See the Book of Kells at Trinity CollegeMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessThe Book of Kells is a 9th-century illuminated manuscript on display at Trinity College, followed by the famous Long Room library with its barrel-vaulted ceiling. Ticketed and often busy — book online ahead of time.0 Add to listSee the Book of Kells at Trinity CollegeMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessThe Book of Kells is a 9th-century illuminated manuscript on display at Trinity College, followed by the famous Long Room library with its barrel-vaulted ceiling. Ticketed and often busy — book online ahead of time.0 Add to list
Visit the Guinness StorehouseMust-See SightsPaidA self-guided tour through Guinness's history at the St James's Gate brewery, ending with a pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar. Ticketed and very popular — book in advance if visiting in summer.0 Add to listVisit the Guinness StorehouseMust-See SightsPaidA self-guided tour through Guinness's history at the St James's Gate brewery, ending with a pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar. Ticketed and very popular — book in advance if visiting in summer.0 Add to list
Explore Dublin CastleMust-See SightsPaidDublin Castle is a working government complex with public courtyards free to walk through and ticketed guided tours of the State Apartments. The medieval tower and Chester Beatty Library (free) are worth combining with a visit.0 Add to listExplore Dublin CastleMust-See SightsPaidDublin Castle is a working government complex with public courtyards free to walk through and ticketed guided tours of the State Apartments. The medieval tower and Chester Beatty Library (free) are worth combining with a visit.0 Add to list
Visit St Patrick's CathedralMust-See SightsPaidIreland's largest cathedral, dating from the 12th century and associated with Jonathan Swift, who is buried here. Small admission fee — allow 30-45 minutes and check for service times that may limit access.0 Add to listVisit St Patrick's CathedralMust-See SightsPaidIreland's largest cathedral, dating from the 12th century and associated with Jonathan Swift, who is buried here. Small admission fee — allow 30-45 minutes and check for service times that may limit access.0 Add to list
Explore the Cobbled Streets of Temple BarMust-See SightsThe cobbled cultural quarter along the south bank of the Liffey with pubs, galleries and independent shops. Tourist-heavy at night but interesting to walk through during the day — the side streets are quieter.0 Add to listExplore the Cobbled Streets of Temple BarMust-See SightsThe cobbled cultural quarter along the south bank of the Liffey with pubs, galleries and independent shops. Tourist-heavy at night but interesting to walk through during the day — the side streets are quieter.0 Add to list
Tour Kilmainham GaolMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessA 19th-century prison where leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed — a key site for understanding modern Irish history. Guided tours only and they sell out; book online well in advance.0 Add to listTour Kilmainham GaolMust-See SightsPaid · Check AccessA 19th-century prison where leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed — a key site for understanding modern Irish history. Guided tours only and they sell out; book online well in advance.0 Add to list
Relax in St Stephen's GreenMust-See SightsWith KidsA well-kept Victorian park in the middle of the city centre with a lake, ornamental gardens and good benches. Free to enter, easy with kids, and a useful break between the main sights.0 Add to listRelax in St Stephen's GreenMust-See SightsWith KidsA well-kept Victorian park in the middle of the city centre with a lake, ornamental gardens and good benches. Free to enter, easy with kids, and a useful break between the main sights.0 Add to list
Cross the Ha'penny BridgeMust-See SightsA narrow cast-iron pedestrian bridge from 1816 crossing the Liffey in the city centre. A quick stop on any walk between Temple Bar and the north side — free and usually photogenic.0 Add to listCross the Ha'penny BridgeMust-See SightsA narrow cast-iron pedestrian bridge from 1816 crossing the Liffey in the city centre. A quick stop on any walk between Temple Bar and the north side — free and usually photogenic.0 Add to list
Visit EPIC the Irish Emigration MuseumMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidAn interactive museum in the Docklands telling the story of Irish emigration across the centuries. Well-designed and engaging for adults and older kids — ticketed, allow two hours.0 Add to listVisit EPIC the Irish Emigration MuseumMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidAn interactive museum in the Docklands telling the story of Irish emigration across the centuries. Well-designed and engaging for adults and older kids — ticketed, allow two hours.0 Add to list
Order a Spice Bag From a Dublin ChipperLocal FoodA spice bag is battered chicken, chips, peppers and spices in a paper bag — a Dublin chipper invention that became a local staple. Order one late at night or after a pub session for full effect.0 Add to listOrder a Spice Bag From a Dublin ChipperLocal FoodA spice bag is battered chicken, chips, peppers and spices in a paper bag — a Dublin chipper invention that became a local staple. Order one late at night or after a pub session for full effect.0 Add to list
Build the Sacred Tayto SandwichLocal FoodBuy cheese-and-onion Tayto crisps and squash them between two slices of buttered white bread. Eat in public, crunch loudly, and accept the knowing nods from passing Dubs.0 Add to listBuild the Sacred Tayto SandwichLocal FoodBuy cheese-and-onion Tayto crisps and squash them between two slices of buttered white bread. Eat in public, crunch loudly, and accept the knowing nods from passing Dubs.0 Add to list
Leave Molly Malone AloneFun Side QuestsThe Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street is a well-known Dublin landmark, and locals have been campaigning to end the tradition of rubbing it for luck. Visit, take the photo, skip the touch.0 Add to listLeave Molly Malone AloneFun Side QuestsThe Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street is a well-known Dublin landmark, and locals have been campaigning to end the tradition of rubbing it for luck. Visit, take the photo, skip the touch.0 Add to list
Buy Lemon Soap Where Joyce DidFun Side QuestsA tiny Victorian pharmacy from 1847 still operating as a Joyce memorabilia shop run by volunteers. Buy a bar of lemon soap like Leopold Bloom did in Ulysses, and stay if someone is doing a reading — it happens most days.0 Add to listBuy Lemon Soap Where Joyce DidFun Side QuestsA tiny Victorian pharmacy from 1847 still operating as a Joyce memorabilia shop run by volunteers. Buy a bar of lemon soap like Leopold Bloom did in Ulysses, and stay if someone is doing a reading — it happens most days.0 Add to list
Find the Iveagh Gardens WaterfallFun Side QuestsThe Iveagh Gardens are a walled Victorian garden tucked behind the National Concert Hall that most visitors walk past without entering. Free, quiet and has a small waterfall built with stones from all 32 counties.0 Add to listFind the Iveagh Gardens WaterfallFun Side QuestsThe Iveagh Gardens are a walled Victorian garden tucked behind the National Concert Hall that most visitors walk past without entering. Free, quiet and has a small waterfall built with stones from all 32 counties.0 Add to list
Claim a Victorian Snug in Kehoe'sFun Side QuestsKehoe's on South Anne Street is a pub with a tiny enclosed wooden snug — essentially a small private room inside the bar. A good spot for a quiet pint away from the main room, if you can get in.0 Add to listClaim a Victorian Snug in Kehoe'sFun Side QuestsKehoe's on South Anne Street is a pub with a tiny enclosed wooden snug — essentially a small private room inside the bar. A good spot for a quiet pint away from the main room, if you can get in.0 Add to list
Wait for Your Guinness to SettleLocal FoodLocal RitualsOrder a Guinness and wait the full two-minute settle before lifting it. It's a genuine ritual here — reaching for it early will get you a look from the bar.0 Add to listWait for Your Guinness to SettleLocal FoodLocal RitualsOrder a Guinness and wait the full two-minute settle before lifting it. It's a genuine ritual here — reaching for it early will get you a look from the bar.0 Add to list
Make Eye Contact With a Bog BodyFun Side QuestsThe National Museum on Kildare Street is free to enter and has a permanent Iron Age bog body display including Clonycavan Man, who still has fingerprints. One of the more quietly unsettling things in Dublin.0 Add to listMake Eye Contact With a Bog BodyFun Side QuestsThe National Museum on Kildare Street is free to enter and has a permanent Iron Age bog body display including Clonycavan Man, who still has fingerprints. One of the more quietly unsettling things in Dublin.0 Add to list
Strike a Pose at the Phil Lynott StatueFun Side QuestsA life-sized bronze of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott stands on Harry Street off Grafton Street, next to Bruxelles pub. Easy to find, good for a photo, and the pub next door is decent for a pint.0 Add to listStrike a Pose at the Phil Lynott StatueFun Side QuestsA life-sized bronze of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott stands on Harry Street off Grafton Street, next to Bruxelles pub. Easy to find, good for a photo, and the pub next door is decent for a pint.0 Add to list
Spot Dublin's Nicknamed StatuesFun Side QuestsDublin's statues have irreverent local nicknames — the Floozie in the Jacuzzi, the Tart with the Cart, the Hags with the Bags. Hunt for two and learn the rhymes; Dubliners will enjoy hearing you use one correctly.0 Add to listSpot Dublin's Nicknamed StatuesFun Side QuestsDublin's statues have irreverent local nicknames — the Floozie in the Jacuzzi, the Tart with the Cart, the Hags with the Bags. Hunt for two and learn the rhymes; Dubliners will enjoy hearing you use one correctly.0 Add to list
Run With the Deer at Dawn in Phoenix ParkActiveLocal RitualsWith KidsPhoenix Park has a long straight avenue through one of Europe's largest city parks, and around 600 fallow deer are usually visible in the early morning. A good run — go before 8am for the best deer sightings.0 Add to listRun With the Deer at Dawn in Phoenix ParkActiveLocal RitualsWith KidsPhoenix Park has a long straight avenue through one of Europe's largest city parks, and around 600 fallow deer are usually visible in the early morning. A good run — go before 8am for the best deer sightings.0 Add to list
Run the Hard Sand at Dollymount StrandActiveLocal RitualsA long flat stretch of compacted sand on North Bull Island, about 8km from the city centre. Good for a fast, flat run with Dublin Bay views — seals are sometimes visible at the north end.0 Add to listRun the Hard Sand at Dollymount StrandActiveLocal RitualsA long flat stretch of compacted sand on North Bull Island, about 8km from the city centre. Good for a fast, flat run with Dublin Bay views — seals are sometimes visible at the north end.0 Add to list
Feed the Ducks at St Stephen's GreenFun Side QuestsWith KidsSt Stephen's Green has a small lake with ducks and a playground nearby, making it an easy stop with young kids in the city centre. Bring oats rather than bread to feed the ducks.0 Add to listFeed the Ducks at St Stephen's GreenFun Side QuestsWith KidsSt Stephen's Green has a small lake with ducks and a playground nearby, making it an easy stop with young kids in the city centre. Bring oats rather than bread to feed the ducks.0 Add to list
Spot Deer at Phoenix Park's Flower GardensActiveWith KidsThe People's Flower Gardens inside Phoenix Park are a free Victorian garden with a lakeside playground and usually some deer grazing nearby. A relaxed half-hour with kids before or after exploring the wider park.0 Add to listSpot Deer at Phoenix Park's Flower GardensActiveWith KidsThe People's Flower Gardens inside Phoenix Park are a free Victorian garden with a lakeside playground and usually some deer grazing nearby. A relaxed half-hour with kids before or after exploring the wider park.0 Add to list
Walk the Sea Wall to Poolbeg LighthouseActiveWith KidsCheck AccessA walk along the Great South Wall, a granite pier extending into Dublin Bay, to a red lighthouse built in 1768. No railings on parts of the wall, so keep young kids close — but the walk is flat and the views are good on a clear day.0 Add to listWalk the Sea Wall to Poolbeg LighthouseActiveWith KidsCheck AccessA walk along the Great South Wall, a granite pier extending into Dublin Bay, to a red lighthouse built in 1768. No railings on parts of the wall, so keep young kids close — but the walk is flat and the views are good on a clear day.0 Add to list
