Choose from 68 Fun Things to Do in Dublin
St. Stephen's Green
- St. Stephen’s Green is a refuge for tired sightseers.
- The park features two children’s playgrounds, and a Garden for the Blind with tactile aromatic plants and braille signage.
- The park’s paved paths are accessible to wheelchair and stroller users.
- The nearby Little Museum of Dublin hosts walking tours of the park every Saturday and Sunday morning.
Loughcrew
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Malahide Castle and Gardens
- Malahide Castle makes a great day-trip destination for history buffs and gardening enthusiasts.
- Malahide Castle tours last 45 minutes.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring rainproof gear so you can explore the grounds, no matter the weather.
- A visitor center, Avoca café, children’s playground, and shop are located on the estate.
- Special events, such as concerts, take place on occasion.
- The castle is wheelchair accessible.
St Patrick's Cathedral
- Travelers can explore independently or take part in guided tours, which take place several times daily from Monday to Saturday.
- The cathedral is wheelchair accessible.
- The Dublin Pass includes cathedral entry.
- Take time to stroll through the adjacent St. Patrick’s Park, a grassy square with perfectly framed views of the cathedral.
The Book of Kells
- The Book of Kells is popular and long lines can form. Buy a ticket in advance to avoid waiting around to get inside.
- Explore independently or sign up for a guided early-access tour to skip the queue and inspect the manuscript without the crowds.
- The Old Library is wheelchair accessible.
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
Founded in 1877, Dublin’s Archaeology branch of the National Museum of Ireland houses a vast and varied collection of precious archaeological finds. See well-preserved Iron Age bog bodies, Celtic gold jewelry, and other ancient treasures such as the eighth-century Ardagh Chalice, which was used to dispense altar wine, and the intricately detailed Tara Brooch.
The Basics
A common stop on hop-on hop-off tour bus routes of Dublin, this museum is designed to be explored independently. Tours and talks are held here occasionally, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Two of the three other branches of the National Museum of Ireland are also located in Dublin: the Natural History Museum on Merrion Square is a 10-minute walk, while the Decorative Arts and History location at Collins Barracks is about a 15-minute drive.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The National Museum of Ireland is a must-visit for history and archaeology buffs, and anyone curious about Celtic art.
- All ground-floor galleries are accessible to wheelchair users, though the second floor is not.
- The museum houses a gift shop and a café serving locally sourced food.
How to Get There
The National Museum of Ireland is located on Kildare Street in Dublin. Take the Luas (tram) Green Line to St. Stephen’s Green and walk five minutes to the museum, or take the Red Line to Abbey Street and walk 10 minutes. Dublin Pearse railway station is just 10 minutes away on foot.
When to Get There
The National Museum is open year-round. It attracts most visitors during the peak summer tourist season, and is busiest on weekends. Come on a weekday morning to experience the exhibits without the crowds.
The Bog Bodies
Among the most attention-grabbing exhibits in the museum’s collection are the bog bodies. These well-preserved Iron Age human figures were pulled from peat in the Irish countryside. As well as the jarring visible details—you can still see fingernails and even hair—they are also fascinating because of their backstories: according to archaeologists and historians, it’s likely they were victims of torture and ritual sacrifice.
Rock of Cashel
- The Rock of Cashel is a must for history buffs.
- Allow around 1–1.5 hours to properly explore.
- Bring rainproof gear, as much of the site is in the open air.
- Wheelchair users can be accommodated with advance notice. Most of the paths and some of the buildings at the site are accessible.
Limerick
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St Michan's Church
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Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)
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Temple Bar
- Temple Bar can be boisterous at night, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays, when revelers often spill out of pubs onto the streets.
- The streets are cobbled and uneven, so it’s best to wear sturdy, thick-soled shoes.
- Dropped curbs ensure wheelchair users can access most of Temple Bar, though the cobbles can be difficult to navigate.
Wicklow Mountains
Wicklow Mountains National Park, also known as the Garden of Ireland, is one of the country’s six national parks and an easy day trip from Dublin, only 18.5 miles (30 km) away. Travelers frequent this County Wicklow mountain range to spend time away from the city and enjoy the stunningly wild landscape that is so markedly different from the typical green, grassy plains of the Emerald Isle. You’ll find 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of low mountains, serene lakes, and deep glacial valleys offering chances to fish, kayak, and hike.
Wicklow Mountain Scenery
From bog lands to heather fields, stunning mountain landscapes awaits at the Wicklow Mountains. The park features Glencree Valley and Sally Gap, in addition to one of Ireland’s highest waterfalls, Powerscourt. Other must-see spots include the P.S. I Love You Bridge; Powerscourt Gardens at the Powerscourt Estate; the Wicklow Gap, where much of Braveheart was filmed; and Lough Tay, also known as Guinness Lake. Many tours include nature walks with a tour guide, and some allow for exploring nearby medieval villages such as Kilkenny and the round tower at the Glendalough Monastic Settlement, founded by St. Kevin in the sixth century. Because there’s so much natural beauty to take in at the national park, it’s recommended that you spend a full day here.
Insider Tip
Stop by Fitzgerald's Pub in Avoca in County Wicklow for lunch at a traditional Irish pub. Plus, what’s lunch on the Emerald Isle without a Guinness to go with it?- There is no entrance fee for the national park, but you will have to pay for parking.
- Although the area is widely remote, most facilities can be found in the Glendalough area, including the Glendalough Visitor Center, where you’ll find historical exhibits and park information.
- Most coach tours offer free WiFi on the bus.
- A few paths and trails near Upper Lake and Lower Lake have been deemed fit for wheelchair users.
How to Get There
Wicklow Mountains tours are offered with daily departures from Dublin city center. The scenic route to the mountains from Dublin takes about an hour by car or coach via the winding Military Road, which passes numerous bogs and lakes along the way. It’s also possible to arrive by rail tour, which removes the hassle of navigating mountain roads without compromising the stunning views of the Irish countryside.
National Gallery of Ireland
- The National Gallery of Ireland is a must for fine-art lovers.
- A café and gallery shop can be found in the museum’s Millennium Wing.
- Sunday is family day at the museum, with kid-friendly tours and drop-in activities.
- The National Gallery of Ireland is wheelchair accessible.
St. Audeon's Church
- St. Audoen’s Church is a must for history buffs.
- The church offers partial access for wheelchair users.
- For more information on the church, stop by the visitor center, which is situated in St. Anne’s Chapel at the site.
River Liffey
- Exploring the River Liffey and its immediate surrounds is a must for first-time visitors to Dublin.
- If you plan on swimming, know that the waters of the Liffey are cold year-round.
- Wheelchair-accessible boat cruises are offered, and many of the paths that run alongside the river’s edge are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Howth
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National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- The Decorative Arts and History branch of the National Museum of Ireland is a must for history buffs and culture enthusiasts.
- Pick up a floor plan on arrival to help plan your visit.
- The museum has a cloakroom, accessible toilets, and baby-changing facilities.
- There is seating in most of the galleries.
- All galleries in the museum are wheelchair accessible.
Irish Whiskey Museum
- The Irish Whiskey Museum is a must for whiskey aficionados.
- A café is situated within the museum.
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the site.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Irish Rock 'n Roll Museum
- The Irish Rock N Roll Museum is a must for music fans and rock enthusiasts.
- Book tours in advance to ensure a spot at your preferred time.
- Tours can be tailored to suit younger visitors and families.
- The Irish Rock N Roll Museum is not wheelchair accessible.
Little Museum of Dublin
- The Little Museum of Dublin is a must for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the city.
- A café is situated in the basement of the museum.
- The museum has cloakroom facilities where you can leave umbrellas, strollers, coats, and bags.
- The museum is not wheelchair-accessible.