Location: Dublin
Top Things to do in Dublin
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Dublin, Province of Leinster
You've probably heard that Guinness tastes better in Dublin (fresh from the factory), but what you may not know is that Dublin is a perfect destination for the whole family. No, we're not suggesting you let the kiddies drink a pint. Instead, take them to the Dublin Zoo, to feed the ducks in Stephen's Green or on a picnic in Phoenix Park. Scholars enjoy walking in the literary footsteps of such writers as Yeats and Joyce, while discerning shoppers have their pick of designer boutiques.
Restaurants in Dublin
1. Cliff Path Loop
2. Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
A National Library of Ireland exhibition celebrating the life and work of Seamus Heaney at the Bank of Ireland Cultural and Heritage Centre, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2.
Reviewed By 794teresac - Wexford, Ireland
I visited in June 2019. It is an excellent exhibition and a great tribute to Seamus and his work and life. I have been to the Homeplace in Bellaghy which is also wonderful. The Dublin exhibition is easy to access by public transport. It is well laid out and the whole atmosphere is one of quiet calm. A delight.
3. Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 644 reviews
Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane is the oldest gallery of modern and contemporary art. Visit the gallery to see our great collections of paintings, sculpture, drawings and Francis Bacon's studio. Opening Hours Tuesday to Thursday 10.00am- 6.00pm Friday & Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm Sunday 11.00am-5.00pm Closed Mondays. ADMISSION TO THE GALLERY AND EXHIBITIONS IS FREE. See gallery website for current exhibitions and events.
Reviewed By CiaraSlevin - Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
I've been wanting to see Francis Bacon's Studio for years and during a recent trip to Dublin eventually got a chance to. Bacon, one of the most prominent figurative artists in the world, was born in Ireland to British parents. On his death in 1992 Bacon's sole heir bequeathed his London based studio to Hugh Lane and it was subsequently moved piece by piece to Dublin. It's a bit of an art lovers pilgrimage to visit this studio and observe this messy wonder. Bacon was a phenomenal, shocking and experimental figurative painter and his studio a remarkable chaos. Great to see Bacon's paintings also and a filmed interview recorded before his death which provided insight into the artists methods and thought process. Superb exhibition and a superb gallery which displays a rich array of both traditional and contemporary art.
4. National Gallery of Ireland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,086 reviews
The National Gallery of Ireland holds the national collection of European and Irish fine art. Admission is free to the permanent collections. The historic wings have recently been refurbished and reopened to the public. Entrance to the gallery is via Merrion Sq and Clare Street entrances.
Reviewed By ElizaMo55 - Warsaw, Poland
I was very lucky to visit a breath taking exhibition of Spanish impressionist, Sorolla when visiting NGI in October. National Gallery of Ireland hosts a number of temporary art exhibitions which are definitely worth visiting, beside permanent collection of Irish art.
5. St Stephens Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,623 reviews
Beautiful urban park immortalized in James Joyce's "Ulysses."
Reviewed By MaggieMay82 - Dublin, Ireland
This little piece of heaven just at the top of Grafton street has to be on your list to cost. Whether as a couple for a romantic walk throu all the little nooks and crannies designed into the park or going with kids to feed the ducks or swans or go to the playground and bring a picnic for after. And it won't cost you a penny
6. Phoenix Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,753 reviews
Beautiful urban park lined with running trails.
Reviewed By browncondo2102 - Kitchener, Canada
There are 8 miles of walls around this magnificent park and at 1750 acres is the largest park in the world. There are many things encompassed in this park. Dublin Zoo which was home to the MGM Lion at one time, Magazine Fort, President's House and the US Embassy. The USA was the first country to recognize Ireland so they got the pick of the litter as to where their embassy would be located in 1927. Inside the park is a Cross Monument where in 1979, Pope John Paul 2 preached to 1.2 million people. There are many large gardens of planted flowers throughout the park and many deer and other animals still run wild on its grounds.
7. Chester Beatty
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,024 reviews
FREE Admission. Described by Lonely Planet as ‘not just the best museum in Ireland but one of the best in Europe’ - and the only Irish museum to ever win European Museum of the Year - the Chester Beatty’s extraordinary collections from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe span centuries, continents and cultures and offer visitors a fascinating view of global artistic heritage. Donated to the Irish nation, American mining magnate and philanthropist Sir Alfred Chester Beatty's bequest is considered one of Ireland's greatest gifts. Open late on Wednesdays until 8pm. Download the Chester Beatty app, for audio tours in 6 languages, virtual walk-throughs, online collections and more!
Reviewed By Pathfinder801848 - Batavia, United States
Incredible treasures housed at the library - illuminated editions of religious texts, a lovely roof-top garden (great way to take a picture of the Dublin Castle garden), and other artifacts from East and West.
8. St. Audoen's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 286 reviews
Sited in the heart of the walled medieval city, St Audoen's Church is the only remaining medieval parish church in Dublin. Open April to October each year.
Reviewed By Nyallg - Warragul, Australia
We visited St. Audeon's on a Sunday after Service. At the little reception area we were asked by one of the staff if we would like a guided tour of the church and we replied that we would be delighted to wait for a guided tour. He just said "come along then" and we had a private tour with the most amazingly informative and passionate tour guide we have ever met that went for over half an hour ! Embarrassingly I cannot recall his name but he made our whole historic Dublin trip come alive. This Medieval church has watched over Dublin for over 800 years and the sense of history is palpable. As with a lot of Dublin's historic sites it is totally accessible and familiar yet you are just in thrall with the thought that this is history very much alive - the regular Church service for partitioners finished not an hour ago ! The Dublin Stone (maybe I have just called it that and it looks a bit like an very gravestone) is placed unassumingly against an inside wall of the church and yet for literally hundreds of years pilgrims touched it before boarding ships to go on pilgrimages to Europe. There is no massive sign that tells you all about its significance in the history of Dublin and yet it is innocently woven into the very historic fabric of this amazing city. An added bonus is a section of the original fortified wall that surrounded Dublin which is only a few steps away. So please visit this beautiful church - although it does not boast the grandeur or scale of its more famous neighbours you may alight from your visit to St. Audeon's and the restful and well planned gardens surrounding it wiser and more relaxed for the experience !
9. Iveagh Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By lomimu - North Vancouver, Canada
Tranquil garden, lots of shade. Love the rose garden here as it's ringed by benches, plus the roses are lush with multi-head blooms and amazing strong scents. Sweet little waterfall too.
10. Merrion Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,151 reviews
Reviewed By stephenbrg - Townsville, Australia
Loved the park and the memorials were a big bonus - especially those of Oscar Wilde (complete with two columns of his pithy quotes) and Bernardo O'Higgins (the hero of Chilean independence). it also seems that local artists use the park railings on Merriton Square West to display their work for sale (at least on Sundays). Some of it was very good.
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