic musicians, including U2’s Bono. There are also lots of cosy cafes and bars to choose from on Grafton Street. Nearby, at Meeting House Square, there are often theatre and film screenings and on Saturdays, there is an excellent organic food market.
10. See The GPO & New GPO Museum
The General Post Office (GPO) is the headquarters of the Irish Post Office and one of O’Connell Streets most prominent buildings. During the Easter Rising of 1916, the GPO famously served as the headquarters for the rebellion leaders. The GPO Witness History Museum documents the building’s history and brings the events of the Easter Rising to life.