Dublin Things to Do

Gaelic football might be the national sport, but rugby is the sport of choice for many of Ireland’s sports fans and such is the popularity of the rough-and-tumble sport, that if there’s a rugby match on, you’ll be hard pushed to find a pub in Dublin that hasn’t tuned their TVs into the game. A major competitor in the annual Six Nations Championship (contested against England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales) and 11-time champions, Ireland’s love of rugby shows no sign of waning.

With an abundance of scenic landscapes and historic sights easily reachable from Dublin, there are plenty of options for getting out of the city. Wicklow, known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’ thanks to its diverse and beautiful greenery, makes for a popular day trip and hikers can enjoy the varied terrain of the 132km-long Wicklow Way walking trail that crosses the county. Combine a visit to the town with a look at the 6^th century monastic ruins nearby Glendalough located in the rugged Wicklow Mountains National park, where scenes from Braveheart and, more recently, PS.I Love You, were filmed.

With its original construction dating between 1204 and 1220, Dublin Castle encompasses some of the city’s oldest surviving structures, although today much of its façade dates back to 18th century restorations. The dramatic fortress boasts a varied history, built on the site of an earlier Viking fortress and serving as the seat of British for over 700 years. Since the 1922 establishment of the Irish Free State, the castle has become a major conference centre for the Irish Government, as well as topping the list of Dublin tourist attractions.

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 shorter days, frosty mornings and more than a few downpours, you’d be forgiven for thinking Dublin is a gloomy place to spend the winter months, but think again. Whether celebrating at one of the many winter festivals or cozying up in the local pub, Dublin has plenty to offer this winter.

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 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.

You might be more concerned about how to get to the sights or where to enjoy your first pint of Guinness, but for those visiting the Emerald Isle for the first time, here are a few things to consider before hitting the streets of Dublin.

1) Take the bus

Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing buses are nothing new, but if you’re short on time or just want to save your feet from blisters, Dublin’s open-air tour buses make a handy way to get from A to B and beyond.

With its many renowned National museums and a number of culturally significant literary haunts (the Chester Beatty Library Museum and the Dublin Writer’s Museum are both well worth a visit) it would be easy to overlook the alternatives, but if you fancy something a little left-of-the-center, look no further than these 5 delightfully odd but undeniably entertaining museums.

If you bring your kids with you to Dublin, here’s a list of activities and places you can take them to:

1. Imaginosity, Dublin’s Children’s Museum (The Plaza, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin 18)

With the ethos of hands-on play and stimulating young imaginations, it’s definitely not a regular museum. Aimed at kids under nine, the displays are designed with lifelong learning in mind. Kids can sing, dance, dress-up in the theater area, be a mechanic at The Garage, be a TV presenter or a doctor at The Apple A Day Surgery. Up on the rooftop they learn about sustainability and meet the Eco Badger. You need to book in advance for this museum and note that during peak times tickets are timed for two hours.