Dublin is the capital city of Ireland and is a small city to navigate compared to other cities I have been to .
I’ve lost count as to how many times I have visited as I have family and friends there. Every time I visit there, I see something new!
The river Liffey runs through Dublin and there’s the iconic Halfpenny Bridge that connects the city. Make sure you take a photo!
I love the buzz of the city, the beautiful Georgian buildings and all the different colour doors.
Along the Liffey, the side of Customs House,there’s a wonderful spot called Dollards where the food is so tasty: Food Hall, Diner, At Home Food Kits | Dollard & Co, Dublin 2 (dollardandco.ie)
Other sights you should see in Dublin are the famous O’Connell Bridge, the Spire and the General Post Office. The GPO as it is known is where the Easter Rising of 1916 took place, you’ll notice bullet holes from the civil war in the palladian columns of the Post office.
Another sight you should see is the statue of Molly Malone who features n the famous Irish song. You’ll know the song after a weekend in Dublin after visiting many of the trad music sessions in many pubs in the city which you should goto!
To see the city, I find walking is best, but you can take bus tours which take you around the city’s attractions, including the famous Guinness Brewery, I recommend visiting there, Welcome to the Home of Guinness (guinness-storehouse.com).
It’s an interesting visit, learning about how Guinness is made and the view from the top of the storehouse is great as is a pint of the black stuff.
I recommend you visit Kilmainham Gaol which tells the story of the Easter Rising of 1916.Kilmainham Gaol Museum | The Office of Public Works
Another place to visit is Christ Church Cathedral which is over 1000 years old and was originally a Viking church, this is on the bus route. There’s a Jury’s Inn hotel located nearby also. Close by is Dublin Castle which is another attraction, Dublin Castle | The Office of Public Works .
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Trinity College, the grounds are extensive and impressive and is Ireland’s oldest university. There’s the Long room library which is magnificent. There is the world famous Book of Kells exhibition which were manuscripts made by monks of the four gospels. For more information, please see this link Book of Kells – TCD Visitors. I have visited there several times and I love going there. When I visited the people in the gift shop thought I was a student there, what a compliment!.
You can stay in the college accommodation when the students have gone home, it’s ideal, in the centre of the city, not far from Grafton Street which is a pedestrianised shopping street and home to Brown Thomas department store and many more shops. The link for the accommodation is: Trinity College – Campus Accommodation, Dublin – Updated 2021 Prices (booking.com)
There’s a lovely park called St Stephen’s Green near Grafton Street where you can have a picnic if you want or get a takeaway tea and have a wander.
Across from St Stephen’s Green is the Little Museum of Dublin which is quirky, “Dublin’s Best Museum Experience” – The Little Museum of Dublin, closeby there’s a wonderful cafe called Hatch and Sons and the breakfasts are immense and wonderful irish produce also!
Just a little walk on from there on, there’s a posh hotel called The Shelbourne; Luxury 5 Star Dublin Hotel – The Shelbourne Dublin . It’s a wonderful hotel and you must go to The Horseshoe Bar which is located inside, where there are fab cocktails and an extensive drinks menu.
Temple Bar is a tourist mecca for tourists and there’s traditional pubs and music playing all day.
There’s normally a buzz around there, however I prefer going to older places, one being The Brazen Head which is Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head. The food is great there and wholesome and tasty.
Back in the city there is Sophies’ which is located in The Dean Hotel and has wonderful rooftop views of the city Sophie’s Rooftop Restaurant | 360° Views of Dublin & Cork City (sophies.ie) . If you like tapas I’d recommend The Market Bar Restaurant and Events Venue Dublin and there’s Whelan’s nearby, it’s a live music venue
Another street to goto is South William Street, there are lots of different pubs and bars and I have many a good night there. There’s a real buzz here and caters for every need. There’s also Whelans which is a great live music venue.
Another museum to visit is EPIC which is the immigration museum, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum | Home | EPIC Museum Dublin, Ireland (epicchq.com)I thoroughly recommend it, you can get there by using the Luas which is the tram. The tram is inexpensive and reliable.
For children and big children alike, there’s the leprechaun museum The National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland | One of the best things to do in Dublin
If you love being in the great outdoors, you must visit Phoenix Park which you can visit on the bus tour, it’s a wonderful vast park and good for picnics too. It’s where the President of Ireland lives and there’s Dublin Zoo too.
Outside of the city, you should visit Enniskerry, Wicklow, where there’s Johnnie Foxes pub with traditional entertainment, Johnnie Fox’s Dublin – Traditional Irish Pub, Famous Irish Dancing Hooley Show, Live Trad Music, Seafood Restaurant, Famed As The Highest Pub In Ireland. – Johnnie Fox’s Pub (johnniefoxs.com).
There’s the beautiful Powerscourt Gardens which are impressive and good to stretch the legs and then have a slice of cake and some tea in the cafe afterwards : Powerscourt Estate, House & Gardens.
Another place to visit is Glendalough, it’s located in County Wicklow, it’s beautiful glacial valley and great for hiking and taking in the beautiful views Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, Ireland – Official website. It’s wise to drive there or take a tour.
I also love walking along Killiney Beach up to Dalkey where famous musicians and actors live too! You can get the DART train from the city out to Killiney which is a great day out too.
There’s a lot to see in Dublin, you won’t be disappointed with the charm of the city and the warm welcome. For the culture vultures, there are ample museums to visit and there is a wonderful theatre scene as well. There are lots of things to do, shop, eat, listen to music and have the craic.
