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Nine Best Things to Do in Dublin

11/02/20 | City Travel Guide, Dublin, Ireland, Travel

While I have tons of Italy posts left to share with you all (and even a few Egypt ones from our trip at the start of the year), today I wanted to share travel suggestions from a different place.  I have been to Dublin three times – twice in 2016 and once in 2019 – and after three tripes I feel like I can round up my recommendations for the best things to do in the city.   This was a recommendation from a reader who is planning a road trip next Summer and it was a fun trip back down memory lane to put together these suggestions for you.   If you are new here, check out all of my Ireland posts and then continue on with my nine suggestions of the best things to do in Dublin. 

Flower Boxes on O'Neills Pub in Dublin

(1) Have a Pint in Temple Bar   While technically Temple Bar is only one establishment (a famous pub offering 450 types of whiskey) it has become the center of Dublin’s nightlife as well as a tourist hotspot.  Choose from dozens of pubs, many of which have live music and be prepared to spend at least €6 ($7) for a pint of lager or beer. 

Front of Trinity College DublinSocrates Bust in Trinity College Library

(2) Tour Trinity College  A visit to Trinity College, Ireland’s top university, is a must.  It is located in the heart of the city and don’t make the mistake I did – save the: €15.00 per person and just take a wander around the campus.    You should, however, pay to vist the The Book of Kells and the Old Library Exhibition – the book Is a famous 9th century manuscript and the library is stunning, especially the Long Room with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books.   (Find my Trinity College post here)

Folliage in Phoenix Park

(3) Wander through St. Stephen’s Green and the other parks  As you wander the city make sure to take a walk through as many of the parks as you can, they are absolutely stunning!  the parks around Dublin, so pretty! 

Teeling Whiskey Tour

(4) Visit a Whiskey Distillery. – Ireland is famous for their whiskey and even though I don’t drink whiksey, when in Rome!  I have heard great things about the Jameson Distillery and was planning to visit, however, it was closed when I was there and the Teeling Whiskey Distillery was a good Plan B.  (Find my Teeling Whiskey post here)

O'Connell Bride Dublin

(5) Zig Zag Over the Bridges   The heart of Dublin really built up around the river Liffy and there are almost a dozen bridges that are fun to walk over as the city has built up on both the North and the South Side. 

Main Room of Kilmainham Gaol

(6)  Kilmainham Gaol Prison – While not as jovial as bars, if you have more than two days in Dublin I would take a tour of Kilmainham, really interesting history of Ireland. It is rated #1 of 645 things to do in Dublin by Trip Advisor  and I learned a tremendous amount about Modern Day Ireland from my visit. (Find my Kilmainham Gaol Prison post here)

Deer at the American Ambassador's Residence in Phoenix Park DublinFeeding the Deer in Phoenix Park Dublin 03

(7) Feed the Deer in Phoenix Park – This park is bit out of the way I would suggest a visit to the the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe and if you go, make sure to bring carrots as the deer will eat right out of your hand. . (My post here)

Molly Malone Statue in Dublin

(8) Molly Malone Statue – Seeing this statue does not take more than a minute or two but it is a fun thing to do but more its by all the cute shops and located outside Andrew’s Church on the top of Suffolk Street. And you will note from the picture above and when you see it in person,. “It’s a tradition among Dubliners to rub her breasts… It’ll bring you luck.” per the Irish Times. 

Guinnes Storehouse St. James's Gate Brewery SignGuinness Storehouse

(9) Pour a Pint at the Guinness Storehouse – Similar to whiskey, I am not a fan of beer but this is a terrific experience.  Make sure you book the timed tickets before you arrive to save waiting in a very long line. And for your free beer, pour it yourself at the “Guinness bar” and then take it to the roof   (my post here)

_ _ _ 

If you are going outside of London I would suggest a trip West to Cliffs of Moher or to Galway, Ireland.   Alternatively there are some gorgeous places if you head South, for instance Kilkenny and Waterford. And if you have even more time – take a trip up to Northern Ireland to sign The Peace Wall in Belfast as well as see the gorgeous coastal spots of  Giant’s Causeway and Carrick Rope Bridge. 

Have you visited Dublin ?
 
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Comments

  1. bandrex says

    November 6, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    Hello! It is my initial visit to going right through your outstanding blog! Many of us are a team involving volunteers and starting a fresh initiative in a group inside the same niche. The blog page provided us valuable information to function on. An individual have done a highly skilled career.

  2. TAMMY says

    November 4, 2020 at 11:54 am

    Great list. Boyfriend wants to take me to Dublin next St Patrick’s day if they allow Americans in. Right now its still shut down. He is already looking for alternative places for St Patrick’s day 2021 because he fears that the looney left wing politicians in NYC will ruin St Patrick’s day again like they did in 2020. Miami is in play too.

  3. Laurie says

    November 4, 2020 at 7:27 am

    I have been to Dublin and agree with your list though I am surprised you did not include the castle!

  4. Margo says

    November 3, 2020 at 11:41 am

    You sure did surprise me with a prison as one of the top things to do. Except for Alcatraz I don’t think anyone has ever recommended a prison as a top spot to see. Very interesting.

    I happened to be in Dublin for a Lady Gaga concert many years ago and hit many of your recommended spots. So full of history and very nice and generous locals who are happy to help out a tourist.

    A really fun city to visit.

  5. Molly says

    November 3, 2020 at 8:37 am

    My boyfriend would put Pour a Pint at the Guinness Storehouse as number one on his list when we visit and whiskey tasting as number two. You can certainly see where his priorities are.

    I have heard that the beer their tastes much different than it does in the states. Something to do with the preservatives. Did you find that.

    Temple Bar is certainly a spot we will be spending a good amount of time at too.

  6. Aimee says

    November 2, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    I’ve never been to Dublin but have heard wonderful things about it and look forward to going one day.

    Friends have done their semester abroad there and rave about it and this gives me a template of what to do when I get there.

    Thanks for the travel tips and how many days should I plan to spend there when I get to go?

  7. Cindy says

    November 2, 2020 at 11:34 am

    I have done most of the things on your list and agree 100% with you.

    The night I was in the Temple Bar area there was a huge rugby game going on so the bars and sidewalks were packed and so much fun to watch everyone. There were even guys playing mini rugby games on the side streets. The pubs there are so well decorated inside and out.

    These people know how to have a good time.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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