Dublin Attractions: Here’s What Not to Miss

If you are embarking on an adventure to Ireland, you will most likely be arriving in Dublin, which is an absolute treat. If possible, don’t make Dublin a quick stopover on your trip. This is a destination that is worthy of our time, energy, and quite frankly, all of your money!

Make sure you have enough time to explore the city and the many incredible Dublin attractions that are on offer! There truly is something for everyone to do, whether that is more cultural and historical or food-based fun, Dublin has everything on offer for you.

There are so many things and we have listed some of the top sights and Dublin attractions. Obviously, we wish we could list them all, but these are a few of our favourites!

As a quick must-know detail: The National Museum, National Library and National Gallery are located very close to one another, near Government buildings in Dublin 2. All three are worth a visit, not least because they are free of charge! So add them to your to-do list right now.

Make sure to get the Dublin Pass with entry to over 35 attractions!

Top Dublin Attractions

Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse retells the story of Dublin’s most famous drink. The exhibition is interesting and is self-guided. Price of entry includes a pint at the seventh floor Gravity Bar, which has good views over Dublin and forms the head of the giant pint of Guinness formed by the atrium. If the taste is a bit too bitter for you, ask for blackcurrant in your pint – but beware, this will upset the purists! Outside tourists will encounter horse drawn carriages for hire. Beware as they charge €30 for the short 2km ride back to the city centre.

Check availability and book your ticket to Guinness Storehouse below:

Old Jameson Distillery

This popular factory tour and whiskey tasting are a definite Dublin attraction. After the video, make sure you raise your hand because they pick four people to volunteer for taste testing later in the tour – which you will obviously want to do!

• Adult €12.50, students and seniors €10, families €25.
• Bow Street Distillery, Smithfield, Dublin,
• Tel: 353 1 8072355.
• Daily 9:30AM-6PM. Last tour at 5:30. Closed Good Friday and Christmas holidays.
• www.jamesonwhiskey.com

National Museum of Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland truly is where Archaeology and History come together in the most unique and engaging manner. Other locations include: Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barrack, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. Natural History at Merrion Street, Dublin 2.

• Free entrance.
• Kildare Street, Dublin 2,
• Tel: +353 1 6777444 (marketing@museum.ie, fax: +353 1 6777450),
• Tu-Sat 10AM-5PM; Sun 2PM-5PM, closed Mon, Christmas Day and Good Friday.
• www.museum.ie

The National Gallery of Ireland

If you are looking to explore local arts of Ireland, then this is where you need to be as this gallery holds the National collection of Irish and European Art. There really is no excuse to not visit this spot as it offers free entrance. Merrion Square West & Clare Street, Dublin 2 (DART Pearse Station will get you to within five minutes from the Gallery).

• Tel: +353 1 6615133 (info@ngi.ie, fax: +353 1 6615372),
• Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5:30PM (till 8:30PM on Thurs) and Sun 12PM-5:30PM. Closed Good Friday and Dec 24-26.
• www.nationalgallery.ie

Irish Museum of Modern Art

This is where modern & contemporary art come to engage in an enthralling display of artistic expression. From the well-kept formal gardens & on-site café, there is plenty to keep you busy, entertained and full. Better yet, you can also expect free entrance.

Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8

• Tel: +353 1 6129900 (info@imma.ie, fax: +353 1 612 9999),
• Tu-Sat 10AM-5:30PM (opens 10:30AM on Wed), 12PM-5:30PM on Sun and Bank Holidays. Closed on Mon. Summer Late Opening until 8.00PM on Thursdays from 5 June – 18 September.
• www.modernart.ie.

Old Library at Trinity College & Book of Kells

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. Save yourself the trouble and just add it to your list of must-see Dublin attractions.

• Adults €9, +€2 for optional guided tour. Students & seniors €8, children under 12 free. Family admission €18.
• College Green, Dublin 2,
• Tel: +353 1 896 2320 (adiffley@tcd.ie, fax: +353 1 896 2690),
• Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5PM, Sun (May-Sept) 9:30AM (12PM Oct-Apr)-5:30PM. Closed Dec 23 – Jan 1.
• www.tcd.ie

Dublin Castle

Did you know that the Dublin Castle is the former seat of British rule in Ireland? This historical site will grant you access to local history in an engaging and interesting way!

Chester Beatty Library

This exquisite library contains a wide selection of early books and manuscripts, including sacred texts and manuscripts. In fact, it even won European Museum of the Year 2002. So if that’s not enough reason to go and visit, we don’t know what is.

• Free entry.
• Dublin Castle, Dublin 2,
• Tel: +353 1 407 0750 (info@cbl.ie, fax: +353 1 407 0760),
• Sat 11AM-5PM, Sun 1PM-5PM, Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM (Closed on Mon from Oct-Apr).
• www.cbl.ie

The Bram Stoker Museum

This is every horror-theme loving person’s type of museum as visitors get to enjoy a frightening tour through the life of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. It’s scary, filled with jump-scares and so much fun!

Christ Church Cathedral

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.

Dublinia & the Viking World

This is a renowned 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. Note that discounted admission to the Christ Church Cathedral are available too.

• Adults €6.25, children €3.75, student €5.25.
• St. Michael’s Hill, Christchurch, Dublin 2,
• Tel: +353 1 679 4611 (info@dublinia.ie),
• March-Sept 10am-5pm, Oct-Feb 10am-4.15pm.
• www.dublinia.ie

You probably wouldn’t think of these as typical Dublin attractions, but they’re worth it. At the sports headquarters, the 82,500 seat, state-of-the-art stadium, Croke Park. These sports are uniquely Irish. Hurling is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest field sport, with the ball (called a sliotar) reaching speeds above 130 kph. Gaelic football can best be described as a combination of soccer and rugby. To keep the sports “pure,” it maintains an amateur status, with each parish in Ireland having a team – the inter-county games are generally extremely well-supported, so you may have difficulty getting tickets for the bigger matches. Tours of the GAA museum and the stadium are also available, including a chance to try your hand at the sports themselves.

Kilmainham Gaol

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). 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.

• Adults: €5.30, senior and groups: €3.70, children and students: €2.10, family €11.50.
• Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.,
• Tel: 353 1 4535984.
• Open Apr-Sep every day 9:30AM-5PM, Oct-Mar M-Sa 9:30AM-4PM; Su 10AM-5PM.

Phoenix Park

The largest enclosed urban park in Europe. Includes a polo field and Dublin Zoo. The residences of the President of Ireland and the US 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!

Glasnevin Cemetery

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.

• Adults €5 and under 12 Free.
• Finglas Road, Dublin 11 (O’connell St 140 or 40),
• Tel: +353 (0)1 882 6550,
• Tours: Everyday between 11.30 am and 2:30 pm
• www.glasnevinmuseum.ie

Dublin Zoo

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.

• Adults: €15, students €12.50, Senior Citizens €12, children €10.50, family from €43.50 for 4 to €52 for 6.
• Welington/Zoo road,
• Tel: 353 1 4748900,
• M-Sa 9:30AM-4PM in winter and 6.30PM in summer.
• www.dublinzoo.ie

National Botanic Gardens

Leopardstown racecourse

Located in the southern suburb of Leopardstown/Foxrock, there are regular meetings throughout the year. There is a “Pay as you Play” golf course within the racecourse grounds, as well as bars, restaurants and a nightclub (Club 92).

• €12.55, with reductions for students and OAPs.
• Leopardstown, Dublin 18 (From Dublin city centre, follow the N11 south, turn right into the R113 (Leopardstown Road), the racecourse will be on your left),
• Tel: +353 1 289 0500 (info@leopardstown.com, fax: +353 1 289 2634),
• www.leopardstown.com.

Dublin Writers Museum

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.

• Adults €7.25, children €4.55, family tickets €21. 18
• Parnell Square,
• Tel: 353 1 872 2077,
• Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, open until 6PM June-Aug. Sun and holidays 11AM-5PM.
• www.writersmuseum.com

Gaiety Theatre

The oldest continually operating theatre in Dublin hosts popular musical shows, opera, ballet, dance and drama.

If you have limited time in the city and would like to do a quick tour, there are a few options that you could join all covering the top Dublin attractions. Discover a few options below: