George’s Street Arcade | Photo: Travel In Culture

What to see and do in Dublin: As Ireland’s cultural city, Dublin has a lot to offer. Visitors will find everything from world-class museums of Irish culture, history, archaeology, and literature – to top-notch architecture, colourful Georgian townhouse doors, green double-decker buses and mailboxes, the General Post Office with bullet holes woven the 1916 Rising, mural art, authentic bars, breweries, distilleries, and unique shopping opportunities for Irish knitwear and other local products.

 
Nestled between dramatic cliffs to the east and stunning scenery to the west, Dublin is a unique city surrounded by breathtaking nature. After a few days of immersing yourself in the cultural offerings of the city, it’s tempting to explore the magnificent surroundings around Dublin, even if it’s just for a single day. The options are plentiful whether you want to rent a car and explore on your own – or take an organised tour to discover the beauty and history of the Irish island.

Ha’penny Bridge | Photo: Travel In Culture

Several bridges connect the two parts of the city, which are located on either side of the River Liffey. One of the most famous bridges is the Ha’penny Bridge, leading directly to Temple Bar, a vibrant riverside neighbourhood with cobbled pedestrian lanes. Ha’penny Bridge (officially named the Liffey Bridge) is a cast iron bridge erected in 1816 for pedestrian use, replacing the earlier ferries. A toll was imposed and charged for the crossing: half a penny (initially intended to be for 100 years) – hence the name Ha’penny Bridge. It was later increased to 1½ pence until the toll was entirely removed in 1919.

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Temple Bar on the southern riverside is the focal point of Dublin’s restaurant and pub culture, where visitors and locals alike flock to enjoy the local craft beer, Guinness and Irish regional dishes, such as Irish stew, stew pie, lamb, chowder, fish – often accompanied by a slice of freshly made brown bread, and listen to Irish folk music. The icing on the cake is when Irish dancing, Riverdance, is also part of the musical entertainment, and one or two dancers take the floor or bar counter and perform the tapping steps, fabulously precise and technically proficient.

Riverdance in The Old Storehouse | Photo: Travel In Culture

Riverdance was conceived as an innovation of Irish dancing after the Eurovision Song Contest, transmitted to 300 million people in 1994. Michael Flatley and Jean Butler innovated traditional Irish music and folk dance, developing the phenomenon of Riverdance. It soon achieved international fame and toured the world. Today, Riverdance has been shown at over 15,000 performances worldwide. Of course, Dublin is the authentic place to watch a Riverdance show, for example, in a traditional pub such as The Old Storehouse, a classic Irish bar with live music. Other traditional pubs include Ireland’s oldest pub from 1198, The Brazen Head, The Cobblestone, The Stag’s Head, and The Long Hall.

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Dublin has a range of intriguing museums, which include The Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, The Little Museum of Dublin, taking visitors through the 20th century in Dublin, the county jail Kilmainham Gaol, The National Gallery of Ireland, The National Library of Ireland, and, not least, the National Museum of Ireland. The latter has several sections: The Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Decorative Art and History, and The National Museum of Archaeology.

The National Museum of Archaeology | Photo: Travel In Culture

One of the highly recommended things to do in Dublin to gain insight into the country’s historical and cultural background is to visit, for example, the Museum of Archaeology, which has free admission.

The Museum of Archaeology in Kildare Street is remarkable in covering various periods of Ireland’s past – from prehistoric Ireland via Viking Ireland to Medieval Ireland.

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Fascinating objects from the earlier monastic site Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains are on display, along with royal regalia, weapons, bog butter, and bog bodies related to a unique northwestern European culture of bog offerings. The Irish bog bodies include the Clonycavan Man, the Gallagh Man, and the Baronstown West Man, and they contribute to telling the story of Ireland’s past.

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1.5 million people rest in Glasnevin Cemetery, Ireland’s most significant civic burial place. Beautiful and impressive monuments bring alive memories of all the souls that shaped the nation, including presidents, poets, academics, politicians, priests, craftspeople, artists, and many more. The cemetery is an extraordinary city park covering a large geographical area, ideal surroundings for reflection and contemplation. Headstones have Celtic crosses, which are crosses with a ring originating from the Irish Middle Age culture.

The graves and memorials honour many notable Irish citizens. Famous Irish people buried at Glasnevin include Daniel O’Connell, a Catholic political leader in the early 1800s, and Charles Stewart Parnell, an Irish nationalist and influential political leader in the late 1800s. The O’Connell Tower in Glasnevin Cemetery was erected to commemorate one of the most significant figures in Ireland’s history.

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The Experience Glasnevin is an exhibition in the Visitor Centre, focusing on some of the fascinating life stories of those buried, a blend of famous and lesser-known people.

Also, the City of the Dead, an interactive exhibition on funeral cultures worldwide, gives insight into various views on life and death around the world.

Georgian doors adorn many of Dublin’s townhouses | Photo: Travel In Culture

Oscar Wilde | Photo: Travel In Culture

Dublin features several statues of famous people, ranging from politicians to poets related to Ireland and Dublin. James Conolly, Irish socialist and trade union leader, and the poets Patrick Kavanagh, James Joyce, and Oscar Wilde are some of the personalities immortalised in statues.

Oscar Wilde | Photo: Travel In Culture

Exactly Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) appears in several locations in the city. He was an extraordinary Irish poet and playwright who grew up in Dublin and studied at Trinity College. As one of the most significant personalities of his time, he put his mark on the public debate within topics such as society, decadence, and morality. Although ending up being convicted and sentenced for his immorality, he is still in the heart of the Irish. His statues are now cherished photo spots that remind people of Dublin’s literary heritage.

Oscar Wilde House opposite Merrion Square Park | Photo: Travel In Culture

His restored childhood home, Oscar Wilde House, is just opposite Merrion Square Park, the location of a renowned Oscar Wilde Monument.

James Joyce next to the spectacular Portal | Photo: Travel In Culture

James Joyce has been given a prominent location on O’Connell Street at the Spire of Dublin (also denoted the Millenium Spire or the Monument of Light), unveiled in 2003 and replacing Nelson’s Pillar, bombed by the IRA in 1966. In 2024, just next to the James Joyce statue, the spectacular Portal appeared. It is a sculpture that is one-half of two parts of the Portal, where the other part is in New York. Both capture livestream images of the other city. Dublin’s Portal is an initiative related to the city’s designation as the European Capital of Smart Tourism 2024.

The Spire | Photo: Travel In Culture

Finally, the statue of Molly Malone is worth mentioning. The Molly Malone statue in Suffolk Street (relocated from Grafton Street) symbolises the unofficial Irish anthem of the same name (also known as Cockles and Mussels). Over time, a legend arose about the 17th-century hawker Molly, who was a prostitute at night.

Molly Malone | Photo: Travel In Culture

Dublin Castle dates from 1204, although several buildings were erected in the 18th century. The massive historic complex served as the government seat until 1922.

Things to see: Dublin Castle | Photo: Travel In Culture

Originally, the castle was named after the dark pool (‘Dubh Linn’), which gave its name to the city. Its location near the River Poddle (intertwining with the dark pool) and the River Liffey was intended to have a protective function for the castle, which was initially built as a fortification. Later, it became a royal residence, a court house, and a military garrison before being converted into the museum building it is today, housing the Garda Museum, the Revenue Museum, the Chester Beatty Library, State Apartments with Saint Patrick’s Hall and more. The latter is now used for presidential inaugurations.

St Stephen’s Green | Photo: Travel In Culture

Among the leisurely things to do in Dublin is a stroll in one of the delightful city parks. In addition to Merrion Square Park, with the city’s great personality, Oscar Wilde, reclining on a large rock, St Stephen’s Green is another city oasis. As a breath of fresh air in Dublin, St Stephen’s Green offers secret paths, memorials, a lovely lake, and lawns to sit on – perhaps for a picnic!

Things to see in Dublin: Trinity College | Photo: Travel In Culture

Dublin’s renowned Trinity College is another green space in the city, popular among students and visitors alike. Trinity College is also worth a visit if you want to see a literary masterpiece, as the Library of Trinity College holds the world-famous 1,200-year-old Book of Kells.

The National Botanic Gardens | Photo: Travel In Culture

Two other Dublin parks slightly north of the city are the National Botanic Gardens, including a Victorian palm house and St Anne’s Park, with tennis courts, Gaelic football pitches, historic follies, and a weekly Saturday morning market.

Dublin Docklands comprise a large area on both sides of the River Liffey.

The Docklands have a fascinating history that really took off with the expansion of the port and industries to the underdeveloped areas along the river, culminating in the 1800s. Commercial properties and houses emerged on the drained riversides, railway terminals were established, and the Docklands became a focal point of Dublin’s trading businesses. As a landmark, the Custom House, inaugurated in 1791, still stands along the Liffey Quai.

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Things to see in Dublin | Photo: Travel In Culture

Towards the end of the 20th century, a new infrastructure emerged to replace dilapidated industrial buildings and warehouses in one of the city’s poorer neighbourhoods. Since then, the development has continued. Today, fascinating cutting-edge architecture flanks the old docks in the quarter around the Grand Canal.

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Some of the old structures are integrated into the new design. The Chq Building, a cast-iron structure originally a wine and tobacco warehouse, has been beautifully restored and now constitutes the physical framework for a consulting company. The Convention Centre Dublin and the Grand Canal Theatre are other architectural highlights in Dublin Docklands.

Out of numerous beautiful churches in Dublin, two in particular stand out: the medieval Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Christ Church Cathedral | Photo: Travel In Culture

Christ Church Cathedral, officially The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, was founded in the 11th century by the Vikings under the rule of Sitric Silkenbeard. In the 13th century, the construction was significantly enlarged, and again, in the 19th century, it was renovated and reshaped with a tower and a remarkable covered footbridge. Today, it is the local cathedral of the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough.

St Patrick’s Cathedral | Photo: Travel In Culture

The larger St Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in 1191 as a Roman Catholic cathedral and is today the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Sources indicate it was originally a Norse church, perhaps even built on Celtic ruins. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and the location became holy since Saint Patrick is said to have baptised local people here.

Things to see outside Dublin: Howth | Photo: Travel In Culture

If you want to go on a day trip out of Dublin city centre to experience Ireland’s stunning cliffs, Howth is the obvious choice. Moreover, it is easily accessible by the local DART train. Particularly on a nice sunny day, it may be the highlight of your Dublin trip! Read more about Howth.

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