In the summer peak season, Dublin's top attractions can get packed. Show up early to beat the crowds.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, ☎ +353 1 407 0750 (, fax: +353 1 407 0760), . Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM, M-F 10AM-5PM (Closed on M from Oct-Apr). Contains a wide selection of early books and manuscripts, including sacred texts and manuscripts. European Museum of the Year 2002.Free. �
A carving in the crypt at Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral, Christ Church Pl, Dublin 2, ☎ +353 1 677 8099 (), . Jun-Aug 9AM-6PM, Sep-May 9:45AM-5PM or 6PM. dating back to the 11th century, is the oldest building in Dublin, though it underwent a massive restoration in the 19th century. Particularly interesting is the crypt, which predates the cathedral. €6, students €4, children with parent free. �
Dublin Castle, 2 Palace St, Dublin 2, ☎ +353 1 677 7129 (, fax: +353 679 7831), . M-Sa 10AM-4:45PM, Su & Bank Holidays 2PM-4:45PM. Closed 24-28 and 31 Dec, 1 Jan and Good Friday. Former seat of British rule in Ireland.Guided Tour Prices €4.50, students €3.50, children €2, alternative Tour of Chapel Royal & Undercroft €3.50. �
Dublin Writers Museum, 18 Parnell Sq, Dublin 1, ☎ 353 1 872 2077, . M-Sa 10AM-5PM, open until 6PM Jun-Aug. Su and holidays 11AM-5PM. Located in an 18th century house, the museum is dedicated to Irish literature and the lives of individual Irish writers such as Shaw, Joyce, Yeats & Pearse.€7.25, children €4.55, family tickets €21. �
Dublin Zoo, Welington/Zoo Rd, Dublin 8, ☎ 353 1 4748900, . M-Sa 9:30AM-4PM in winter and 6:30PM in summer. Located in Phoenix Park and dating to 1830, the Dublin Zoo is the largest in Ireland, and notable for its role in wildlife conservation efforts.€15, students €12.50, Senior Citizens €12, children €10.50, family from €43.50 for 4 to €52 for 6. �
Dublinia & the Viking World, St. Michael's Hill, Christchurch, Dublin 2, ☎ +353 1 679 4611 (), . Mar-Sep 10AM-5PM, Oct-Feb 10AM-4:15PM. a heritage centre, located in central Dublin, at the heart of the medieval city. The exhibitions at Dublinia explore life as it was in the medieval city and the world of the Vikings. Discounted admission to the Christ Church Cathedral available.€6.25, children €3.75, student €5.25.. �
General Post Office (GPO), O'Connell St Lower, Dublin 1 (All transport to Dublin City Centre), ☎ 017057000, . The General Post Office (GPO) is one of Ireland's most iconic buildings. For almost 200 years it has been the headquarters of the Post Office in Ireland. It was designed by Francis Johnston in Neo Classical style and took four years to build from 1814-1818. In 1916 it was taken over by Irish Rebels led by P.H. Pearse. During the Easter Rising, The interior was completely destroyed. Amazingly, the beautiful exterior managed to survive the shelling from General Maxwell's forces and fires caused. In 1925 it was decided by the Irish Government that the building be restored and it reopen in 1929. The GPO is still a working post office and is home to the An Post Museum, which houses an original copy of The Proclamation. �
An Post Museum, GPO, O'Connell Street Lower, ☎ 017057000, . Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 4pm. Offers a unique and engaging insight into the history of one of the Irish Post Office, with displays on stamps, mail boats and the role of GPO staff on Easter Monday 1916. The audio visuals and interactive displays allow visitors to choose subjects of particular interest as they explore aspects of the Irish Post Office story.€2. �
Glasnevin Cemetery, Finglas Rd, Dublin 11 (Bus 13a 19 19a O'Connell St or 40 40a 40b 40c Parnell St), ☎ +353 1 8301133, . Tours (Daily Mar-Sep) (W and F Oct-Feb) at 2:30PM. Situated just two miles from the city centre, Glasnevin Cemetery is currently running a series of walking tours. These tours give a valuable insight into the final resting place of the men and women who have helped shape Ireland's past and present. The walking tour last one and a half hours and visits the graves of Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Eamonn De Valera and many other graves of architectural and cultural interest.€5, U12 Free. �
Green on Red Gallery, 26-28 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2 (Exiting Pearse rail station and turn right. Cross Pearse Street and it will be on the left opposite Lombard bar.), ☎ +353 1 671 3414 (), . Tu-F 10:00 - 18:00, Sa 13:00 - 16:00, Su Closed, M by appointment. The Green On Red Gallery is one of Ireland’s most dynamic and exciting galleries. Representing some of the best contemporary work on the market, both Irish and international. The programme is based on 10-11 solo exhibitions and 1-2 group or thematic exhibitions per year. Green On Red participates annually in international art fairs and the gallery’s artists regularly exhibit abroad in both private and public venues.Free Admission. �
Irish Museum of Modern Art, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, ☎ +353 1 6129900 (, fax: +353 1 612 9999), . Tu-Sa 10AM-5:30PM (opens 10:30AM on W), noon-5:30PM on Su and Bank Holidays. Closed on M. Summer Late Opening until 8PM on Th from 5 Jun–18 Sep. Modern & contemporary art, formal gardens & cafe. Free entrance.. �
Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship Museum, The ship is at Custom House Quay (across from Jury's Inn), ☎ +353 01 473 0111 (), . Tours daily 11AM, noon, 2PM, 3PM and 4PM. This active ship is an accurate replica of the original Jeanie Johnston, which sailed between Tralee in Co. Kerry and North America between 1847 and 1855, transporting Irish emigrants during the Great Famine. As the ship is still used for sailing it is sometimes away from Dublin so check the website or call ahead prior to your visit to ensure that the Jeanie Johnston will be at Custom House Quay. The tour takes visitors below deck to learn about some of the people who sailed on the Jeanie Johnston in the Famine years.€8.50, seniors/students €7.50, children €4.50, family €20. �
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, ☎ +353 1 4535984, . Apr-Sep 9:30AM-6PM daily (last admission 5PM); Oct-Mar M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM (last admission 4PM), Su 10AM-6PM (last admission 5PM). The prison where the rebels from the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. It is located slightly outside the city centre and can be reached by local bus (78a, 51b, 79 51c). Access is limited to guided tours, which leave every 30 minutes and are very interesting. It is well worth a visit if you are in any way interested in history.€6, senior and groups €4, children and students €2, family €14. �
Merrion Square Merrion Square is one of the largest squares in Dublin. It is filled with very green (of course) grassy areas and has three Georgian style houses. There is a large statue of the writer and dramatist Oscar Wilde. There are also two square marble columns that are covered in famous Wilde quotes. Merrion Square is a good place to escape some of the noise of Dublin and enjoy Oscar Wilde’s witty sense of humor.
The National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West & Clare St, Dublin 2 (DART Pearse Station will get you to within five minutes from the Gallery.), ☎ +353 1 6615133 (, fax: +353 1 6615372), . M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM (till 8:30PM on Th) and Su noon-5:30PM. Closed Good Friday and 24-26 Dec. National collection of Irish and European Art. Free entrance. �
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare St, Dublin 2, ☎ +353 1 6777444 (, fax: +353 1 6777450), . Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Su 2PM-5PM, closed M, 25 Dec and Good Friday. Not to be missed for anyone interested in Irish history as this museum is the national repository for all all archaeological objects found in Ireland. The Prehistoric Ireland and Treasury exhibits are particularly exceptional. Decorative Arts & History exhibits can be found at the National Museum of Ireland's other location at Collins Barrack, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. Natural History exhibits are on view at Merrion Street, Dublin 2.Free. �
Trinity College
Old Library at Trinity College & Book of Kells, College Green, Dublin 2, ☎ +353 1 896 2320 (, fax: +353 1 896 2690), . M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su (May-Sep) 9:30AM (noon Oct-Apr)-5:30PM. Closed 23 Dec-1 Jan. The gorgeously illustrated original manuscript of the Book of Kells is the main draw here, but the massive Long Hall of the Old library itself is equally if not even more impressive.€9, +€2 for optional guided tour. Students & seniors €8, children under 12 free. Family admission €18.. �
Phoenix Park, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, ☎ +353 1 677 0095 (, fax: +353 1 672 6454). The largest enclosed urban park in Europe. Includes a polo field and Dublin Zoo. The residences of the President of Ireland and the U.S. Ambassador are situated in the park, but are not open to the public. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the herd of wild fallow deer that inhabit the park!Free. �
Waterways Ireland Visitors Centre, Grand Canal Quay Dublin 2 (10 minutes on foot from O’Connell St. Bus numbers 3, 50, 77/77A, 151 stop close to the main entrance. By Dart at Grand Canal station and by Luas at Spencer Dock), ☎ 353 01 6777510, . 10AM-6PM. Housed in an award winning architectural structure affectionately known as the box in docks situated in the waters of Grand Canal Dock. Informative displays on the waterways from the pre Christian period to its modern use, with child friendly interactives and environmental displays.€4, children €2, students/seniors €3. �
Suburbia
Dublin has many fine and quite affluent suburbs. Seeing them is a good way to get a real feel for the city's culture and identity. A walk around some them on a nice day is well worth your time as many are home to some of Ireland's finest architecture(Victorian,Georgian,Modern etc).Some are easily navigated by foot from the city's centre and are dotted with many fine upmarket delicatessans and boutiques. Examples include Donnybrook and Ballsbridge - the 46A bus goes through Donnybrook and the 7 bus through Ballsbridge, and both routes have several stops in the north and south city centre. Ballsbridge is Dublin's embassy district and is home to some of Ireland's most expensive roads including 'Shrewsbury Road', which is famous for being the 6th most expensive residential thoroughfare in the world and 'Ailesbury Road' which is equally as salubrious and home to a bulk of the capital's embassies including Spain and Poland.
Ballsbridge is also home to The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) which promotes and develops agriculture, arts, industry and science in Ireland. It hosts many concerts and also showcases the annual Show Jumping Competition, a major entertainment event. You can approach Ballsbridge via 'Herbert park', a pleasant public green park and fashionable road, opposite Donnybrook Village and vice-versa.
Dalkey and Killiney which lie on the southern most tip of Dublin. They are upmarket neighbourhoods and home to such celebrities as Bono, Maeve Binchy and Enya among others. A walk up Vico Road to take in the view is a must-do. Killiney Hill is beautiful, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Dublin Mountains. These areas are best approached by the DART, which runs along the coast and has three main stops in the city centre.
Blackrock or Dun Laoghaire, accessible by bus or DART, are also worth a visit.
Ranelagh and Dartry are also worth visiting- Ranelagh is small but affluent and has several critically acclaimed eateries.
Sandymount, a coastal suburb no more than 2 mi (3 km) south of the City Centre, is another quite affluent area with a tiny park and some restaurants. It is the birthplace of W.B. Yeats. The suburb and its strand appear prominently in James Joyce's Ulysses.There is a wonderful walk from Sandymount across the north end of its beach to the South Bull Wall which reaches a finger well out into the Bay .
Be sure to go north of The Liffey also. Clontarf, Malahide, Skerries and Howth are all great places to spend an afternoon.
Malahide has a beautiful Castle (including extra doors for the ghost)in a Park and is a nice little village with harbour, beach, estuary and lots of restaurants. You can also take a 20-30 minute walk along the coast up to Portmarnock beach.(a 10 km long beach)
Howth is home to a handful of Irish celebrities including Gay Byrne and Dolores O'Riordan. Walking the cliff walk or climbing the Ben of Howth, a 561 ft (171 m) high hill on Howth Head, on a fine day is well worth your time. Although the water may be too cold to enjoy a swim, Howth has a small stretch of beach that has a beautiful view of mountains in the distance.
Dublin City's best beach is also to the north. Dollymount Strand and the adjoining bird sanctuary are highly recommended. It's a great bike ride - there's an excellent bike path along by the sea.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Dublin
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Dublin - updated Apr 2024
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Dublin Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
