Welcome to the Emerald Isle, fellow wanderers! If you’re planning your first Irish adventure, look no further than the vibrant capital city of Dublin as your starting point. This charming metropolis, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and modern allure, offers the perfect introduction to the wonders of Ireland.
Why is Dublin the ideal launchpad for your Irish journey? For starters, it’s incredibly accessible, with Dublin Airport welcoming flights from all corners of the globe. Once you’ve touched down, you’ll find yourself in a compact, walkable city that’s easy to navigate, allowing you to maximize your time exploring rather than getting lost in transit. Dublin’s streets are a living museum, where Georgian architecture stands shoulder to shoulder with medieval cathedrals and sleek modern buildings, offering a visual feast that spans the ages.
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But it’s not just about the sights – Dublin is a city that engages all your senses. The aroma of freshly pulled pints of Guinness wafts from cozy pubs, while the sounds of traditional Irish music spill onto cobblestone streets. You’ll taste authentic Irish cuisine in bustling markets and trendy restaurants alike, and feel the warmth of Irish hospitality everywhere you go. The city’s cultural offerings are equally diverse, from world-class museums and galleries to literary landmarks that pay homage to Dublin’s legacy as a UNESCO City of Literature.
Moreover, Dublin serves as an excellent base for day trips, allowing you to dip your toes into Ireland’s stunning countryside and coastal areas without straying too far from your urban comforts. Whether it’s the ancient ruins of Newgrange, the picturesque fishing village of Howth, or the rolling hills of the Wicklow Mountains, you can easily sample Ireland’s rural charms and be back in time for a pint at a lively Temple Bar pub.
We spent 4 Days in Dublin and could not see it all but had a great time. We put together this itinerary if you are interested with links to sites. Here is what is featured in the itinerary.
Christ Church
Going back as far as 1028, Christ Church Cathedral is one of the oldest churches and the oldest building in use in Ireland. It is easy to walk around the grounds and explore and check out the labyrinth in the gardens. The architecture alone is worth the visit. The tile work is amazing. Make sure you go down to the crypts and see the Irish Magna Carta and St. Laurence O’Toole’s Heart.
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Chartered in 1592, Trinity College is famous for educating some of the world’s most impressive minds such as Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett among many others. Take a tour of the grounds with a graduate student so that you can hear the fantastic stories.
The Book of Kells and the Long Room are by far the best part of Trinity College. The book of Kells is an elaborately illustrated gospel book dating back to the 7th century. One page of the book is on display every day. Pics are not allowed, but you can buy a calendar instead! The Long Room boasts over 200,00 of the oldest books in Ireland that are still available for students to read. Be careful with these volumes! Many are fragile but worth the inspection.
National Gallery of Ireland
Located in the heart of Dublin, this gallery was founded in 1854 and opened to the public in 1864. It houses over 16,300 works of art including Irish art by Jack B. Yeats, William Oren, and John Lavery. You can also see works by other European masters such as Caravaggio, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Goya, Monet, and Picasso. Admission is free and there is a bookshop and a cafe.
Saint Patricks Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is Ireland’s largest cathedral and stands as a testament to over 800 years of Irish heritage. The cathedral’s stunning Gothic architecture, with its soaring spires and intricate stonework, is a feast for the eyes and a photographer’s dream. Inside, you’ll be awed by the ornate stained glass windows, ancient monuments, and the final resting place of Jonathan Swift, the famous author of “Gulliver’s Travels” who once served as the cathedral’s dean. The cathedral also boasts a world-renowned choir, whose angelic voices have filled the space for centuries.
Whiskey and Beer Tours in Dublin
Jameson Whiskey tour
For you whiskey lovers out there, this is the place for you! You can take a tour of the distillery taking in all the history of the place and then end in the tasting room, the best place of all. Even if you are not a whiskey fan, there is a very good chance you will find one you like here.
Guinness Experience
The Guinness Storehouse experience, located at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions. The building is designed as a giant pint glass, with each floor offering different immersive experiences.
First, you learn about the 250+ year history of Guinness and the brewing process through various exhibits and interactive displays. Then you learn how to properly taste Guinness and appreciate its unique flavors. Make sure you check out the Gravity Bar and enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness while checking out the 360-degree views of Dublin.
The experience typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, but you can spend longer if you wish to linger over your pint or meal. It’s self-guided, so you can move at your own pace. Remember to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to avoid long queues.
National Museums of Ireland
Archaeology
Being a history and archaeology lover, The National Museum of Ireland -Archaeology was a must-see. This museum houses over 2 million artifacts from Ireland including prehistoric gold artifacts and many examples of medieval jewelry and weapons. The famous Tara Brooch and Armagh Chalice is on display here. It also has the Viking Ireland exhibition with lots of artifacts and information about the Viking presence in Ireland.
The Kingship and sacrifice section is also cool. They have a display of “bog bodies” that were found in the bogs pretty well preserved.
Decorative Art’s and History
Here you can find the Irish silver collection, period furniture, folk costumes, weaponry and military history and Irish craft and design.
Natural History
Often called the “dead zoo,” this museum has many geological specimens, insect collections, deer skeletons, and Irish fauna exhibits.
Country Life
This museum highlights traditional folk crafts and skills from rural Irish life from the 1850s to the 1950s. The is a great deal of information about folklore and customs as well as agricultural history.
Take a Walk
Dublin has many wonderful parks and areas to take a stroll just to soak up the atmosphere. Make sure you walk along the River Liffey and cross the Ha’Penny Bridge. Grafton Street is a great place to shop and take in the street performers. St. Stephen’s Green is a perfect spot to take a relaxing stroll and if you love animals, check out Phoenix Park and the Dublin Zoo.
Something Else to Try
While you are out and about, make sure you take note of the many statues on display in Ireland. Many are of famous Irishmen and women but what is interesting are the nicknames they are given. For example, there is the prick with a stick and the stiffey at the liffey. Below you have hags with bags.
You can also check out Kilmainham Gaol (jail) a former prison that played a crucial role in Irish history. Many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisioned and executed here. They have a museum with artifacts and information about Irish penal history. We suggest you take a guided tour to help bring the history alive.
Night life and Restaurants
The most popular place for the Dublin’s nightlife is the Temple Bar area. Here you have many pubs, bars and restaurants. It tends to be a little touristy and pricey but one of the best places to experience the pubs and live music.
George’s Street and South William Street areas are more relaxed and tend to be a place where the locals hang out. This would be the best way to experience live traditional music and have some traditional Irish cuisine or a bit of Guinness stew.
If you are a foodie, check out Capel Street and their diverse range of bars and restaurants.
Day Trips
If you have enough time to explore (more than 4 days maybe) make sure you get out and check out the countryside. As mentioned in the intro, Howeth is a charming fishing village just north of Dublin and known for its scenic cliff walks, seafood restaurants and seal-watching opportunities.
Newgrange in Contra Meath is a prehistoric monument older than the pyramids or Stonehenge! It is part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kilkenny is a medieval city with a stunning castle, cathedral, and numerous historical sites. It is also known for its craft shops and breweries. You can also take a day trip to Belfast to see the Titanic Belfast Museum and the Giants Causeway. You won’t regret it!
For a longer trip, drive up to the Cliffs of Moher. It is a bit of a longer trip but the sea cliffs on Ireland’s west coast are stunning and doable with an early start.
Free Itinerary
We put together this Itinerary for 4 days in Dublin. It includes one day as a day trip day but the second sheet has a list of thing you can do instead. There are links to the websites to get tickets. Hope you have an amazing trip!
Even though we don’t have a podcast about our time in Ireland (we started the podcast way after that) you can check out our latest travels and adventures.
Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.