Dublin attractions

Named after the patron saint of Normandy and built by the Normans at the turn of the 12th century, St. Audoen’s Church is one of the oldest medieval churches in Dublin. An often overlooked historical gem, the church—part of which lies in ruins and part of which has been restored—offers insight into life in medieval Dublin.

Once the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara (or Teamhair) in the Irish language) is a series of grassy mounds with panoramic views over the surrounding land in County Meath. Travel outside Dublin with a day trip to explore the Hill of Tara’s Neolithic burial mounds and passage tombs.

Visit the Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square to see more than 2,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art by renowned artists such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Manet. Simply the Hugh Lane to locals, the gallery is also home to a re-created studio of Francis Bacon, an Irish-born painter who earned international acclaim for his work.

Malahide Castle and Gardens is one of Ireland’s most easily accessible, important, and oldest castles. The crenelated site was in the hands of the Talbot family for almost 800 years before being sold to the state in 1975. Behind its sturdy stone exterior, the oldest parts of which date as far back as the 12th century, is an antique-rich interior, while the 260-acre (105-hectare) estate features walled gardens and glasshouses.

Sitting on the north bank of the River Liffey, the copper-domed neoclassical Dublin Custom House was erected in the 18th century as part of a city-wide project to enhance and beautify Dublin. Originally headquarters of the Commissioners of Custom and Excise, it now houses local government offices and a visitor center tracing the history of the building.

Tumbling an impressive 397 feet (121 meters) into scenic parkland, Powerscourt Waterfall is one of Ireland’s tallest falls. Nature trails lead through trees, including giant redwoods, that house a wealth of birdlife. The site also has a children’s playground, a snack kiosk in season, and restroom facilities.

Loughcrew Cairns—a series of Neolithic passage tombs scattered among the green hills of Ireland’s Boyne Valley—date back to about 3,000 BC. The Stone Age monuments are thought to have been used as burial sites and for ritual and ceremonial purposes. Though many are on private land, Cairn T is open to the public.

Established in 1757, Kilbeggan Distillery had a 50-year production pause before reopening in 2007. Set in a whitewashed, slate-roofed heritage building, the historic Irish whiskey distillery houses vintage equipment including an antique pot still and a waterwheel that once powered the distillery.

This discount designer outlet center is a favorite among fashion-conscious tourists, who can join shopping day trips from Dublin or Belfast to search for cut-price clothing, accessories, and homewares. With around 90 boutiques at the outdoor village-like complex, and a range of cafés and restaurants, Kildare Village attracts bargain hunters.

Comprising a procession of skeletal life-size bronze figures, the haunting Famine Memorial remembers the victims of the Great Irish Famine of 1845–1849. Over a million people died and more than a million more were forced to flee the country as a result of starvation and disease brought on by the failure of the potato crop.

The Abbey Theatre in Dublin opened in 1904 and has been making literary waves ever since. The 600-plus-seat national theater of Ireland has staged shows of all genres, notably pieces from traditional Irish writers, such as W. B. Yeats. Among its claims to fame: When J. M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World debuted in 1907, the audience rioted.

For a pastoral experience without having to venture far from the city, spend a few hours at Newbridge House and Farm. Explore the 30-acre (12-hectare) traditional farm and meet its charming residents, including pigs, Connemara ponies, chicks, and more. Then tour the house, one of Ireland’s finest examples of Georgian architecture.

One of seven fortified houses built by merchants in the Middle Ages when Dalkey served as Dublin’s main port, this 14th-century castle is the only one to survive fully intact. It now serves as a tourist attraction, with a heritage center, historical exhibits, costumed actors, and a gallery showcasing Dalkey’s literary connections.

Learn about famous Irish writer James Joyce and see panoramic views across Dublin Bay during a visit to the James Joyce Tower in Sandycove. This landmark is featured in Joyce’s novel Ulysses and today the tower is home to a museum that showcases letters, photographs, and other personal possessions from Joyce.

Two windmills and a watermill make up the historical site of Skerries Mills in North County Dublin. Though not far from Dublin, Skerries Mills offers a radically different atmosphere: think rolling green hills that encapsulate the signature beauty of the Irish countryside. A popular coastal day trip from Dublin, Skerries Mills also lures visitors with its bakery and local craft shop.

Set within the 82,300-capacity Croke Park stadium, the GAA Museum is devoted to Gaelic games and the role of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Irish life. Exhibits, audiovisual displays, and interactive zones introduce visitors to Gaelic football and hurling, a fast-paced game played with a hurley (stick) and a sliotar (ball).

A short hop from Dublin, Avoca is a picturesque riverside hamlet and the base of the historic Avoca Handweavers, who have been operating from a riverside mill here since 1723. The charming appearance of the village—with its cottages and hilly green backdrop—has lured in filming crews, with BBC soap Ballykissangel having been filmed here.

Once part of the Guinness family estate, the 240-acre (97-hectare) St. Anne's Park in north Dublin is dotted with pretty water features and follies. Much loved and often frequented by those who live nearby, St. Anne’s also offers tennis courts, a par-3 golf course, extensive rose gardens, an arboretum, and woodland and sea-view walking paths.

During its 200 years of operation, Wicklow Gaol earned a reputation as one of the most brutal and barbaric institutions in Ireland. Visitors to the jail learn about the lives of prisoners, who were persecuted under anti-Catholic penal laws and were forced to endure harsh punishments and squalid conditions.

Home to more than 12 million items, including ancient manuscripts, the National Library of Ireland is a grand 19th-century building with a much-photographed rotunda. Most travelers come to admire the airy Main Reading Room with its domed stucco ceiling, which featured in James Joyce’s groundbreaking Ulysses.

A visit to Aviva Stadium will give you a feel for Irish people’s passion for sport. Join about 50,000 other fans for a rugby match or football (soccer) game at this stadium on Lansdowne Road. If sport isn’t your thing, come for a concert; big name acts such as Rihanna and Michael Jackson have performed at Aviva Stadium.

A galaxy of Irish and international stars have laid down tracks at Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Dublin’s answer to London’s Abbey Road Studios. A visit here means following in the footsteps of U2, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, the Cranberries, and Elvis Costello, not to mention the Rolling Stones, 50 Cent, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and Ed Sheeran.

Ireland’s capital city is an important stop for cruise liners on round-the-world, transatlantic, and European routes. Not only do cruisers disembarking at Dublin Cruise Port have easy access to all of the city’s top sights—from Dublin Castle to Trinity College and the Book of Kells—but they can also head to day-trip destinations outside the capital.

Housed in a meticulously restored Georgian townhouse, the James Joyce Centre museum is devoted to one of Ireland’s greatest literary figures. The house once hosted the dance academy of Denis Maginni, a minor character in Joyce’sUlysses, and now showcases Joycean artifacts including furniture from his Paris apartment and displays on his life and writings.

The Ha'penny Bridge was the very first iron bridge in Dublin, built particularly for pedestrians to easily cross the River Liffey to reach the other side of the city. The bridge is not only useful, but quite beautiful—both during the day and the nighttime—drawing those who want to see it up close and get great photos, too.

George’s Street Arcade is one of Dublin’s oldest shopping destinations. Dating back to 1881, this enclosed Victorian market is home to a fantastic range of independent boutiques, as well as market stalls selling vintage clothing, jewelry, rare books, old records, collectables, and souvenirs. There are plenty of places to eat, with everything from pizzas, falafels, veggies burgers, and cocktails.

A symbol of Dublin’s hope for the future, and a landmark in its own right, the Spire is a tapering pinnacle that soars over the city, higher than an NFL football field is long. During the day, it gently reflects the hustle and bustle of vibrant O’Connell Street; by night, the slender summit gleams with thousands of points of light, making it a beacon for the city.

Castletown House is a destination for architecture and history buffs. This Palladian country manor in County Kildare was built during the 1720s and is located on a 550-acre (222-hectare) estate of sprawling grounds and riverside walks, about 45 minutes west of Dublin. Today the mansion hosts art exhibitions as well as guided visitors.

Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde is commemorated in the heart of Dublin with this sculpture, depicting the writer lounging on a boulder within the scenic environment of a public park called Merrion Square—across the street from his childhood home. The statue includes inscriptions of his poems, and is one of several landmarks dedicated to the city’s literary heritage, including the nearby Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI).

Extending for 79 miles (127 kilometers), this long-distance trail is one of Ireland’s best known walking routes. Wicklow Way starts in suburban south Dublin and cuts through scenic Wicklow Mountains National Park, leading past waterfalls, lakes, farmland, bogs, mountains, and glacial valleys, including the monastic ruins of Glendalough.