Dublin Things to Do

Largely regarded as one of the most quintessentially ‘Irish’ of Ireland’s cities, Galway is the gateway to Western Ireland’s many sights and makes a hugely popular inclusion on any visitor’s travel itinerary.

Around 2.5 hours from Dublin, Galway is well connected to the capital, with daily trains and buses running to the west coast and a wide range of options for day trips and tours from Dublin. Galway’s main attractions lie along the rugged Atlantic coastline of Galway Bay, straddling the border of County Clare and County Galway.

Dublin might not boast an iconic lookout point like the London Eye or the Eiffel Tower, but there are still a number of ways to get a great view of the city. Whether sipping a hearty pint of Guinness in the city’s highest bar or watching the sunset from the nearby mountaintop, here are 5 of Dublin’s best viewpoints.

You can’t get more romantic than the resting place of Saint Valentine himself (relics of the patron Saint are located in the Whitefriar Street Church) and Dublin offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic city break. Here are a few ideas for getting in the mood in Ireland‘s capital.

With over 30 museums, there’s a museum for anything and everyone in Dublin, with some of Europe’s best history, art and literature exhibitions, as well as some more unusual offerings (yes, there’s even a Leprechaun museum). You could spend weeks exploring the city’s museums, but for those with limited time, here are 5 of the best to get you started.

In a city crammed with celebrated museums, Dublin‘s Chester Beatty Library has maintained its popularity since being voted the Best Irish Museum back in 2000. The historic library harbors a vast collection of around 22,000 items, featuring books, artworks and manuscripts ranging from 2700BC to the present day and including a number of notable rare works. Located in the grounds of Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library opened in 1990 and owes its namesake, American collector Chester Beatty, for its incredible assembly of works, bequeathed to the public library after his death.

Whether you’re pushed for time or just want an easy way to cruise around the sights, Hop-on Hop-Off bus tours have become a popular way to explore Dublin, with local guides providing plenty of entertaining facts and background history along the way. Open-top double decker buses are the vehicle of choice, with the high vantage point offering some great views of the capital.

With its rich literary history, landmark architecture and vibrant pub culture, Ireland’s capital has plenty to entice visitors to its shores, but with prices on par with the rest of Western Europe, a trip to Dublin can soon run up a hefty bill. Don’t be put off if you’re on a budget, though; with some careful planning, a little money can go a long way. Here are a few tips to get you started.

With its long and illustrious history, Dublin has enough haunted sights to keep your hair raised long after Halloween. Ghost tours have become a popular way for visitors to get their kicks. Walking tours take in some of the city’s spookiest sights, like Dublin Castle, where the souls of those beheaded there are said to haunt the hallways, St Michan’s Church, where the remains of 800-year-old bodies lie in the crypt and the ghost-ridden Malahide Castle. Keep a look out for ghosts along the way, like the Green Lady of St. Audeon’s church, the mysterious black ghost cat of Killakee house or the spirit of a little girl who stalks guests at The Shelbourne Hotel.

With its rich, religious history, it’s unsurprising that the Irish capital is home to some fine churches. Walking tours are also becoming a popular way for visitors to experience the city’s impressive religious architecture.

Of Dublin’s veritable array of churches, the most famous and thus most visited are the landmarks of Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Rainy days are part of the package when it comes to holidays in the UK, but there’s no need to let a few showers stop you from exploring the city. Here are a few ideas to keep you busy when it’s wet outside.

1) Visit the city’s museums

Dublin has a plethora of museums to keep you entertained while sheltering from the downpours and the National Library, National Museum of Archeology and National Museum of Natural History are just a short dash from each other.