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.
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Hospital turned gallery
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.
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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
Chester Beatty Library
Treasures from world cultures
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.
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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
Guinness Storehouse
Brewery tour and tasting
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.
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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
St Patrick's Cathedral
Ireland's largest church
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.
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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
Kilmainham Gaol
Historic heroes' prison
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.
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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
Croke Park
Famous sports stadium
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.
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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
