Things to Do in Dublin

Hosting a collection of objects that narrate human history and natural history, the National Museum of Ireland is one of the prominent places to visit in Dublin. It was formed as Dublin Museum of Science and Art in 1977 by an act of parliament and later changed to National Museum of Ireland in 1921. The museum is a storehouse of natural history with many collections that are acquired by many notable Irish cultural institutions.

The museum has a total of four branches, with three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo. In the Kildare Street branch, you can see many archaeological exhibits and artefacts dating to prehistoric times in Ireland. For the history lovers, there is the Decorative Arts and History Branch in Collins Barracks which has a fine representation of the country’s decorative arts and their political, social and economic history. In the Natural History Museum, you can see various specimens collected by Irish scientists during the 19th century. Apart from offering a delightful lesson in history, the museum hosts many educational activities which you can enjoy with friends and family along with seasonal crafts, self guided activity booklets and interactive exhibits.

Location: Kildare St, Dublin 2, Ireland

Timing: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. Sunday and Monday 1pm - 5pm

Built in 1854, the National Gallery of Ireland was located in the centre of the city of Dublin. It is famed for having  a stunning collection of art which has 2500 paintings and 10000 other works in different media including watercolors, drawings, prints and sculpture. It also has many Irish paintings which are renowned all over Ireland.

One of the notable features of this place is the Yeats Archives with works of Jack B Yeats and paintings like ‘The Meeting On Turret Stairs’ painted by Frederic William Burton in 1864. Some of the facilities which you can enjoy here are a shop, restaurant, telephones and cloakrooms. You can also avail a free audio tour guide along with many Sunday activities and family drawing books. Counted among the must visit tourist places in Dublin for art lovers, the National Gallery of Ireland reserves a place in all tourist itineraries.

Location: Merrion Square W, Dublin 2, D02 K303, Ireland

Hailed as one of the largest Georgian squares, Merrion Square is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Dublin. Amidst the colorful flower beds, Merrion Square amazes you with nature’s beauty. A prominent feature of this place is the Oscar Wilde reclining on the rock. It is renowned for having the residence place for Oscar Wilde.

The public garden in Dublin where you can admire the breathtaking architecture and the city’s aristocracy. Built in 1726, the garden is renowned for its design and boundary of Georgian buildings. The green spaces at Merrion Square will entice the nature lover to enjoy the sunny days and take a short stroll. If you are an art lover, this is a place where you can watch out to display various art works on Sundays.The foodies can also street food from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on Thursdays.

Location: Merrion Square, Dublin

Timing: 10 am to 8:30 pm 

A winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction award for 2019 and 2020, this tourist place in Dublin is for everyone who wants to get an insider glimpse of this culturally rich city. It tells the story of the 10 million people who bid goodbye to this island, which places they went and when they came back what all things they brought along. The unique museum tells the many personal stories through 20 interactive galleries where you will enjoy one of the most engaging experiences of your life.

If you are Irish, you can try to find out your ancestry by going through the Family History Centre here. Located in the 200-year-old Georgian warehouse, EPIC is a lively attraction to enjoy many cultural events along with recreation, retail therapy and food outings. Some of the popular places to visit in Dublin along with this museum are the Famine Memorial Sculptures, Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship, The Custom House, Dublin Convention Centre etc.

Location: The Chq Building, Unit 32 /33, N Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, Ireland

Timing: 10.00am to 6.45pm (last entry 5.00pm)

Entry Fee: Euro 12 to 14 

Get an insight into the Easter Week of 1916 through this fascinating and engaging exhibition. With  a stunning audio visual display of authentic artefacts with electronic touch screens and videos, GPO Witness History Museum is one of the best places to visit in Dublin for all the history lovers. It is an interesting exhibit to see newspaper reports being done, examining the original copy of the Proclamation along with sending Morse Code for announcing the Irish Republic through radio. Designed in 1814 by Francis Johnston, the General Post Office stands proudly on the O’Connell Street of Dublin. Here, you can visit the café which overlooks a spacious courtyard or shop from souvenirs at their retail store.

Location: O'Connell Street Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 F5P2, Ireland

Timing: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Entry Fee: Euro 15 

Tucked away in one of the most splendid neo-classical buildings among the tourist places in Dublin, the National Museum of Ireland is a superb spot to know about many historical events that shaped Ireland. Here, you can find a ton of exhibits that range from the 1916 Easter Rising to the works of Irish designer Eileen Gray. One of the most astonishing features of visiting this museum is to walk through the arcaded colonnades and the walking bridges that connect the blocks.

Often called Collins Barracks, the museum was named in honor of Michael Collins, a freedom fighter in Irish struggle for independence who was killed in the Civil War. The museum is replete with many amazing artefacts which range from silver, ceramics, glassware, weaponry, furniture and folk like displays.

Some of the interesting exhibits which you can see here is the Way We Wore displaying clothing and jewellery from 250 years of Ireland, the Soldiers and Chiefs exhibit showcasing the history of Irish military from 1550 to the current times. One of the eye-catching exhibits to see here is the Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising which is dedicated to showcasing the events of Rebellion along with many artefacts on the same. There is also the famous Curator’s Choice exhibition where you can see hand picked 25 items that are picked by curators and exhibited with an account of the same.

Location: Collins Barracks, Benburb St, Stoneybatter, Dublin, D07 XKV4, Ireland

Timing: Tuesday - Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday - Monday:1pm-5pm

Comprising a set of beautiful gardens and sprawling meadows, Irish Museum of Modern Art among the best places to visit in Dublin for history buffs. Set on an open campus which was once the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, there is where you can see the amalgamation of art and life in the contemporary world. It hosts many exhibitions where you can see the art collaborations of Irish and international artists.

One of the prominent art collections to watch out for here is the Freud Project, which is a popular exhibition by Lucian Freud, one of the notable realist painters of the 20th century. It is known to have more than 3500 pieces which are attributed to many Irish and international artists. The museum offers many gallery based tours and workshops where everyone can participate along with many talks, seminars and artist led events. Some of the works of popular names like Marina Abramović, Joseph Cornell, and Roy Lichtenstein can be seen in the art collection at IMMA.

Location: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, Ireland

Timing: Tuesday – Friday: 11.30am – 5.30pm, Saturday: 10.00am – 5.30pm, Sunday: 12noon – 5.30pm*

Walk into one  of the most happening music venues and recording studios with the Irish Rock N Roll Museum Experience. This place in Dublin is for all the music fans to unleash their inner artists and come out with a unique Demo track of their own. The theatrical experience is totally captivating and allows you to have a stunning rock n roll experience.

You will get an all areas access pass to find yourself in the backstage of Button Factory. Music lovers here can see all the recording studios where the famous artists like Christy Moore, Rihanna, Will I Am and The Script have recorded many award winning tracks. The experience is a delightful getaway to know more about the Irish music industry which has developed over the past 30 years. It also boasts of having the largest sound deck in the country that is also called Apollo Studio. For the lovers of vintage things, there is a plethora of memorabilia of many old guitars, musical equipment, handwritten lyrics and tour jackets worn by Michael Jackson. Other highlights of the Museum include the Irish Wall of Fame, The U2 Exhibition and Thin Lizzy Experience.

Location: Curved St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 PC43, Ireland

Timing: 11 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fee: Starting EURO 10

Dalkey and Killiney are two spectacular towns which help you rejuvenate away from the hustle and bustle of the city life of Dublin. Located next to each other, these two towns are a refreshing getaway to get a glimpse of the countryside and enjoy a cool summer break with your loved ones along the dazzling coastline of Ireland. The two towns have many historical stories to tell and offer many seaside resorts where you can forget all the worries of life. When you are here, you can enjoy the quaint life of the villages and relax at your pace. The major features of the town is that it has a 15th century castle where you can take a step back in time. It has been said that the place has inspired many legendary writers like James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw.

Location: Dalkey and Killiney, Ireland

Highlights: Nature, history,culture, photography etc. 

Perched in the middle of O’Connell Street, Spire of Dublin is one of the most impressive tourist places to see in Dublin. Rising to a height of 120 m with a symmetrical base of 3 m, this Spire adorns the street with its gigantic presence. The Spire glass surface brilliantly reflects the streetscape and the passing people during the bright sunlit days.

The reflective stainless steel brings out the abstract design of the spire. The view during the evenings is equally great while the night view dazzles everyone with the light source rising from the tip of the Spire which serves as a beacon of night sky in the city of Dublin.

Location: The Spire, O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin, Ireland

Highlights: Sightseeing, photography, architecture etc. 

Dedicated to the life of the famous author James Joyce, this tourist place in Dublin is visited as a distinct museum set in an 18th century Georgian townhouse. The museum is a storehouse of many interesting exhibits which range from a recreation of the study of James Joyce from Trieste.

Apart from that, you can see furniture from the home of Paul Leon, one of the friends of Joyce. There is also the table where Joyce used to sit with friends and supporters and worked on the translation of Finnegans Wake. You can also see many temporary exhibitions which showcase the numerous aspects from the life and work of James Joyce.

Location: 35 N Great George's St, Rotunda, Dublin, Ireland

Timing: 10 am to 5 pm

Entry Fee: Euro 5

Sprawling over an area of 1700 acres, Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo is where you can the lush greenery and take a break in the tranquil ambience among tourist attractions in Dublin. Replete with many verdant willows and sparkling lakes, the park was one of royal hunting grounds in the 17th century which was opened to the public in 1747. One of the prominent attractions of the park is the Dublin Zoo, often renowned as the oldest zoos in Europe. With more than 400 varieties of animals, Phoenix Park gives you a rare glimpse of Humboldt penguins and western lowland gorillas.

Tourists here can enjoy cycling and also opt for many Segway tours which are arranged here for a small fee. Other notable attractions of the park include the Visitor Centre and Ashtown Castle which offers a quick lesson of the park’s history, the 17th century medieval tower and the 78 acre Edwardian estate which offer a slice of serenity for all the visitors.

Location: Saint James' (part of Phoenix Park), Dublin 8, Ireland

Timing: 9:30 to 4pm

Entry Fee: Euro 20 

Constructed in honour of St. Patrick, one of the famous patron saints of Ireland, this cathedral depicts the rich culture of Ireland. The medieval building has many visitors and is often hailed as one of the prominent monuments in Ireland’s history and a must see place to see in Dublin. It was here that St. Patrick was believed to have baptised people 1500 years ago.

Often celebrated as the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is very famous for its choir that was established in 1432 and still performs. You can opt for a guided tour here or use the free app when you are wandering in the cathedral. In the 5th century, the first church was consecrated here in 1191 and 1270 A.D and in 1311 A.D. the Medieval College of Dublin was founded.

The church underwent major repairs in the 1660s and since then has been hailed as one of the best examples of medieval architecture in Dublin. It is an important place in Ireland for celebrating many state events along with the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. Some of the popular things to spot at this cathedral include the memorial plaques, busts and mementos, the most famous being the Boyle Family tomb from the 17th century.

Location: St Patrick's Close, Dublin 8, A96 P599, Ireland

Timing: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5:30pm. Saturday: 9am - 6pm 

Known as one of the popular cultural tourist attractions in Dublin, Dublin Castle and Chester Beatty Library which is dedicated to Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. It is home to many ancient manuscripts, art works and rare books which were collected by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. It was built in 1950 and came under the control of Irish administration after the death of Chester Beatty.

Hailed as one of the only Irish institutions to win the European Museum of the Year award, this place attracts all culture lovers. Chester Beatty was famous as a self made millionaire who earned the name of ‘king of copper’ after making a million dollar business before he was 32. The museum displays the collection of objects that range from stamps, Chinese snuff bottles and ancient relics. The museum has on display the collection of Oriental books and artworks which were gathered during the 20th century. It also has the earliest known copies of the four gospels, more than 200 early examples of Quran, English, French colour plate books along with Old Master prints. One of the popular exhibits here is the Gospel of Mani which has the last remaining artefact of Manichaeism.

Location: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92, Ireland

Timing: Monday to Friday 9:45am - 5:30pm,,Wednesday 9:45am - 8:00pm, Saturday 9:45am - 5:30pm, Sunday 12:00pm - 5:30pm