Nine Best Things to Do 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. 

(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)

(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! 

(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)

(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. 

(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)

(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)

(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. 

(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)

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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.