Ireland

Things to do in Dublin

Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland and in 2018 was recognised by the Globalisation and World Cities Research Network as a global city, ranking amongst the top thirty cities in the world.

Packed full of heritage and culture, there are so many things to do in Dublin that you’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice when you visit. With its unique mixture of history and hedonism, not to mention the exceptionally friendly locals who will be happy to tell you all about their native ‘greatest city in the world’, you’ll find that you never want to leave this fascinating city.

Dublin’s small size is definitely an advantage when visiting as a tourist as it means you can explore the city on foot with ease, which is the best way to see some of the most iconic things to see in Dublin. Sandwiched between the sea on one side and mountains on the other, you’ve got fantastic views whatever direction you look in. Whether you’re searching for some cultural heritage from the likes of great writers such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, or you’re more up for a bit of a boozy weekend, whatever you decide to do – Dublin will certainly not disappoint.

Explore the delights of western Ireland with P&O Ferries today by travelling via one of our UK to Ireland ferry crossings! Travel between Northern Ireland and Scotland on our Cairnryan to Larne route and you'll get to Dublin in just a 2.5hr car journey!

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Timetable

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Arts and culture
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Landmarks and monuments
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Eating and drinking
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Guinness storehouse

About the city

Cultural Places to Visit In Dublin

Dublin is full of fascinating museums, and one of the standout Dublin museums is EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the world’s only fully digital museum. Here you can travel back in time to experience the story of 10 million Irish people who left their homeland through 20 fantastic interactive galleries.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art hosts an expansive collection of modern and contemporary artworks from internationally-acclaimed artists such as Picasso, as well as home to many changing exhibitions throughout the year. Whilst here you will also want to stop off for a coffee in the café and maybe even explore the gallery’s beautiful grounds and gardens. Exploring Dublin museums is a great way to experience Irish culture while discovering some of the city’s most respected institutions.

Another iconic cultural site of Dublin is the Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison-turned-museum which offers a profound insight into the people who were held here for crimes ranging from petty to severe. You can walk through their cells, look at their personal belongings, and even read some of their letters to get an idea of how these people survived a life of incarceration. After visiting this sombre site, for something a bit more fun and uplifting we recommend you visit the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland. Here you can find out all about the legends and folklore surrounding these mythical creatures from expert Storytellers; perfect for the whole family.

Photo by Henry White, P&O Ferries

Top Things to do in Dublin

The best way to get to know this friendly city is to start off with a walking tour. One site that’s hard to miss is the Spire of Dublin, or Monument of Light, standing an impressive 120m high and forming one of the city’s most recognisable Dublin attractions. From here you can wander south towards the river to discover the Famine Memorial located in the docklands, one of the most moving things to see in Dublin, commemorating Irish history and resilience. This series of statues is a commemorative masterpiece of Irish history dedicated to the Irish people who were forced to emigrate during the 19th century potato famine which devastated the country.

If you head across the river towards the beautiful grounds of Trinity College Dublin you can marvel at some of the university’s beautiful examples of Georgian architecture and enjoy some open green spaces at the same time. A short walk from here, on Suffolk Street, you can find the renowned Molly Malone statue. This tragic heroine and her eponymous song ‘Cockles and Mussels’ have become an unofficial anthem of the city and is one of the most photographed places to visit in Dublin and an unofficial symbol of the city.

You can discover these things to do in Dublin for yourself when you book onto our Cairnryan to Larne ferry crossing.

Top 10 things to do in Dublin

If you’re visiting for the first time or planning a short city break, here are some of the top things to do in Dublin that showcase the city’s history, culture, and character:

Visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse and enjoy a pint at the Gravity Bar
Explore Trinity College Dublin and see the Book of Kells
Discover Irish history at Kilmainham Gaol
Learn about Irish emigration at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Wander through the city on a guided walking tour
Experience traditional pubs and live music in the Temple Bar area
Visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art and its gardens
See the Spire of Dublin and explore O’Connell Street
Walk the grounds of Trinity College and nearby Georgian streets
Enjoy Dublin’s food scene, from local markets to fine dining restaurants

Food and Drink in Dublin

This metropolitan city has so much to offer in the way of eating and drinking that you won’t know where to begin. For an upscale dining experience we highly recommend the Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud one of the most renowned Dublin restaurant experiences and Ireland’s only Michelin two-star restaurant.

For a choice of some more casual eateries you should head to the Temple Bar Food Market for an amazing choice of street food from all over the world. Here you can enjoy Japanese sushi, Spanish tapas, local Irish cheeses, and a wide range of Dublin food.

Dublin is renowned for its brilliant nightlife and drinking culture, and enjoying traditional Dublin drinks in historic pubs. You’ll have to make sure you have a drink or two at The Temple Bar before you leave. Located in the heart of the city and with a history reaching back as far as 1599, this traditional Irish pub will give you a warm welcome when you step through its iconic red façade. As well as food and live music for you to enjoy, there is also a Distillery Store and one of the largest whiskey selections in Ireland to keep you drinking all night. With so much to offer, you’ll certainly never run out of things to do in Dublin when you visit!

Photo by Henry White, P&O Ferries

Photo by Tavis Beck on Unsplash

Guinness Storehouse

No trip to Dublin, or even Ireland, would be complete without a trip to the famous Guinness Brewery and Storehouse. Known to be the city’s number one tourist attraction, we really recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. You can learn all about the rich history of Guinness beer as you walk through each floor and discover what goes in at every step of the process to make that perfect pint of the ‘Black Stuff’.

Located at the heart of St James’s Gate Brewery, when you visit you’ll start off your tour at the bottom of the world’s largest pint glass, continuing up seven more floors filled with interactive experiences. As you learn about the brewing process you’ll also find out some key facts about Ireland’s heritage and history as you go. Once you reach the incredible rooftop Gravity Bar at the top of the building you can enjoy a complimentary pint – definitely the best pint of Guinness you’ll ever drink!

You’ll find that you never want to leave this fascinating city - Dublin will certainly not disappoint

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