Dublin. Ireland’s capital and largest city. For many, it’s a weekend adventure — a stag do or a weekend away with friends. For others, Dublin is a gateway. A gateway to the emerald isle — both North of South of the border.
Whatever Dublin is to you, there’s more than great food, bars or the land of Irish pubs. There’s an Irish culture to explore, museums full of art, literature and history or seaside towns to escape to. There’s plenty to fuel your mind, and bellies, in the city at the heart of Ireland’s social life.
Affordable airfares mean you can visit Dublin for the weekend in its own right. Or you can visit like we did, spending a weekend in Dublin before venturing further into the motherland in search of Ireland’s natural wonders.
While our experience of Dublin was a little bitty, thanks to changing plans, we’ve pieced together the ideal weekend itinerary. Simply book flights and head off or tag this weekend plan onto your longer Ireland stay.
Day 1: Saturday
A weekend walking tour in Dublin
Kick-off your adventures in Dublin with a walking tour. What better way to get your bearings and start the day.
Walking tours give you chance to:
- See the main sites
- Find your way around
- Get an introduction to the history and the culture of the place
- Gather insider tips from a local (your tour guide)
You never know, but your experience on a walking tour might affect the rest of your plans for a weekend. Or of course, it might also make you realise that one weekend isn’t enough!
Yellow Umbrella tours offer several different walking tours. The most prominent are the North and South Side tours. If you only have the weekend we’d suggest the South Side tour — this is where most of the sites you’ll know Dublin for are located.
Our two hour South Side tour was hosted by the brilliant Shanade — a knowledgeable part-time lecturer with a passion for her city and her home in Dublin.
Tip: The tour covers a lot of ground so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for all weather, especially the Irish wet weather! You’ll be on your feet and outside for most of the tour with a short pit stop about halfway through in the Temple Bar area. But rest assured, it’ll be worth it.
During the tour, you’ll visit Trinity College, Temple Bar, St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Mary Malone Statue to name just a few. You’ll visit popular areas of the city like O’Connel Street (with its famous Spire), the General Post Office (where the Easter Rising took place in 1916) and the Ha’Penny Bridge.
Tip: If you’re not familiar with the concept of a walking tour, let me introduce you. They’re ‘free’ because there’s no fixed price for the tour. Instead, you pay by tipping the guide at the end. That means you can pay what you think the tour is worth or what you can afford.
St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin
The walking tour will finish at St Patrick’s Cathedral which was built in the 12th to 13th Centuries. It was here, at Ireland’s largest Church, that St Patrick is said to have baptised the local Celtic chieftains. This is thought to be the moment that brought Christianity to Ireland.
As with many old cathedrals, the shape of the building has evolved over the years. But so too has the purpose. In the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell used the cathedral as a stable for his horses. After that, Jonathan Swift (author of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’) became dean. Over the next 100 years, the cathedral fell into disrepair until its restoration in the late 19th century.
With the walking tour finishing up around lunchtime you’ll be in need of a bite to eat and a chance to rest your legs. There are plenty of great places to eat in Dublin and you’ll pretty much be able to find any cuisine that takes your fancy. Ask your tour guide for a recommendation.
Tip: Steeped in history, St Patrick’s is more than just a cathedral and worth a quick visit at the end of the tour, religious or not. On a sunny day, St Patrick’s park would also be the perfect rest or picnic stop after all that walking too!
EPIC — Dublin’s Emigration Museum
After your lunch break head over to EPIC — Dublin’s Emigration Museum. This highly interactive museum explores what it means to be Irish and how Irish culture can be found worldwide through the power of past and current emigration. Emigration wasn’t just a one-off for the people of Ireland during and after the Great Potato famine. It continues to this day and is now part of Irish culture. The Irish people travel the world in search of brighter opportunities. Each time they do, they bring their culture and establish their roots in their new home. As a result, there are proud Irish communities and heritages all around the world.
Give yourselves a few hours to complete your EPIC passport (by gathering stamps at each of the 20 or so exhibitions) before getting prepared for your first evening in Dublin.
An evening in Temple Bar
The cobbled streets of Temple Bar are known as the cultural quarter of the city. Here it’s more about the feel of the place than checking off any particular attractions or activities. Do make sure to explore during the day and night for the full experience.
By day, go shopping for vintage clothes or enjoy a coffee at a bohemian cafe. By night, the place comes alive. It’s loud and boisterous — people flow out of the bars and fill the streets. You can also see a movie outdoors or the latest art installation.
It’s also close to the historic and picturesque Ha’Penny bridge. This cherished icon gets its name from the old toll when visitors were required to pay a halfpenny to cross the water. (Another one to take a look at during sun up and sundown.)
Day 2: Sunday
Day two of your weekend in Dublin. After an evening exploring Dublin’s cultural quarter, you might feel the need to take your Sunday morning a little more slowly. So head out for a spot of brunch.
A staple for your weekend in Dublin — brunch
Walk over to South William Street where you’ll find the bold red facade of the Metro Cafe standing out from the crowd on this charming street. Feeling like you should be in some Parisian district, albeit on a slightly grey day, you’ll find traditional and comfort food on the menu. Sitting outside, even in October, was a real pleasure and certainly added to that holiday/European feel. There’s something so luxurious about drinking in the atmosphere of a city along with a good old fashioned brew. The food was delicious and the staff were super helpful and friendly.
A 10 minute walk away is your first attraction of the day — the Book of Kells and the old Trinity College.
Trinity College, Dublin
Hidden away behind big walls, Trinity College harks back to the days when only the elite few attended further education. Its grand facade and beautiful buildings feel a world away from the raw city.
In the modern-day, Trinity College is Ireland’s most prestigious University. Thankfully it’s no longer just home to the elite upper classes, there’s something about it that still has a bit of an otherworldliness feel to it. In part, it feels like I might have stepped into Hogwarts. On the other hand, perhaps I stepped into a museum? It’s strange to think that people really work and study in a place like this.
As you walk around you’ll be part of a crowd of students and tourists. There’ll be little to distinguish the two except the casual ease with which regulars pass through the metal detectors or know their way around the place. At one point while we were exploring we found ourselves staring dumbstruck at what I can only describe as a drawbridge on which the other side was the main road. The large walls that shroud the campus do take some getting used to! We could hear the road but were distanced and hidden away in the 18th/19th Century space.
You can explore Trinity College on foot, getting lost around campus as we did. But if you have time, get yourself on the College walking tour to hear more about the history of one of Europe’s most notable Universities and its students such as Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. At five euros apiece it’s a no brainer if time allows in your weekend in Dublin.
Tip: Check the timings of the tours in advance as they differ by day and season.
Once you’re done exploring the elaborate grounds and the space students get to call home, head over to the Old Library and the Long Room. The Long Room (all 65m of it!) is quite possibly one of my favourite places in the world. It boasts about 200,000 of the oldest books. The most famous of which is the Book of Kells.
The Book of Kells -a must-see during your weekend in Dublin
Your entrance ticket, about 12 euros, will first give you access to the exhibition that houses the Book of Kells. An audio guide can be downloaded on the Trinity College app giving you more detailed information as you make your way around the physical exhibition. Make sure you bring your headphones with you!
The purpose of this exhibition is to introduce you to the Book of Kells and to highlight pages of significance. This is necessary because you’ll only get a fleeting moment to view the original book in person.
But what is the Book of Kells?
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript that dates back to AD 800. It’s one of the oldest books in the world and is thought to have been created by monks at St Colmcille’s monastery (located on an island just off the coast of Scotland). It’s understood that the book made its way to Ireland when monks fled the Viking lootings.
The book itself documents the four gospels of the New Testament. However, what makes the book so special is not merely its age or its written content but the illustrations that adorn it. Each page has exquisite and intricate illustrations between lines. Each word was handwritten. Every illustration was hand-drawn. No wonder the monks brought it with them when they fled Scotland!
The exhibition is your best chance to study the various illustrations in detail. It’s a chance to admire the techniques and workmanship or marvel at the method used to prepare vellum (from calfskin) on which to write. The Book of Kells itself is kept under lock and key in a carefully controlled and monitored room.
To see the famous book itself you’ll walk through a dark tunnel. Either side, thick walls create a physical safe for the prized treasure once closed. Inside the vault take a moment for your eyes to adjust to the darkness before looking up to see a glass box illuminated by careful lighting. All this is in an effort to preserve the ancient script. You’ll even feel the temperature alter and the air will feel still. Everything in this room is under careful supervision — as cameras and security guards watch every movement, every breath.
There’ll be a short but orderly queue towards the illuminated glass box in the centre of the vault. One by one you’ll have your moment with the book, able only to see the two pages on display that day.
Though it may only be for a brief moment, savour the experience. Savour the quiet, the peace and the reverence in the air. It’s a beautiful book and, as with all books, it is there to be enjoyed, savoured and its words devoured.
The Long Room in Dublin’s Trinity College
Once the moment is gone you’ll be ushered through to the next experience — the long room. If you’re disappointed not to have spent longer in the presence of an important manuscript, the Long Room will not disappoint.
With its high ceilings and row upon row of books, you’ll feel at ease once more as you drink in the smell that can only be found in the presence of old books.
Take your time to stroll through the halls. Admire the busts of great writers and philosophers and the lofty heights of the ceiling. There may not yet be women remembered in these statues, though the college does have plans to modernise, but it was a pleasure to be surrounded by the representation of great thinkers in a place such as this.
Then there’s the ceiling! Currently two stories high it’s a marvel to think that when it was only one storey high, they simply decided they needed more space and raised the roof! History never ceases to amaze me.
Towards the end of the hall, when you’ve seen bookcase after bookcase, ladders and gorgeous spiral staircases (that really do belong in Hogwarts!) take a moment to admire the so-called Brian Boru harp — one of the oldest in Ireland.
After being surrounded by so much history you’ll likely be in need of a pit stop. With plenty to choose from in the area around the college, grab a coffee, sandwich or sit down meal and reflect before switching gear and enjoying Ireland’s most famous delicacy — Guinness.
Complete your weekend in Dublin with the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse has got to be one of Dublin’s, well probably Ireland’s, most famous tourist attractions. We were initially in two minds about visiting — we had a lot we wanted to do and not a lot of time to do it. It was only after speaking to our free walking tour guide that we felt convinced about getting tickets.
All in all, I’m glad we did visit. I’d expected the Guinness Storehouse to be a little on the touristy side and had wondered whether it would be more gimmick than anything else. What I hadn’t expected was five floors of interactive, engaging and informative exhibitions showcasing the history of the Guinness family, the brand we know today and the story of brewing. Of course there was a huge shop with all the Guinness paraphernalia you could ask for and a few chances to sample a good Guinness brew. But all of this amounted to much more than just a tourist attraction and was well worth the visit.
Described as a ‘multimedia homage’ to the Guinness’ by Lonely Planet, I could not agree more with that description. The storehouse is located about a half-hour walk from the centre of Dublin city. It’s located in an old grain storehouse on part of 26 hectares of land for Guinness brewing. Starting work there in the 17th Century, the brewery in Dublin is now capable of producing 2.5 million pints a day! So there’s a lot to be learnt about one of the city’s largest employers.
One thing you’ll learn, if you have any doubts right now, is the power of Guinness advertising. Always a central tenet to the beer’s success, the Guinness Storehouse is perhaps the biggest example of this of all time. The whole thing is fun and engaging — so a great day out. But it’s absolutely a genius piece of advertising.
To top off the advert, each floor leads you up and up toward the Gravity Bar. There you’ll be able to admire the panoramic views of the city and enjoy your sample of one of the Guinness brands, included in the price of your ticket. Don’t worry if a true Guinness, the creamy black stout, isn’t your thing. Guinness offer a ‘Black Velvet’ — a mix of prosecco and Guinness (unusual but surprisingly tasty and not one I’ve seen on cocktail menu’s elsewhere) or a nice Hop House lager. There should be something for everyone (soft drinks are an option of course also).
Tip: Even if you don’t drink beer but you do like a cocktail or wine-based drink, take a punt on the Black Velvet. It’s a totally different kind of cocktail!
Shopping in Dublin during your weekend stay
After sampling a Guinness brand in the heart of its homeland, head back into the city. Idle away a little time with a relaxed stroll around the shops — Grafton Street is the place to go.
Traditional Irish music
For an evening of Irish dancing and traditional music make sure to book a reservation in advance for the Church in Dublin. This restaurant and bar offers a unique dining, or nightclub, experience. The 17th century Church has been restored and given a new purpose. With an impressive bar making up the new centrepiece and the old organ visible at one end, this lofty space makes for a special meal out.
From Sunday to Wednesday they also offer free traditional Irish music and dancing. The band play for two hours giving an awesome backdrop to your dinner conversation. A pair of dancers will then come in and out throughout the show bringing you fast-paced, vibrant dancing to accompany the jolly tunes of Irish folk music.
The dancers are positioned on stage a few feet above the ground and nestled within the dining tables. For a truly authentic experience make sure to dine here. We loved it as an excuse to dress up a bit and enjoy each other’s company in this unique location. Jeans would be perfectly acceptable too. The food itself was nothing to write home about — a fairly standard cuisine. However, the atmosphere of it was all pretty magical. The Church felt like a haven in the midst of a busy Dublin city. It was cosy, despite the dreary Irish weather, and intimate as we were nestled on comfy chairs at small tables, just metres from the band and the dancers.
A bonus day for a long weekend in Dublin
For those of you with a little longer, but not too long, in Dublin and a desire to see something of the Irish countryside we’d recommend a day out and a walk from Bray to Greystone.
About 45 minutes by train from Dublin lies the seaside town of Bray. The coastal path to Greystone has some stunning scenery and will take a couple of hours to walk.
Start in Bray and follow the coast until you arrive in Greystone. The path is well marked and well maintained. So while I’d recommend you wear comfortable footwear, if the weather’s ok you shouldn’t need specialist hiking shoes.
Once you’ve arrived in Greystone either take the short train back to Bray and on to Dublin from there or follow the inland path and walk back. Each way should take 2.5 hours or so with the inland path a little hillier and perhaps a little longer.
Make sure to look at the inland views as well as those out to sea. You’ll see the Wicklow mountains and some of the gorgeous scenery of County Wicklow.
Grab a bite to eat at The Martello. We loved the food and the ambience. We were even joined by quite a few birds in this seaside spot.
For maps of the route and the latest information about the paths click here.
Where to visit beyond Dublin (top Irish sights)
- Galway — the gateway to the West and home of Irish music
- The Cliffs of Moher
- Cork — for the food and the city
- Connemara National Park — for hiking and gorgeous scenery
- Glendalough — for history, walking and the views
Practical information about your weekend in Dublin
- Book online before you go, especially during the uncertainty of covid. Many places require you to show your proof of vaccine and spaces may be limited. It pays to be prepared and not disappointed.
- If you’re making use of buses to get about make sure you have change — bus drivers won’t always be able to accept notes or card!
Places to stay
- For a cost-effective place to lay your head or somewhere close to the action of Temple Bar check out Abbey Court Hostel.
- For cost-effective but a little more private (ideal for couples) try Jacob’s Inn.
For a romantic getaway in an amazing location head over to Zanzibar Locke.
Other places of interest
If you’ve got some extra time or fancy mixing and matching your itinerary, here are a few other things to check out:
- If you’re a Park Run lover like me you’re in luck. At the time of writing, there are 9 Park Run’s in the wider Dublin area to choose from so you should be able to find something convenient from your location. Irish Park Run’s also start at the more leisurely time of 9.30 am so no need to miss that holiday lie in either!
- St Stephen’s Green for a pleasant stroll away from the main city
- Dublin Castle
- This 13th-century building is steeped in history — from the Vikings to the headquarters of the English, British and Irish governments.
- The National Museum of Ireland — Archeology
- The National Gallery
- The Irish MOMA
- Kilmainham Gaol — I would love to have visited but we couldn’t get tickets and should have booked way before our trip!
- Glasnevin Cemetery
- The seaside village of Howth where you can enjoy some fish from one of its many restaurants
- Dublin Zoo
- The National Leprechaun Museum
Originally posted on Sage Adventures travel & wellness lifestyle blog: www.sageadventres.co.uk.
