Things To Do In Dublin - See, Do, Eat, and Drink

Things to do in Dublin: Six Hotel Experiences in Ireland’s Capital City

Autumn is an ideal time to visit Dublin. Not only do the crowds disperse, but nature bursts into a tremulous display of shimmering hues.

Enjoy the changing colours against the crisp blue sky as you stroll the city’s parks and multicoloured streets, kicking the leaves as you make your way from one world-class attraction and historic landmark to the next.

So, to capitalise on this beautiful but brief time of year, make like a tree and leave for Dublin. Explore the distinct districts that give this fair city its unique charm and character.

The Liberties

Brimming with hidden churches and historical sites, antique shops, street markets, and independent businesses, the Liberties is one of Dublin’s oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods. Soaring steeples pierce the skyline, and the aroma of roasted barley perfumes the air – a fragrant reminder that this is the home of Guinness.

Stay: The Hyatt Centric is a modern hotel in the heart of this historic area. Staying here means you are just a short stroll along the cobblestones from the main sights.

Do: Follow the smell of the hops and barley to the Guinness Storehouse. This is not only one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ireland but also one of the leading tourist attractions in Europe. Inside, you’ll learn all about the history of the famous Irish stout. You’ll also sample some Irish food, and, of course, sink creamy, cold pints of Guinness. From The Gravity Bar, there are superb 360-degree views of Dublin. It is a great way to get the lay of the land and quench your thirst.

If the Guinness whets your whistle, enjoy a whiskey chaser with a visit to Teeling Whiskey. In 2015, Teelings became the first new distillery to open in the city in 125 years. Take a tour, enjoy a tasting and relax on the outdoor balcony with a drink when you’re done.

For a more sobering experience, visit St Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the country. Built between 1220 and 1260, this Dublin landmark has a magnificent interior. On a tour, you can admire the magnificent interior and learn about its history. Keep an eye out for ghosts, as rumour has it, spirits haunt this holy place. Read more: Haunted Places in Ireland.

From haunted places to Harry Potter, visit Marsh’s Library, the oldest public library in Ireland. You’ll find it just behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Wander around and admire the elegant dark oak bookcases filled with old books, complete with rolling ladders. It’s like something straight out of Hogwarts.

Kilmainham

Kilmainham is a historic Dublin district. National Heritage Sites and places of interest cram this area and are all within walking distance of each other. With plenty of parks, the Grand Canal, and the River Liffey flowing by, this is a beautiful area for a walk. It is particularly lovely in the autumn when golden-hued leaves carpet the streets.

Stay: Base yourself at the Hilton Hotel Kilmainham and you’ll be within easy walking distance of all the places of interest. Ask for a room on a high floor for panoramic views of the city and the adjacent parks.

Do: Fall in love with the glorious foliage in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens. This park on the banks of the River Liffey commemorates Irish soldiers who died in World War I and is a scenic place for a morning stroll.

Across from the Hilton Hotel is the marvellous Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), which is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham building, which was constructed in 1684. Wander the formal gardens before heading inside to see the latest exhibition, join a talk or workshop or just chill out in the cafe with coffee and cake.

Just across the road is Kilmainham Gaol, where many leaders of Irish rebellions were imprisoned and some executed. The gaol has also been used as a location for movies, including In The Name of the Father. It is now an engrossing museum on the history of Irish nationalism, with eye-opening exhibitions and guided tours of parts of the atmospheric building.

The Docklands

If your style is more jailhouse rock, then put on your blue suede shoes and dance down to The Docklands. This lively and rejuvenated part of the city is overflowing with waterside bars and restaurants, and creative spaces and venues where you can catch a show or the latest street art mural.

Stay: The strikingly modern Gibson Hotel has lovely views across Dublin Bay from the balcony of its Hemi Bar. Adorning the walls are artwork and memorabilia with a musical theme, in keeping with its location opposite The Point (aka the 3Arena).

Do: The Docklands dazzles from the water, so a kayaking trip down the Liffey is a great way to see the fascinating mix of modern and old architecture that lines the docks. You’ll also get to paddle under the famous O’Connell and Ha’penny bridges.

For another nautical attraction, climb aboard the Jeanie Johnston replica famine ship moored at Custom House Quay. On a tour, you’ll experience a Famine ship firsthand and meet the passengers from the past as knowledgeable guides and skilful storytellers bring history alive.

Ready for another epic journey? Across the road from the Jeanie Johnston, in the listed CHQ Building, is EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum. Explore what it means to be Irish with the fully interactive and engaging exhibits and discover the far-reaching influence of Irish history in this award-winning multi-media museum.

Northside Georgian Dublin

Some of the best-preserved old-style streets and Georgian buildings are found in the charismatic area around O’Connell Street. There is a particularly beautiful row of preserved houses on North Great George’s Street.

Stay: Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin is a landmark hotel in a historic building on O’Connell Street. You can’t get a better location if you want to be in the heart of the city centre action.

Do: Begin your Georgian journey on Henrietta Street, where you’ll find the most intact collection of early to mid-18th-century houses in the city. 14 Henrietta Street is an eye-opening tenement museum. During its time as a tenement house, up to 100 people lived inside.

For another slice of Georgian life, visit the Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square which is housed in a grand 18th-century building with most of its original features intact. Admire the architecture as well as the collections of artworks and Francis Bacon’s studio and archive.

The most famous Georgian building in the city is the General Post Office (GPO) on O’Connell Street, which once served as the headquarters of the leaders of the Easter Rising. The columns outside the building are scarred with bullet holes from the battles. Continue inside to the GPO Museum Witness History exhibition. This self-guided experience tells the story of the 1916 Easter Rising and takes you on an emotional journey through the personal stories of the many people who were affected.

The Grafton Quarter

“Grafton Street’s a wonderland. There’s magic in the air”.

The Grafton Quarter is Dublin’s premier shopping district. It is home to the city’s most iconic shopping spot, Brown Thomas, and a fantastic selection of designer, high-street, and independent boutiques. Grafton Street is so magical that there is even a song about it.

Stay: For a super chic getaway, stay at the glamorous five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel overlooking St Stephen’s Green. Book a room with a balcony to make the most of those beautiful views.

Do: Shop till you drop on Grafton Street, where you’ll find an overwhelming choice of places to splash the cash from Alexander McQueen to Zara and everything in between. When you need a little break, there are loads of cosy cafes, lively pubs and al fresco dining options down the side streets where you can refuel and refresh with delicious food and drink.

Done with the haute couture? It’s time for a little culture. Housed in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse, the Little Museum of Dublin tells the story of the capital through thousands of artefacts in less than 30 minutes. This is the perfect history lesson for those who are short on time or attention span.

Southside Georgian Dublin

The area around Trinity College is home to some elegant Georgian buildings and postcard-perfect streets with tall red-brick townhouses, wrought-iron-decorated windows, and colourful doors of Dublin just waiting to be photographed. The area is also home to the splendid St Stephen’s Green park, which is a riot of colour in the autumn months.

Stay: Buswells Hotel is a charming haven in a historic building that dates from the 1800s. Located across the road from Leinster House, the hotel has fireside armchairs perfect for cosying up on chilly evenings.

Do: National Gallery of Ireland is housed in a stunning building that dates back to the mid-1800s. Before you admire the artwork, take some time to appreciate the intricate ornamentation and the names of ancient Greek architects, sculptors and painters on the façade. Inside, there is a collection of around 14,000 European and Irish artworks including the wonderful Yeats Collection.

Across the road from the National Gallery of Ireland is the atmospheric cobble-stoned campus of Trinity College. Located in the Long Room, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, is the Book of Kells, one of the world’s greatest medieval treasures. Over half a million people a year come to see this decorative copy of the Gospels, but during the autumn months, the queues are shorter, so it’s a great time to visit this cultural treasure in the capital.

As you can see, there’s a lot to tempt you in the city this time of year. Whether you want to enjoy its engaging museums, explore its elegant Georgian streets, navigate its waterways or discover its distilling past and present, Dublin dazzles in the autumn months with lots to see and do and great places to stay.