Top Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland

Planning a vacation in Ireland? It’s now possible to have your own bespoke Ireland tour designed to suit your specific taste. Visit the Wild Atlantic Way or tour the world-class Golf courses. Any Ireland vacation itinerary, however, is incomplete without a visit to the country’s capital city and can easily be incorporated into a wider tour of the Ancient East.

Dublin is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe with an almost palpable energy that must be experienced to be fathomed. At night, the characterful pubs are alive with traditional music and dance, and by day, there is an abundance of museums, parks and cafés to visit. The unique attractions in the city include whiskey tasting tours, the Guinness Store House, and even a leprechaun museum – keep reading to see what I would recommend you do if you have 48 hours in Dublin.

Visit Trinity College

Not far from the National Museum of Ireland is Trinity College and another must-see for any visitor to the city. The prestigious university was established in 1592 and houses the famous medieval texts known as the Book of Kells, Book of Durrow and Book of Howth. To get the most from this visit, it’s worth getting a guided tour. The ancient manuscripts are an extremely popular attraction, so it’s worth planning in advance and pre-booking your entry ticket online.

Experience Traditional Irish Music

After taking in the historic sites of Dublin, a well-deserved pint of Guinness is essential and tastes all the better while listening to traditional Irish music. There is a wide variety of pubs to choose from in Dublin, many of which have amazing food and regular as well as impromptu music sessions. My favourite, however, is Whelan’s on Wexford Street. A cosy pub in the front with a larger music venue in the rear of the building, Whelan’s is known as a hub of Irish talent.

Roam in the Parks

Dublin has a range of outstanding urban parks to choose from. Phoenix Park, to the west of the city, is one of the largest-walled parks in Europe and is home to the President of Ireland, Dublin Zoo, and roaming wild deer. However, it’s the Iveagh Gardens that is favoured by many Dublin residents. The hidden gem is located between Clonmel Street and Upper Hatch Street and on sunny days is often busy with office workers on their lunch breaks.

See the Epic Ireland Exhibition

One of the newest of Dublin’s historical exhibitions is Epic Ireland; an immersive experience, state-of-the-art galleries house what has been described as the unique “global story” of the 10 million Irish people who left Ireland and the impact this diaspora had on the rest of the world. This is a fantastic exhibition for those keen to retrace the steps of their ancestors.

You could easily spend a week in Dublin, Ireland and still not have enough time to see everything, but with so much else to see in Ireland’s unspoiled countryside and rugged coast, it’s worth keeping to a schedule and experiencing the best of the city. After the hustle and bustle of Dublin, you’ll be ready for the salty air of Ireland’s west coast Wild Atlantic Way, or maybe a romantic tour of Ireland’s country castles. Ireland is a small country that has it all for the perfect vacation getaway.

This blog was written by Naomi Sheehy, CEO of Ireland Luxury Travel