Things to do in Dublin
Split into two by the River Liffey, compact Dublin is easy to walk around. South of the river are Georgian squares and museums, including Chester Beatty Library and the famous Guinness Storehouse. Slightly east is Kilmainham, home of Kilmainham Gaol and the Irish Museum of Modern Art's world–class collection. North of the Liffey is vast Croke Park, the venue for Irish sports such as Gaelic football and hurling. Most museums are free and open daily.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Irish Museum of Modern Art - Hospital turned gallery
Show more Housed in former 17th-century Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Kilmainham is Ireland's finest contemporary art collection, with 1600 works including Damien Hirst pieces. Temporary exhibitions might include sculptures in the courtyard.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-5.30pm (from 10.30am Wed; 12pm Sun & bank hols)
Address
Royal Hospital, Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
Telephone
+353 (0) 1 612 9900
2. Chester Beatty Library - Treasures from world cultures
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The private collection at Chester Beatty Library comprises the 20th-century collection of American-born Beatty, including centuries-old illuminated Qu'rans and Persian miniature paintings. Permanent exhibitions include Arts of the Book, with rare ancient Chinese jade books.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 1pm-5pm (closed Mon Oct-Apr)
Address
Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
Telephone
+353 (0) 1 407 0750
Attractions
Expand all3. Guinness Storehouse - Brewery tour and tasting
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Arthur Guinness brewed Ireland's best-known export at the Guinness Storehouse in St James's Gate from 1759. Now a seven-floor gallery, you can learn about its history, see James Gilroy's 1930s advertising posters, and sample a pint at the Gravity Bar.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€15; students €11; 6-12s €6; family €34 (10% discount for adult online ticket)
Opening Hours
Daily 9.30am-5pm (until 7pm Jul & Aug)
Address
St James's Gate, Dublin 8
Telephone
+353 (0) 1 408 4800
Transport
Luas to James's Street or bus 51B or 123 to St James's Gate
Website
4. St Patrick's Cathedral - Ireland's largest church
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St Patrick's Cathedral, in Central Dublin, honours Ireland's patron, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. Late afternoon, the stained-glass windows shine brightly, and there are occasional choir rehearsals. Look out for 18th-century author Dean Jonathan Swift's grave.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€5.50; concessions & children €4.50; family €15
Opening Hours
Mar-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm; Nov-Feb Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-3pm
Address
Saint Patrick's Close, Dublin 8
Telephone
+353 (0) 1 453 9472
Transport
Bus 50, 54A, 56A, 49, 49A, 65, 65B, 77, 77A from Eden Quay
Website
5. Kilmainham Gaol - Historic heroes' prison
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A tour around the bleak corridors and cells of mammoth Kilmainham Gaol, in Kilmainham, brings turbulent Irish history to life. Leaders of Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising were incarcerated here, and you can even visit the yard where many were executed.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€6; concessions €4; children & students €2
Opening Hours
Apr-Sep: daily 9.30am-6pm; Oct-Mar: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm; Sun 10am-6pm; last admission one hour before closing
Address
Inchicore Road, Dublin 8
Telephone
+353 (0) 1 453 5984
Special Things to do
Expand all6. Croke Park - Famous sports stadium
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Matches at huge historic Croke Park stadium by the Royal Canal immerse everyone into Ireland's real sporting culture. Locals love Gaelic football and fast-and-furious hurling, which see crowds of 80,000 fans in friendly rivalry. Competitions run from April to September.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Tours: €11; concessions €8.50; seniors & children €7.50
Opening Hours
Tours: Mon-Fri 11am, 1pm & 3pm; Sat every hour 10am-3pm
Address
Jones's Road, Dublin 3
Telephone
+353 (0) 1 819 2300
Transport
Bus to Mountjoy Square, then 15-min walk, or bus/train to O'Connell Street then 20-min walk
Website
