A Visitor’s Guide to Dublin

My name is Katherine, I am an intern at DublinTown from the US. Over the course of four months, I have been living here, studying here, and exploring the city of Dublin. While I obviously have not been able to see everything this city has to offer, I have found some favorites that I would recommend to anyone visiting whether for just a short period of time or living here longer term. This is my visitor’s guide to Dublin: 

Things to do and see: 

• The General Post Office was the historic sight of the 1916 Easter Rising and today features the GPO Museum, an immersive and interactive experience of the Easter Rising and Irish History. The museum is extremely informative and the GPO in general is a must-see sight. Be sure to look closely at the front of the building where you can still see the bullet holes from the Easter Rising.  
• The Irish Whiskey Museum is a deep dive into Irish Whiskey history outlining the brands and events that made Irish Whiskey into what it is today. Complete with a tasting of three different whiskeys, this experience allows you to learn a lot about Irish Whiskey as a whole.  
• College Green is the area that houses the Irish Whiskey Museum, Trinity College, and the Bank of Ireland, formerly the first purpose-built two-chamber parliament house, as well as many shops and cafes. This historic area features many beautiful buildings and is worth a wander through to take in the history and general ambiance.  
• O’Connell Street is home to numerous sculptures and monuments, including The Spire, as well as the General Post Office. I recommend checking it out for the history but also all the amazing shops and restaurants. 
• Dublin is full of so many great sights and whether you are here for just a few days or a while a DoDublin Hop-on Hop-off tour is a great way to see them all. The bus starts from O’Connell St and takes you to popular attractions such as Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse, the National museums, and Dublin Castle. You get to see all the top sights and can get on and off the bus at any stop to explore more. 

Food: 

• Insomnia and Caffe Nero are chains throughout Dublin with great coffee, pastries, and breakfast options. 
• The Bagel Bar Coffee House has delicious bagel sandwiches making it a great option for breakfast or lunch. 
• Arnotts is a department store on Henry St that features a selection of restaurants and cafes including Itsa Bagel, Brother Hubbard, and Griolladh. It’s the perfect place to stop in for a meal and some shopping.  
• If you are looking for an upscale meal out WILDE and Pichet are both phenomenal options.  
  • WILDE serves classic cuisine from around the world highlighting seasonal Irish produce. The restaurant is inspired by 1930s elegance and added greenery makes it feel like you are dining outside.  
  • Pichet has been awarded a Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide for 14th years running, receiving its first one just six months after opening. They combine locally inspired dishes with a French twist to create a modern take on classic bistro. 

Drinks: 

• If you are looking for a traditional Irish Pub experience The Flowing Tide, Madigan’s Pub, and The Swan Bar are all great options. The Flowing Tide is one of Dublin’s oldest and best-known pubs, Madigan’s is a great place to catch some live Irish Music on the weekends, and The Swan Bar is deeply rooted in rugby history if you happen to be able to catch a game.  
• The Grand Central is a bar right off O’Connell, formerly a bank, it’s worth a visit both for the beautiful interior and the amazing pints. 
• JD Wetherspoons’ The Silver Penny is the perfect place for anyone looking for inexpensive drinks with pints as low as €3. It’s a great place to start a night out or for anyone who wants good drinks at a low price.  

Sweets: 

• Dublin has an array of decadent donuts, The Rolling Donut, The Hot Donut, and Off Beat Donut are just a few and are all delicious options. Whether looking for a quick snack or an after-meal treat, any of these donuts are always an amazing option.  
• Started in County Kerry, Murphy’s Ice Cream has spread throughout Ireland including a location on Wicklow Street. With interesting flavors such as Irish brown bread, Chocolate Whiskey, and Irish Cream Liqueur it is the perfect sweet treat.  

Shopping: 

• George’s Street Arcade is one of Europe’s oldest city markets. It features many boutique shops and stalls as well as dining a food options. It is an amazing option for anything from clothing and jewelry to souvenirs and collectables.  
• Powerscourt Centre is a former townhouse turned into a shopping center and is worth the visit for the beautiful building and its history alone. It now features many shops, restaurants, and galleries.  
• St Stephen’s Green, Grafton St and Henry St are all great places to go for the brands you love. Grafton St and Henry St are Dublin’s principal shopping streets and feature stores from Carroll’s Irish Gifts and Lush to Brown Thomas and Levi’s. St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is a beautiful indoor shopping center made mostly of glass and gets its name from St Stephen’s Green the park across the street. The park is also worth visiting for the historic statues and monuments as well as the calm green oasis in the middle of city center.