Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. On my first trip to the country, I knew I had to visit Dublin. The city has an energy like no other – lots of pubs, music, and nice, happy people.
Dublin was the perfect place to start a road trip through Ireland with my two girlfriends and I definitely want to return some day!
Here is how we spent 48 hours in Dublin. I hope that this helps you for your future trips to the city!
DAY 1
Christ Church Cathedral
Start your first day at the oldest medieval cathedral in Dublin, founded in 1030.
Make sure to tour the inside of the church where you can see the tomb of Strongbow, an infamous nobleman known for his leading role in the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. You can also visit the church’s crypt, which houses various historic objects and monuments. The most interesting being “Tom & Jerry” – a mummified cat and rat found in one of the church’s organ pipes!
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Founded in 1191, St Patrick’s Cathedral is the tallest and largest church in Ireland. The church is well known for being built on the site where Saint Patrick baptized people into Christianity in the 5th century.
Tours of the church are available. There is also a nice park beside the church!
St Stephen’s Green
Just east of St Patrick’s is St Stephen’s Green, a beautiful park in the city centre. The residential area surrounding the park is also very nice. The streets are lined with gorgeous Georgian townhouses – it’s one of my favourite areas in Dublin!
House Dublin
Very close to St Stephen’s Green is this restaurant with an amazing rooftop garden patio. I am so happy that we came here! I recommend at least coming here for a beer to admire the decor and greenery.
Grafton Street
Make your way down Grafton Street to the Temple Bar area. Grafton Street is one of the most popular shopping streets in Dublin and it’s bursting with energy.
Vintage Cocktail Club
For a quiet ending to your first busy day, try to find this “secret bar”. This is the first secret bar/speakeasy I’ve ever been to and I am OBSESSED with it.
Not only is the decor and ambiance perfect for a secret bar – the cocktail menu is genius! Prices are very steep but I found it totally worth it because the cocktails were delicious and I will never forget experiencing this unique spot.
DAY 2
Dublin Castle
Begin your second day with a tour of Dublin Castle. Dublin Castle was built in 1204 to protect the city after the Norman invasion of Ireland. Over time, buildings were added and the castle was, and still is, used by the Irish government.
A tour of Dublin Castle is fun and interactive with lots of stories told by the guide. You’ll see the grand State Apartments and the gothic Chapel Royal. You’ll also venture below the castle to see the remains of the medieval castle, as well as Dublin’s original defences during Viking times.
Dame Lane
Take Dame Lane, a cute narrow street filled with flags, towards Trinity College.
Molly Malone Statue
You’ll pass by the infamous Molly Malone Statue. “Molly Malone” is a popular song that has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin. I guarantee you’ll hear the song if you walk into any of Dublin’s pubs!
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Visiting Trinity College is a must. The college was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and it is Ireland’s oldest surviving university. It is one of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland and has the same prestige as Cambridge and Oxford. Women were first admitted to the college as full members in January 1904.
Tours of Trinity College are given daily by enthusiastic students of the university. I highly recommend taking a tour with a student so that you can hear all of the traditions and stories of the college.
After your tour of the campus, make your way over to the Library of Trinity College. You have to see the Long Room of the Old Library – it’s so beautiful and one of Ireland’s biggest tourist attractions. The Book of Kells, created in 800 AD, is the most famous book on display in the Old Library.
Merrion Square
Head over to Merrion Square, a beautiful garden square lined with Georgian townhouses. Oscar Wilde and W. B. Yeats lived here at one point. Merrion Square is also very close to Dublin’s well-known museums.
Temple Bar
You can’t come to Dublin without going to at least one pub in the Temple Bar area. I recommend spending your last night (if you haven’t already) bar-hopping and listening to traditional Irish music! I had the best time doing this in Dublin.
My favourite pubs that we went to were:
- The Temple Bar (crowded, but a must)
- The Brazen Head (Ireland’s oldest pub!)
- The Quays Bar
- The Stag’s Head
Some additional sites to visit in Dublin:
- Guinness Storehouse
- Jameson Distillery
- Kilmainham Gaol
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Irish Museum of Modern Art
- National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
- National Museum of Ireland – Natural History
- Dublin Zoo
- Phoenix Park
After two days in Dublin, I went on a road trip through southern Ireland.
To read my blog post, “A Road Trip Through Southern Ireland,” click here.
