Best Things to do in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland is one of the most spectacular places on Earth. I may have a slight bias; the Emerald Isle holds a special place in my heart because my ancestors immigrated to the U.S. from County Clare in the southwest part of the country. I’ve been fortunate to visit my ancestral homeland a handful of times, and I’ve had the joy of experiencing Dublin in particular on three of those occasions.
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. Though Vikings founded Dublin in the ninth century, evidence suggests humans have inhabited the island for six thousand years. The Vikings controlled Dublin until the Normans drove them out in the tenth century. The Norman invasion ended the Gaelic kingdoms of Ireland, at which time Ireland became a British territory.
Over the next thousand years, Ireland saw conflict and changes of rule, monarchs, and empires. From 1919 to 1921, the Irish waged a war of independence against the British. Finally, Ireland became a free state in 1922, and in April of 1949, it was declared a republic and officially left the British empire.
Every time I visit, I feel like I’m among family. The Irish people have an uncanny way of welcoming you as though they’re inviting you into their home for a meal. Their willingness to help, friendly banter, and witty humor make you feel like a local.
Explore the city’s well-preserved history, enjoy a pint of Guinness while catching a trad session, and have some good craic: Dublin is a must on your list of places to visit.Here are my top things to do while in Dublin, with some honorable mentions.
Here are my top things to do while in Dublin, with some honorable mentions.
1. Kilmainham Gaol
Constructed in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol was a prison that functioned until its decommissioning in 1924. Until 1820, many hangings took place in front of the jail for the public to witness. Unfortunately, the conditions inside the prison were just as deplorable. As many as five people in a tiny cell was common, with no separation between men, women, and children.
In 1916, Irish revolutionaries led an armed insurrection against British rule in Ireland in what became known as the Easter Rising. British forces jailed many of the Irish rebels at Kilmainham Gaol and executed 14 of the movement’s leaders via firing squad over the course of ten days.
This site is an incredibly somber reminder of the atrocities that took place here and serves as a reminder of the fight for political freedoms. The gray sky lent an eerie feeling to the grounds when I visited. I could feel the pain and heartache of those who were imprisoned and ultimately died.
Inside, the prison is decorated with belongings some of the prisoners left behind. The walkways suspended over the main floor and the iron arches holding up the roof spread out like an otherworldly spider web. You may get a sense of déjà vu here; many movies have featured the prison’s interior, including “In the Name of the Father,” “Michael Collins,” “The Escapist,” and “Paddington 2.” World-renowned Irish rockers U2 also filmed a music video here in 1982 for their song “A Celebration.”
2. Trinity College
I have a confession: I’m a die-hard, lifelong Star Wars fan. So when I found out that the Jedi library in “Attack of the Clones” was a near-exact replica of the library at Trinity College, I knew I HAD to visit.
Queen Elizabeth I founded the college in 1592, and architects modeled it after Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Known as the sister college to both, Trinity is one of seven ancient universities of Great Britain and Ireland and the oldest surviving university in Ireland. As a result, some of history’s brightest scholars, poets, authors, and writers have earned their educations here. Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Nobel Laureate Samuel Beckett, and former President of Ireland Mary McAleese are among the college’s prestigious alumni.
The university is one of the most beautiful in the world. Despite its location in the middle of the city, the 47-acre campus is quite tranquil. Roughly 16,400 students enroll here per year across undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
The library was Trinity’s main attraction for me. As a legal deposit library, it receives a copy of every book published in Great Britain and Ireland – almost 100,000 new books each year. There are approximately 5 million books in the library, the most famous of which is the Book of Kells. Trinity College has safeguarded this 1400-year-old illustrated sacred manuscript since 1661.
Upon entering the library, you’ll notice the arched ceilings and gorgeous woodwork. The towering bookshelves stacked with thousands of books give the illusion of an infinite room. As you peruse the library’s nooks and crannies, you might envision those notable historical students pulling all-nighters here. I suspect this setting would have made my college all-nighters a little easier.
3. The Blue Light Pub
Nestled in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, The Blue Light Pub is a centuries-old staple. With 300 years of experience, they certainly know how to pour a perfect pint and entertain their patrons. The Blue Light’s exterior looks more like a relaxed home than a pub. And it feels like you’re at home, too – just with a lot of extra friends.
Indoor seating is available, but I recommend grabbing a black and tan before finding a spot on the spacious outdoor patio. The view of the city is spectacular no matter what time of day you visit. But at dusk, the city shimmers below. With the pub’s frequent live music warming your ears, this may be the perfect Dublin nightcap.
4. Temple Bar
The Temple Bar is a unique riverside neighborhood and cultural center of Dublin. Initially developed as garden plots for wealthy English families in the 17th century, the area was re-purposed in 1991 and became one of Dublin’s main tourist draws.
Known for the main strip’s buzzing nightlife, Temple Bar houses Ireland’s oldest known pub, the Brazen Head. Local lore dates the pub’s origins to 1198, but no written records exist until a liquor license from 1661. The pub is a lively spot to enjoy some old Dublin charm, trad sessions, and good craic.
FYI: Craic (pronounced ‘crack’) is an Irish term for fun, entertainment, and good times. A local may ask you, ‘what’s the craic?’ which means ‘how’s it going?’
Take a deep breath, act naturally, and respond: ‘Divil a bit.’
YOU’RE IN.
Trad tends to be Irish folk music but may feature some new tunes with an Irish twist. Trad sessions typically feature one to two musicians in a small pub. These draw fun and lively crowds singing along while sipping their pints of Guinness or Smithwicks.
Temple Bar boasts some fantastic restaurants, but my absolute favorite is the Boxty House. Boxties are traditional Irish potato pancakes, and these are the best I’ve had. Highlights include their Irish seafood chowder, Gaelic Boxty, Bailey’s cheesecake, and boxty bread ice cream. Full Dublin food blog coming soon!
5. Phoenix Park
Covering 1750 acres of land, Phoenix Park is yet another gem in Ireland’s capital city. It’s the largest enclosed park in Europe, and Ireland is lobbying to earn its UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Established initially as royal hunting grounds, the park opened to the public in 1747. No longer hunted, local fallow deer still roam the enormous grounds and have adapted to human presence.
Walk or run the miles of trails, catch a cricket or polo match, and explore the park’s many sites of interest, like the ancient burial chamber.
You know, regular park stuff.
The extraordinary 5.5 millennia-old burial chamber houses skeletons, pottery, and other relics. The Wellington Testimonial is another monument worth checking out. Completed in 1861, it’s the largest obelisk in Europe and commemorates the 1st Duke of Wellington’s 1815 victory at the Battle of Waterloo.
I took a lovely 6-mile run through the park one day and slowed my pace as I went through The People’s Garden. Stop here to enjoy the Victorian-era horticulture arrangements, serene atmosphere, and of course, the smells.
Pack a lunch, bring your walking or running shoes, and spend a day enjoying Phoenix Park.
