Trinity College is a beautiful campus to stroll through, near St. Stephen's Green in central Dublin. If you're interested in going inside the library to view the Book of Kells, you'll have to buy tickets in advance online. However, even just the outside grounds of the campus are lovely, especially on a sunny summer day.
St. Stephen's Green is a public park and garden square walking distance from Trinity College and Grafton Street. When the weather is nice, you'll see plenty of people strolling along the paved path through the park, feeding the ducks, or having a picnic.
The Bank Pub is a former Victorian Era banking hall, built in 1892. The Bank on College Green reopened in 2003, after being converted into a restaurant and bar. The food is a bit pricey for the quality, but we recommend stopping in for a drink to explore this ornate and historic bar.
The National Gallery is the perfect free activity for a rainy day in Dublin! Check out the National Portrait Collection to see familiar faces like Bono, Graham Norton, and Maeve Binchy.
While EPIC is located a bit further from central Dublin and Templebar, north of the River Liffey, it is only a 5 minute walk from Connolly Train Station. EPIC is interactive and quite thorough - you can spend many hours exploring the all aspects of the Irish emigration experience. Be sure to book tickets online ahead of time!
Dublin is famous for its Guinness! Book tickets for the self-guided tour online ahead of time. A ticket for the Guinness Storehouse tour also includes admission to the Gravity Bar, overlooking all of Dublin!
Curious about Jameson Irish Whiskey? Tour the distillery to learn how it gets made and taste complimentary samples along the way. Book tickets online ahead of time.
Located in central Dublin's Templebar neighorhood, Church Bar is precisely what it sounds like - a former 18th Century church restored and converted into a bar. Live traditional Irish music and dancing every evening at 6:30 pm. The stained glass windows, church organ, and live performances create a unique ambiance that make this cozy, historic bar a perfect stop on your trip to Dublin.
The Cobblestone is a classic Dublin pub, with live music every day! While the Templebar neighborhood is more expensive and primarily frequented by tourists, you'll find The Cobblestone packed with Dublin locals, giving you the authentic Irish pub experience.
Darkey Kelly's is another classic Dublin pub and restaurant, with a patio outside and live music inside!
If you're spending a longer stay in Dublin, consider a day trip to nearby Howth. Roughly a 30 minute ride on the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) train will get you to this cliffside village on the coast. You can browse the vendors or grab a snack at the Howth Market, while strolling through the small town and enjoying the natural scenery. (Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!)