If you decide to take a trip to Ireland and want to know a few fun things to do when visiting Dublin, look no further!
Dublin lives up to its name – the city loves to get rowdy and enjoy a pint or two! This makes perfect sense considering it is one of the youngest cities in all of Europe – nearly half of the population of Dublin is under the age of 25!
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The city also has its fair share of history and beautiful architecture. While there is a ton to do in Dublin, a trip to Ireland isn’t complete without venturing out on at least one day trip to see the picturesque countryside.
On my short trip to Ireland, I made sure to pack my schedule with as much as possible.
Continue reading for a few of my recommendations for activities within Dublin and a couple of day trips too!
The brewery first opened in 1759 and it’s massive. It has to be considering more than 10 million pints of Guinness are enjoyed around the world each day!
Plan on spending at least an hour and a half making your way through the seven stories of this tour! You’ll end your visit at the 7th floor Gravity Bar where you get to enjoy a perfect pint and views of Dublin City.
We also had a delicious lunch right at the Storehouse and would highly recommend enjoying either lunch or dinner here. Nearly every dish on their menu is infused with Guinness!
Hours: 9:30am – 9:00pm (July & August), 9:30am – 7:00pm (September – June)
Cost: 22.00 euros (adults), 10 euros (17 years – 5 years), FREE (5 years and under)
Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, Ireland
For the most up-to-date hours and ticket prices, click here.
Want to cook up some Irish food at home? Try out my Irish Bangers with Colcannon Recipe!
See where this famous Irish Whiskey made its start. During this hour and 15 minute tour, you will watch a video on the distilling process, tour the buildings and enjoy a glass of Jameson.
Book one of their Whiskey Blending or Whiskey Cocktail Making Classes if you are looking for a more in-depth experience!
Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm Sunday – Thursday, 10:00am – 8:00pm Friday & Saturday
Cost: 25 euros (adults), 18 euros (child under the age of 18)
Address: Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Ireland
For the most up-to-date hours and ticket prices, click here.
Many say that visiting Blarney Castle is overrated. If you are crunched for time – skip this tour and spend more time in Dublin. Otherwise, make the trip, kiss the stone, and spend the rest of your time exploring the city of Cork.
We took a train from Dublin to Cork that was about 3 1/2 hours. Once we arrived in Cork, it was a short, 15 minute bus ride to the town of Blarney.
Exploring the grounds of Blarney Castle was peaceful and, of course, we kissed the stone to gain the gift of eloquence!
After our visit to the Castle, we had a traditional Irish lunch at Muskerry Arms Restaurant in Blarney and shopped around.
We had a great day trip visiting Cork and Blarney Castle!
Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (closes later in summer months)
Cost: 18 euros (adults), 8 euros (16 years to 8 years), FREE (children under 8 years)
This beautiful University is located within walking distance of many of the major sites in Dublin. Take a walk through campus before visiting the Long Room and viewing the Book of Kells.
The Long Room is one of the oldest libraries in the world and houses 250,000 of the oldest books at Trinity College!
The Book of Kells is a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. Both are worth seeing but be sure to purchase your tickets in advance.
Cost: 14 euros (adults), FREE (12 years and under)
Hours:
May to September: 8:30am – 5:00pm (Monday to Saturday), 9:30am – 5:00pm (Sunday)
October to April: 9:30am – 5:00pm (Monday to Saturday), 12:00pm – 4:30pm (Sunday)
Address: College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
There is no better spot in Dublin to do a bar crawl than the Temple Bar District of the city. This artsy area is located along the River Liffey and is an eclectic mix of restaurants, pubs, art galleries, tattoo parlors and quirky shops.
You will find live music any given night of the week but keep in mind, this area can get very crowded and rowdy during the late night scene!
Although there are many pubs to choose from in this area, the most popular is the namesake pub – The Temple Bar.
This traditional pub has been around since 1840 and holds one of the largest whiskey collections in Ireland. Choose from more than 450 different whiskeys or enjoy a pint of one of the many craft beers on tap.
Located on the West Coast of the island, these cliffs stretch along the coastline for five miles. This is the most popular tourist attraction in Ireland for a reason.
The best way to get to the Cliffs is to drive or book a tour through a tour company. The drive is approximately 3 1/2 hours (170 miles). After visiting the Cliffs, many of the tour companies will bring you to neighboring city to explore or grab something to eat.
Entrance to the Cliffs also includes O’Brien’s Tower and the Visitor Center. Keep in mind that the cliffs can close due to high winds or heavy fog.
Cost: 4 euros (adults), FREE (16 years and under)
Hours: Vary by the season
Comment below and let me know some of your favorite Dublin activities and day trips!
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