How long is it since you spent a short break in Dublin? Here’s our insider guide to getting the most out of the capital on a visit...
Inside Trinity's new Book of Kells Experience. Photo: Zoe Ardiff Drury Street, Dublin. Photo: Fáilte Ireland / Big Style Media Dublin is the kind of city you feel like you know before your visit.
But along with all you might expect – cracking pubs, historic buildings and live music – there are plenty of surprises. Yes, the city has its problems. But it is also full of quirky shops, top notch museums and beautiful beaches that are just a short train ride away.
Here’s how to make the most of a trip...
Visitors enjoy the Guinness Storehouse experience. Photo: Mark Condren Book of Kells Experience It’s one of the most famous books in the world, and you can see the Book of Kells yourself in Trinity College. This elaborately illustrated manuscript is over 1,200 years old, and the pages on display change periodically, protected by a glass cabinet.
But now, a visit is about so much more than the book itself, with the snazzy, all-new Book of Kells Experience. You’ll see the book, of course, but also watch the pages come to life in an immersive audiovisual display, which takes you through the history and the meaning of the text. Be sure to book tickets in advance, as they can sell out during peak times.
visittrinity.ie Guinness Storehouse It’s one of the most popular attractions in Dublin, and luckily, it lives up to the hype. A trip to the Guinness Storehouse will take you into the heart of one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, the Liberties, and you’ll get a sense of the local character as you make your way up the seven floors.
You’ll see classic Guinness adverts, learn about how the stout is made and, of course, drink it yourself up on the newly expanded Gravity Bar. Add a ‘Stoutie’ to your ticket and you’ll get to drink a pint topped with your very own selfie. guinness-storehouse.
com Museum of Literature Ireland Dublin is a city intrenched in literature, from the pubs frequented by famous authors to the spots around town featured in many a classic book. The Museum of Literature Ireland (or MoLi, as it’s known) is a great space to soak in the literary heritage, with rotating exhibitions dedicated to Ireland’s writers, old and new. If your visit coincides with the first Friday of the month, you’re in for a treat – on these evenings, the museum hosts special readings, live music and writer events, all for free.
Also, it now includes the Dublin Writers Museum Collection. moli.ie Drury Street, Dublin.
Photo: Fáilte Ireland / Big Style Media Drury Street OK, if you walk it on a sunny day, it doesn’t seem so hidden. But Drury Street is one of the hottest hangouts for locals, who flock there for the indie boutiques, hip coffee shops and al fresco restaurants. Pop into Industry for cool design bits, grab a coffee in Kaph then sit on one of the tables outside Mani for a slice of Roman-style pizza and an Aperol spritz.
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ie Howth Most visitors only realise the city’s proximity to the coast when flying into Dublin Airport. And it’s easy to get out to the beach when you’re in town – just hop on the Dart and you can be out in the fishing village of Howth in half an hour. There are great seafood restaurants, pretty beaches and an excellent clifftop walk, which gives you some of the best sea views in Ireland.
Light House Cinema A favourite of any film fan in Dublin, the Light House is an independent movie theatre that goes above and beyond when it comes to cinema. Sure, there are the regular blockbuster and indie releases, but they also host loads of special events like themed movie marathons, obscure screenings and cinema book clubs. Their in-house bar is a great hangout spot, too.
lighthousecinema.ie Hawksmoor. Photo: Jamie Hackett Get a Leap card The contactless card is used on all of Dublin’s public transport, including the bus, local train and Luas tramline.
If you’re going to be moving around a lot, the Leap Visitor Card offers great value with unlimited journeys for one, three or seven days. Otherwise, just get yourself a regular card at one of the many outlets around the city and top up using the app. leapcard.
ie The early bird Eating out has gotten more expensive across the board, but you can nab a bargain by booking an ‘early bird’ table in loads of Dublin restaurants. Usually available around 5–7pm during the week, the discount deals will save you some cash without compromising on quality. Try the sleek vegetarian bistro Glás, steakhouse Hawksmoor or Sole Seafood and Grill.
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ie Make the most of museums While some museums charge an entry fee, there are plenty that are completely free. Peruse the contemporary art in IMMA or the Hugh Lane (where there are also loads of great free events, with outdoor festivities in the former and Sunday lunchtime live music in the latter), see Ireland’s treasures in the National Museum of Ireland and check out the portraits in the National Gallery. imma.
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ie Clink i Lár €€€ The Shelbourne Dublin’s Grand Dame has been a part of the fabric of the city as long as it’s been open...
two centuries and counting. Inside, there are opulent rooms overlooking Stephen’s Green, and a lively cocktail bar where people go to see and be seen. Read our Shelbourne hotel review .
theshelbourne.com €€ Zanzibar Locke If you like the freedom to cook for yourself (or at least make breakfast) this aparthotel right on the River Liffey is a great shout. The studio rooms are boutiquey and well equipped, and the bar downstairs is a co-working hotspot.
They also offer yoga classes in the courtyard. Read our Zanzibar Locke hotel review . lockeliving.
com € Clink i Lár With dorm rooms and private doubles, this new, upmarket hostel is a great way to see the city on a budget. It’s set in the middle of Dublin’s shopping district but everything is within reach on foot, and there are movie nights, karaoke and solo traveller mixers in the bar. clinkhostels.
com A post shared by Featherblade (@featherblade51) €€€ Chapter One It’s one of the hardest reservations to snag, but a meal in the two Michelin-starred Chapter One is an experience you’ll never forget. Chef Patron Mickael Viljanen finishes most of the dishes tableside, and each is a theatrical explosion of flavour without any pretension. chapteronerestaurant.
com €€ Featherblade Irish beef is some of the best in the world, but steakhouses are often fairly pricey. Not so at Featherblade, where unusual cuts of beef are well-priced, served with hearty sides and beautiful wines by the glass. Their set menu is excellent value, too.
featherblade.ie € Chimac This Korean fried chicken joint has cult status in the city, and with good reason – their free-range burgers are delectable, especially when drowned in ssamjang cheese sauce or their own BBQ glaze. It’s also a great brunch spot.
chimac.ie A post shared by Love Tempo (@lovetempodublin) Palace Bar Most of the pubs in Temple Bar cater to tourists and charge obscene prices for a pint. But not the Palace Bar, a 200-year-old pub that’s like a love letter to Old Dublin.
Try to snag the ‘snug’ if you can, a private little hideaway by the entrance. thepalacebardublin.com Whelan’s A fabled spot among musicians, this Wexford Street hub is part bar, part venue, where you can catch huge acts up on the main stage alongside up-and-coming talent in the smaller areas upstairs.
Keep an eye on the back of the room – some of the world’s top musicians like to hide away in the corner when they’re in town. whelanslive.com Love Tempo A neighbourhood bar where music comes first, Love Tempo is the brainchild of two of Dublin’s hottest nightlife spots, The Big Romance and Mother.
The result? A cool joint on Thomas Street with an epic sound system for banging tunes. lovetempo.ie A post shared by Lifestyle on RTÉ (@rtelifestyle) @eadaoinfitzmaurice – for local insight about what to do and where to go in Dublin.
@charfoodguide – the hottest food news from all around the capital. @cassiestokes – her interviews with Dubliners about their favourite places are hugely popular. In general, May and September have the best weather and aren’t as clogged with tourists.
If you can, a mid-week visit is often better value than the weekend, when hotels are at their most expensive. Whenever you travel, pack a raincoat! For more info, see visitdublin.com Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
