If you want to experience a young, lively city with a vibrant nightlife, with bags of shopping options, a glimpse of an ancient civilisation, fantastic music, marvellous theatres and galleries, then a visit to Dublin city is a must. There’s no end of tourist attractions as well as plenty pubs, restaurants and late night hot spots. It has everything any visitor could possibly want and much more.
Here’s a list of some of Dublin’s top tourist haunts:
Trinity College Dublin…
Trinity College was once a place for only the elite in Irish Society, but now is open to everyone! It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth and some of its most famous graduates include Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. The major attractions are the Old Library and the Book Of Kells, which is housed within the Old Library.
Find out more about Trinity College.
The Guinness Storehouse…
In the heartland of the Guinness factory complex this remarkable visitor centre creates the intriguing story of the Guinness Family, and the birth of the world famous ‘pint of the black stuff’. A complimentary pint in the highest bar in Ireland, the Gravity Bar, will be your reward after a tour of the brewery.
Find out more about the Guinness Storehouse.
National Museum of Ireland…
The National Museum of Ireland is comprised of cultural, historical and artistic collections, which are meticulously displayed in three different buildings throughout Dublin city centre. The National Museum of Archaeology and History is located on Kildare Street in the city centre, not far from Merrion Square. A must see here is the beautifully crafted Ardagh Chalice, an invaluable relic of Ireland’s religious past. The National Museum of Decorative Arts and History is located at Collins Barracks to the west of the city close to Hueston Station. The National Museum of Natural History is located in Merrion
Find out more about the National Museum of Ireland.
Dublinia…
The Exhibition at Dublinia covers the early period of Dublin’s history from the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in 1170 to the monastery disestablishments of the 1540s. Of the many exhibits, there are videos, reconstructions, and models wearing the attire of the time. The ground floor houses a large-scale model of Dublin around 1500, a display of artefacts from Wood Quay, plus a Viking ship reconstruction.
Find out more about Dublinia.
St Patricks Cathedral…
St Patrick’s Cathedral is traditionally the site of a holy well used by St Patrick for baptisms, and a church dating back to the late 5th century.
Find out more about St Patricks Cathedral.
Dublin Castle…
Dublin Castle is located in the oldest part of Dublin city, the Christ Church area. The original castle was built by King John of England as a fortified defensive structure and it was the symbol of British rule in Ireland until the creation of an independent Republic of Ireland in 1922. A national attraction, Dublin Castle has also been a venue for EU conferences and concert events.
Find out more about Dublin Castle.
Kilmainham Gaol…
Kilmainham Gaol is located in Inchicore, on the edge of Dublin City. If you’re interested in the History of Ireland, and the origins of the state, then a visit to the Gaol is a must. It was here where Patrick Pearse, James Connolly and other leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed. Other notable imprisoned historical figures include Charles Stewart Parnell, and Eamon de Valera, former Taoiseach and President of Ireland, who spent time here after the 1916 Insurrection and Irish Civil War.
Find out more about Kilmainham Gaol.
Temple Bar and Christchurch Cathedral…
Temple Bar is long renowned as Dublin’s Cultural Quarter. Positioned in the heart of Dublin’s City Centre, some of Dublin’s best nightspots, restaurants and shops line these narrow, cobbled streets running between the Bank of Ireland and Christ Church Cathedral.
Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest medieval cathedrals in Ireland. Its origins date back to 1038, when Danish Vikings constructed a church to service the nearby settlements. The cathedral contains the tomb of Strongbow (also know as Richard de Clare who led the Norman invasion of Ireland) and a large crypt where visitors can see copious features of historical interest.
Find out more about Temple Bar and Christ Church Cathedral.
GAA Museum and Croke Park…
One of the most visited attractions in Dublin is Croke Park, where Ireland’s national games of Gaelic football and hurling are played. With a capacity of 82,500 it’s one of the largest sports stadiums in Europe.
Croke Park is the official headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association and also houses the official GAA Museum. The finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship are played in the stadium in September every year.
Over the years Croker (as it’s often referred to) has held musical concerts by major international artists and Irish legends such as U2 and in 2007 Croke Park was opened up to Rugby and Soccer Internationals for the Irish teams.
The GAA Museum is 7 days a week, however there’s limited access on match days. It acknowledges the huge impact the GAA has had on social and cultural life here in Ireland since its establishment in 1884. You’ll find it under the Cusack Stand and it looks at the status of the GAA at home as well as abroad and the influence it has had on cultural revival and the nationalist movement in Ireland.
Find out more about Croke Park.
How to get around Dublin’s attractions…
The Dublin Pass
With the Dublin Pass you ca gain access to many of Dublin’s top attractions. It’s available for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days; where one day is one full calendar day, and adult and children’s tickets are available.
Find out more about the Dublin Pass.
Dublin City Bus Tours
You can take a tour of Dublin, and experience the sights, sounds on many of the hop-on, hop-off tours that are available in Dublin City!
Find out more about Dublin Bus Tours.
Dublin Shopping and Nightlife!
No trip to Dublin would be complete without a spot of retail therapy. Grafton Street, Dublin’s pedestrianised shopping street, is located in the heart of the city centre and merges the areas of St Stephens Green to the south and Trinity College to the north. From select stores, to designer boutiques and jewellers, there’s something for everyone on Grafton Street! Other prominent Dublin Shopping streets include O’Connell Street, Wicklow Street, Dawson Street, and South Great Georges Street.
A taste of Dublin nightlife is a must! The city is bursting at the seams with all sorts of bars from the traditional Irish pub to ultra stylish music bars. Dublin boasts a thriving live music scene with venues such Whelans, and also Theatre Events at the Abbey Theatre, and the Gaiety Theatre. There’s also an excellent selection of restaurants to choose from, whether you prefer traditional fare or more exotic dishes.
And if you’re looking for somewhere to stay check out Dublin hotels.
