Dublin is a great place to visit whether its quick European escape or a stopover during a transatlantic flight and even as a day in port. Historic buildings, scenic parks, wonderful day trip destinations and a vibrant food and drink scene make Dublin an exciting place to explore. Once arriving in Dublin the airport is location around 30 mins drive from the city center which is conveniently accessible via the Dublin express. The shuttle service from the airport operates every 20 minutes at around 8 Euro per direction, tickets can be bought online or arrival outside the airport. The temptation to stay around the Temple Bar area of Dublin was obviously appealing, its conveniently located near some major attractions like Dublin Castle, Trinity college, St Stephens green and a hub of bars and restaurants. On this occasion I stayed near the docklands which is about a 20 min ride on the red line tram or a 40 minute walk down the banks the of River Liffey, and with that being said here are 5 things to see and do on your visit to Dublin.
- Stroll along the River Liffey
Visitors to Dublin will inevitably stumble upon the River Liffey when wondering the city. The River Liffey flows through the heart of Dublin and acts as natural divide between the north and south. Based in the docklands area the river served as a natural compass point heading west towards the town centre. The scenic walk along the banks of the Liffey introduces visitors to some of Dublins notable landmarks including Samuel Beckett Bridge, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Famine Memorial, Custom House Building and The Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship. Dublin has several bridges that Span the River Liffey offering a stunning views of the city from all perspectives. Weaving across the likes of Ha’penny (Dublins oldest pedestrian crossing) or Samuel Beckett Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Rosie Hackett and O’Connell Bridge is a must on any visit. Besides the aesthetic view and historic value the bridges serve their purpose allowing swift access to the city’s vibrant areas such as Temple Bar, The Liberties, Dublins Italian Quarter and O’Connell Street to name but a few. If trekking along the liffey isn’t your cup of tea, the river has plenty of bars to stop off and enjoy Irelands most famous beverage whilst soaking up the local atmosphere and live music.
Dublin Mythology and Folklore Tour with Irish Stories and Legends
- Temple Bar, Dine and Drink
No trip to Dublin would be complete without indulging in some of Irelands most famous exports and local cuisine. As you would expect their are no shortage of pubs serving Irish based beverages made famous the world over like Guinness, Jameson, Magners and Baileys. Many of the pubs have locally produced beer, ciders and whisky not exported which are definitely worth and try and of course a pint of Guinness always taste better in Ireland from the source. For those looking to explore the origins of Guinness further visitors can go to The Guinness storehouse, the famous brewery in Dublin when you can take the tour, learn the history and of course drink and dine to the tune of Irelands most famous export. Booking tickets in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment.
On the other side of the river is another famous Irish export, The Jameson Distillery Founded by John Jameson in 1780, today the former factory stands as a monument to Irish Whiskey. Visit Jameson Distillery Dublin for the World’s leading distillery tours, cocktail-making classes, premium whiskey tasting sessions or to learn how to blend your own whiskey. The Jameson Distillery is also a great venue to pop in for a casual drink, craft beer as well as the customary whiskey tasting straight from the proverbial source. Inside the distillery is a gift shop where you can find all kinds of Jameson themed souvenirs, including cocktail kits, chocolate, magnets, glasses, apparel and of course every possible iteration of Jameson Whiskey many of which are only found in Dublin.
Away from the breweries and distillery’s are plenty of establishments to soak up the inevitable flow of Irish alcohol. A hearty full Irish breakfast composing of bacon, Irish sausages, baked beans, eggs, mushroom, black pudding and Soda Bread is a great way to start a day’s exploring in Dublin. Places like O’Sheas Merchant, Jay Kays Cafe, Slattery’s, Grand Central and Keoghs Cafe are all fantastic options for an Irish breakfast. Once you’ve spent the day exploring the sites of Dublin, dinner options are soon the topic of conversation. Again the pubs are a great place to start.
Dublin pubs come to life at night as most venues are serenated by local Irish bands blasting a blend of Irish songs and timeless classics. Temple bar would be the obvious hub to congregate in. Once you’ve battled your way through to the bar the reward of enjoying a refreshing cider or smooth Guinness as you soak up the atmosphere and live music is a truly exhilarating experience.
Sticking to the food many pubs have a hearty menu including lamb shank, Guinness or Irish stew, fish and chips, mussels, Sheppard’s pie, steak sandwich’s and soups. Visitors with a sweet tooth will likely enjoy the Baileys cheesecake, bread and butter pudding and apple pie rounded off with an authentic Irish coffee. Inevitably you will tend to gravitate towards the Temple Bar area where you will find places like Quays Irish Restaurant, Old Storehouse or Trinity Bar & venue, all great choices. Crossing the river over the Ha, Penny Bridge you will notice a pub sharing the same name and beyond that the Gin Palace Dublin and Grand Central.
Food on Food: Dublin Street Food Tour with local guide
Away from the pubs Dublin has some great steakhouses like the Bull and Castle or Hellfire. Alternatively if your looking for a quick bite the Dublin spice bag has become somewhat of a street-food phenomenon and a take away specialty. Crispy strips of tender chicken and seasoned chips tossed in onions, peppers salt and spices is a must try in Dublin. Hunan restaurant, Chai Yo and Xian street food Dublin are both excellent places to enjoy Chinese food including the spice bag. Seafood lovers will find great restaurants in the city center like Sole Seafood & Grill, Beef and Lobster and Matt The Thresher. If you fancy an excursion out of the city center take a short trip to the costal town of Howth and check out Aqua Restaurant or Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas for amazing seafood and stunning views. For fish and chips head to Beshoff Bros Howth or Leo Burdock Christchurch back in the city center.
Dublin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
Dessert lovers will undoubtedly come across cloud nine temple bar literally across the road from the iconic Temple Bar. Murphys ice cream and Lemon crepe are in close proximity to one another and for chocolate lovers checkout The Sweetest Thing located on the River Liffey.
- Visit a Brewery
Irelands capital has no shortage of places to enjoy a beverage and whilst their are many great pubs to visit, theirs nothing quite like drinking from the source. With a brewing heritage dating back centuries, Dublin is a mecca for beer enthusiast seeking a pint of perfection. But beyond the famous names lies a world of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
1. Guinness Storehouse
It would be rude not to kick things off with our hometown icon, Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse is an unmatched brewery experience that takes you back in time, to tell the fascinating story of Ireland’s most famous stout. Journey to the top floor and find yourself in the Gravity Bar, where panoramic views of Dublin elevate your pint of freshly poured Guinness.
2. Rascals Brewing Company
Rascals HQ in Dublin City is a visitor destination for food and drink lovers, just minutes from Kilmainham Gaol in the heart of historic Inchicore. The building houses the award winning independent craft brewery Rascals Brewing Company, as well as a pizza restaurant, taproom and event spaces. Rascals HQ also provides immersive tours of the brewery with guided beer tasting after visitors learn all about the brewing process.
3. Urban Brewing
Unleash your beer-loving spirit at Dublin’s beloved Urban Brewing, a place where memorable moments are continuously brewed. This brewery, bar, and restaurant is your one-stop shop for a fantastic night out. The tantalizing tapas-style dishes complement the beers exquisitely, providing a fabulous feast for all the senses.
4.The Porterhouse, Temple Bar
The Porterhouse, established in Temple Bar in 1996, was at the cutting edge of micro brewery pubs in Ireland. Centrally located on Parliament Street, in the heart of the Temple Bar district, it stands three storeys high, and always guarantees a lively crowd. Passionate about all good beer, they offer a choice of ten different brews exclusive to The Porterhouse, and brewed on the premises. The Plain Porter has twice won a Gold international brewing industry award. The choice is unique, away from the mainstream. Live music added to the mix guarantees a rockin’ night out.
5. Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Although the Guinness Storehouse may be the main attraction, don’t sleep on the opportunity to check out Guinness Open Gate Brewery. From exclusive small-batch brews to experimental flavors, it’s one of the best ways to experience the more playful side of Ireland’s world-renowned brewery. The food is also drool-worthy, with classic pub fare that’ll keep you going back for more.
- Dublin Castle and Parks
You’ll find just as much allure in Dublin’s parks as you will in the city’s lively streets and famous pubs. From cycling through the quiet glens of Phoenix Park to meandering amid orchids inside the majestic glasshouses at the National Botanic Gardens, there are many ways to enjoy Dublin’s historic green spaces.
The Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed city park in Europe with 1,750 acres to explore all year round. The Park is home to the official residence of the President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin (the “Irish White House” open on Saturdays), Farmleigh House (open for tours daily), the US Ambassador’s residence, the Dublin Zoo (est. 1831) and the Victorian People’s Flower Gardens (est. 1864).
The Iveagh Gardens are one of Dublin City’s least known parks and gardens. The gardens display a diverse collection of landscape features which include rustic grottos, sunken formal panels of lawn with fountain centre pieces, wilderness, woodlands, a yew maze, a rosarium, an American garden, archery grounds, rockeries and rooteries.
St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin City is a Victorian public park, with tree lined walks, shrubberies, colourful flowerbeds, herbaceous borders, rockeries, and ornamental lake and a garden for the visually impaired.
In the shadow of St Patrick’s Cathedral, the tallest in Ireland at 101 meters, lies one of Dublin’s most peaceful and underrated green spaces. Start your exploration by grabbing a coffee at the Tram Café nearby and enjoy a picnic on the lawn, or a stroll along one of the walkways to admire the views of the Cathedral. Take a tour of the Literary Parade, created in honor of Irish poets and writers like James Clarence Mangan, William Butler Yeats and James Joyce, and see the Liberty Bell Sculpture, a nudge to the Liberties neighbourhood in which the park is located.
- Take a day trip
Away from the city, Dublin acts as a gateway to visit some of Ireland’s magnificent natural wonders, picturesque towns, castles and historic landmarks. Crossing the boarder into Northern Ireland you can visit the country’s capital city Belfast, exploring its historical maritime past at the titanic museum and Harland and Wolff shipyard. One of Northern Irelands most spectacular destinations and must visit is of course the Unesco listed giants causeway and causeway coast. The most characteristic and unique feature of the site is the exposure of some 40,000 large, regularly shaped polygonal columns of basalt in perfect horizontal sections, forming a pavement. The cliff exposures of columnar and massive basalt at the edge of the antrim plateau present a spectacle of exceptional natural beauty. Game of thrones fans can visit the dark hedges and Dunluce castle usually featured on tours visiting the causeway.
Travelling across Irelands green and scenic countryside visitors can explore another iconic coastal landscape. The Cliffs of Moher sit astride the striking landscape of the Burren on one side and the Wild Atlantic Ocean on the other. Rising out of the Atlantic waters to a height of over 700ft at O’Brien’s Tower and running along the coast of Clare for almost 14 kilometers, or 8 miles, the Cliffs of Moher were formed over 320 million years ago, and today form part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. From the visitor center you can walk up to O’Brien’s tower and take a relaxing walk enjoying the breathtaking views along the coast. Alternatively you can view the spectacular cliffs from the sea and explore the neighboring aran islands likely operating from Galway.
Depending on the itinerary your route will take you on a coastal drive along the shores of Galway Bay. This dramatic road ensures we see amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. This drive is part of the “Wild Atlantic Way” which is a driving route that follows the entire West Coast of Ireland. Along the way you will like discover the Burren – one of the famous landscapes of Ireland! It is famous for its Limestone Rock, as far as the eye can see, and reaching down to the sea shore.
Cruisers maybe familiar with the picturesque coast town of Cobh or Queenstown, the last port of call for the ill fated Titanic. Visitors to country cork can explore the Titanic Experience Cobh or wonder the city capturing the colorful houses (deck of cards) If you stand on the bank in the park opposite you get a perfect view of the houses, St. Colman’s Cathedral and the harbor. Travelling south towards cork and neighboring Cobh, coach tours will tend to visit Blarney Castle with its Blarney Stone, Cahir Castle as well as the monastic site, the Rock of Cashel, once home of the King of Munster. Blarney Castle, built by the McCarthy clan over 600 years ago, still retains its old world charm with its towers, battlements and gated entrance built on a rocky outcrop. Kiss the Blarney stone, situated on the parapets of the castle, to gain the gift of eloquence, that is the ability to persuade people and being able to talk yourself out of trouble.
The Rock of Cashel is a multi-period monastic site, which was a fortress before it became the seat of the bishop of the diocese of Cashel, and venue where the historical Synod of Cashel was held. Visit the Great Cathedral, the Hall of Vicars Choral, Cormack’s Chapel (with one of Ireland’s best preserved Irish frescoes and Romanesque architecture) and a round tower, all perched on a solid rock ringed by a curtain wall- most of it dating back from before the Cambro-Norman conquerors came to Ireland in the late 12th century.
Their is certainly no shortage of activities and experiences that will make your time in Dublin live long in the memory. For further ideas and inspiration check out the link below:
My Favorite Dublin Experiences
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