Howth is a small fishing village on the Howth Peninsula and is one of Dublin’s suburbs. We visited this place in August 2022, so we got a good idea on How to Spend a Perfect Day in Howth, Ireland!
Howth was first mentioned in the 11th century, when Norse Vikings lived here, before the Anglo-Normans took over Ireland in 1169. Ever since the 14th century, Howth has been a minor trading port.
Today Howth is a popular spot with Dubliners and tourists, especially in the summer months.
They like to escape the busy city life, eat fresh seafood, soak up the sun by one of Howth’s picturesque beaches, or hike up the amazing Howth Cliff Walk and enjoy the best views of Dublin Bay.
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Things to See and Do
Hike Up the Howth Cliff Walk
Let’s start with Howth’s Top Attraction for outdoor fans: The Howth Cliff Walk! Depending on your fitness level and how much time you have, there are five trails to choose from. No matter which one you take, you’ll be guaranteed stunning views of Dublin Bay!
The Howth Summit Walk
The Howth Summit Walk is the easiest and shortest trail around the cliffs of Howth. It starts at the Howth Summit Cliff Walk parking lot. Just turn right at the Summit Inn (13 Thormanby Rd, Howth, Dublin 13, D13 XK50, Ireland).
The local buses #6 and #H3 can take you from the DART Train Station to Howth Summit (stop 567) as well (7 to 9 minutes).
The walk takes around 1.5 hours to complete. There’s not much incline, so it’s perfect for people who like to go for walks, but aren’t into anything crazy, lol!
This is the trail we took. If you need to refuel before the hike, stop atBailey Brew Coffee(The Summit Car Park, 1 Bailey Green Rd, Howth, Summit, Co. Dublin, D13 EP11, Ireland) right next to the parking lot!
The Black Linn Loop (The Red Route)
This moderate hike (8 km/4.9 miles) takes about 2.5 hours. The Black Linn Loop goes by Howth Harbour, Balscadden Bay, the Nose of Howth, and the Deer Park Golf Course.
The Bog of Frogs Loop (The Purple Route)
If you like a challenge, go for The Bog of Frogs Loop, the longest and most difficult trail in Howth! It’s 12 km (7.4 miles) long, lasts around 3 hours, and goes up to an ascent of 240 meters (787 ft).
The Bog of Frogs Loop takes you all the way to Bailey Lighthouse, Doldrum Bay, and Red Rock (a popular photo spot).
The Howth Cliff Path Loop (The Green Route)
The Howth Cliff Path Loop is a moderate trail that lots of people choose. Why? Well, it’s shorter than the other three (6 km/3.7 miles) and its ascent is at 130 meters (426 ft). So it’s perfect if you’re in Howth for the day and/or short on time!
You’ll walk by Balscadden Bay, the Nose of Howth, and the Deer Park Golf Course, all while being rewarded with magnificent coastal views! If you feel like walking a bit longer, Bailey Lighthouse is not too far away from the usual route.
A part of The Howth Cliff Path Loop and Bailey Lighthouse. Photo by Elliot Voilmyon Unsplash.
The Tramline Loop (The Blue Route)
Finally, there’s The Tramline Loop. It’s perfect for hikers with a moderate fitness level, as it’s 7 km (4.3 miles) long and takes about two hours to complete.
All trails (except for the Howth Summit Walk) start and finish at the DART Howth Train Station (Howth Rd, Howth, Dublin, Ireland). Just follow the red, purple, blue, or green arrows (depending on the trail) and you’re on the right track! There’s a large parking lot near the train station as well.
I highly recommend bringing water, snacks, good walking shoes, and sunscreen for hiking any of these trails. Besides, there are no railings next to the cliffs edge and it can be quite windy thanks to the trails being right next to the sea.
You can find a map of any of the trails in this post by The Irish Road Trip.
Relax at Claremont Beach for a While
After all this exercise, you deserve a break at Claremont Beach! It’s only a few minutes from the DART Howth Train Station and thanks to its large size, it wasn’t crowded during our visit. In fact, Claremont Beach was one of our favourite beaches during our Ireland trip!
This sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, reading, going for a swim, building sandcastles, looking for shells, or walking around during low tide. You might even stumble upon some jellyfish laying in the sand!
The eye-catching street art next to the beach was cool as well.
There’s a lifeguard station at Claremont Beach during the summer months only. Lifeguards are on duty from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturdays and Sundays in June and every day from July to August.
Visit the Howth Lighthouse
Another great attraction to visit in Howth is the quaint Howth Lighthouse. It marks the entry to Howth Harbour and was completed in 1817. The lighthouse is 10 meters (32 feet) high. Behind the lighthouse is a busy fishing port and a big marina.
Same as lots of other people, we sat on the steps by Howth Lighthouse and listened to a busking musician while watching the Irish Sea for a while. He was very good and had chosen a perfect spot to entertain us!
Walk around Howth Harbour
Only a few steps further, you can’t miss the rather small, but very picturesque Howth Harbour! It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, and there are several seafood restaurants if you’re looking for a bite to eat!
Once you reach the end of the pier, take a few minutes to watch out for grey seals hanging out in the harbour basin, and admire the view of the Irish Sea and the island of Ireland’s Eye!
Finally, there’s a stonemason with the imprinted footprints of King George IV near the quay wall at the entrance to Howth Harbour. He was the King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1820-1830 and visited Howth on August 12, 1821.
More Things to See and Do in Howth
If you have more time in Howth, here are few other attractions that sound pretty awesome:
Take a Ferry out to Ireland’s Eye
If you’re bursting with curiosity about Ireland’s Eye now, then keep on reading!
Ireland’s Eye is famous for its wildlife, in particular a seabirdsanctuary that’s protected by the EU Habitats Directives. Puffins, gannets, seagulls, guillemots, and more call this place home. Besides, you might spot grey seals, porpoises, dolphins, and even whales on your way to the island!
You can hop on a ferry from the West Pier at Howth Harbour to Ireland’s Eye, which only takes about 15 minutes! You can choose between three companies to take you there and back:
Dublin Bay Cruises. It departs at 2:15 pm from April to September (Friday-Sunday only). The trip takes around 60 minutes and the cost is 20 € per person.
Ireland’s Eye Ferries. This local company offers small group boat tours to Ireland’s Eye. The cost is 25 € for adults and 15 € for students and children.
Island Ferries. This family owned company is the only one of the three that allows guests to step out on Ireland’s Eye. You can book tours from April to October at 24 € for adults and 14 € for children (3-15 years). Dogs are welcome as well!
Here’s a promotional video of Ireland’s Eye Ferries:
If you’re into museums, check out Ye Olde Hurdy-Gurdy of Vintage Radio Museum inside the Martello Tower. It used to be a lookout for an expected Napoleonic attack in 1805. The museum exhibits display the story of telecommunication from the 1840s to the present day.
You can also look at examples of early Morse equipment, gramophones, crystal sets, and valve radios! Besides, you’ll see music boxes, posters, photographs, telegrams, batteries, needle boxes, early TVs, stamps, household items and more!
The museum is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm.
Browse around Howth Market
Address: 3A Harbour Road, Howth, Co Dublin, Ireland
Wanna stock up on tasty food and grab some Irish souvenirs? Then don’t miss Howth Market across from the DART Howth Train Station. It’s one of Ireland’s leading markets and while retail shops are open daily, up to 25 stalls are open on weekends and bank holidays from 9 am to 6 pm.
Here you’ll find baked goods, jewelry, fresh fruit and veggies, gifts, antiques, gelato, clothing, and Irish and international foods!
Where to Stay in Howth
If you’re staying in Howth overnight, I recommend booking a room at the King Sitric Guesthouse (6 E Pier, Howth, Dublin, D13 F5C6, Ireland) in the town centre, which is only minutes away from restaurants and Howth Harbour.
Our room was rather small but cozy and quiet, and we loved the maritime décor, especially the red lobster pillows! They have amazing ocean views as well. The King Sitric Guesthouse also wants to be as sustainable as possible by not wasting food and filtering and carbonating their water.
A tasty a-la-carte breakfast was included, and they are proud of their Seafood Bar on the ground floor. In the summer months, you can also eat outside on the terrace or at one of their beach huts. The majority of the local seafood (lobster, crab, mussels, oysters, etc.) is caught daily at Dublin Bay.
The King Sitric Guesthouse from the outside and our cozy room.
Where to Eat & Drink in Howth
If seafood or fish is your thing, then Howth is THE place to go! There are several restaurants around downtown Howth that specialize in this food.
We had dinner at The Bloody Stream, a traditional Irish pub next to the DART Howth Train Station. While their menu features lots of seafood (e.g. mussels, prawns, fish cakes, and oysters), you can also go for steak, veggie burgers and regular burgers, or Beef & Guinness Pie!
My mom tried their Fish’n’Chips and I went for the Halloumi Veggie Burger. Both were super yummy! Besides, we loved the cozy and rustic vibe inside, which matches perfectly with the old fashioned décor and open turf fireplace! There’s also an outdoor beer garden and live music on a regular basis.
We also stopped for a break at Insomnia Coffee Company (10 Harbour Rd, Howth, Dublin, D13 EN24, Ireland), a popular Irish coffee shop chain. They are known for their fair trade coffee and tea, pastries, and sandwiches.
How to Get to Howth from Dublin
Howth is only 15 km (9.3 miles) from Dublin, so getting there is a piece of cake! It only takes about 30 minutes from Connolly Station in downtown Dublin on the DART train to the Howth DART Train Station. The DART train goes very often as well.
You can also take bus #6 or bus #H3 from the Busáras Central Bus Station in Dublin to Howth Summit, which is only a few steps from the Howth DART Train Station. This trip takes about 35 to 50 minutes.
If you have a car, just follow the R803, R807, and R105 roads from Dublin to Howth along the coastline (about 25 minutes, depending on traffic).
The Best Time to Visit Howth
On average, you’ll experience the best weather in Howth during the summer months (June-August), but this is when Howth is at its busiest! We stayed here on a weekday, so it’s wasn’t too bad, but I imagine Howth is a lot busier on weekends.
May and September are great months to visit if you’d like to avoid the crowds, but want to take advantage of everything Howth has to offer. That’s when prices might be lower as well.
Howth is open year-round, but there’s a chance that some amenities are closed during the winter and fall months and in early spring. It might get very windy then, but there will be way less people around.
Conclusion
No matter the reason and time of the year, Howth is always worth a visit! Our favourite things to do were the Howth Summit Walk, then relaxing at Claremont Beach, hanging out by Howth Lighthouse, and eating the delicious dinner at The Bloody Stream. The locals were super welcoming as well!
So hopefully this post on How to Spend a Perfect Day in Howth, Ireland was helpful to you!
Traveling around Ireland for a while? Then check out these posts:
Killarney is a town in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland. It’s been one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions for more than 250 years.
Nowadays, more than a million people visit this place every year and it’s known as Ireland’s Adventure Capital. The town of Killarney is inside Killarney National Park, which is Ireland’s largest national park. Killarney also the starting point to the famous Ring of Kerry route!
I spent 3 days in this region in August 2022 and can’t wait to share my 3-Day Travel Guide for Killarney, Ireland, with you!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park was established in 1932 and is also Ireland’s oldest national park. This area covers 26,000 acres that includes ancient oak and yew woodlands, mountain peaks, high crags, moors, and the three lakes of Killarney (Lough Leane/Lower Lake, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake).
The lakes make up a quarter of Killarney National Park and the only wild red deer herd of Ireland has been living here since the last Ice Age! The national park became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981.
Beautiful Muckross Lake.
Popular things to do are hiking, biking, kayaking and Stand-Up paddle boarding on the lakes, and climbing Ireland’s highest mountain range, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. You can also book adventure packages or tours, e.g. a Gap of Dunloe boat trip & hiking tour, horseback riding tours, or rent a bike.
Other people come here for golfing, fishing, or abseiling in the Gap of Dunloe valley. If you’re adventurous, you can hike Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak, at 1,040 meters (3,407 ft)! Killarney National Park also has many walking trails for all abilities to offer.
There’s no fee for entering or parking inside Killarney National Park.
Ross Castle
Address: Ross Rd, Ross Island, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 V304
Ross Castle was built in the 15th century and was the home of the O’Donoghue family. It’s right next to Lough Leane, Killarney National Park’s largest lake.
It’s free to walk around the castle and hang out by the lake. Or you can book a 45-minute guided tour for 5 EUR from early March to late October.
Muckross House, a Victorian mansion was completed in 1843 for the wealthy Herbert family, and has 65 rooms. Inside tours can be booked year-round at 9 EUR per adult.
Muckross House was polished up with new dishes and furniture, and curtains in the dining room before Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861. They were commissioned and woven in Paris.
These, as well as 70 % of other objects displayed at Muckross House, are original. It’s on the shores of Muckross Lake, so a great view is guaranteed!
After your visit, grab some souvenirs at the Mucros Craft Shop, wander around Muckross Gardens, and chill for a bit at the Garden Restaurant. All of these are only steps away from Muckross House.
Muckross Traditional Farms
Step back in time to the Ireland of the 1930’s and 1940’s at Muckross Traditional Farms and learn how the farming community lived on Muckross Estate. There are three working farms and workers’ cottages with traditional furniture, machinery, and cute farm animals!
Tours are available from March until October only, at 9 EUR per adult and 6 EUR for children/youth 18 years and under. Combinations tickets for the farms and Muckross House are available, too.
Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is in the middle of the national park, hidden inside a forest. The waterfall is about 20 meters (65 ft) high and two car parks are nearby. One is only 5 minutes away and the other one involves a hike of about 20 minutes.
We choose the second option, as we enjoy light hiking and admiring the gorgeous scenery. If you’d like to keep moving, you can climb up the stairs after the waterfall as well.
Ladies View
Don’t miss the breathtaking Ladies View point to see Killarney’s three lakes! When Queen Victoria visited in 1861, it was one of her ladies-in-waiting’s favourite spots, which gave Ladies View its name.
There’s a parking lot and a small café, too, and it’s best to admire the view from the open roof terrace!
If you’re in Killarney, visiting the Ring of Kerry is a must! It’s a 179 km (111 mile) circular drive around the Inveragh Peninsula. The Ring of Kerry starts west of Killarney and goes along the Atlantic coast, which is part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way.
It offers scenic views of green hills, jaw-dropping cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, and sheep and cows grazing on the fields.
The roads on the Ring of Kerry are often narrow and twisty. So if you don’t feel comfortable driving, I recommend joining the Ring of Kerry day trip tour with Deros Sightseeing Tours.
The bus stops at scenic sites and goes through small towns on the way, like Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Kells, Cahersiveen, Waterville, and Sneem. If you book through their website, it’s 40 EUR per person.
Glenbeigh
One of our first stops is in Glenbeigh, where we admire the stunning view of Rossbeigh Beach and Inch Beach, as well as Dingle Bay.
Then we visit a Sheepdog show at the Kells Sheep Centre. It’s so amazing how Brandon, the shepherd, and his two border collies work together to direct the sheep. The animals are very well taken care of!
The dogs listen to their owner’s commands perfectly (Brandon uses whistle signals most of the time), and it’s obvious that they love their job! We also learn about the different sheep breeds that live in Ireland.
Brandon is super nice and informal, and knows his stuff, and patiently answers every question at the end. So the small charge of 8 EUR per person (cash only) is more than worth it! Please note that the bus only stops here from March to October.
Waterville & Derrynane Bay
After lunch, we stop in Waterville, which was one of Charlie Chaplin’s favourite retreats. There’s a life-size statue of him as well. Then we take a photo stop at Derrynane Bay, another beautiful viewpoint by the Atlantic Ocean and lots of cute sheep are grazing away.
By the way, did you know that more sheep than people live in Ireland? Aside from that, there are a few souvenir sellers, as well as a guy with a green van, who brought a two-week-old lamb that I’m allowed to hold. So adorable!
Sneem
One of our last stops is Sneem, a quaint little town that has colourful houses, shops, bars, and restaurants. Sneem is known for its Sculpture Trail, that features statues and memorials, such as the Charles de Gaulle Memorial, The Peaceful Panda, and the Steel Tree.
The latter is a donation from Israel to honour the late Irish President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, who died here in 1978. We also stumble upon the Millennium Fete plaque, a time capsule buried in 2000, that will be opened in 2100. How cool is that?
We liked our bus tour a lot, and it was great letting someone else do the driving for once. Dennis, our driver, was very knowledgeable and professional, and made us laugh with his typical Irish sense of humour along the way!
We had never heard about some of the stops before (like the Kells Sheep Centre), so I’m glad we gave this company a chance! Also, it was nice meeting some other travelers on this tour. You can find the detailed itinerary of this bus tour here. Here’s a map of the tour as well:
Photo credit: Deros Sightseeing Tours.
If you’re driving and want to avoid the crowds, I recommend traveling on the Ring of Kerry in the morning or later in the evening, in particular during the high season (June to August).
Moreover, to avoid getting stuck behind one of the many tour buses on the Ring of Kerry, it’s suggested to go clockwise instead of counterclockwise as the buses do.
Killarney Town
Killarney Town is the perfect home base while visiting Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry. We’re staying in Killarney for three days, which is enough time to experience some of the highlights of this area!
The downtown area is very walkable, with lots of great restaurants, cafés, festivals, and shops, and some even have locally handmade gems! There’s also a craft brewery. Don’t hesitate to turn into the narrow sideroads next to the main streets, because you might find something really unexpected!
After a busy day of exploring, you deserve to kick off the evening at one of Killarney’s pubs with a pint and some awesome (local) live music! In our experience, Irish people are very sociable and open minded, so there’s a good chance you’ll make some new friends!
If you like churches, stunning St. Mary’s Cathedral (New St, Inch, Killarney, Co. Kerry), one of Killarney’s major landmarks (completed in 1855), should be on your list. Killarney also has art galleries to look at and a colourful busy downtown area!
Killarney is very popular with tourists during the summer months, but is open for tourism all year round. So if you want to miss the crowds, you should visit during the shoulder season (spring or fall).
Where to Stay in Killarney, Ireland
As you’d expect from a touristy town, Killarney has many options for visitors to stay. From apartments, glamping, hotels, hostels, guest houses, and Bed & Breakfasts, to caravan (RV) & camping parks, there’s something for everyone.
We’re staying at Havens Rest B&B(Tralee Road, N22, Tralee, Co. Kerry), which is just a few minutes from Killarney Town. Our two bedroom is quite spacious, and during breakfast, guests are seated at one big table, so you get to chat with other travelers!
You can choose between Traditional Irish Breakfast, vegetarian breakfast, and continental breakfast. Kay and Richard, our hosts, are very kind, and are happy to book the Ring of Kerry tour with Deros Sightseeing Tours and a taxi to town for us.
Here are our favourite places to eat and drink in Killarney town:
Curious Cat Wine Bar (1 New Market Ln, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 X9TD). This quirky wine bar is a popular spot with both locals and visitors for wine, tapas, live music, and DJ sessions!
You can also order platters, salads, risotto, Chili con Carne, grilled veggies, and more! We love sitting on their outside patio and listening to the live band that is playing tonight!
Killarney Burger Kitchen (12 Main St, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 V30R). This place is perfect if you’re on a budget, but want a good restaurant meal.
We go for the Smash Burger and Halloumi Burger, and both are very tasty! The staff is friendly and efficient and we love that the burgers are served on a wooden tray!
Genting Thai Restaurant (Beech Road, Demesne, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 TWE5). This is Killarney’s only authentic Thai restaurant. You can choose between Thai curries, stir fries, spring rolls, Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, tempura prawns, and more!
They also have a veggie menu, and their drinks menu features domestic and international beer brands and cocktails. We’re having Fried Noodles and Sweet & Sour Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry, and they are super yummy!
The Laurel’s Pub & Restaurant(Main St, Killarney, Co. Kerry). A traditional Irish pub that’s been run by the O’Leary family for almost a hundred years. Their menu includes many meat options, like Fish & Chips, steak, chicken wings, burgers, pizza, fajitas, but some veggie options, too.
We’re having a salad and baked potato and Veg Chili Nachos, which are very good! Don’t miss the cool quotes by John Lennon and Roy T. Bennett written on the outside windows before entering the restaurant!
Fish & Chips from Laurel’s Pub (photo credit: Laurel’s Pub) and the awesome John Lennon quote!
How to Get to and Around Killarney
It takes about 3.5 hours from Dublin to Killarney and about 2.5 hours from Galway to Killarney, if you’re driving. The closest bigger cities are Limerick (1.5 hours) and Cork (87 km/54 miles).
Irish Rail runs trains from Dublin and Limerick (via Mallow) and a direct train from Cork many times a day. Dublin Coach #300 (M7 Express Service) offers daily trips from Dublin to Killarney. Or you can take Bus Eireann towards Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Kenmare, and Skibbereen.
Kerry Airport is only 17 km (10.5 miles) north of Killarney, and you can fly from/to Dublin, Frankfurt-Hahn, Manchester, London, and Alicante. Cork Airport is 89 km (55 miles) from Killarney, and provides flights from/to more European destinations, e.g. Italy, Poland, Croatia, France, and Switzerland.
The closest airport that offers flights from/to overseas destinations is Shannon Airport, which is 135 km (83 miles) from Killarney.
The Killarney Shuttle Bus takes visitors to nearby tourist attractions, including Ladies View, Ross Castle, Muckross House, and Torc Waterfall. It stops daily in front of the Tourist Information Office on Beech Road.
Lastly, you can book a walking tour through Killarney National Park with Killarney Guided Walks and the groups meet at 11 am daily opposite St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Athlone is the largest town of the Midlands Region in central Ireland, about 1.5 hours of a drive west of Dublin.
It lies within County Westmeath, and the Shannon, Ireland’s longest river (36.5 km or 224 miles), flows right through here.
So here’s a detailed guide on How to Spend a Great Day in Athlone, Ireland!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Things to See and Do in Athlone
Athlone Castle
Address: Athlone And Bigmeadow, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 EA32, Ireland
Athlone Castle is a popular attraction that was completed in 1210 by Bishop John De Gray of Norwich for King John of England during the Norman Invasion of Ireland.
In 1691, the castle was the staging ground for The Great Siege of Athlone between the Williamites (under King William) and Jacobites (under King James II). As a result of this battle, 12,000 cannon balls were fired, and 1,500 men were killed.
Another major event happened in 1697, when 260 barrels of gunpowder suddenly exploded because of a lightning strike. Afterwards, most of the town was destroyed.
Today there’s a visitor centre and museum with eight exhibitions. It tells the story of the town of Athlone and its castle with the help of modern displays, interactives, games, and authentic and replica artifacts.
Visitors can even dress up in historic costumes, so it’s a fun experience for the whole family!
It’s open all year, and the admission cost is 12 EUR for adults, and 5.50 EUR for children under 15 years.
Here’s a video by the Athlone Castle Visitor Centre:
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre- Where History Comes Alive
Right across the street from Athlone Castle, this eye-catching landmark is impossible to miss. While this neoclassical church is much younger than many other churches in Ireland (completed by Ralph Byrne in 1939), it doesn’t need to hide behind its older siblings!
It looks very impressive from the outside, and inside, you can look at its colourful stained glass windows, that were painted by Richard King (1907-1974). He was Harry Clarke’s (1889-1931) apprentice, who was one of the leaders of the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement.
Then walk along the charming and winding streets of Athlone, and admire houses painted in various colours! You may even find some unexpected gems at one of the cute independent shops in the town centre.
Such as The Bastion Gallery, that has books, tea towels, glass shamrocks, artist prints, stuffed animals, cards, jewelry, and more. They were either designed or handmade in Ireland, and/or Fairtrade.
Or buy one of their hand painted Ogham gifts, which is the first written proof of the Gaelic language. My Mom (who’s joining me on this trip, by the way ;)) is buying a painted print by local artist S. Walsh, that shows many of Athlone’s cool attractions.
Golden Island Shopping Centre & Athlone Towncentre
Athlone also has two shopping malls: Golden Island Shopping Centre (Golden Island, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 N8V0, Ireland) has 45 stores, for clothing, phone providers, Tesco, coffee shops, and a movie theatre.
Athlone Towncentre (Mardyke St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland) has 60+ retail stores, like H&M, ZARA, eason books, TK Maxx, and Sketchers.
If you have time, I highly recommend visiting Strokestown Park, that is 46 km (28 miles) north of Athlone. This estate was owned by the aristocratic landlords, the Mahon Family, led by the Major, Denis Mahon. Their tenants (mostly poor peasant families) leased some of it during the Great Irish Famine in the mid-1800’s.
The landlords lived at Strokestown Park House (Palladian House), which King Charles II. gave to Nicholas Mahon to thank him for his help during the English Civil War (1642-1651). This estate belonged to the Mahon Family until it was sold in 1979.
Visitors can book a guided tour and look at a kitchen with an oven from 1740, a school room, and a toy room with 19th century toys.
Strokestown Park House.
The National Famine Museum
Now it’s time to enter the National Famine Museum next door. In the mid 18th century, the majority of the growing population in Ireland was struggling hard to survive. They were only allowed to lease tiny pieces of land from their wealthy landlords at a high cost.
Besides, the only food option for a third of the eight million Irish people were Lumper potatoes. They could be grown pretty much everywhere, because of the boggy, wet, or thin lands that Ireland has. But in 1845, the greatest crisis in Irish history started when blight, a fungal disease, infested the potato leaves and tubers while they were growing in the ground.
As a result, they were rotten on the inside, so the potatoes were inedible. Within seven years, a million Irish people had died from starvation. Things got even worse when many peasants were evicted from their houses by their cruel landlords, because they couldn’t pay their rent anymore.
Moreover, from 1845 to 1855, two million Irish people were forced to flee overseas, with hopes for a better future, mostly to Canada and the USA. But the ships were often crowded, and the conditions were catastrophic due to a lack of food and water, and no hygiene. So many people got sick or even died on the way. That’s why these ships were often called “coffin ships”.
Although other European countries were affected by blight as well, they had more food options and the disease spread best in the mild and damp Irish climate. Also, the governments reacted faster and better to this tragedy, which didn’t happen in Ireland. So it was hit the hardest.
The tenants living and working at Strokestown Park were no exception to this. For example, Denis Mahon evicted his starving tenants unable to pay their rent anymore. Then he organized boats to North America to get rid of them. So, it’s not surprising that he was shot by three of his tenants in 1847. The gun used is displayed in the National Famine Museum.
There are also 50,000 documents written during the Great Famine and you can listen to recordings of contemporary witnesses talking about their suffering. This makes the exhibit even more moving than it already is.
The Walled Gardens & Woodland Trails
Phew, after learning about the darkest chapter of Ireland’s past, we’re relieved to go outside for a walk inside the Walled Gardens. This area belonged to the landlords. We also wander around the Woodland trails, and all the trees, tranquility, and stunning green areas help lift our spirits again.
The National Famine Museum is open all year, and I’d recommend buying a Full Ticket for 18.50 EUR. It includes a guided visit to the Palladium House, a self guided visit to the National Famine Museum, self guided visit to the estate gardens, and free access to the Woodland trails.
Other Things to Do in Athlone
If you have more time, here are a few more suggestions on Other Things to Do in Athlone:
Joining a river cruise withViking Tours Ireland(Castle St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath). It starts on the Shannon next to Athlone Castle and ends on Lough Ree north of town (75 mins). Or you can go to the Clonmacnoise Monastery (90 minutes), which was built in the 6th century.
You’ll sail on their 21-meter-long replica of a Viking ship and travel back in time 1,200 years. Learn everything about the Viking history, battles, and kings of this area, all while looking at the beautiful scenery. You may even spot some local wildlife!
Their season runs from Easter to Halloween each year, and group bookings for wedding parties and school groups are available as well.
Luan Gallery (Elliot Rd, Ranelagh, Athlone, Co. Westmeath).This free art gallery is right across from Athlone Castle and displays stunning artwork exhibits by top Irish and international artists. The exhibit changes every two months.
The artwork includes paintings, sculptures, multimedia, and textiles, and the large windows offer a great view of the Shannon as well. The older part of the building used to be a public library that opened in 1897.
Shannon Banks Walk & Nature Trail. This easy 5 km (3.1 miles) looped walking trail starts at Athlone Castle and takes you along the riverbank of the Shannon and the Old Canal Bank. There are tons of signposts telling you about the local flora and fauna along the way.
Where to Eat & Drink in Athlone
We’re having dinner at Pavarotti’s Italian Restaurant (Fry Place, High St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath) in the heart of Athlone. We like the dark blue coloured outside building and the pretty interior design, with dark brown tables, light green and beige-coloured walls, and flowers on the tables!
The menu has many items you’d expect to find at an Italian restaurant, like pizza, calzone, crostini bread, bruschetta, fish, steak, and chicken dishes, and pasta options (Spaghetti Carbonara, Lasagne al forno, Cannelloni, Spaghetti Bolognese, etc). Vegetarian meals are available as well.
We’re both having the Tagliatelle al Funghi e Spinachi, a pasta dish with spinach, mushrooms, and red pepper in a creamy sauce. Although it looks very appealing, it’s a bit bland for our taste, but of course, salt and pepper shakers are available. So I’d give this restaurant another chance. 😉
Are you in the mood for a pint and some ‘caint, ceol, agus craic’ (chat, music and craic) after a long day of exploring Athlone? Then head right to Sean’s Bar (13 Main St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 DW76)!It was opened in 900 AD and is Ireland’s Oldest Pub, as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records!
It’s a cozy and dimly lit authentic Irish pub next to the west bank of the Shannon, and “when you walk in, you can feel the history and the romance straight away,” as per their website.
Besides, the awesome interior design (e.g. license plates and pictures on the walls, open turf fireplace, vintage wooden and checkerboard pattern floors, piano, and rustic-style bar) will surely leave a lasting impression on you!
You can listen to traditional Irish live music, buy some cool merch, or even take a sip (or more, lol 😉 from their homemade Sean’s Whiskey!
Sean’s Bar from the outside and enjoying a tasty pint of Guinness, and partial areas of the inside of the pub (the last two are photo credit of Sean’s Bar).
There are many other restaurants (e.g. Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, and Lebanese cuisine), fast food places, Irish pubs, coffee shops, and bars in Athlone. Most of them are east or west of the Shannon River.
Where to Stay in Athlone
Despite its size, Athlone has a variety of B&B’s and hotels to offer. Unfortunately, there are no hostels.
If you like it quiet, but close to town, the Burren Lodge B&B (Dublin Rd, Creggan Upper, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 W029) is a great choice. We’re staying in a two bedroom, and Mary, our friendly hostess, gives us great tips on how to spend the rest of the day in Athlone.
Our room is very clean and cozy, with a nice garden view. The continental breakfast (cereal, toast, scrambled eggs, yoghurt, and fruit) is very tasty, too!
Our two bedroom at Burren Lodge B&B.
How to Get to and Around Athlone
Athlone is halfway between Dublin and Galway.
From Dublin, it’s a 125 km (77 miles) drive west on the M4 and M6 motorway. From Galway, it’s 85 km (52 miles) eastbound on the M6 motorway.
For public transit, you can take the Bus Eireann from Dublin (1 1/2 hours) or Galway (1 3/4 hours), which runs hourly, or Irish Rail from either city (1 1/2 hours from Dublin, 1 hour from Galway).
The closest international airport to Athlone is Dublin (DUB) and the Ireland West Airport Knock(NOC) in Co. Mayo offers flights to/from some European destinations, like London, Cologne, Malaga, and Milan.
There are also a few local buses in Athlone, and the town centre is very walkable as well.
Dublin is Ireland’s capital and largest city and is located on the east coast.
Like in the rest of Ireland, there are two official languages spoken here: Irish (Gaelic) and English, so don’t be surprised about bilingual signs!
For many tourists, Dublin is the gateway to their Irish adventures, which is why I chose this city as the first part of my Ireland Travel series! 😀 We spent four days in Dublin in August 2022, which is a perfect amount of time before moving on to other places.
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
Things to See and Do in Dublin
The Guinness Storehouse
Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H, Ireland
First, stop at the Guinness Storehouse, which tells the story of Ireland’s most famous beer! It’s a seven-floor building at St. James’s Gate and used to be the fermentation plant of the brewery. Since opening its doors in 2000, more than 20 million people have been to this iconic attraction!
Visitors learn about the four ingredients needed to make Guinness, the brewing process, and how it’s been stored and transported around the world. You’ll even “meet” Arthur Guinness (the inventor)! Equipment that was used for brewing Guinness is displayed as well.
Moreover, don’t miss the many advertising slogans that promoted Guinness over time, and you can even learn to pour your own pint at the Guinness Academy!
The Guinness Storehouse entrance gate.
For a pick-me-up during your visit, take a seat at the Cooperage Café or Arthur’s Bar and 1837 Bar & Brasserie, that are ready to serve hot and cold drinks, snacks, and traditional Irish food!
Once you get to the 7th floor, you deserve a free pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar, as well as a 360° panorama view of Dublin! Lastly, buy some cool souvenirs at the gift shop, like t-shirts, hats, pint glasses, socks, magnets, key chains, coasters, and even Guinness chocolates!
Ticket admission is 20 EUR for a self guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse. Or you can book a special experience, such as the STOUTie Experience, which includes your selfie being printed on a Guinness beer! You can find more info on this in Tom’s post.
From left to right: Barrels used to store Guinness, ship for transporting the beer around the world, and 360° view of Dublin.
Trinity College
Address: College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
Trinity College was founded back in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is Ireland’s oldest university. Many famous Irish people went to school here, including Oscar Wilde, Sally Rooney, Samuel Beckett, and Douglas Hyde (Ireland’s first president).
But the most popular spot of Trinity College is the Book of Kells exhibition. It’s a 680-page manuscript written in the 9th century AD, that, according to the Book of Kells Facebook page, “is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world’s most famous medieval manuscript”.
Every day one page is turned, so it takes 170 days to finish this book. Moreover, the Long Room inside the Old Library, which opened in 1732, has 200,000 ancient books, as well as Ireland’s oldest harp (built in the late Middle Ages)!
It’s strongly recommended to purchase tickets online for a timed visit of 30 minutes (starting at 25 EUR) to guarantee entry into the exhibit.
It’s fun walking on the cobblestoned paths of the campus, looking at the amazing Georgian and Victorian buildings, such as the Campanile (completed in 1853), and the ‘Sfera con Sfera’ (Sphere Within Sphere) bronze sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro (1982/83).
The ‘Sfera con Sfera’ bronze sculpture and a part of the campus grounds.
You can book self-guided or guided tours around the campus and the Book of Kells exhibit. Lastly, it’s possible to book rooms (single/twin/double or apartments) at the Trinity College Campus and Dartry (15 minutes from the campus) during the summer months.
Temple Bar District
Temple Baris Dublin’s cultural quarter and nightlife hotspot. It’s right next to the riverbank of the Liffey, which flows through downtown.
Temple Bar used to be a wealthy neighbourhood in the 17th century. But this changed drastically in the 1800s, when it was one of Dublin’s main red-light districts! It was still a crappy area towards the end of the last century, but in 1991, it was modernized.
Today, the most famous spot is the bright red Temple Bar Pub (47-48 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 N725), where you can check out Ireland’s largest Whiskey collection and it has live music every day. This pub was established in 1840, and is known for its flower decorations outside, low hanging lamps, and a bronze statue of James Joyce.
The Temple Bar district has many other pubs, night clubs, cafés, restaurants, hotels, hostels, and lots of shopping opportunities, but is also home to many art galleries and the Irish Film Institute(6 Eustace St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 PD85).
Thanks to its high popularity with tourists and locals, this area can be pretty crowded. Moreover, it’s often more expensive than in other parts of Dublin, and petty crime, like scams and pickpocketing, can happen sometimes.
The Liffey River.
The Irish Rock’n’Roll Museum
Address: Curved St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 RD26, Ireland
If you love Irish music, there’s no way to miss the Irish Rock’n’Roll Museum! The Wall of Fame outside, that displays many Irish Rock’n’Roll legends, including U2, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, and Sinead O’Connor, is a great first impression of this place!
We join a guided tour and look at a bunch of vintage guitars and records by Irish musicians, like The Cranberries, Enya, The Undertones, and The Boomtown Rats.
Next, there’s Michael Jackson’s pajama and a jacket he wore while touring with the Jackson 5 (Fun fact: He lived in Ireland for a while in 2006!). After watching a short movie about Irish Rock’n’Roll legends, we move to a room dedicated to U2, that has tons of exclusive material!
But this place is not just a museum, as it also has a recording studio (Rihanna and The Script recorded here) and the Button Factory. The latter is a music venue and to get the real Rock Star feeling, we jump on stage as well!
Moreover, this is Dublin’s major rehearsal space for unknown and famous bands. As we enter one of these rooms, Brian, our guide, suddenly encourages the musicians in our group to start a jam session! Then we check out Thin Lizzy’s recording studio and a selection of Phil Lynott’s guitars and a jukebox.
Lastly, we find a few things related to Rock legends who have Irish roots, like Johnny Rotten’s sleeveless jacket, a Nirvana gig poster, and Beatles memorabilia! The Irish Rock’n’Roll Museum is open 7 days a week, ticket admission starts at 22 EUR and only guided tours can be booked at this time.
Johnny Rotten’s jacket, Thin Lizzy’s recording studio, and a drummer in action!
Phoenix Park
Need a break from the busy city now? Then hang out for a couple hours at Phoenix Park. It’s perfect for walking, having a picnic, playing sports, and relaxing. You can also rent a bike with Phoenix Park Bikes(Chesterfield Ave, Saint James’ (part of Phoenix Park), Dublin 8, D08 DF88) at the main entrance, and ride along the park’s 14 km (8.69 miles) of cycle trails.
It was founded in 1662 as a royal hunting area and has been open to everyone since 1747. At 1,750 acres, it’s Europe’s largest city centre park (it’s twice the size of Central Park in New York City!).
The Irish President lives at the Áras an Uachtaráin residence inside the park, same as about 600 wild fallow deer, which have been here for many years, and are free to move wherever they like! There are ponds to look at, a Visitor Centre, the Papal Cross, Victorian Flower Gardens, a Biodiversity Information Centre, Phoenix Café, and Tea Rooms as well.
Lastly, you can also find the Wellington Monument inside Phoenix Park. It’s Europe’s tallest obelisk, and was built to honour the Duke of Wellington in 1817, who’d beaten Napoleon two years earlier. But the builders ran out of money, so it wasn’t completed until 1861, after he’d already died!
St. Stephen’s Green Park
St. Stephen’s Green Park has 750 trees with a Victorian layout and is right in the heart of Dublin. Until 1664, it was a marshy common for sheep and cattle to graze and even public executions and witch burnings happened here!
In 1877, Arthur Edward Guinness (Arthur Guinness’s great-grandson) asked the City of Dublin to open St. Stephen’s Green to the public, which was done in 1880.
The park also played a role during the Easter Rising of 1916, when rebels of mainly the Irish Citizen Army dug trenches and took it over. St. Stephen’s Green Park also has several monuments, like a bronze statue of Theobald Wolfe Tone, the leader of the Irish rebellion in 1798. There’s also a memorial to the Great Famine from 1845 to 1849.
Many birds and plant species live inside St. Stephen’s Green Park. There’s also a playground, the Ardilaun Lodge (Superintendent’s Lodge), built shortly after 1880, flowerbeds, waterfall, as well as a garden for the visually impaired.
Grafton Street
There are many stores and shopping malls in Dublin, so get your credit card ready to be maxed out! A popular shopping spot is Grafton Street, a pedestrian street only minutes away from St. Stephen’s Green Park.
There are tons of shops, like The North Face, Disney store, Levi’s, but also the Card Gallery, Ulysses Rare Books, the Irish Design Shop, and Aran Sweater Market (handknitted Irish wool clothing).
It’s also a great for watching street performers and buskers, especially during the summer. Some well-known musicians started their career while busking here, such as Bono, U2’s lead singer. He also plays here every year on Christmas Eve, to help the homeless people of Dublin. How cool is that?
Address: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, D02 HX65, Ireland
Next, check out St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, which has many European and Irish chain stores, like Game Stop, Flying Tiger, Butler’s, Eason Books, United Colours of Benetton, and Carroll’s Irish Gifts.
The latter sells jewelry, Irish-style (shamrock) clothing, chocolates, tea towels, green Leprechaun top hats, bookmarks, and more! We also like the design of this shopping centre, especially the large clock and all the balloons!
George’s St. Arcade
Address: South Great George’s Street, Dublin, Ireland
George’s St. Arcade is a market inside a lovely Victorian-style red brick building in downtown Dublin and is perfect if you’re into unusual stuff! It’s been around since 1881, and has several independent shops and stalls with vintage clothes, records, jewelry, book store, crafts from Asian countries and West Africa, and many more!
My favourite is Elevation Music Movies Comics, which, sells cool vintage music and movie prints, comic book merch, buttons, patches, key chains, and magnets!
George’s St. Arcade from the outside (Photo credit: The Layden Group) and a poster print of Nirvana’s Unplugged Concert!
Join a Guided Bike Tour with Lazy Bike Tours
A great way to see lots of Dublin’s downtown attractions is through a guided bike tour. We join a tour with Lazy Bike Tours, which takes about 2.5 hours, and you can rent a push bike (cruiser bike) or e-bike.
Our first stop isDublin Castle (Dame St, Dublin 2), that was built in the early 13th century. But the powder storage of the castle exploded in 1684, that’s why the round tower (right side of the photo below) is the only original part still intact today. The hard dirt that was left from the explosion was later turned into a Georgian palace.
Next, we look at St Patrick’s Cathedral (St Patrick’s Close, Dublin, D08 H6X3), completed in 1260, which is one of the few medieval buildings in Dublin that still exists. You can also find Jonathan Swift’s grave here and there’s a nice park right next to the cathedral.
When we arrive at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery (13-17 Newmarket, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 KD91), opened in 2015, we learn that it’s the first distillery that opened in more than 125 years! Ireland’s whiskey making history started in the middle ages.
Fast forward to the 1800’s, a production boom happened, with 30 distilleries all over the country. But in the 20th century, the industry declined drastically, because of the damage due to the two World Wars, civil wars in Ireland, and a changed consumer taste preference.
Dublin Castle.
St Patrick’s Cathedral.
We also stop at The Liberties, Dublin’s oldest working class neighbourhood. In the 12th century, when Dublin was a walled city, this area was one of its suburbs. Many distilling and brewing families (including the Guinness family) lived here. The Guinness brewery is still here today, that a very optimistic Arthur Guinness leased in 1759 for 9,000 years!
You can also find many antique shops and small shops, that sell all kinds of knick-knacks. As we get to the Guinness Storehouse, Laura, our guide, tells us that Arthur Guinness was advised by businessmen that he’d be more successful producing whiskey instead of beer, as it was perceived as the “poor people’s drink”. Who knows what would have happened if he’d listened to them?!
We also ride by some amazing Guinness street art murals painted by Holly Pereira.
The most touching stop of this tour is the Kilmainham Goal Museum (Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08 RK28). Criminals (especially revolutionaries fighting for Ireland’s independence) were imprisoned and executed here from 1796 until 1924.
In May 1916, a total of 14 Irish rebels were shot by the British Army at the Stonebreakers’ Yard of this prison, soon after the Easter Rising had occurred.
Today, visitors can look at 14 bronze sculptures across the street, which were put up to honour these brave men. They are standing in a circle, blindfolded and each one has holes where the bullets hit them.
EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum
Address: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Dock, Dublin 1, Ireland
These days, more than 70 million people worldwide (many in North America, Australia or New Zealand) have Irish heritage, even if they never met their ancestors.
First, you find out why many Irish people emigrated, whether it was extreme poverty caused by the Great Famine (1845-1852), oppressive laws from the government, civil wars, forced labour, a weak economy, or a lack of jobs. Others were looking for a romantic partner or land to buy abroad.
You can also watch lots of short movies that show the Irish emigrants’ hopes and fears, which are very moving and read some of the questions they were asked upon entering their new home land.
As the tour goes on, visitors learn how the Irish culture and identity have changed the rest of world. Many Irish communities were formed overseas with time and emigrants were happy to share traditional Irish music and dance with their peers, which started in the mid-1800’s.
Other Irish migrants and/or their descendants became politicians, actors, musicians, authors, journalists, directors, athletes, scientists, and so on. For example, did you know that several Canadian and Australian prime ministers and US presidents have Irish roots?
Irish food and drinks have travelled the world, too, which is why today, we have at least one Irish pub in many bigger cities and Guinness and Jameson’s Whiskey are famous! And let’s not forget about the many St Patrick’s Day celebrations worldwide on March 17th each year!
Wow, the EPIC Museum was just awesome! Every visitor gets the EPIC Passport at the start of their tour, which gets stamped after each section is completed. You can also visit the Irish Family History Centre to find out about your Irish ancestors.
Self-guided entry ticket admission starts at 21 EUR for adults and you can download a free audio guide in various languages to your phone. The museum is also fully wheelchair accessible.
Politicians and hit albums by musicians with Irish roots and books written by Irish writers.
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Only a few steps from the museum you can find the famous Samuel Beckett Bridge, a cable-stayed swing bridge shaped as a harp. It’s one of Ireland’s traditional musical instruments and a big part of Irish culture.
It crosses the Liffey River, is 120 meters (390 ft) long and 48 meters (157 ft) high and was completed in 2009. Since then, it has become one of Dublin’s major landmarks.
Dublin’s Street Art
Dublin also has more cool street art to look at and we even saw a very colourful piano inside Connolly train station:
Where to Eat & Drink in Dublin
If you’re looking for craic (Irish slang for good times ;)), you can’t miss Dublin’s diverse food scene!
Here are our favourites:
Camden Bites & Brews(9 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin, D02 FX67).This fun bar and restaurant is open daily and is known for Italian coffee and cold drinks, DJ nights, and has hosted a flea market several times.
They serve lots of pub food, like burgers, wings, Fish & Chips, calamari, and chunky fries. We’re having a Beef Burger and Piccolo Vegan Burger and they are both really good! There’s also an outside terrace and we love the chessboard floor design!
The Little Pyg (59 William St S, Dublin 2, D02 E521). Wow, what an unusual name! This restaurant is inside Dublin’s Powerscourt Townhouse Centre and they serve authentic Neapolitan pizza, as per Michelin Maestro Enzo Coccia’s recipe.
We order their Tomato Soup and Mushroom Ravioli, which are very tasty, although the portions are a bit small for the price… But even though this restaurant is inside a busy mall, it’s got a chill vibe and the staff was very friendly and efficient.
The Hard Rock Café (12 Fleet St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 NW56). This iconic chain restaurant is right in the heart of the Temple Bar district. We’re having The Big Cheeseburger and Cauliflower Wings, and some Guinness, so good! They even have a Guinness Burger, but like in any of their locations, it’s not just about the food and drinks, but also about all the Rock memorabilia on the walls.
So while you’re waiting for your grub, check out Brian Johnson’s tweed hat, Jimi Hendrix’s silk shirt, Slash’s top hat, Ringo Starr’s drumsticks, and more! There’s also a drum set hanging from the ceiling, live music happens quite often, and don’t miss the Rock Shop with its iconic merch on your way out!
Sadly, a few of the restaurants we loved have closed permanently since our visit in August 2022. 🙁
Where to Stay in Dublin
The Leeson Bridge Guesthouse
Address: 1 Leeson Street Upper, Ranelagh, Dublin, D04 AH22, Ireland
The Leeson Bridge Guesthouse is a Georgian guesthouse in Dublin’s south. It’s a 20-minute walk to downtown and bus stops are just a few minutes away.
We love the red entrance door and the reception area is very pretty as well. Guests can choose between a Budget Double Room and Executive Suite, which has a sauna and jacuzzi. We book the first option, and it’s cozy and clean, and has a balcony. But for some people, the bathroom may be a bit small …
They offer a complimentary breakfast in the morning and St. Stephen’s Green Park and Grafton Street are only a 10-15 minutes of a walk.
Entrance door and sitting area inside our Budget Double Room.
Clayton Hotel – Burlington Road
Address: Leeson Street Upper, Dublin, D04 A318, Ireland
Clayton Hotel – Burlington Road has 502 rooms and suites, so it’s a less personal vibe than at the Leeson Bridge Guesthouse. But the rooms are bigger and have A/C and they have a very tasty breakfast buffet. Room service, a fitness room, meeting rooms, and work spaces are available, too.
There’s also a bus stop right out the door and some of them take you right to the airport or downtown.
Of course, Dublin also has tons of budget-friendly accommodations! I’m staying at the Generator Hostel, which is just a short walk to Temple Bar. The receptionist is very friendly and there’s a bar with live music and a café/restaurant area on site!
It has private or dorm rooms, a cinema room, games room, lockers, laundry, towels (for a small fee), and even bike rentals! There’s no kitchen though, and breakfast vouchers are available as well.
I’m staying in a 6-bed ensuite female-only dorm and the beds are very comfy! I just would have appreciated a privacy curtain when I wanted to be left alone, but otherwise, it’s perfect!
How to Get to and Around Dublin
Many airlines from Europe, North America, Dubai, etc. fly directly to Dublin Airport, Ireland’s busiest airport, with 32.9 million travelers passing through in 2019.
The Dublin Express#782 and Aircoach #700 go to the city centre, which takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Dublin’s public transportation system is very good, and double-decker buses go pretty much anywhere in the city. Fares range from 1.30 EUR to 2.60 EUR for a single trip, depending on how far you’d like to go.
Please note that no change is given back if you pay with the bus driver. Also, it’s important to wave when the bus approaches, otherwise, the bus may just drive by you!
Dublin also has a light rail system (trams) called LUAS, with two lines, that go to Central Dublin and some residential areas (mostly in the south and southwest of the city).
For travel to the suburbs, use the DART trains and Commuter Trains to satellite towns in the Greater Dublin Area, which are operated by Irish Rail. DART goes along the coast side close to Dublin (e.g. Malahide, Howth and Greystones).
If you’re in Dublin for at least 24 hours, it’s best to buy a Visitor Leap Card, as it’s 31% cheaper than buying individual tickets. You can buy it online, at Dublin Airport, or Dublin Central (59 O’Connell Street Upper, Uachtarach, Dublin 1, D01 RX04). It offers unlimited travel on buses, LUAS trams, and DART and Commuter Trains (within the Short Hop Zone, i.e. all of Dublin City and county).
If you’re just staying in and around Dublin, renting a car is not necessary. Traffic is often very busy and parking spots can be hard to find and expensive. Moreover, driving on the left side of the road can be a challenge for tourists used to driving on the opposite side.
Uber and taxis are of course available, but can be expensive.
You can also join a bike tour or walking tour of Dublin to get lots of insider information from a local guide. Or renting a bike or just walking around are great ways to explore the city as well, especially because many attractions are within the City Centre.
Be sure to look into the right directions before crossing a street (there are some helpful writings on some roads as well).
My Opinion on Dublin
Wow, we loved our stay in Dublin! It gave us a great first impression of what Ireland is like. The many red brick buildings are very cool as well.
Although it rains a lot in Dublin, there are lots of indoor things to do, whether it’s shopping at a mall, touring one of the many museums, or hanging and drinking at a pub, lol! So pack some rain gear and just hope for the best! 😉
We also meet some friendly Dubliners, who make us feel very welcome in their city, like our guides, hotel receptionists, bus drivers, or taxi drivers. They all have cool stories to tell, and their sense of humour makes us laugh a lot!
One of the cab drivers truthfully says that the Guinness at the Guinness Storehouse is the most expensive in Ireland, lol! Another one raves about tasty Indian food in Dubai, then tells us that while Dublin is beautiful, visitors should also spend some time in the rest of Ireland!
My favourite things to see and do in Dublin are the Irish Rock’n’Roll Museum and the EPIC Museum, hanging at the parks, and shopping at George’s St Arcade.
But you can’t see everything Dublin has to offer in just a few days! So I hope to visit some of its literary attractions someday (Chester Beatty Library, Oscar Wilde Statue, a Literary Pub Crawl, etc.). So until then, I’m gonna read some books by Irish authors!
I’d also love to see the Old Jameson Distillery, the National Leprechaun Museum, a few art galleries, and some underrated attractions next time. So if you have any tips, let me know in the comments! Sláinte! 😀
If your kids are joining you on your Dublin trip, don’t miss Christine’s post:
