Dublin Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
The whole city of Dublin is stunningly picturesque. Its medieval character, ancient buildings, historical sites, street art, history-filled streets, all will mesmerize you. Consider top-ranking attractions like Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, The Book of Kells, and more.
Then, at some point, sample some of Ireland's typical foods such as the Irish Stew, soda bread, white and black pudding, Boxty Pancakes that are best enjoyed in Dublin's pubs.
To ensure you do not overlook anything monumental, use my Dublin travel guide to find the 9 most famous must-see top tourist attractions in Dublin. I have left the very best for last.
1. The Dail Government Building
After taking a stroll to the top of Kildare Street, you'll find the Irish Parliament on your left side.
Once known as Kildare House, named after James Fitzgerald, who was the Earl of Kildare and paid for its construction back in 1745 so the Georgian mansion would reflect his high status in society. But after getting a new title of Duke of Leinster back in 1766, the building saw its name revised to Leinster House.
Its design, which is believed to have been a source of inspiration for the White House, was conceived by an Irish architect. In 1815, the Royal Dublin Society purchased the mansion and added a lecture theater, today the Dail chamber. But in 1922 the Irish government acquired only part of the building, and the rest two years later.
If you love literature, be sure to drop by the nearby National Library, which hosts a W.B. Yeats exhibition.
2. National Museum of Ireland
Situated on Kildare Street close to the National Library, the museum is home to extraordinary permanent exhibits. Highlights to look for are the stunning Viking Collection, Ireland's Gold, and prehistoric Ireland.
Also, check out the Treasury collection that displays the incredible Ardagh Chalice. Broadly considered as one of the best activities to engage in while visiting Dublin for free, this famous museum also provides organized tours and a fine program of educational events and workshops.
3. Trinity College
Located in the center of Dublin, the college is crammed with astonishing history, and it's Ireland's oldest university that Queen Elizabeth l founded in 1592.
Encompassing 40 acres, the university houses ancient, secluded sections ranging from gardens, cobbled squares to parks, plus is famous all over the world for its envious collection of amazing treasures. For example, the 9th-century lit manuscript, the Book of Kells, the Books of Armagh and Durrow, and an Irish harp.
The Treasury hosts these priceless artifacts, and the extraordinary 18th-century Long Room displays over 200,000 of the university's oldest book collection and even hosts constant literary exhibitions.
The aging walls of Trinity have been rescuing many students from the city's hustle and bustle, including over the centuries notable personalities like Johnathan Swift, Bram Stoker, and playwright Samuel.
4. The National Gallery of Ireland
If you make a right turn as Kildare Street ends, you'll see the National Gallery of Ireland. It would be a crying shame not to visit this major gallery which houses the world's best collection of Irish art as well as an incredible collection of European art dating from the Middle Ages onward.
The gallery, opening back in 1864, added one wing in 1903, a second in 1968, and a third in 2002. Notable collections range from the Yeats Museum, seven rooms featuring Italian painters and Irish art, the Shaw Room to Baroque Room.
The gallery, covering four levels, hosts regular stunning exhibitions. Moreover, there's a superb and popular cafe.
5. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
As a legendary exporter of people, Dublin's outstanding EPIC museum is suitably located in the city's docklands section, the scene seeing countless heartfelt good-byes.
Founded only in 2016, this intriguing museum provides insightful and sometimes touching reports of Irish emigration throughout the centuries. All said, there are over 20 individual themed galleries to see, dealing not only with the historical aspect of Irish migration but also the impact its good people have had wherever they settled.
If you have time, visit the Irish Family History Centre to trace your family lineage.
Close by, you may want to stop by the Jeanie Johnston: an Irish Famine Story. In the heart of this superb museum, you'll see a fine replica of the Jeanie Johnston, a ship from Canada which was constructed in 1847 and that carried many Irish passengers across the Atlantic.
6. The James Joyce Centre
About a brief 8-minute stroll from the GPO, a beautiful Georgian home houses the James Joyce Centre, which was established by David Norris, Irish Senator and famous Joycean scholar.
The museum is dedicated obviously to everything remotely related to James Joyce, famous Irish author, and despite he never resided in the estate, he still had an association to it via a real-life character fleshed out in Ulysses, Prof. Denis J. Maginni, who managed a dance academy precisely here. Although the structure was condemned during the 1980s, it was eventually saved and renovated through an effective campaign which David Norris led.
If inspired at all, visit the Dublin Writers Museum, situated not far off. This museum gives you sweeping insights into the lives of some famous Irish authors. Besides many artifacts, the museum is home to a collection of portraits and paintings.
7. Dublin Zoo
Only 18 minutes in walking from Collins Barracks, you'll stumble onto Phoenix Park that's home to Dublin Zoo. This is Europe's biggest enclosed urban park, boasting 1,750 whopping acres. Here, you are likely to catch one out of hundreds of deer wandering freely, plus the Irish President's official residence and Deerfield, a gorgeous 18th-century estate that houses the American Ambassador to Ireland.
A visitor center stands near the 17th-century tower home, or Ashtown Castle. At the farther side of Castleknock Gate sits stately 18th-century Farmleigh House.
For a long time both the Irish and visitors from all over the world have been coming to the Dublin Zoo, drawing over a million visitors yearly. Dating to 1830, it's Europe's second oldest zoo. It'll take an entire day to do real justice to this fabulous zoo.
In addition to other exotic and rare animals, expect to see Asian elephants, Asian lions, sea lions, hippos, tigers, bats, penguins, an orangutan enclosure, and a Reptile House. Facilities include children's play areas, a family farm, and restaurants.
8. Christ Church Cathedral
Renovated and today standing tall in the surrounding area, the cathedral was erected on the site belonging originally to Dublin's first church, which was established back in 1028 and constructed from timber.
The Great Nave features exquisite early Gothic arches, plus, while here, do not miss seeing the 14th-century reproduction of the tomb of heroic Norman conqueror Strongbow, but buried somewhere else in the cathedral. The remnant that sits alongside is believed to be an actual part of the genuine tomb bearing the name "Strongbow's son." Sections of the huge crypt, running through the entire extent of the structure, date from as far back as the 13th century.
Another notable highlight is Dublinia, a superb historical reproduction of scenes and life from the period of the Vikings to the medieval era, situated in the building's Synod Hall. Also, look at the costumed characters showing period activities, traditions, different structures, and genuine street scenes.
9. Kilmainham Gaol
The horror-inspiring jail, which dates from 1789, really is an infamous place in Irish history. It was exactly in this site where the leaders of the uprising were imprisoned back in 1916 before meeting their ultimate fatal fate for being found guilty of high treason.
A modern hall offers an exhibition that describes the conditions and the struggles that the Irish underwent. Exceptional guided tours take you all around the old jailhouse, covering Irish history beginning from 1796 to 1924. Know that women were treated like their male counterparts inferior, having to sleep on the hard floor, for example.
The stonebreaker's Yard will probably shoot chills down your spine, for this is the place where the uprising leaders were executed.
