Essential Guide of What to Do in Dublin

If you’re looking for a great list of the essential things to do in Dublin, then look no further. I’ve come up with the best places to see while visiting the Irish capital.

Guinness Storehouse

No doubt the first place on your list will be the Guinness Storehouse. Even if you don’t drink Guinness, which I must admit, I don’t, the Storehouse is a must see when in Dublin.

In 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease for just £45 a year – what a bargain! The factory spans over seven floors and goes through the history of Guinness. There’s even the Guinness archives which you can visit which hold all things Guinness, including artefacts, branding and even family history documents such as over 25,000 individual employee files.

Make sure you check out the Perfect Pint bar where you can pour your own pint, and included in your price of admission is a pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar which gives you 360 degrees view of Dublin city at the end of the tour.

The Guinness Storehouse is open 7 days a week and takes approximately 90 minutes to explore. You can either pre book your tickets online or purchase once you get there. It’s located a short distance from the city centre so you can either walk or jump on one of the city buses or tram. As well, it’s one of the major stops on the Big Bus tour.

Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery

Ireland is home to over 40 whiskey distilleries, but no doubt the most famous is Jameson Irish Whiskey, and the Jameson Bow Street Distillery is where you need to go if you want to take a look at the history of the premium whiskey.

Jameson offer a number of experiences from a Whiskey Cocktail Making Class, a fully guided tour (including a Jameson drink at the end ) or even a chance to bottle your own whiskey with a personalised label.

It’s best to book prior to your visit and it takes approximately an hour if you want to take a tour, but you can also pop into their bar area without a booking. Jameson Whiskey is opened seven days a week and you can get there by the Big Bus tours or the Smithfield Stop on the Tram line.

Trinity College

Trinity College, is one of the popular tourist destinations in Dublin. It is Ireland’s oldest universities, founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592. It’s a beautiful green space to meander around as well as viewing some of Ireland’s finest architecture, but one of the main reasons people visit is to view the Book of Kells, the beautifully illuminated Gospel manuscript which dates back to the 9th century. The Long Room which is home to the Book of Kells is exquisite in itself. It’s over 300 years old and 65 metres long and houses over 200,000 books. There’s a reason The Long Room is one of the most photographed interiors in the world.

Access to Trinity College is free, and the Book of Kells is housed in the old library building. To see the Book of Kells you will need a ticket and it’s best to book prior to your visit. As well, if you want a guided tour of Trinity College, these can be undertaken for a small fee.

Trinity College is right in Central Dublin but you will also find it as a stop on the Big Bus tour.

Temple Bar

Most tourists will inevitably find themselves in Temple Bar when visiting Dublin. It is the centre for nightlife and includes various nightclubs and bars, as well as restaurants and shops. Right in the heart of Temple Bar, you will find the iconic Temple Bar pub where you can listen to live music 24 hours a day, have a meal or even buy Temple Bar merchandise. If you want to avoid the Temple Bar pub scene, there’s plenty of other things to do as it’s known as Dublin’s culture centre with many galleries, studios and street art to discover.

Dublin Big Bus Tour

No matter where I am in the world, I always love to take a big bus tour (or hop on hop off) of the area. It’s a great way to get an overview of the city, decide what you want to go back and see, and to orientate yourself with a city. The Dublin Big Bus tour is no different – you can either book a 24 or 48 hour ticket, or take the night tour, or even book a ticket which will give you a half day coastal tour which will take in the gorgeous little seaside village of Howth. Make sure you check out the pier area of Howth where Beshoffs have their Market Hall – there’s nothing like freshly grilled prawns and a glass of champagne to wash it down sitting at their counter bench.

George Street Arcade and Grafton Street

For all your shopping needs in Dublin, definitely check our George Street Arcade and Grafton Street. George Street arcade is an indoor market and Ireland’s oldest shopping centre. It’s home to boutique shops and stalls and is open 7 days a week.

The main shopping strip in Dublin is Grafton Street which runs from Trinity College to St Stephen’s Green. It’s mainly a pedestrian precinct, and you will find everything you need from groceries to high-end fashion. It’s also a great place to stroll and check out the street entertainment while you window shop.

Ha’penny Bridge

Ha’penny Bridge is one of the iconic symbols of Dublin and is a dedicated footbridge to the Liffey from one side of Dublin to the other. When it was built in 1816, it was known as the Ha’penny Bridge as reference to the toll to cross it. Now it’s officially the Liffey Bridge but still affectionately known as Ha’penny.

Sightseeing Cruise

Another great way to see Dublin is to take a sightseeing cruise on the Liffey. There are quite a few you can take and you can choose whether you want an educational one that will talk about Irish history and city landmarks. You can even take in a cruise which includes dinner as you take in the sights of Dublin.

EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum

With more than 80 million people claiming Irish heritage, a popular place in Dublin to visit is EPIC. For three years in a row it was voted Europe’s leading tourist attraction from 2019-2021. The museum takes you through the story of Irish emigration and explains what factors made them leave Ireland and where they went. There’s also an Irish Family History Centre on site with resident genealogists to assist you with your Irish family research.

The Famine Memorial

After visiting EPIC, be sure to cross the road to view the Famine Memorial. It is a particularly poignant sculpture featuring six lifesized figures dressed in rags dedicated to those who were forced to emigrate during the Irish Famine. I’ve seen it twice and it never fails to move me. It is actually one of a trilogy of sculptures by Rowan Gillespie, one of which is situated in Hobart, Tasmania and which I recently viewed on a trip to the city. The other is located in Ireland Park, Toronto. The heartbreaking memorials show the strong ties between Ireland, and Canada and Australia, where a large number of emigrants made new lives.

Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship

While you’re taking in the Emigration and Famine stories of Ireland, your visit wouldn’t be complete without taking a tour of the Jeanie Johnston Tall ship. The Jeanie Johnston first travelled from Tralee in County Kerry to Quebec in Canada in 1848 and during the Famine years, carried 2,500 emigrants to North America. The replica ship is now a tourist attraction where you can get an insight into what life was like in the cramped quarters as they made their voyage.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum

Another great museum to check out to learn more about Irish history is the Kilmainham Gaol Museum. The Gaol which was first opened in 1796 began as a home for convicts who were to be transported to Australia. It was also home to a number of high profile prisoners, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. Visiting the gaol is by guided tour only and make sure you book online prior to your visit as there are only a maximum of 35 people per tour. Plan to spend at least 90 minutes for your visit.

St Stephen’s Green Park

In the middle of the city you will find the public park, St Stephen’s Green Park. It’s a beautiful, tranquil, green space where you can wander around the tree lined walks, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. The main entrance is through Fusiliers’ Arch which is at the top of Grafton Street and it’s open year round, closing at dusk each day. If you want a more structured tour, join the Green Mile tour where you will be guided by a local expert to discover the history of the park.

So there you have a list of some of the essential things to do in Dublin but really, I’ve only touched the surface. Dublin is a great city to walk around, it’s busy and vibrant, and a melting pot of locals and tourists alike. It’s a city where no matter the time of day or night, there’s something to do. Dubliners are a friendly bunch and no matter where you meet them – whether they’re your taxi driver, the person serving your drink or waiting on your table, they’re always quick to give you a recommendation of their own favourite place to visit so be sure to ask.