Bloomsday decorations in Dublin. Photo courtesy of informatique via Flickr.

Dublin’s most iconic author is the subject of lively celebrations held in the city each June 16th as the Bloomsday Festival hits town, a tradition dating back to 1954. Named after Leopold Bloom, the central character of Irish author James Joyce’s masterwork Ulysses, Bloomsday is a citywide tribute to the famous book, which chronicles a day in the life of its protagonist – June 16th in Dublin.

Fans of the book from all corners of the world gather in Dublin for the celebration, to commemorate the life and works of the legendary Joyce and to indulge in a tour of Dublin’s Ulysses-inspired sights. The principal pastime of festival participants is to recreate ‘a day in the life of Leopold Bloom’ as told in the book, and many fans take to dressing in early 20th century period clothing (the book is set in 1904) and starting their day with a breakfast of sausages, beans, black and white pudding and toast in honor of the beloved main character.

Key spots on the Bloomsday itinerary include the Davy Byrne’s pub, the Martello Tower in Sandycove and 7 Eccles Street (the fictional home of Leopold and his wife) – all locations that feature in the book. Dublin’s James Joyce centre organizes a range of activities along the route, with costumed performers reading or reenacting key scenes from the book, traditional Irish musicians providing the soundtrack and plenty of Ulysses-themed street entertainment. Look out for special events held in the city’s parks and pubs too – readings, pub quizzes, Bloomsday breakfasts and walking tours all celebrate Dublin’s literary history on Bloomsday.

Even if you’re not a diehard Ulysses fan you won’t be able to help getting into the Bloomsday spirit, so don some Edwardian clothing, buy yourself a pint of Guinness, take a tour of Dublin’s literary sights and soak up the atmosphere as Dubliners honor their most cherished work of literature.

- Zoe Smith

Bloomsday Festival from Dublin Things to Do

Don’t drink too much Guinness while you’re in Dublin! Photo courtesy of Shadowgate via Flickr.

Ireland’s lively capital never fails to win over visitors with its blend of historic sights and laid-back social scene, but before you plan your itinerary, here are a few things NOT to do in Dublin.

1. Don’t just stick to the tourist haunts

Dublin’s traditional pubs and live music scene are legendary but if you book on a city tour or join an organized pub crawl, you’ll find yourself stuck in the busy Temple Bar pubs with hoards of other tourists. Of course, you’ll have fun regardless, but for a more authentic night out look out for smaller local pubs and comedy bars around George Street, Camden Street or Smithfield; ask the locals where they’re heading; or take a day trip to Doolin, the center of Irish traditional music to catch a gig.

2. Don’t get the same view as everyone else

Dublin’s famous Guinness Storehouse is top of every tourist’s itinerary, legendary for its top floor glass-walled Gravity Bar, but the view, often clouded by overcast weather, is little more than a lookout across the rooftops of Dublin. Of course, visiting the home of Ireland’s national brew and sipping Guinness in the bar is an experience not to be missed, but for a far more expansive view, take a Croke Park Skyline tour where you’ll get an amazing view from the stadium’s thrilling rooftop walkway, or head out to the Wicklow Mountains for a scenic panorama with Dublin city on the horizon.

3. Don’t drink too much

It’s a common mistake of visitors to the city, but as you try to match the locals’ pint-guzzling ways, you’ll more often than not find you’ve overdone it. The Dublin pub-crawl has become a right of passage for young travelers but make sure to pace yourself and start off the evening with a hearty bowl of Irish stew to line your stomach! Thankfully, bars and pubs typically close at 11pm on weeknights so you’ll have plenty of time to sleep off your hangover before resuming your sightseeing the next morning.

4. Don’t talk about politics

Ireland has a long and turbulent political history and the Northern Ireland Troubles have left many Irish, including the younger generation, with vivid memories and bitterness from the years of unrest. You’ll likely find the Irish to be forthcoming, and often quite vocal, about their political and religious beliefs and opinions, but these are not matters to be discussed or joked about with foreigners so tread very carefully lest you offend somebody. If you do open your mouth, be respectful of the fact that many locals will have been directly or indirectly affected by the violence and may not be comfortable talking about it with an outsider.

- Zoe Smith

What Not to Do in Dublin from Dublin Things to Do

Galway, Ireland. Photo courtesy of Phalinn via Flickr.

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. Tackling the famous cliff walk along Ireland’s incredible Cliffs of Moher is one of the most popular activities when visiting Galway from Dublin, offering spectacular views along the coastline, taking in the distant Twelve Pins mountain range on the other side of the bay. Nearby Doolin is the center of traditional Irish music and draws a healthy mix of locals, tourists and international musicians to its three historic pubs, and the unearthly landscape of The Burren makes for some breathtaking photo opportunities.

Other key attractions include Doolin cave, with its 7-meter long stalactite, and Dunguaire Castle, where medieval-style banquets are held in the evening hours. The Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands are also an easy ferry ride from Galway Bay, offering a rare glimpse into Irish traditions that have long been forgotten on the mainland.

There are plenty of Galway attractions to check out too – walk beneath the famous 18th century Spanish Arch, visit the imposing Galway Cathedral, catch some rays on the beaches of Salthill or relax at nearby Lough Corrib, Ireland’s largest lake.

- Zoe Smith

Visiting Galway from Dublin from Dublin Things to Do

Dublin’s Temple Bar district is a popular place to watch live bands.

Music in Dublin has a penchant for lively Irish dancing and beer-fuelled pub sing-alongs, so it’s no surprise that Dublin’s music scene makes a popular haunt for music lovers. While music fans will find plenty of variety in the Irish capital, most popular is the chance to watch some traditional Irish music and many of the city’s historic pubs host live music sessions.

In Dublin’s Temple Bar district, O’Neill’s Bar, The Button Factory and The Quays are popular haunts, with traditional music on offer almost every night of the week, but there are other key areas known for their nightlife like South Great George’s Street or Wexford, home to the popular Whelan’s and The Village.

One of the most atmospheric ways to experience Dublin’s eclectic musical tastes is by hitting the streets, where a huge variety of buskers take to the ‘stage’ each day and night. Dublin’s street performers are so legendary that the city even holds the annual Street Performance World Championships and with strict rules on busking (musicians must have a repertoire of at least 20 songs and can’t monopolize one location), the streets of Dublin are an entertaining place to hang out. Grafton Street is one of the best locations for street musicians, where you can keep your eyes peeled for future stars – even Bono has taken the mic here.

Alternatively, time your visit for one of the city’s riotous festivals, like the Temple Bar Traditional Festival, Dublin’s biggest celebration of Irish Music and Culture or St Patrick’s Day, when a plethora of music events will be held at venues all over town. A number of dedicated music festivals are also held in the capital over spring and summer that celebrate Dublin’s music scene including the Guitar Festival of Ireland, the Camden Crawl, Phizzfest and the Dublin City Soul Festival. You can rest easy knowing you won’t run out of things to do in Dublin!

- Zoe Smith

Music in Dublin from Dublin Things to Do

Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. Photo courtesy of informatique via Flickr.

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.

The 2013 rugby season kicked off at the start of March but the season’s biggest events will be in May, when Dublin hosts two of Europe’s biggest tournaments – the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Heineken Cup. Although the Amlin Challenge Cup Finals will be held at the city’s RDS stadium on May 17^th, the main venue for international games is Dublin’s Aviva Stadium – the home stadium of Ireland’s champion rugby team. It’s here that the culmination of the international rugby season is held, on May 18^th, with the Heineken Cup Finals.

Tickets will be notoriously difficult to secure for the biggest games of the season, but don’t worry – there are plenty of sports bars and pubs in Dublin where you’ll be able to watch the game, then join the locals in the Guinness-fuelled post-game celebrations or commiserations.

- Zoe Smith

Rugby in Dublin from Dublin Things to Do

Dublin’s popular Temple Bar District

With its heavy drinking reputation and abundance of bars, pubs and clubs, Dublin’s nightlife is legendary and whether you’re looking to listen to live music, tour the city’s historic pubs or dance until the early hours, there are options to suit all tastes. The party atmosphere is in full swing during the city’s annual festivals, especially St Patrick’s Day, but whenever you arrive in Dublin, they’ll always be a good excuse for a pint, or several, of Ireland’s national brew, Guinness.

The central Temple Bar district remains at the heart of Dublin’s nightlife, crammed with tourists during peak season and home to many of Dublin’s most beloved pubs and music venues. The Porterhouse, The Quays and The Button Factory are all popular venues, but a number of more upmarket options can also be found here – The Morgan, Club M and Alchemy Club, to name just a few. Along with the Temple Bar area, bars, live music and nightclubs are concentrated around the South Great George’s Street, South William Street, Merrion Row, Wexford and Leeson Street areas – all close enough to walk between.

With so many famous pubs, a popular way to sample the best is to partake in a traditional ‘pub crawl’, hopping from pub to pub throughout the night. The majority of pubs are close together, making it easy to plan your own night, but if you don’t fancy staggering around the city alone, join a pub crawl tour where you’ll be safely whisked between Dublin’s top venues and maybe even get a free thrown in along the way.

Wherever you choose to go make sure you bring your ID (the legal drinking age in Ireland is 18), dress smartly if your heading to a nightclub, expect to pay between €5 to €15 for club entry (expect for special events like New Year’s Eve) and remember the golden rule – never attempt to out-drink a Dubliner!

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s Dublin tours and things to do, Dublin attractions, and Dublin travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Dublin for a customized tour!

Nightlife in Dublin from Dublin Things to Do

Dublin Bay’s Prawn festival celebrates the famous seafood. Photo courtesy of jayneandd via Flickr.

Held in honor of the region’s world-renowned prawns – large, flavorsome crustaceans that originated from Dublin’s coast – the Dublin Bay Prawn Festival is one of the city’s most exciting food events, running over 3 days each spring in the coastal suburb of Howth.

At the heart of the festival is the Food Village and Street Food Fair, crammed with food stalls, local produce and tasting areas, and hosting a number of wine-tasting events, live cookery demonstrations and fish filleting workshops over the weekend. In the spirit of the occasion, there’s even a prawn-shelling competition, and of course, you’ll find the star of the festival whipped up into a mind-blowing variety of dishes – tossed in salads, barbecued or grilled, stuffed with buttery herbs, shelled, fried, skewered, marinated or dripping with sauce.

The 2013 festival will be held from April 25th to April 28th and the whole Howth Peninsula will be teeming with food-themed events. Visitors can enjoy guided coastal walks and food trails, demonstrations of fishing skills, traditional Irish music and street entertainment, boat tours, art displays and a fun fair, along with plenty of family-friendly interactive activities. Highlights include a Mystery Dine Around where participants will enjoy three courses in three different restaurants, accompanied by specially selected wines and Irish coffees; the Big Table Dinner, a lively communal dining experience held at a mystery location; and Dining in the Dark, where top chefs serve up some of the region’s most delicious meals in a pitch-black restaurant. Even if you don’t have tickets for the main events you can still get involved in the festivities, with the area’s restaurants and pubs putting on special festival menus, including bite-size taster menus, and Dublin harbor lighting up with fireworks on the final evening.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s Dublin tours and things to do, Dublin attractions, and Dublin travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Dublin for a customized tour!

Dublin Bay Prawn Festival from Dublin Things to Do

Photo courtesy of Uggboy via Flickr.

From riotous pub-crawls to a packed calendar of city festivals, Dublin knows a thing or two about how to throw a party. Vibrant parades, talented buskers and an endless supply of Guinness are on the agenda at the city’s annual street festivals – here’s the lowdown on the best events.

1. St Patrick’s Day
One of the biggest events of the year, Ireland’s national celebration of its patron saint brings 5 days of festivities to the capital. Street theatre, performances and live music take over the lively Temple Bar District and literature, comedy and film events are held at venues all over the city. The historic People’s and Festival Parade is the main event – a flamboyant march through Dublin that doubles up as a sightseeing tour, passing by the GPO, Trinity College, Dublin Castle and City Hall. Thousands of revelers join the march, stomping the 2.6km route ahead of a dazzling procession of floats, marching bands and dancing troupes. That’s not all – a funfair, the Irish Craft Beer Festival, a giant Ceilidh (traditional Irish street party) on St Stephen’s Green and the Big Day Out Street Carnival are also held during the 5-day festival.

2. Chinese New Year
New Year celebrations aren’t quite over yet – there’s still the mammoth festivities thrown in honor of the Chinese New Year (held February 10th in 2013). A huge Chinese carnival takes over the city streets on the big day, with elaborate parades and street performances featuring Chinese dancers, marching bands and a giant displays of traditional Chinese lanterns.

3. Street Performance World Championships
Renowned for its world-class buskers and inventive street entertainers, it seems fitting that Dublin would host the Street Performance World Championships. The free summer festival, held in Merrion Square, offers a jam-packed weekend of spectacles as the world’s most talented performers bring an eclectic blend of street entertainment to the city streets. Expect a dazzling array of jugglers, magicians, break dancers, contortionists and acrobats competing for the world champion title.

4. Dublin Pride
Break out the rainbow flags and sequined party dresses because the Dublin Pride festival will be back in town this June. The weeklong festival celebrates the country’s LGBT community in typically flamboyant style, culminating in the enormous Dublin Pride Parade, starting out from the Garden Of Remembrance on the final day – a parade second in size only to the St Patrick’s Day parade. Anyone can join the parade but just make sure you heed the dress code – the brighter, crazier and more sparkly the better!

5. Bloomsday
Each June 16th Dublin’s most famous literary legend, James Joyce, becomes the focal point of Bloomsday, named after the famous protagonist Leopold Bloom from Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses. A glorious revival of the book takes place around the city, with the annual Bloomsday Walk seeing hundreds of literary enthusiasts take to the street, many in Ulysses-themed Edwardian costumes, following scenes from the novel around the city before ending at the famous Davy Byrne’s pub. Except a range of events to take place around the city including Irish music concerts, book readings and performances.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s Dublin tours and things to do, Dublin attractions, and Dublin travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Dublin for a customized tour!

Dublin’s Best Street Festivals from Dublin Things to Do

St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Photo courtesy of Uggboy via Flickr.

St Patrick’s Day, held annually on March 17th, is one of Ireland’s biggest celebrations with Dublin at the center of festivities. Held in honor of St Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, St Patrick’s Day, or St Paddy’s Day as it’s often nicknamed, is the most traditionally Irish day of the year, a national holiday on which huge crowds of revelers take to the streets wearing shamrocks, donning green clothing (the symbolic color of Ireland) and downing pints of Guinness.

At its core, St Patrick’s Day is a religious occasion and many Irish attend morning mass prior to the festivities, but today the festival is a riotous tribute to all things Irish, celebrated by Irish folk all around the world. Dublin’s first official St Patrick’s Day Festival was held in 1996 and since then it’s become an enormous 5-day festival leading up to the big day, drawing over 1 million visitors to the Irish capital. A series of music concerts, street theater performances and family events are held at locations around the city during the festival, including an Irish Craft Beer village, traditional Irish music and dance performances, a funfair and a nightly ‘greening’ of the city – where all the city’s landmarks are illuminated with patriotic green lights. The grand finale of the festival is the vibrant St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th, a gigantic procession of dancing troops, marching bands and street entertainers, dressed in an array of flamboyant and outrageously colorful costumes and accompanied by a series of elaborate floats. 2013 is a particularly special time for the parade, with the main parade preceded by a People’s Parade of 8,000 participants from around the world.

More than anything though, St Patrick’s Day is simply a huge party and for Dubliners, there’s no better way to celebrate than to get raving drunk. So cast aside your inhibitions for a night, pull on a green t-shirt, squeeze into one of the city’s traditional pubs and order yourself a pint (or several) of frothy Guinness.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s Dublin tours and things to do, Dublin attractions, and Dublin travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Dublin for a customized tour!

St Patrick’s Day in Dublin from Dublin Things to Do

Ireland’s mighty Cliffs of Moher. Photo courtesy of Anosmia via Flickr.

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, P.S. I Love You, were filmed.

A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth is another popular excursion, less than an hour’s drive from the city and home to some of Europe’s most significant Neolithic burial grounds, dating back to 3200BC.  The full-scale burial chamber replica and the Hill of Tara – once the seat of the High Kings – are also worth a visit.

Dalkey, a rambling suburb just South of Dublin, is one of Ireland’s designated Heritage towns and home to the 14^th Century Dalkey Castle and a tiny harbor where boats run to the historic Dalkey island. For the most scenic journey, hop on the train, and be sure to cruise through the residences of the nearby Killiney Hill Park, where U2’s Bono and Enya inhabit the grand houses on the picturesque hilltop.

If haunted castles and ghostly legends sound up your alley, the Malahide Castle, just 30 minutes north of Dublin, is said to house not one, but 5 ghosts, including Lady Maud Plunkett, Miles Corbett Puck, Sir Walter Hussey, and the mysterious “White Lady”. Even if you don’t spot any spirits, you can still enjoy a visit to the nostalgic Tara’s Palace Childhood Museum, stroll around the Talbot Botanic Gardens and tee-off at the 9-hole golf course.

A little further affield, the medieval town of Kilkenny (around 1 and a half hours from Dublin) is a popular choice, with its many historic buildings set around the River Nore. The music and art capital of Ireland, there’s plenty to entertain you in town, or else a visit to the Kilkenny Castle offers excellent views.

If you can handle the distance, the imposing Cliffs of Moher (around 3 hours drive from Dublin) provide a striking change to the urban landscape, with around 5 miles of windswept pathways traversing the cliff-edge. The famous Giant’s Causeway is about the same distance, but with its 40,000 polygonal basalt columns formed from 28m thick lava rock, it’s a worthy trek.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s Dublin tours and things to do, Dublin attractions, and Dublin travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in Dublin for a customized tour!

Great Day Trips From Dublin from Dublin Things to Do