Things To Do & Try in Dublin

People’s opinions differ wildly throughout the world and whether it be football teams, musical heroes or perish the thought, political persuasions, people will argue their case till they’re blue in the face. However, in Ireland, and especially so in Dublin, there’s one thing everyone loves, absolutely and without exception and even by...READ MORE

Dublin is a city famed for many things! It’s universally known as a great party city but it also comes with a fine and proud literary past. Joyce, Swift, Wilde and Stoker are just a few of the writers whose works were inspired by times they spent in the Irish capital. Today the links with the written word continue through the sale of great works in...READ MORE

Shopping abroad is governed by one of those unwritten rules in life – like if you’re given a cream cake while you’re dieting then the fact you didn’t buy it means it’s clearly calorie-free! Similarly, whenever you are abroad you can go out and buy that expensive item you have been longing for but felt too guilty to buy when at home...READ MORE

The Irish are quite proud of their crafts and many houses are decorated with a multitude of quaint little examples of folk art.  Buying a few of pieces for yourself might be one of the best ways of taking a little piece of Ireland back home with you.  READ MORE

As you may imagine, Dublin is chock-full of souvenir shops. However, what may catch you off guard is that unlike souvenir shops that you may find in other countries, in Dublin they will be stocked with the most innovative and fascinating items imaginable. READ MORE

Dublin contains a great many cinemas that you can visit.  Some, like the seven-screen Ormonde Cinema, have been around since the 1950s, while others are brand new. It might sound crazy – but sometimes it may happen that you get a sudden hankering to hit the cinema.   READ MORE

If you need to catch a taxi you will find that they abound in good supply in Dublin.  However they are not normally stopped in the street and you’ll usually find them waiting for fares at taxi stands near hotels, train and bus stations, and central spots such as Trinity College and O’Connell Street. READ MORE

If you’re a fan of live music, then you’re really going to be in your element while in Dublin. Whether you prefer a mega-massive concert with an all-star line-up, or if an intimate gig by an up-and-coming musician is more your style, you’re sure to find it all at Dublin.   READ MORE

If you were to visit London, then one of the things you might be told to try is take tea at the Ritz. Those advising you would be right, for it is a fine tradition and a memorable experience. The down side is it’ll set you back £42 each and you’re off to Dublin! Do not despair because here you have coffee at Bewley’s, which is an equally...READ MORE

If you’re the type of person who likes to go abroad to catch up with your shopping, then Dublin will provide you with many opportunities to stock up on your wardrobe and shoe closet. Dublin has two main shopping arteries – one on either side of the river Liffey.    READ MORE

Can you imagine leaping over the waves in Dublin Bay with this fantastic city as a backdrop?  If you’re a keen windsurfer or would simply wish to try it out, Dublin will provide you with a treat to satisfy your need for excitement. READ MORE

Everywhere you go in Dublin you’re going to find it. In hotels, bars and restaurants all around the city, the merry sounds of fiddle, tambourine and piano accordion will echo out into the streets and bring an automatic smile to your face. READ MORE

Dublin’s liveliest nightlife area is the Temple Bar district and it’s there that you’ll find the heaviest concentration of restaurants, pubs and young tourists. It's a veritable hive of activity and a place that you can always be sure of something entertaining going on. READ MORE

It’s a cliché and a stereotype, but just because it isn’t fair to say that Dublin is full of drunks, doesn’t mean that you yourself cannot go and get completely plastered. (Please note that 101Dublin does not in anyway condone excessive drinking on a regular basis. Just Weekends). READ MORE

The Celts adorned their bodies with intricate tattoos to declare their pride in their heritage and culture while also intimidating their enemies.  However, you don’t need to be of Celtic descent to appreciate the elaborate knot-work of a good Celtic tattoo. READ MORE

An essential feature for any European capital, little or large, is a good shopping district - a few streets of well-stocked stores with gorgeous window displays hinting at even more treats within. Well it's fair to say that Dublin is exceptionally well-endowed in that respect. READ MORE

With such a large amount of enthusiastic and energetic people all eager to party in the proper Irish way, it may come as no surprise to know that the club culture in Dublin is strongly developed.    READ MORE

Many fishing enthusiasts go to Dublin with that purpose in mind and sea-fishing excursions can be organised in several places such as Dalkey, Dún Laoghaire, and Howth. All are easy to reach from central Dublin thanks to the DART service.  READ MORE

Shopping is the last thing on your mind when you’re planning a trip to Dublin. However there’s more to this Irish capital then just pubs and pubs and even more pubs. One can find a good selection of shops including some well known brand names so you can shop to your heart’s content. READ MORE

Discover the heart of Ireland in Dublin. From little ornaments to traditional Irish music and various little mementos for old, young and in betweens you will surely find something special. READ MORE

By far the best way to explore Dublin is to put on a pair of comfortable shoes and just set out with a good city map. The Dublin city-centre is of a comfortably modest size, meaning that the majority of the city’s highlights are within walking distance from one another.  READ MORE

As one could expect, Dublin is positively brimming with churches – from quaint corner chapels, to imposing and sprawling cathedrals. If you enjoy visiting churches, then Dublin is definitely the right place for you to go on a little pilgrimage. READ MORE

You’ll be hard-pressed to enjoy a better night out at any other city than Dublin as it boasts a great tradition of reputable and stylish pubs. All right, so technically the word ‘craic’ isn’t a traditional Irish word since it was coined in the 1970s by changing the spelling of the English word ‘crack’. READ MORE

The Dublin Viking Adventure enables you to board a Viking trade ship and negotiate the stormy seas while braving the inclement weather to explore Dublin Docks as they once were ten centuries ago. READ MORE

If you happen to be in Dublin on St. Stephen’s Day (26th December), you should seriously consider joining the horseracing fans in placing a wager on their favourite horse. This would be the first day of the race meeting and the competition is fierce as these National Hunt races are a preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. READ MORE

Dublin’s theatrical scene is vibrant and generally avant-garde as classic revivals are combined with experimental stage-work. Difficult as it may be to conceive, after soaking up the pub atmosphere for long enough, it is possible for one to eventually seek alternative options when planning out the evening. READ MORE

If you’re taking your kids with you on holiday then you’ll be constantly on the lookout to find them something to do.  After all, there are few things more annoying than a bored child.  If you multiply that by two or three, then you’re in for a pretty miserable time indeed.  READ MORE

One of the many wonderful things about Ireland is that just about everyone you’ll meet seems to be a comedian. The Irish generally enjoy a good laugh and can be very entertaining in conversation – especially after a couple of pints – so you can imagine what their comedians must be like. READ MORE

Concerts in the park are a great way for travellers to enjoy a good taste of Irish fun while also getting the opportunity to meet locals and fellow tourists alike with similar tastes as yours. READ MORE

They say that in Dublin’s fair city the girls are so pretty.  Well the golf courses aren’t bad either.  In fact, Dublin is home to some of the world’s finest golf courses, so why not take up the challenge while also enjoying the breathtaking scenery? READ MORE

Part of the charm of Dublin is the rolling greenery right on the city’s doorstep – making a sharp but pleasant contrast with the hustle and bustle of the city itself. To get to these places, a car is all but essential. READ MORE

Ireland is also known as the Land of the Horse, so it isn’t surprising to see that horse riding venues abound.  In Dublin you’ll find a wealth of horse riding schools that will present you with a pleasant day spent riding a horse in the lush countryside just outside the city.  READ MORE

If you’re the sporty type and include exercise as a part of your daily routine, the Dublin City marathon is the ideal adventure were you can keep that heartbeat going strong and get down to some serious sightseeing at the same time. READ MORE

The story of Molly Malone is hardly an epic.  A fishmonger of admirable proportions by day, Molly sold her wares by pushing her wheelbarrow all over Dublin.  However during the night she was also a prostitute – and a successful one at that.  READ MORE

This may sound painful, but it’s not – actually it’s very convenient. The Dublin Area Rapid Transit (DART) is Dublin city’s electrified train service and apart from being an easy and cost-effective way of getting around, it is also known for being punctual and very quick – particularly as it bypasses the busy Dublin traffic. ...READ MORE

If you really fancy a swim in the open sea, you’re definitely not going to let few goose-bumps stand in your way. When compared to the Mediterranean and other more temperate seas, Irish Sea is perhaps not the best place to take a dip on account of it being quite cold. However, it IS possible to swim here! . READ MORE

Many tourist agencies provide some highly entertaining and informative tours that focus on diverse aspects of Dublin. Not all people have an adventurous spirit and enjoy branching out on their own to explore a foreign city.  Others may wish to be more economical with their time and so be directed straight to the attractions. READ MORE

Sea tours are quite popular with tourists and if you’re up for a spot of sailing, why not put on a life vest and join in the fun?Since there’s so much to see and do in Dublin, sometimes it’s easy to forget that Dublin is a coastal city and that another world is waiting for you to explore it on its Eastern side. READ MORE

What better excuse to go to Dublin than under the premise of studying something? While studying in Dublin, you can make the most out of its lifestyle while leaving everyone back at home in awe of your scholarly ambitions.  If you’re lucky, you might even learn a thing or two in the process as well.  READ MORE

The Major Toy and Train Collectors’ Fair in Dublin is a must-see for young and old alike. Here, the older generation is taken back to its youthful days, with toys, trains, comics and TV/Film annuals dating back to the forties. READ MORE

If you’re looking for that ideal Christmas present that’s both artistic and original, you should definitely stop by at the Royal Dublin Society’s annual craft fair, where around 450 craftspeople, artists and designers from all over the country gather up to display their wares such us lighting, pottery, glass, rugs, knitwear, and jewellery. READ MORE

In the spring of 1742, German-born composer George Frideric Händel sat down at a harpsichord in Neal’s Music Hall in Dublin’s medieval Fishamble Street and led the debut performance of his now famous oratorio 'Messiah'.  Since then, Dublin has held a strong affinity with opera and if you love the genre or are simply trying to...READ MORE

A day at the track is an excellent day out, even if you've no interest in horseracing or betting.  Horse racing is a very popular past time in Ireland, and you too will be caught up in its flair as soon as you enter a race course. READ MORE

Each European city is besotted with football (or soccer as some others may refer to it) and Dublin is no exception. The city is home to no less than six football teams: Shelbourne FC, Bohemians FC, St Patricks Athletic FC, Shamrock Rovers FC, the University College of Dublin (UCD), and Dublin City FC. READ MORE

If you’re a rugby fan, an important rugby match can cap off a perfect holiday.  On the other hand if you don’t know much about rugby, Dublin’s an ideal place where you can get acquainted with this sport that can make grown men (and women) go completely insane. READ MORE