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Top Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

This fall I had the opportunity to spend 2 amazing weeks in Ireland. From stunning landscapes, friendly people, lively cities, and some of the most colorful, charming towns I’ve ever visited, Ireland is such an incredible country to explore. Ireland may look small, but don’t let that fool you. I could’ve easily spent 2 more weeks here!

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, stay tuned! Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing our 2-week Ireland roadtrip itinerary, which is just enough time to see all the highlights of this beautiful country.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Our Ireland adventure started in Dublin. With just 2 days to visit, I had just enough time to see all the very best spots in this fun city. Here are my recommendations on what to do, where to stay, and where to eat!


Temple Bar

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Temple Bar is a fun area full of colorful streets and fun shops with live music pouring out of the pubs. It’s fun to explore anytime of the day, but definitely come here if you want to experience some of Dublin’s best pubs and nightlife.

Other fun areas to explore with colorful pedestrian streets, fun shops, and pubs:

  • Anne Street
  • Dame Lane
  • Grafton Street
  • The Spire

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

St. Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in Dublin in 1191, in honor of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick is credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 400s. He served for thirty years doing extensive missionary work in Ireland, and is thought to have converted over 135,000 people and established 300 churches.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

According to legend, St. Patrick used a shamrock to help explain the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland. Just like the three leaves of a shamrock are part of the one plant, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are part of one God.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

St. Patrick died on March 17th, 461, which is why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

St. Patrick’s Cathedral has an admission fee of €6.50 (as of September 2017). However it is more than just a church, it could also be considered a mini museum. Part of the cathedral has recently been transformed into an area called the Discovery Space, and provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the Cathedral’s life and history. You can also do activities such as brass rubbings and jigsaws.


Christ Church Cathedral

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Christ Church Cathedral was founded in 1028 and is is Dublin’s oldest building.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

If you are a fan of visiting churches, you may also want to visit Christ Church Cathedral in addition to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. However if you are short on time, I would skip this one.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

There is free entry to Christ Church Cathedral with the Dublin Pass, otherwise admission is €6.50. With the Dublin Pass, you get free, skip-the-line access to most of Dublin’s top attractions.


Trinity College & The Book of Kells

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

When visiting Trinity College, there are 3 main things you will want to see:

  • The Book of Kells
  • The Long Room
  • Brian Boru’s Harp

Your ticket will get you admission to all three.

The Book of Kells

The Book of Kells is a work of art from the Dark Ages, believed to have been created around the year 800 AD. It contains the four gospels of the New Testament with ornate illustrations.

The Long Room

After seeing the The Book of Kells, you will move on to the Long Room, which is the main chamber of the Old Library of Trinity College, and is filled with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.

Brian Boru’s Harp

In the Long Room, don’t miss Brian Boru’s Harp. It is dated to the 14th or 15th century and is one of the oldest surviving Gaelic harps, and may be the oldest existing harp in the world. It was used as a model for the coat of arms of Ireland and for the symbol of Guinness.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Skip the line!

Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance, or be prepared to wait in a very long line! If you get there and forgot to get your tickets ahead of time, you can still buy them on your smartphone right there if you have internet or Wifi. Definitely do this to skip the very long line!

To purchase your tickets online, visit the Trinity College website.


Kilmainham Gaol

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Our tour of Kilmainham Gaol was one of my favorite things we did in Dublin. When visiting the jail, you have a guided tour which lasts about one hour.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

We had a very dynamic and passionate guide. He was very knowledgeable about the jail, and told us all the little details and secrets that made it interesting to keep us entertained while being informed.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

We heard stories about the political prisoners held here during Ireland’s fight for independence including some very heartbreaking stories of those who were executed here.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Children were very commonly imprisoned here for crimes like begging and stealing food.

Visits to the gaol are by guided tour only, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. You will have an unforgettable hour visiting the jail.


Newgrange

If you have some extra time in Dublin you may want to consider stopping by Newgrange. Newgrange is a prehistoric monument built in 3200 BC. It is older than the Pyramids and Stonehenge. On the winter solstice the light shines in exactly the right spot to illuminate a certain area inside the monument. You can go inside the 5,000 year old monument and see the mysterious cave drawings on the walls. Even if you can’t be there on the winter solstice, you can still experience what it feels like through very realistic lights.

Newgrange is located one hour north of Dublin, a great place to stop on the way to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway.


Afternoon Tea at The Merrion

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

This was honestly one of the best afternoon tea experiences I have ever had. Unlike every other afternoon tea I have ever had where you sit at a table, at the Merrion, you sit on possibly the world’s most comfortable couch, in front of a cozy fire, in the “drawing room” of the hotel.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

It feels just like you’re in the comfort of your own living room (if you live in a giant mansion with a gorgeous fireplace, that is) being served afternoon tea, just like in Downton Abbey.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

My two favorite teas were Irish Malt and Granny’s Garden. The Irish Malt was smooth, creamy, and chocolaty. Granny’s Garden was sweet and fruity, a blend of rhubarb and vanilla.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

For a fun twist on afternoon tea, they also had two extremely delicious iced teas! This was the first time I’d seen iced tea on an afternoon tea menu. So refreshing!

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

If you’re a fan of art, The Merrion is home to Ireland’s largest private art collection.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

The pastries of the Merrion’s afternoon tea are designed based on actual artwork hanging in the drawing room.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Here was some of the artwork we found around the hotel that corresponded with our pastries! :)

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

And if our tea experience could not get any better, there was also a harpist playing gently in the background. So perfect! This is an amazing way to spend an afternoon in Dublin.


Where to Stay

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

After a very long flight, The Merrion Hotel in Dublin was exactly the place I wanted to be to recover from my jetlag. It’s so important to get a good night’s sleep the first few nights (after not getting any sleep on the plane) and I can’t imagine a better place in Dublin to sleep than The Merrion. Our room was so quiet and the bed was absolutely heavenly.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

The hotel is all the things a good hotel should be — very centrally located, walking distance to all the main highlights, and close to public transportation. But what stood out about the Merrion was the service. We were treated like absolute royalty from the moment we pulled up to the front door.

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Breakfast at the Merrion was top notch, with a buffet and table service included.

If you have time, definitely visit the pool and steam room at the Merrion to relax and help recover from the jetlag!

The Merrion is one of my favorite places I have ever stayed. I honestly cannot recommend it enough!


Where to Eat

Mannings Bakery and Cafe – The perfect spot for lunch located between the Guinness Storehouse and Christ Church Cathedral. I had seriously one of the best chicken sandwiches of my LIFE here.

Sanai Indian Restaurant – This was right around the corner from the Merrion and is possibly some of the best curry I have ever had. I am still dreaming about the Chicken Malai Curry and garlic naan!! Seriously go here and get that, you absolutely will not regret it.

 

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

Thanks so much for reading! Stay tuned for more from Ireland!

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

A Dublin Checklist -- if you're going to Dublin make sure you don't miss these top things to see and do!

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5 Responses
  1. Denae Kohler

    Hey, my mom, grandma and I are flying into Dublin on March 17. We didn’t realize St pattys day was that day ????? we are staying/road tripping for 2 weeks. Moral of the story, we are getting a car at the airport and staying in Dublin for 2-3 days. However, because of our timing, we can’t find a place to stay that doesn’t cost hundred and hundred of dollars a night. And most of the hostels we’ve looked at are booked. Would you know someone who would be willing to put us up? We would pay! We just need a place to stay, preferably around the temple bar area and a place to park our car. Any suggestions? Or if you know a cheap hostel in the area that’s little known haha 

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Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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