As one of the most exciting cities in Europe, Dublin is not only the capital but also a veritable hotbed of entertainment and an ideal place for a short break. Visitors can enjoy anything from historical sites to thriving nightlife, visit a festival, and everything in between, but with so much to see and do, it does help to have a plan.
Anyone spending a day in Dublin should consider some of the more famous spots, but there are also a few hidden gems that are worth checking out as well.
Dublin Castle
For those that have never seen it before, Dublin Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in the city, resembling a palace more than a traditional castle. Originally built in the 13th Century, there have been numerous additions over the years and much of the current building dates back to the 18th century.
Visitors can explore by themselves or opt for the guided tour and, although it’s tough to fit in everything, it’s an incredible place to learn about the history of the city.
Guinness Storehouse
It may be a bit of a cliché, but there’s a reason that people rhapsodise about the Guinness in Ireland. As the most famous beer to herald from the country, Guinness has a long and distinguished history that makes the pint at the end of the tour even more delicious.
Guests will learn that the current factory was bought in 1759 with a nine thousand-year lease that secured the factory’s future for generations of Guinness lovers to come. After the tour, you can check out the Gravity bar for a pint of the good stuff and enjoy panoramic views over the city.
Kilmainham Gaol
Fans of the macabre will appreciate the chance to poke around one of the most notorious gaols in the country. Although it has not been used as a prison since 1910, apart from a brief spell in 1916 after the Easter Uprising, the gaol has a long history of housing some of the city’s most infamous criminals.
Visitors will learn that some of the cells were used to house eight prisoners at a time, with men, women, and children as young as seven all held here in cramped and unpleasant conditions. Many of the prisoners were shipped to Australia to make room for more, but after it was finally closed in 1960, it was turned into a museum that details some of the most interesting facts about the gaol itself and the prison system at the time.
The Sporting Emporium Casino
One for the casino game lovers. You may opt to head online to play at one of the top Irish online casinos or choose to experience in-person casino gaming in one of the largest casinos in Dublin. As one of Dublin’s most impressive gaming destinations, The Sporting Emporium Casino has everything you could want, from a wide range of slot machines to table games including:
- Brag
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Money Wheel
- Sic Bo
- Punto Banco
Players can soak up the opulent surroundings, admire the luxurious interior, and make the most of all the perks that a casino can offer. The atmosphere is relaxed, so it’s an ideal choice for beginners, but with plenty of action for more experienced players, including regular no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournaments.
Dublin Writers Museum
For a relatively small country, Ireland has produced more than its fair share of ground-breaking writers, from Oscar Wilde to James Joyce, not to mention Samuel Beckett and WB Yeats. The literary history of the area is sometimes overlooked, so this museum provides the perfect opportunity to delve a little deeper into the lives of these famous wordsmiths.
National History Museum
Like most European countries, Ireland’s history dates back to the Vikings and beyond, with plenty of significant moments in both the distant past and more recently. This museum takes an unflinching look at the events that have made Ireland what it is today, including the events that led to the country declaring itself independent in the 1920s.
Home to some of the most unusual exhibits, the museum has an extensive collection of natural history artefacts from all over the world, all contained in a truly beautiful building. With viewing galleries and well-designed displays, any visitor can find something to interest them at the National History Museum.
Whether you are visiting Dublin for the first time or you’re familiar with the city but want to make the most of what it has to offer, this list is just a scraping of what there is to do. If you only have twenty-four hours, you will have to prioritise the things that appeal to you most, but you might find that this amazing city pulls you in and you end up staying for longer!
