Things to Do in Dublin When on Holiday 

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Things to Do in Dublin When on Holiday 

With over 1.1 million inhabitants in Dublin, the population swells particularly during the late spring and summer months, as tourists fly in to sample the original Guinness beer and see the sights. 

If you’re flying in from Birmingham, there is parking at Birmingham airport. When planning to bring your car to the airport, you can find parking online here. Other airports have different arrangements for parking and the duration of stay that’s permitted, but in general, paying in advance for airport parking lets you save money. This is money you can spend enjoying the Craic in Dublin! 

There are plenty of things to do in Dublin when you’re there. Let’s find out about a few of them now.  

St. Patrick’s Cathedral 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral has a history that spans over 800 years, having started as a building project in 1191. Only two cathedrals were built in Dublin and this one remains the biggest one in Ireland. Noted as impressive architecturally, it stands out in the nearby skyline with a tall spire, manicured lawns, and a fountain.  

The author of Gulliver’s Travels is buried here. The grounds are pleasant to walk around alone or in a group and there are outdoor seating areas to relax too.  

Guinness Storehouse Factory 

There’s nothing quite so Irish as Guinness beer. For many, this symbolises Dublin, as the beer is made there. The Guinness Storehouse Factory at St. James’ Gate Brewery keeps busy with tourists visiting and taking the guided tour.  

The tour is under 20 Euros and includes the history of beer brewing in Ireland and the involvement of the Guinness family over the decades. The process used to brew Guinness is covered in detail for visitors who are keen to get insight into this renowned tipple. Once the tour is complete having reached the 7th floor, the Gravity Bar affords a view across the Dublin cityscape from all angles where a complimentary pint is served. 

The rise of the Rebels Tour 

The 1916 Rise of the Rebels tour operates from the College Green Tourist Office. The guides are dutifully dressed in period costumes to get everyone in the mood for an interactive history lesson. 

The guides are one of the highlights of the bus ride around Dublin because they’re actors who play their parts particularly well. The tour covers the Easter Rebellion that occurred between April 24 and April 29, 1916, which marks a significant date in the history of Ireland. 

Locations like City Hall and St. Stephen’s Green are visited along the bus route. Get ready to see re-enactments of historical events and documented history from characters involved which pre-dates the Irish War for Independence. The two-hour bus trip includes the ability to listen to commentary along the route to better understand the places of significance. The tour is an excellent way to better understand the history of the early rebellion and fight for independence.  

Giant’s Causeway 

The Giant’s Causeway is well worth visiting as a day trip out of Dublin when you need a break from the big city hustle and bustle. It’s not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site but it’s also been featured in scenes from the hit TV show, Game of Thrones, which brings in more visitors.  

A tour to see the Giant’s Causeway usually leaves around 8 am and heads out of the city battling the rush hour traffic. The first port of call is Dark Hedges, which is a photo opportunity to capture where the Game of Thrones was filmed. Usually, a guide will have some titbits to share about the filming and when it was featured in the long-running TV series.  

Then it’s onto the Giant’s Causeway. There’s a new architect-designed Visitors’ Centre providing information, maps, and souvenirs. Most tours include a visit to Dunluce Castle, which isn’t too far away either. Explore the enormous footsteps and walk over the nearby rope bridge if you’re feeling brave enough. The trip back runs via the Antrim coastal route, which provides a pretty backdrop before heading towards Dublin proper.  

Irish Whiskey Museum 

Irish whiskey has gone through a rollercoaster ride in its fortunes over the years. The Irish Whiskey Museum tour at 119 Grafton Street illuminates the early origins of whiskey in Dublin. Time is spent covering its development and subsequent fall from grace over time. The museum also features modern Irish whiskeys that have found a new, interested audience in millennials wanting to try different brands and experiment with less traditional whiskey labels. 

Visitors can see how whiskeys are blended together and learn more about how whiskey is created and matured over a period of years. Souvenir glasses are sold at the museum to enjoy with a good drink in the evening. The tour alone runs for approximately 90 minutes. There are several packages available for tours of the museum, along with a whiskey blending instructional or a brunch to make a day of it.  

Trinity College Library 

The Trinity College Library looks like something out of a Star Wars set with its beautiful and slightly futuristic interiors. As the largest of the libraries in Ireland, it houses a huge volume of books. It’s difficult to not find what you’re looking for here. 

The Book of Kells, a 1,000-year-old illustrated collection of Gospels from the New Testament, is located here. The Old Library is accessible to tourists and is interesting not just for admitted bookworms but also people who enjoy excellent functional architecture too. 

Kilmainham Gaol 

Kilmainham Gaol is the last place you should have wanted to end up. The prison was abandoned but has been restored to how it would have looked back when it was in use every day.  

There are affordable tours of the prison facilities that last over 45 minutes. A guide accompanies people on the tour who are worried they might get lost and never find their way out! They also have interesting historical facts about what went on at the prison, how badly the inmates were treated, and why the prison was shut down.  

Pub Crawl 

You can either choose your own pubs to visit in a sequence based on their history and location or you can take an organised trip. The Backpacker Pub crawl, for instance, will appeal to the younger crowd who’ll wish to frequent the more happening places that are more about the music and the drinks than the history.  

Shopping 

To get away from the typical shopping centres, look for either the Dublin Flea Market or George’s Street Arcade. Both offer a different type of experience, where looking for a bargain and being willing to negotiate over a few Euros is completely expected. They’re bustling places to visit and are best seen on good weather days. 

Dublin has many different attractions to interest tourists. It depends what you’re most interested in seeing for yourself. If you enjoy consuming alcohol, there’s plenty of opportunities to see how your favourite type of alcoholic beverage is created and to understand how it got started. For people who crave culture and history, there’s almost too much of that in Dublin and surrounding areas that can be visited on a day trip outside of the city. The hardest thing to do is pick and choose between different activities while you’re in town to make it a worthwhile trip.