Things to Do In Dublin, Ireland

Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin, is a city that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime. Although many might not see it as a beautiful destination. It definitely has its own charm. With exploring historic museums to admiring magnificent cathedrals, here are the top things to do in Dublin, Ireland.

Top Things to Do In Dublin, Ireland

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park is a large public park in Dublin. This 1750-acre recreational space consists of grassland and tree-lined pathways. The park is home to a herd of wild fallow deer that can be seen roaming around the area. Also, the park is home to the Dublin zoo and the residence of the President of Ireland.

Guinness Storehouse

Guinness Storehouse, or Guinness Brewery, is the home of Guinness beer. It is one of the most visited attractions in Dublin. In this tour, visitors get to know about the beer-making process with hands-on experiences to expand their knowledge. You can also taste beer and have lunch in this seven-story building.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

Kilmainham Gaol Museum serves as a grim reminder of the fight for independence in Ireland and the Irish Civil War. Many prominent Irish Nationalists were held captive in this former jailhouse. Built in1787, the prison was closed down in 1924. Today, visitors get to tour this building and learn about its sober past through several on-site exhibits.

The Little Museum of Dublin

The Little Museum of Dublin is a history museum that is located in Dublin. This 18^th-century Georgian townhouse focuses on presenting Dublin’s social and cultural history through everyday items that the members of the public donate.

The Book of Kells Experience

The Book of Kells is a 9^th century manuscript that has four gospels of the New Testament. This book consists of ornate Latin text and detailed illustrations. It is located in the Old Library of Trinity College Dublin, which is the oldest university in Ireland. Visitors can view the ancient manuscript before exploring the Long Room, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.

St. Stephen’s Green

St. Stephen’s Green is a public park and garden square located in Dublin’s city center. In fact, it is the largest park in main Georgian garden squares in Dublin. The four roads bordering this rectangular shaped park are called St. Stephen’s Green North, St. Stephen’s Green South, St. Stephen’s Green East, and St. Stephen’s Green West.

EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum

A trip to Ireland is incomplete without a visit to EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum. There is a reason to say that as this museum is the winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards 2019. It is an interactive journey about how this island made a big impact on the world. Furthermore, the museum has 20 themed galleries that celebrate Irish history and culture.

The Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience

The Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum is all about experiencing the story of the Irish music industry. It gives a tour of a working music venue and recording studio in Temple Bar. You can learn about the history of famous Irish musicians of the past.

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is a stunning cathedral that houses Jonathan Swift’s (the author of Gulliver’s Travels) remains. Moreover, the cathedral charge a minimal entrance fees that is used for the upkeep of the structure. It is the only cathedral in Ireland with a daily sung services.

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology

National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology is the national repository for all archaeological things in Ireland. It is home to more than two million artifacts found from across the country. Exhibits in this museum include the best collection of prehistoric gold artifacts from Europe and a famous collection of medieval artifacts and jewelry.

Dublin Castle

For seven decades Dublin Castle was the seat of British power in the Irish nation. Visitors can see the remains of the 13^th century structure lying at this location today. Today the building hosts important events like the Irish President’s inauguration ceremony and state banquets for vising dignitaries. Moreover, the Throne Room, Ladies Drawing Room, and St. Patrick’s Hall are the highlights of the castle.

Irish Whiskey Museum

The Irish Whiskey Museum is a historic building located on Grafton Street, in the heart of Dublin City. This tour will give an insight into the history of Irish whiskey and its impact on Ireland’s past. There is also whiskey tasting sessions, storytelling, and many more events lined up for visitors.

Glasnevin – Ireland’s National Cemetery

Glasnevin – Ireland’s National Cemetery is a beautifully restored Victorian cemetery, which is Ireland’s largest burial grounds. From Presidents to poets and suffragettes to singers, 1.5 million people are buried here.

National Leprechaun Museum

Visiting the National Leprechaun Museum is a great way to step into the magic of mythical Ireland. It takes you through a journey where sights, sounds, and stories of this mythical land of leprechaun. Visitors can see a representation of leprechaun through the ages and explore the link between folklore, story-telling, landscape, and magic.

The Famine Sculptures

The Famine Sculptures comprises of life-size skeletal bronze structures. These haunting memorial of Famine figures remembers the Great Irish Famine that occurred between 1845 and 1849. More than a million people died and over a million were forced to flee Ireland because of starvation and disease due to the failure of the potato crop.

Dublin Zoo

The 69-acre Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest zoos. Started in 1831, this zoo has over 600 animals from about 100 species representing different parts of the world. Moreover, there are several sections of the zoo like the African savanna and Asian forests. Visitors can see a wide variety of animals including rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions, snow leopards, ostriches, and many more.

National Botanic Gardens

National Botanic Gardens is Ireland’s premier green oasis situated not far from Dublin city center. Just under 50 acres in size, it is home to more than 17,000 different plant species. Also, the garden is famous for its Victorian glasshouses and the Great Palm House, which is the only tropical rainforest in Ireland.

Marsh’s Library

Marsh’s Library is a magnificently preserved scholars’ library located on a side street by St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. The library consists of ancient stairs and stunning dark-oak bookcases filled with books from the 16^th century to the early 18^th century. Furthermore, it consists of about 25,000 books, maps, manuscripts, and a collection of incunabula (books printed before 1500).

Final Thoughts

Dublin is not only about beer, whiskey, and related festivities. There is more to Dublin than you would think. From museums to libraries there are a lot of things to do and experience in Dublin, Ireland.