10 Fantastic Things to do on Your Dublin Vacation

My husband and I visited Ireland earlier this year and had an amazing time! We started out exploring Dublin, then took a tour around the island to see more of the countryside. I highly recommend getting out of Dublin proper if you are visiting for longer than a few days. There is so much to see!

If you are visiting Dublin it is very manageable. With only a few days, you can see many of the iconic spots with no issues. Since Dublin is a great walking city, we were able to get around mostly on foot. However, there are plenty of cab and transportation options if walking isn’t for you. No matter how you get around, here are 10 Fantastic Things to do on Your Dublin Vacation!

The Shelbourne

We were lucky enough to stay at The Shelbourne for a few nights. This hotel is iconic to Dublin and is kept in pristine condition. The hotel was founded in 1824 and overlooks St. Stephen’s Green. The Irish Constitution was even signed there in 1922. It is steeped in history!

• 

• 

We loved the attention to detail and overall luxurious feel of the hotel. The only bummer for me was that they were renovating the Lord Mayor’s Lounge, and afternoon tea wasn’t being served (until the day after we left ironically). Other than missing out on afternoon tea, everything else was perfect! You really cannot beat its location; it is near most of Dublin’s top attractions. This is a must see even if you are not staying there, it’s simply beautiful!    

St. Stephen’s Green

This city park is central to some of the busiest streets in Dublin. It was opened to the public in 1880 and played a central role in the struggle for Irish independence. Around the green, there are statues and monuments to commemorate various notable individuals and moments in Irish history.

The green is also a beautiful place to run, walk and picnic. I ran around the green in the mornings, and my husband and I strolled it during the day. It is a place to relax and absorb your surroundings, plus you might get a glimpse of some seriously huge swans! It was one of my favorite spots of the whole trip. =)

Pubs, Bars & Eats

One thing you must do in Dublin is to check out the pub scene! There is nothing quite like drinking a Guinness in an authentic Irish pub. Our favorite spots were O’Donoghues Bar, The Brazen Head, and the Hairy Lemon.

• 

• 

O’Donoghues Bar

We went to O’Donoghues because it was close to our hotel. But I think this was the most “local” and authentic bar we went to! It was dark, a bit cramped but still comfortable. The stew we had was a perfect Irish stew, and they poured me my first Guinness of the trip! We were jet-lagged and exhausted, but this place was perfect for our first Dublin outing!

• 

• 

The Brazen Head

The Brazen Head is purported to be “Irelands oldest pub”. Because of this, it gets crowded and loud! Regardless, I loved the feeling of the pub. Everyone was nice, the cider was fantastic, the fish and chips were perfect, it checked all the boxes for me! They host an “Evening of Food, Folklore and Fairies” that you can book, which sounds amazing. We considered doing this, and if we go back to Dublin, I will make sure we do! It looks like a good time!    

• 

• 

The Hairy Lemon

We picked this place because of the name. Any pub called the Hairy Lemon had to be good! Seriously though, I had read that they had good coddle, which is a traditional Irish dish, and my husband wanted to try it. This pub was very crowded, very unique, and an overall great experience. My husband loved the coddle! There was live music playing in the main pub area. We were seated in a separate dining room, so try to sit by the bar if you want more of the live music. I’d definitely check this out if you are trying to see the best pubs in Dublin!

• 

• 

• 

The Bank on College Green

I am a little obsessed with Irish Coffee. I was SUPER excited to try Irish coffee in Ireland (even though I have no clue how authentically “Irish” it is). We stumbled upon The Bank before we headed to Trinity College. The atmosphere is gorgeous and upscale, though we didn’t feel out of place strolling in right off the street in our jeans and jackets. We both got a drink, plus some oysters and a salad. Everything was SO GOOD. And the Irish coffee was my favorite I had during my trip! The service was a bit slow, but if you have some time and want some tasty eats, check them out!

Gino’s Gelato

It’s no secret, I’m a pretty into ice cream and gelato. I feel like the older I get the more I crave ice cream and gelato… I have no clue why. Anyway, we discovered Gino’s Gelato as we headed back to our hotel after a day of sightseeing. It was VERY good gelato! They are a chain in Ireland, but worth checking out if you suffer similar cravings 😉

Sites Worth Checking Out

National Museum of Ireland- Archeology

The National Museums of Ireland are free to visit! We spent some time in the Archeology museum and honestly could have spent much more time there. There was A LOT to see! It was interesting to learn so much about Ireland’s history. They also have the “Bog Bodies” exhibit, which I was not excited about (it freaked me out a bit) …. But my husband thought it was cool! I would recommend this museum and any of the others that interest you.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College is rich in history and is the most prestigious college in Ireland. The campus is absolutely beautiful, we couldn’t get enough photos there! We spent a lot of time walking around the campus and enjoying the atmosphere.

The library is the largest research library in Ireland. It encompasses the Long Room, which is a gorgeous part of the original library. This is where the Book of Kells lives. We did the tour which included the Book of Kells and the Long Room. The experience of being in the library, surrounded by priceless works is something I can’t quite put into words. It was one of my favorite experiences of the trip!  

• 

• 

Guinness Storehouse

The Guinness Storehouse is the epitome of a tourist attraction. I drink maybe one Guinness a year on Saint Patrick’s Day, so I wouldn’t say I’m a die-hard fan. My husband doesn’t drink beer. Even with that background, I knew I wanted to check the Storehouse out. It’s a bit pricey, but a fun experience! It is a self-guided tour, with an option to learn how to pour the perfect pint. I find wine and beer making fascinating, so I really enjoyed that aspect of the tour. They also talk about the history of Guinness and some odd advertising campaigns they’ve had. Overall, a fun way to spend a few hours!    

There you have it, 10 Fantastic Things to do on Your Dublin Vacation!  My husband and I also walked around Dublin Castle, toured Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and meandered around the Temple Bar area. We enjoyed everything we did; I would simply say the places we visited above could be considered my “favorites”.

We really enjoyed Ireland and thought the Irish folks we met were kind and welcoming. If you are going to do an Ireland trip I really do suggest getting out and seeing the countryside, it is truly breathtaking!

 Have you been to Dublin? What did you do there? Let me know in the comments!    Don’t forget to check out my Top Discoveries to Make Travel Better! I know I used ALL of these discoveries on our Ireland adventure! =)