walking tours dublin ireland

EXPLORE THE CITY

Like a local, pat liddy's walking tours.

We are proud to present to you the best walking tours in Dublin. Founded in 2004, we are an award-winning walking tour company with a host of well-trained and highly-acclaimed tour guides who want to share their passion for Dublin with you.

 We offer tours in English, French, German and Irish for individual tourists, groups, student groups, corporate tours and many more.

Every year we bring thousands of people around the city, to show them the most famous Dublin locations and to visit many areas that are often missed. We want people to be as enthusiastic about Dublin as we are, and with us you will see Dublin as it was meant to be seen, discover the treasures of the city and bring home happy memories to keep with you forever. Our guides are, without a doubt, among the best in Dublin, and are united by a passion for this city that we’ll be delighted to share with you!

PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CORPORATE & STUDENT TOURS

PRIVATE TOURS

CORPORATE TOURS

STUDENT TOURS

Testimonials.

“Traveling with Pat was fantastic. He is professional, knowledgeable, and has a great sense of humor. Highly recommend!”

John, New York

“Pat is a great tour guide. He is personable, friendly and so patient. ”

Dan, Chicago

“Greatest trip ever. Pat is a great host. Just fantastic!”

Shirley, Toronto

Office phone:

+353 1 832 9406, emergency phone:, +353 87 905 2480 , [email protected], privacy policy   cookie polic y.

Queer Dublin Walking Tour

Original Dublin Walking Tour

Original Dublin Singing Tour

Dublin Mythology & Folklore Tour

Tour gratis en Español

Free Walking Tour of Dublin

Why original dublin.

Because you’ve made it your mission to visit Dublin, and we’ve made it ours to ensure that you get more than a visit. We promise you more than just a great tour – We make our Dublin, your Dublin.

We’re Original Dublin, and our collective of accredited tour guides, writers, actors and musicians show people the beating heart of Dublin itself.  This is our hometown. We can give you a local perspective of our wonderful city. 

Winner of the 2022 Freetour.com award for ‘Most Original Tour’ & the Platinum Award for ‘Event Storytelling’ at the 2022 Eventex Awards. 

Elevate your trip with a unique Dublin Walking Tour. Book now for a stroll through Dublin City that you’ll never forget.

What Do Our Guests Say?

Keith was very knowledgeable and provided us with a lot of information about Ireland’s history.

Dan was so funny and knowledgeable. He’s also a great storyteller. Wonderful tour. You’ll really learn a lot while enjoying his sense of humor.

Increíble tour! Mucha historia y curiosidades de la ciudad! Gracias a Daniela por todo su conocimiento y por contagiarnos el interés de querer seguir conociendo sobre irlanda!

Muy linda experiencia con Daniela. Explicaciones súper claras y muy apasionada sobre la ciudad y su historia. Lo pase realmente muy bien!

Great experience, many thanks to Keith.

Daniela es fantástica. El tour es muy completo y da mucha información sobre el conector histórico. Totalmente recomendado!

Me ha encantado el tour con Daniela! Muy recomendable el tour y la experiencia inmersiva en Dublin

Daniela ha estado estupenda!!

Excelente el tour con Daniela! Muy entretenida y divertida!

Genial Daniela!

Daniel increible

Dave was absolutely brilliant, very friendly, answered each and every question with enthusiasm and had an abundance of knowledge. Clearly very passionate about what he does and was an excellent guide 10/10. Visited many historic spots and gave many recommendations for places to visit in Dublin.

HELENA'S the best!

Si buscan un tour con buena energía, con buen conocimiento y ultimada mente bien relajado, Daniela lo hace rebién! Estuvo atenta y dispuesta a responder las preguntas con honestidad y realista! Sumamente amable y lo recomiendo!!

Nuestra guía fue Marina, quien supo trasmitir sus conocimientos sobre la historia y la cultura de Dublín de forma muy amena y divertida. Sobre todo me gustó que incluyera anécdotas y consejos sobre qué vale la pena y qué no visitar. Personalmente creo que hizo un trabajo estupendo y recomiendo ir con ella a hacer los tours.

Hemos hecho el free Tour con Marina y ha sido fantástico. Muy amable, muy entretenido y dinámico. Recomendable para todo visitante de Dublín. Mercii!!!!

Un tour muy completo, pasas 3h super entretenidas aprendiendo muchos detalles sobre la cultura irlandesa, mientras visitas los monumentos más emblemáticos (y los diez minutillos para la guiness vienen de lujo). Además, si te toca con Marina, has tenido suerte, de las mejores guias que hemos tenido

dave is the best

Marina es una genia, sabe muchísimo sobre la historia de Irlanda y lo hace super interesante! Recomiendo!

Estupendo tour por Dublín donde Marina nos contó no solo la historia general, si no también las anécdotas de los lugares que visitamos. Tour ameno y muy recomendable!

Marina super amable y simpatica. Explica muy bien todo!

Verry nice guide. Learned a lot about Dublin

Very good experience, they show you a lot of things and stories from the dublin past

Muy bueno el tour con Marina , súper recomendable

Marina una crack!!!

Guida super carismatica, bellissima esperienza, consiglio!!

Super tour! One of the best free walking tours I have done. Ian was an amazing guide 👍🏻

Kieran is a perfect tour guide - straight to the point, sarcastic, dark humour and insightful. I enjoyed the tour a lot. Recommended.

Great tour guide, explaining the history, language and landmarks or Ireland in a fun and engaging way

Fantastic tour with Kieran, who offered a great balance of history, folklore, legend, knowledge, and humour. Highly recommended!

Like What You See?

Who are we.

We are Original Dublin – a local Dublin tour guide collective crafting experiences unlike any other in the city to ensure you get the best from your time in the Irish capital.

• [email protected]
• +353874863488
• 3 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

MUSIC & PUBS

• REVOLUTIONARY DUBLIN & 2016

DUBLIN'S 10 TASTINGS

Dublin kickstarter.

• SECRETS AND HIDDEN GEMS
• HAUNTED DUBLIN
• STREET ART, GRAFFITI, COUNTER CULTURE
• THE PERFECT PINT
• MALAHIDE CASTLE & GARDENS

Let me be your guide

As your tour guide, I’ll help you disconnect from your everyday world, so you can immerse yourself in Dublin and all it has to offer. Check out just some of my tour options below or better still call, text or whatsapp me on 00353871822493 or email me at  [email protected]  so I can create a bespoke tour option to precisely cover your interests, group size and budget.

Ruairi Keogh

MY WALKING TOURS

Experience the Dubliner’s Dublin with Ruairi and learn all about the Irish music from traditional to rock. Visit famous landmarks and pubs and listen and enjoy Irish music at its finest Enjoy Irish pub grub and drinks while lapping up the atmosphere, music and craic in Dublin’s best classic pubs.

Cost: €26pp

REVOLUTIONARY DUBLIN 

Dublin was the epicentre of the Irish struggle for Irish independence and the rising over Easter 1916 is the most important turning point. On this 3 hour tour you’ll visit some of the key places associated with the rising as well as hearing stories that you’d struggle to find in academic tomes.

Cost: €30pp

On this 3 hour tour you ‘ll visit a mix of artisan producers, market stalls, traditional pubs and restaurants sampling incredible products along the way. Everything from handmade fudge to succulent pork, fish and chips, ice-cream and of course a magnificent Guinness poured to perfection.

Cost: €99.50pp

100 minutes around the centre of Dublin that will give you all the essential information that you’ll need about Dublin, its history and must see attractions, You’ll get your bearings, get a taste of all that Dublin has to offer and end up better equipped to make the most of your time here.

Cost: €28pp  

SECRETS & HIDDEN GEMS

Want to see the best of Dublin including its secrets and hidden gems? Discover Dublin’s centre’s unique districts in a three hour tour. From it’s Viking Birthplace and it’s medieval centre, to its’ cultural centre, markets, stores and of course a fantastic Dublin pub.

HAUNTED  DUBLIN

Take 2 hours to discover Dublin’s scary tales and horrifying scandals. Visit the 40 steps where the ghost of Jonathan Swift still appears, Visit places that inspired Brahm Stoker’s Dracula and  visit one of Dublin’s oldest pub which is home to a number of ghostly spectres.

Cost: €28pp

STREET ART, GRAFFITI & COUNTER CULTURE

On this two two and a half hour tour you’ll discover Dublin’s vibrant street life, see where Graffiti transitions into art, spectacular murals and installations, cool markets and local shopping areas, coffee culture and of course craft beers.

THE PERFECT PINT & WHISKEY GALORE

Take a 3 hour wander around some of Dublin’s famous hostelries and public houses. Sample craft beers and ciders and discover what makes the “perfect pint”. Enjoy a couple of drinks in pubs frequented by artists, musicians and literary characters of the past and present

Cost: €43pp

MALAHIDE CASTLE AND GARDENS

Situated 30 minutes north of Dublin’s city centre is the picturesque seaside village of Malahide. Originally founded by the Vikings this scenic coastline enjoys beautiful beaches, landmarks, shops. Bars and restaurants.

Cost: €70pp

“Leading us through different parts of Dublin, he informed us about the city's history, geography, art, culture and even told us a few ghost stories.”

“ruairi knows his stuff, put on your walking shoes and enjoy a great morning.”.

Billy, Northern Ireland

“We had a fabulous time on our food tour with Ruairí. He took us to some really unique spots that fully showcased both the classic Irish food experience as well as Dublin's emerging foodie culture. ”

Matthew, Amsterdam

#DublinWalkingTours

Tag me on Instagram with @bd.walkingtours #staycation2021

[email protected]

+353 87 255 4765

Dublin Strolls

Guided Walking Tours of Dublin City

Daily Tours: 11AM & 230PM

About Dublin Strolls - Guided walking tours of Dublin city

Discover Dublin through the eyes of a local on your guided walking tour. Join your experienced tourist guide, Dermot, to discover Dublin city on foot. We keep our group sizes small to make sure you leave loving Dublin city as much as we do!

Daily Tours at 11:00AM and 2:30PM

Take one of our most popular walking tours; learn about Medieval and Viking Dublin, seek out the grandeur of Georgian Dublin or explore the city's most famous sights on this small group walking tour of Dublin. 

We offer customised tours for individuals, families, friends and groups. Have a special interest in literature, history, music? Want to rediscover your city, or your Irish heritage? We will design a bespoke guided walking tour of Dublin city to match your interests, ensuring you have the best day out exploring Ireland's beautiful capital city. 

GEORGIAN DUBLIN, SOUTHSIDE

Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace

On this guided walking tour discover the delights of Georgian Dublin and delve into its history. Sights include: Georgian Squares, Leinster House, Huguenot Cemetery and much more

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The best free walking tours Dublin has to offer

Small, compact and packed with stories to tell, Dublin is best visited in the company of an expert. Whether you’re looking for a deep dive into the city’s medieval history or need a primer on local folklore, Dublin’s range of free walking tours can accommodate. Yes, free: there’s no charge to take part in any of these tours, but you’re invited to give the guide a tip for a job well done.

There are a number of independent operators that offer free walking tours of the city, including Yellow Umbrella Tours, Generation Tours and Sandeman’s, who operate free walking tours in a host of other European cities.

Sandemans NewEurope Free Tour of Dublin

Sandemans NewEurope- Dublin

Generation Tours

Yellow Umbrella Tours Ltd

Join the Unearthed Tours Free Walking Tour of Dublin - Discover Dublin & Hidden Gems

Céad míle fáilte

One hundred thousand welcomes, come and join us in unearthing the history of dublin and leaving no trace behind our passionate, local tour guides are working hard to help rebuild dublin and showcase the very best this fantastic city has to offer. our free walking tour of dublin is a great way to start off exploring the city, 2.5 hours of visiting the most iconic locations in the capital, but also showing you the hidden gems too. we'll discover the places you need to visit to tick off your bucket list, but give you the opportunity to discover local dublin as well #supportlocalbusiness   #leavenotrace   #freetourdublin.

Starts at Barnardo Square on Dame Street!

Check out what we do.

Dark Dublin Tour

Free Tour Of Dublin

Women of Ireland Tour

Private Tours

What are our guests saying.

We had the most amazing time exploring the wonderful city of Dublin with our great guide Kieron. His story telling was incredible. I felt like we had seen the whole city within the 2 hours with more places to explore through recommendations. He answered all questions and told us about Ireland’s great history in a quick fire bite size but also very detailed way. We really enjoyed it and it is definitely a trip highlight. Thank you again for your informative, funny and friendly tour. Keep up the amazing work!

Jamie Wilson

Look out for the purple umbrellas  outside the Wolfe Tone Sculpture, at the entrance of St Stephens Green opposite The Shelbourne Hotel, for the Discover Dublin & Hidden Gems Free Walking Tour!

Discover dublin.

Local Dublin

[email protected]

@UnearthedToursDublin

@UnearthedToursDub

Historical Walking Tours of Dublin

“Outstanding blend of history and humour … the original Dublin walking tour is still the best”

The Original Tour

In just two hours, this award-winning and entertaining walking tour, conducted by history professionals, explores the main features of Irish history—the English conquest, the influences of the American and French Revolutions, the Great Hunger, the struggle for independence, partition—and concludes with the Northern Ireland peace process and Ireland today post-Brexit.

Where do we go?

• ‘Grattan’s Parliament’
• Thomas Davis statue (Potato Famine)
• Temple Bar’s ‘Wall of Fame’
• Dublin Society of United Irishmen, Eustace St.
• Dublin/Dubh Linn (‘black pool’)
• Dublin Castle
• Wood Quay (Vikings)
• Four Courts
• Christ Church Cathedral

Meet our guides

Tommy Graham

Tommy (and Van Morrison) at Temple Bar’s ‘Wall of Fame’ of notable Irish rock artists. Originally a sewing factory, the red building became a recording studio in the 1990s, and more recently a music venue.

Tommy graham founded historical walking tours of dublin as an undergraduate in 1986. it is now dublin’s longest established walking tour business. he is the editor and founder (1993) of history ireland , the country’s only illustrated history magazine and convenor (since 2010) of its ‘live show’ and podcast, the history ireland hedge school . he has lectured at nyu’s tisch school of the arts dublin programme and at griffith college, and has presented newstalk radio’s ‘talking history’..

Donal Fallon

Donal at our starting point—the Grattan statue, on the College Green traffic island, opposite Trinity College front gate. Henry Grattan was MP for Dublin City, 1775-1800, in the old colonial parliament (now the Bank of Ireland) and, after its abolition by the Act of Union in 1800, an MP in Westminster.

Donal fallon, a history graduate of ucd, has been working with historical walking tours of dublin since 2010. he is one of the founders of the award-winning blog on dublin life and culture, ‘ come here to me ’ (a selection from its archive has recently been published by new island books). his recently completed ma thesis on 1930s dublin and youth criminality will be published shortly. he is a regular contributor to irish media (print and radio) on dublin’s history, society and popular culture. he is also the presenter of the popular three castles burning podcast.

Sylvie Kleinman

Sylvie at Dublin Castle, built by King John of England in 1204, and seat of English (and later British) administration in Ireland for over 700 years.

Sylvie kleinman studied history in ireland and france (she’s a native french speaker) and has long been involved in teaching, researching and public history in dublin. she’s a regular contributor to history ireland and currently its tv and radio reviewer. initially focused on ireland in the age of the american and french revolutions, she has a keen interest in the growth of irish nationalist and patriotic culture. sylvie endeavours to internationalise how we approach the past in ireland, reflects on class and gender as much as religious identity, and is very interested in dublin's history at street level..

Eoin at Christ Church, the older of Dublin’s two medieval cathedrals. Originally a wooden building, founded in 1030 by Christianized Vikings, it was rebuild in stone in the 1170s by Richard de Clare (better known as ‘Strongbow’), and again in the 1870s by a whiskey distiller, George Roe.

Eoin walsh has an ma in modern irish history from university college dublin, supervised by professor diarmaid ferriter. he specialises in the irish revolutionary period (1912-1923) and is the author of kilkenny: in times of revolution, 1900-23 . he has published history articles for various newspapers and magazines..

Cathal Brennan

Cathal outside the Irish Film Institute, Temple Bar, originally the Meeting House of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), where the black abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, addressed a public meeting in 1845 at the invitation of ‘the Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell.

Cathal brennan has a ba in history from trinity college, dublin where he specialised in early twentieth-century irish history. he also has third level qualifications in media production (marino college), tv and video production (dún laoghaire institute of art, design and technology) and research skills for tv (screen training ireland). he has worked as a researcher on who do you think you are (bbc, rté and nbc versions), the children of the revolution (rté) and the great house revival (rté). he is co-presenter (with john dorney) of the irish history story podcast.

Daragh Fitzgerald

Daragh in front of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I of England. The Grattan statue, on the College Green traffic island opposite Trinity front gate, is our starting point.

Daragh fitzgerald studied english literature and history at trinity college, dublin. he completed a postgrad there, specializing in the revolutionary period (1912-1923). he also has an interest in the great writers who have called dublin home. he currently lectures in irish history and culture at griffith college, dublin, and is the editor of ‘bookworm’ in history ireland, tommy graham founded historical walking tours of dublin as an undergraduate in 1986. it is now dublin’s longest established walking tour business. he is the editor and founder (1993) of history ireland , the country’s only illustrated history magazine and convenor (since 2010) of its ‘live show’ and podcast, the history ireland hedge school. he has lectured at nyu’s tisch school of the arts dublin programme and at griffith college, and has presented newstalk radio’s ‘talking history’., watch a little taster of the tour before you go.

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Self-Guided Walking Holidays in Ireland

• Guided Walks and Hikes

Guided Full Moon Walks near Dublin

Join hilltoptreks hill walking club.

Walking Holidays In Ireland

Hilltoptreks offer Award winning Guided and Self Guided Walking Holidays in Ireland. As well as Day Tours from Dublin, Guided Day Walks and Multi-day hiking Tours of Ireland.

All the guides are qualified and local giving you the best insight during your day hike, hiking tour or walking holidays in Ireland..

From all the tours you really get to see the Irish landscape up close and personal. You will be brought of the beaten track where you can experience Ireland’s real beauty.

Hilltoptreks have been organizing fantastic Walking holidays, day hikes, hiking tours and Day Tours in Ireland for numerous years. Over this period they have fine tuned their tours and cherry picked some of the finest walks in Ireland just for you.

They like to pride themselves on offering you the best insight into Ireland. Including its culture, history, music, people and of course Ireland’s beautiful landscape.

So in a nutshell what Hilltoptreks provide are: • Irish Day Tours from Dublin of Wicklow, Glendalough, Kilkenny, the Boyne Valley and Newgrange.. • Guided Day hikes and walks to some of Ireland’s most scenic locations. • Walking Holidays in Ireland and Europe – Guided or Self Guided. • Hiking Tours throughout Ireland. • Day Tours with Guided Walks or Horse Riding Options. • Short Walking Breaks and hiking tours in Ireland. • We can also Tailor make Tours or day hikes to suit you, your family, company, group or friends

Why choose our walking & hiking holidays?

Local qualified guides (a real insight into ireland).

All our guided Irish day tours, hill walking, trekking and hiking tours are hosted by local and qualified guides. They will give you a real insight into Ireland and the places you are visiting. The guides are also friendly and can help you with any inquiries you may have.

Customised Tours (Tours to suit all tastes and abilities)

We operate Irish day tours, Hill Walking, trekking, day hikes, hiking tours and multi day tours through out Ireland. On our Multi-day tours we do this in a way that you have a choice on most days of the activities if any, that you would like to do.

A Lifetime Experience (Off the beaten track with highlights also)

Our hill walking, trekking and hiking Irish tours are designed so that you will visit the recommended highlights of the area you visit in Ireland. You will also visit and explore many places that are off the beaten track.

What People Say about Walking Holidays in Ireland.

“We can’t thank Hilltop Treks enough! They helped my boyfriend plan the most perfect engagement at Guinness Lake. It was the most breathtaking backdrop to our wonderful moment.”

“Hilltop treks thanks for a fabulous day tour in Wicklow! Loved it all!”

“Excellent way to spend a day” – Wonderful experience to enter Newgrange and a lot of wonderful sights around the Boyne Valley

Wicklow day trip with horse back riding was even five stars in the rain!!!

“Have gone on a few hikes now with Hilltoptreks they are always great fun, with a lovely group of friendly people. The locations are stunning also and Terry has great local knowledge”

BEST way to see beautiful Ireland!

Review of  Hilltoptreks

Reviewed 12th July 2019 via mobile

Stop what you’re doing and book a trek with Hilltop Treks already! I was so thoroughly impressed with my experience of the Wicklow/Glendalough tour, I honestly can’t recommend it enough. I only had a few days in Ireland, so the incredible scenery and knowledge gleaned from this tour gave me a real sense of the country and culture as a whole. Massive, MASSIVE thank you to our incredible guide Johnny, who absolutely made the experience. Funny, caring and deeply passionate about this part of Ireland, he is a wonderful ambassador for this beautiful country. Can’t wait to visit again!

Date of experience:  July 2019

Great guided tour

Reviewed 9th July 2021 via mobile

Loved walking with Terry. Terry knows the Dublin Wicklow mountains like the back of his hand and his relaxed leadership style makes for a great day out leaving you to enjoy the views and good company. I would definitely recommend Terry and look forward to more hikes in the hills in the future.

Date of experience:  July 2021

Memorable private tour of Powerscourt, Wicklow, and Glendalough

Reviewed 22 Aug 2019

Visiting these incredibly beautiful sites on a relaxing private day tour was a definite highlight of our family vacation. Thanks to Hugh for a well-paced, comfortable trip with lots of interesting commentary and discussions along the way, and for dropping us off at our Kilkenny hotel with recommendations for our visit there. Highly recommended!

Date of experience:  22nd Aug 2019

You might also be interested in our Short Walking Breaks for 2024

Walking weekend in mayo, march 30th – april 1st 2024, walking weekend in scotland, may 31st – june 3rd 2024.

Hill Walking Holidays in Ireland

HilltopTreks Blog

Tour of Wicklow and Glendalough

Tour of Wicklow and Glendalough from Dublin Glendalough and Wicklow Tours from Dublin written by Linda I recently went on Hilltop Trek’s Tour of Wicklow and Glendalough and would highly recommend it! Why? Well, what I personally liked about this tour was that it was on a mini bus with max capacity of 16 people. […]

Walking the sheep’s head way

Hill Walking in West Cork The Sheep’s Head Way Discover the beauty and wonders of this little Peninsula on the Sheep’s Head Way.  Gillian takes a few days walking on the Sheep’s Head Way in West Cork. Gillian has a real love for the outdoors, flora and fauna and there is nothing she enjoys more […]

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Guided walks and Tours in Ireland. Day tours and guided hikes. Walking holidays in Ireland and Europe. #walking #hiking Ireland #tours #guided walks

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HilltopTreks

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Dodder Valley Park,

Firhouse Dublin 24,

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Tours and Walks

• Day Tours From Dublin
• Self Guided Walks in Ireland
• Guided Walking Holidays in Ireland
• Short Walking Breaks Ireland

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Dublin: A Walking Tour of the Main Sights

Ready to explore Dublin on foot? Follow this guide to cover the compact Irish capital and see all of the main sights without needed to hop on a guided Dublin tour.

Starting Out on O'Connell Bridge

 TripSavvy / Jamie Ditaranto

A walking tour of Dublin, self-guided, does it need a lot of preparation and map-work? Actually, it does not, as Ireland's capital is ideal for a leisurely stroll that will take in most of the top attractions too.

Most of the best sights of Dublin are situated in a comparatively small area. To get a good impression of this lively and historic city you only need to take a walk. And you can travel light as shelter from rain and refreshments can be found virtually everywhere. The whole tour of Dublin's Fair City should take anything between two and six hours - two hours for energetic walkers and without lingering too long at any place, six hours including stops, the Trinity College tour and a pause or two in a café. So put on your walking shoes and off we go ...

Start your walk on O'Connell Bridge, the nearest equivalent of a central place Dublin can boast. Reputed to be one of the only bridge in the world that is wider than it is actually long, this is the heart of Dublin, admire the view for a few minutes, then start walking up O'Connell Street . Cross over to the central reservation and have a good look at the O'Connell Memorial with its magnificent statues full of allegory. See an angel crushing a serpent, spot the faithful Irish wolfhound and notice some bullet holes. These were caused by gunfire during the fighting in 1916 and have never been repaired.

O'Connell Street and the General Post Office

Further statues and "The Spire of Dublin" await you—the latter was erected to mark the millennium and is also known as "The Stiletto in the Ghetto."

Of the impressive buildings on O'Connell Street, the General Post Office  takes pride of place. This was the central fighting area of 1916 but has been lovingly restored - it is open to the public during daytime as it still is Dublin's GPO. Have a look around and maybe buy some commemorative stamps in the Philatelic Office. Then continue up O'Connell Street, past the trompe d'oeil Carlton Cinema and on to the Parnell Statue.

Charles Stewart Parnell is remembered more low-key than O'Connell but his monument is among the most beautiful in Dublin. Walk around it and read the names of all 32 counties ... including pre-independence "King's County" and "Queen's County". Carry on past the "Ambassador" (a former cinema converted to a rock venue) for a walk around Parnell Square. You will pass a small monument with a broken chain and an Irish inscription commemorating the founding of the nationalist Irish Volunteers in 1913 on your left.

The Garden of Remembrance and Moore Street Market

Continue towards the magnificent Presbyterian Church and reach the Garden of Remembrance . These were established to honor all the victims of the fight for Irish independence - at all times. The theme is mythical. The large pond, forming a cross, has representations of discarded bronze age weapons at its bottom. The focus of attention will almost invariably be on the massive statue showing the transformation of the "Children of Lír", an evocative and fitting memorial.

When you leave the Garden continue the walk by turning left and then left and left again, passing the historic (and still very busy) Rotunda Hospital and the low-key headquarters of Sinn Fein until you hit Parnell Street. Turn right and then left again into Moore Street , noticing how Dubliners have elevated jaywalking to an art form. Moore Street itself is a semi-pedestrian zone and a collision of Dublin old and new. Traditional street traders hawk their wares from barrows and you might jostle for a place with a horse looking for a snack. The modern ILAC-Centre is on your right, countless Asian, African and East European "supermarkets" are on your left. Smuggled tobacco and cigarettes are sold next to butchers who do a mean breakfast roll. Take some time to enjoy this truly cosmopolitan and colorful area and then take a right into Henry Street to see South Dublin's premier shopping street.

Ha'penny Bridge, Temple Bar and the Bank of Ireland

TripSavvy / Jamie Ditaranto 

Now turn left into Liffey Street and walk down to the river of the same name. You will see the "Hags with the Bags" on your right just before having to cross the river using Ha'penny Bridge (officially "Liffey Bridge"). Dublin's most photographed river crossing was originally financed by a toll of one Halfpenny, hence the name. Today crossing is free.

On the south bank, a small (and sometimes very smelly) thoroughfare will take you straight into the "bohemian" ​ Temple Bar area, the hub of Dublin's trendy nightlife. Assuming you will make this walk during the daytime you may wonder what the fuss is all about - especially in the mornings Temple Bar is near deserted. Most of the action would be in the streets to the right - have a look and judge for yourself whether to come back later.

For now, you may well walk straight on past the looming Central Bank until you reach Dame Street. Take a left here and walk to College Green. On your left is the stately building that once was Ireland's parliament and now is the Bank of Ireland - take a look at the slightly dated security measures including small cannons. The Irish parliament is known as the only democratic representation that voted itself out of existence, effectively accepting direct British rule at the start of the 19th century.

Trinity College and Environs

TripSavvy / Kathleen Messmer

Exactly opposite to the Bank of Ireland, the entrance to Trinity College can be found - do not, under any circumstances, attempt to cross the road without using the regulated crossings. Even hardened Dubliners only attempt this in utter desperation!

After the crossing, you will want to enter the inner courtyard of Trinity College through the arch. It will be a revelation - a wide-open space with the impressive campanile at its center awaits you. The effect can be stunning, so watch out for fellow visitors stopping dead in their tracks right in front of you. Also, watch out for the more daring students trying to cycle through the narrow entrance! Immediately after coming out into the open again you will be invited to join the tour of Trinity College for a fee of € 10. As this includes the entrance fee for the library and the Book of Kells it is a worthwhile option. Should you have no time or restricted funds just have a look around the college grounds and then exit through the same gateway again.

After leaving Trinity College and turning left you will have to brave throngs of people waiting to catch a bus. On your right, you will see  a statue of Molly Malone in a very kitschy music hall style. Nearly every tourist has his or her photo taken here and some scurrilous street "performers" regularly frequent the site. Watching for a few minutes before continuing to Grafton Street can be very amusing.

Grafton Street, Stephen's Green and Merrion Row

Further on you will then find the pedestrian zone of Grafton Street, Dublin's "posh" shopping area. Do some window shopping but also have a look at the magnificent details to be found on the upper facades of the buildings themselves.

At the upper end of Grafton Street, some excellent buskers can occasionally be found performing on the streets for tips. Don't miss the life-size statue of Phil Lynott in a street to the right. The singer of "Thin Lizzy" was Ireland's rock hero long before Bono.

At the end of Grafton Street, the magnificent Stephen's Green Shopping Centre will dazzle you - the faux-Victorian metal and glass building holds dozens of shops plus a good food court and is the perfect place for a quick refresher.

Opposite the shopping center, you'll then notice the Fusilier's Arch, the grandiose entrance to Stephen's Green proper. Take a leisurely stroll through the park and also take in the surrounding areas. In the park, you will find a number of monuments, a garden dedicated to W.B.Yeats (won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923) with a cryptic piece by Henry Moore, a quaint lodge and numerous ducks on the lakes. You will also find shop assistants, office workers and students having their lunch al fresco .

Exit the park at the Wolfe Tone Memorial (commonly called "Tonehenge" for obvious reasons) in the northeast corner and then turn into Merrion Row. Here you will find the picturesque Huguenot Cemetery on your left and O'Donoghue's Pub on your right - where the seminal folk group "The Dubliners" started their rise to worldwide fame.

Merrion Square and Kildare Street

When you reach Merrion Street turn left and walk past the impressive Government Buildings, the Natural History Museum (the "Dead Zoo") and the National Gallery . You are now in the center of Georgian Dublin and near the Center of Irish politics. Merrion Square is on your right and in the northwest corner, the strange monument to Oscar Wilde is to be admired - opposite his childhood home. If you are feeling energetic take a stroll around the park, originally earmarked for construction of a cathedral. As the Catholic Church ran out of funds and steam for this project the park was presented to the citizens of Dublin. Today it hosts memorials, flowerbeds, pleasant walks and the buried remains of a bomb shelter.

From Oscar Wilde's statue carry on into Clare Street and then straight on to Leinster Street. At the corner of Kildare Street, the former Kildare Street Club can be admired - look at the curious carvings at the windows, from squirrels playing the lute to monkeys playing pool. Today the French Cultural Institute and the Heraldic Museum are based here. Walk up Kildare Street past the National Library and have a look at Leinster House and the National Museum . On a normal day, you will see protesters in front of Leinster house proclaiming worthy or simply bizarre causes. The gardai on duty seem to have seen it all and are usually visibly bored.

Dawson Street, Burgh Quay and the Custom House

Carry on up Kildare Street and at Stephen's Green take a right and then a right again down into Dawson Street. On your right Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin is seen. A palatial building with the Dublin coat-of-arms on display and frequently used for official functions.

Walking on you cross the road at the bottom of Dawson Street and then bear left, following the footpath right past Trinity College, finally taking a right onto College Street. There you have to cross the street opposite D'Olier Street. Admire the gothic Pearse Street Garda Station to your right, the romantic D'Olier-Building in front and the charming bronze sculpture showing the way to the "Screen" cinema in-between. Walk down Hawkins Street towards the Liffey, passing the faux-Tudor building of the Dublin Gasworks on your left. At the end of the street, you will find a nice memorial to a policeman who died saving the lives of Victorian workmen trapped underground.

You are now at Burgh Quay and will have to bear right to walk downstream along the Liffey. Do not worry if the Liffey seems to flow in the opposite direction, this will be just a strong tide coming in. After a short walk, you will have a splendid view of the faithfully restored Custom House on the north bank of the river. Cross over to the Northside using the modern Talbot Memorial Bridge and you will see the International Financial Services Centre on your right, dwarfing the moving Famine Memorial just beside the river.

Back to O'Connell Bridge ... or Further?

From the bridge, you might also see the replica "famine ship" Jeanie Johnston lying at berth in the redeveloped Dublin Docklands to the right. Have a closer look if you like, then head back westwards (or upstream) along the quays, passing Custom House until you come to the unashamedly ugly Liberty Hall (the Trade Union Headquarters) and turn right. Tucked away under the railway overpass and facing Liberty Hall is a memorial to James Connolly, the Irish-American socialist who fought and died with his small Irish Citizen Army in 1916.

Near the tram tracks take a left turn into Abbey Street and you will be guided towards the Abbey Theatre - Ireland's national theatre founded by W.B.Yeats. Unimposing on the outside but still putting on top-notch productions, though the scandals of O'Casey's days seem to be truly a thing of the past. Just a few yards more will bring you to O'Connell Street and O'Connell Bridge is to your left.

Your walking tour of Dublin has ended.

If you still feel energetic (maybe after a coffee and some cake) you could hop on a LUAS tram going westwards. This will take you to the Four Courts, the National Museum in Collins Barracks and on to Kilmainham Gaol. You will also be able to see the sprawling Guinness brewery and could even walk up to the Phoenix Park .

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From being the home of the world’s greatest writers, to epic Viking invasions, to fascinating folklore, Dublin’s main export has been stories. Come explore the capital of the Emerald Isle, as the Dublin’s best local guides tell you the tales of those who tried to tame this wild island.

The original  Free Tour of Dublin  covers many of Dublin’s top attractions including Dublin Castle, Temple Bar and Trinity College. After you’ve got the overview with the free walking tour, delve deeper with us!

In the evening, learn about Dublin’s haunted history on the Dark Side Tour . For those of you who want to escape the city for a day, we offer a  Howth day tour from Dublin. This excursion will take you to explore sights such as the Howth Castle and Baily Lighthouse, all just an hour out of Dublin.

If you are looking for a party, join us every night of the week for the best  pub crawl in Dublin.

Enjoy authentic local experiences

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Aside from the Free Tour, in Dublin you’ll also find unforgettable tours and experiences. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!

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15 Sights in One Day | A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dublin

Dublin city centre is fairly compact and can be easily explored on foot. Knowing the Irish capital very well, I put together an itinerary for a self-guided walking tour of Dublin focusing on sights located in the city centre so you can see as much as possible in one day.

Time spent on this tour depends entirely on you. It can be completed in less than 2 hours if you plan on just getting a feel for the city. Or you can spend all day if you decide to explore further and visit some of the attractions along this walking route of Dublin .

So let’s jump right in!

Disclaimer This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I earn a little money at no extra cost to you.

Best Online Resources to Book your Trip to Dublin

• Getting There | I would recommend Aer Lingus and Air France , two reliable and affordable airlines. If you’re travelling from the UK or France, you can also sail to Dublin with Irish Ferries and Stena Line .
• Where to Stay | You’ll find accommodation for every budget on Booking.com . Cheaper options can be found on Hostelworld .
• Things to Do | You can buy tickets, skip-the-line passes and day trips with GetYourGuide and Viator .
• Getting Around | Travel from and to Dublin airport with AirCoach or Dublin Express . Transport For Ireland free app will help you navigate the city transport network if you ever need a bus.
• Planning | Lonely Planet Dublin city guide is one of my favourite travel guides when it comes to planning a trip to the Irish capital.
• Travel Insurance | Don’t forget to buy travel insurance before visiting Dublin. Heymondo has a nifty app to help you get the assistance you need while on the go.

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dublin – PART 1

A. O’Connell Street

Start your day on  O’Connell Street . This large thoroughfare featuring statues to various Irish political leaders was in large part rebuilt after the violence of the  1916 Easter Rising . O’Connell Street has been the backdrop to several political events over the years and remains today the starting point of public protests and demonstrations.

On O’Connell Street is one of Dublin’s main landmarks: the  General Post Office . It is still a working post office today, rebuilt after its near-destruction during the 1916 events. Don’t hesitate to have a quick look inside, or why not check out its Easter Rising museum .

Also on O’Connell Street can be found the  Spire , a controversial 121-metre-high needle of stainless steel that is now one of Dublin’s most recognisable features.

B. Ha’Penny Bridge

Taking a selfie on the  Ha’Penny Bridge  is a real cliché that few can resist. It is also a real challenge. Made of cast iron, this elegant but narrow 19th century pedestrian bridge over the  River Liffey  is a Dubliners’ favourite to cross between the North and South side of the city. Also very popular with tourists, it can become congested at times.

The bridge was built in 1816 to replace rickety ferries used by pedestrians to move between the North and South bank of the river. It owes its name to the toll that people had to pay to cross the river: half a penny.

You might also be interested in: – Ireland Travel Books | The Best Guidebooks to Plan your Irish Adventure – Beyond the Cityscape | The Best Seaside Towns Near Dublin – The 4 Best Distillery Tours in Dublin To Learn About Irish Whiskey – 5 Amazing Places to Visit Near Dublin Without a Car

C. Temple Bar

Once you have crossed the Ha’Penny Bridge, head straight beneath the archway and enter  Temple Bar . The most photographed part of Dublin, Temple Bar is famous for its colourful pubs and Irish music pouring down its cobbled streets.

Often decried by locals as a tourist trap charging exorbitant prices for a pint of beer, Temple Bar is also Dublin’s cultural quarter , home to funky vintage shops, interesting art galleries, reputable restaurants and – a favourite of mine – a food market every Saturday.

D. Dublin Castle

Just across from Temple Bar is Dublin Castle . This wonderful piece of Georgian architecture is a must-see castle to visit on your first trip to Dublin . Dating from the 18th century, it replaced an earlier Norman fortress ravaged by a fire in 1684.

You won’t be allowed to enter the building without a ticket, but you can take a stroll around the Upper Yard for free and admire the Chapel Royal from outside.

At the back of the Castle can be found the Dubh Linn Gardens , a landscaped haven of peace in bustling Dublin. It is also here you’ll discover the Chester Beatty Library . No doubt one of the best art museums in Dublin, the world renowned Chester Beatty Library is also free to visit. Your chance to take a peek at rare and richly decorated Bibles and Qurans dating back centuries ago.

E. City Hall

Next to Dublin Castle is the  City Hall . Built in the 18th century, the building is a great piece of neo-classical architecture. City Hall holds temporary exhibitions and access is free.

F. Christ Church Cathedral

Five minutes away is  Christ Church , Dublin’s oldest cathedral. Extensively restored in the 1870s, it is an interesting mix of 12th-13th century architecture and Victorian Gothic features. Entrance is not free. If you decide to spend some time here, the guided tour will give you the opportunity to ring the bells in the belfry. Cheaper, you can also book a self-guided tour with audio guide (different languages available).

In the Synod Hall of the Cathedral across the bridge is  Dublinia , a museum dedicated to Viking and Medieval Dublin that commands the access to the medieval St Michael’s Tower. Entrance is with ticket only.

G. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Located 5-10 minutes down St Patrick’s Street,  Saint Patrick’s  is Dublin’s second cathedral. Jonathan Swift, best known as the author of Gulliver’s Travels, is buried under its floor. He was Dean of the Cathedral from 1713 to 1745. Tickets must be purchased to enter the edifice.

Adjacent to the Cathedral is the picturesque  St. Patrick’s Park  created in 1901 by Sir Edward Guinness. Around the corner from the Cathedral down St. Patrick’s Close can be found the  Marsh’s Library . One of Dublin’s oldest libraries , the Marsh’s Library is a perfectly preserved 18th century library.

H. George’s Street Arcade

This walking itinerary will now take you back to the heart of the city.

One of Europe’s oldest shopping centres,  George’s Street Arcade  is a Victorian indoor market home to an eclectic range of stores, stalls and cafés. Visit its vintage shops or browse drawings from local artists. Discover the unexpected in George’s Street Arcade.

I. Powerscourt Centre

In the heart of the Creative Quarter,  Powerscourt Centre  is a beautiful townhouse elegantly transformed into a shopping centre. Discover designer and craft shops, antique Irish brooches and rings including the famous  Claddagh ring , or just take some time to relax with a coffee.

Wander through the streets of the Creative Quarter for more independent stores with locally made products and some of the best Irish craft and souvenir shops in Dublin .

J. Grafton Street

You’ve reached  Grafton Street , Dublin’s main shopping district. This pedestrian-only street is home to many high-street brands, from Vans to Victoria’s Secret. On sunny days, Grafton Street is taken over by buskers and inventive entertainers. Talented or not, that’s up to you to decide!

At Grafton Street’s far end sits  Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre . Its impressive architecture of glass and steel should convince you to have a peek inside. Across from it can be found the  Gaiety Theatre . Every summer, the Gaiety welcomes a world-renowned show: River Dance.

Feeling hungry or tired? Time to get some energy back before exploring further. Cafés and restaurants abound in Grafton Street and nearby side streets. Eat a sandwich on the go, sit on a terrace for a coffee and light bite, or enjoy comforting pub food. There’s something for every taste in and around Grafton Street.

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dublin – PART 2

Now that you have rested your feet for a little while, let’s get back to our walking tour of Dublin.

A. St. Stephen’s Green

St. Stephen’s Green  is Dublin’s largest Georgian garden square and one of the most popular public parks in the city. Donated by Sir Arthur Guinness to the people of Dublin in the 19th century, St. Stephen’s Green has been a respite from the bustling city ever since.

Across from St. Stephen’s Green, you might spot a 300-year-old cemetery on Merrion Row. Established in 1693, it was the burial ground for French Huguenots in Dublin , who fled religious persecution in France.

B. Merrion Square

With elegant Georgian townhouses lined up all around it,  Merrion Square  is considered Dublin’s finest Georgian garden square. Among other notable residents, famous writers Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats lived in those desirable homes, as well as Irish political leader Daniel O’Connell.

Only open to the public since the 1960s, it is worth wandering around the garden’s well maintained alleys and manicured lawns until you bump into the great Oscar Wilde himself resting on a rock.

Behind a secured gate,  Leinster House  and the  Government Buildings  can be observed at a distance from Merrion Square. If you fancy a breath of culture along your walking tour, the  National Museum of Ireland  and the  National Gallery  both have their entrances around the corner. If you are visiting Dublin on a budget, these free leading museums have to be on your do-list !

C. Trinity College

Enter  Trinity College  through Nassau Street. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest surviving university and its most prestigious. You can roam the grounds freely and observe the elegant architecture of its oldest buildings harmoniously arranged in squares.

Tours are available from the main entrance on College Green, though not offered all year round. If you have some spare time, visit the  Old Library  (tickets only) that hosts an exhibition of the famous  Book of Kells , an illuminated manuscript believed to date back to the 9th century. The Long Room with its spectacular vaulted ceiling is a must-see masterpiece.

D. Molly Malone

End your self-guided walking tour in front of St Andrew’s Church in St. Andrew’s Street where the statue of  Molly Malone  is now located. Molly Malone is a fictional fishmonger rendered famous by a popular song of the same name. The song has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin and ending a tour of the city without paying your respect to Molly Malone could be perceived as rude.

Guided Tours for the History Enthusiast

Self-guided tours are great. You can go at your own pace and decide where and how you want to spend your time.

But if, like me, you like learning about the history and interesting anecdotes of the place you visit, why not book a guided tour with someone knowledgeable?

Check out the recommendations below!

Where to Stay in Dublin City Centre

To make the most of your day, I recommend staying in the city centre to allow for an early start. Here are some recommendations of top-rated hotels with the perfect location:

• O’Connell Street: The Gresham
• Ha’Penny Bridge: Zanzibar Lock
• Temple Bar: The Hard Rock Hotel
• Grafton Street: The Westbury Hotel
• Merrion Square: The Alex

Click here for more options, or read the latest reviews on Tripadvisor . Dublin can be very pricey, especially in the summer months. Always book early to get the best deal.

I hope you will enjoy this self-walking tour of Dublin and you will get to see as many sights as possible in just one day. There is so much to see that you might want to come back and explore Dublin even more. Hopefully this Dublin city guide will give you more ideas of things to do during your next visit to this wonderful and lively city.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I earn a little money at no extra cost to you.

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Dublin Walking Tour: A Self-Guided Walk To Dublin, Ireland Sights

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

Dublin, Ireland is home to numerous iconic sights and historic attractions – and the best way to see them is on a Dublin Walking Tour. We have devised a go-at-your-own-pace Free Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin that features the best of the city. 

The top places to visit in Dublin are clustered together in the heart of the city center, which allows guests the opportunity to explore on foot. Travelers can use our easy-to-follow Self-Guided Dublin Walking Tour to navigate to the top sights… for free ! We even include a helpful Dublin Walking Tour Map to help you make your way.

Free Walking Tour Dublin, Ireland

Our free walking tour of Dublin is a self-guided adventure to top attractions. The walk focuses on downtown Dublin and is an easy, flat stroll through the city center. Our Dublin sightseeing tour, without any stops, should take about 2 hours at a casual pace.

How To Use Our Free Walking Tour Dublin

For each sight on our Dublin free tour, we provide a brief introduction, as well as some background information. Additionally, we include directions from one sight to the next. You will find our helpful map of Dublin tourist attractions – plus a printable Dublin, Ireland tour map –  at the end of the article. 

The route includes 15 Must-See Dublin Attractions, many of which can be entered. Some sights are free, while other require a ticket (we indicate if there is an admission fee). If you plan on entering several sights, the Dublin Pass will likely save you money and so will our article covering 50 Free Things To Do in Dublin !

Why Use Our Dublin Walking Tour Free Route

If you only have one day, this free walking tour of Dublin, Ireland will surely get you acquainted with the city, as it includes stops at all the top things to see. Visitors can complete the walk of Dublin highlights in just 2 hours, but those who are entering attractions can plan a full day of sightseeing. 

Those with 2 days in Dublin – or more – can use our Free Tour Dublin Walk on the first day of their trip to get oriented. We also offer recommendations for more things to do in Dublin at the end of the article.

Free Tours Dublin: What You Need To Know

Our Free Tour of Dublin, Ireland is as advertised: absolutely free! Visitors simply follow our step-by-step tour as outlined below to the top sights. Our self-guided tour allows travelers to experience Dublin at their own pace and enter attractions as desired.

Walking Tour Dublin: Free & Guided

Visitors will see touts for many Free Tours in Dublin that are guide-led. However, it is essential to understand that a Guided Dublin Free Walking Tour is not, in fact, free. These Free Walking Tours Dublin are tip based – and guides expect (and hopefully deserve) tips. 

While we have outlined our Best Free Walking Tour of Dublin, visitors may opt to join one of the many guided tours. There are many themed guided walks in Dublin, including historical walking tours, street art tours and Dublin food tours.  We feature a few of the highly-rated Dublin walking tours – that are guided and require a fee – at the end of the article. 

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Free Dublin  Walk to use during your trip to Ireland!

Dublin Walking Tour: 15 Sights To See

Our self-guided, free tour of Dublin begins at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Use the provided links or the downtown Dublin Map at the end of the post to navigate from sight to sight. 

#1 St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland

The first sight on our city tour of Dublin is the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It was on this site that in 450 AD St. Patrick baptized the first Irish converts. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was completed in 1191 and is the largest church in Ireland. The spire reaches 140 feet.

The cathedral is one of the top attractions in Dublin and visiting requires an entry ticket. Buy your ticket now and download it to your phone!

Map Directions from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to St. Stephen’s Green.

#2 St. Stephen’s Green

The second attraction on our Dublin, Ireland sightseeing tour is St. Stephen’s Green. The 22-acre park in the center of Dublin was created in 1664 and has been open to the public since 1880. St. Stephen’s Green features a pond, a bandstand, memorials, statues, several paths and green lawns. If you wish, you can visit the official site for more information about the park.

If there is time in your Dublin itinerary, consider having a relaxing picnic in the park. Alternatively, explore the area directly north of St. Stephen’s Green. Top attractions in the vicinity are museums (The Little Museum of Dublin, The National Museum of Ireland Archeology, The National Gallery of Ireland), the Irish parliament building (called Leinster), the historic Mansion House (the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin) and Merrion Square Park. 

Map Directions from Saint Stephen’s Green to Grafton Street.

#3 Grafton Street

The pedestrian-only shopping district, Grafton Street, is the next stop on our tour – and one of the must-see sights in Dublin. Grafton Street leads from St. Stephen’s Green to Trinity College and features long-standing stores, recognizable brands, and historic cafes.

Sights to look for are the Brown Thomas Department Store (opened in 1849), Weir & Sons jewelry store (opened in 1869) and Bewley’s Café (opened in 1927). 

Grafton Street is also popular with street performers and musicians that entertain the passers-by. In fact, even U2’s Bono has performed on Grafton. No Dublin visit is complete without strolling the iconic street. 

Map Directions from Grafton Street to Irish Whiskey Museum.

#4 Irish Whiskey Museum

Whiskey is firmly part of Irish history. Today, distilleries dot the city landscape – each one offering their own story and tastings of their product. At the Irish Whiskey Museum, however, visitors get an unbiased version of the history of Irish whiskey…plus a chance to taste the product from several distillers. 

The Irish Whiskey Museum is conveniently located on Grafton Street – making it a popular stop on walking tours in Dublin, Ireland.

While tickets are required for the tour and tasting experiences at the Irish Whiskey Museum, visitors are free to stop in and check out the bar and shop. If you are skipping the guided tour, brush up on your Irish whiskey history . 

Map Directions from Irish Whiskey Museum to Trinity College.

#5 Dublin Trinity College

The famous Trinity College is the next stop on our Dublin walk (and it’s just across the street from the Whiskey Museum).

Established in 1592, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university and a must see in Dublin. The official name is College of the “Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin”, but is just called Trinity College for short.

Some of the college’s famous attendees are Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Samuel Becket and Courtney Love. The 47-acre campus has buildings arranged in squares around a bell tower and the library houses the Book of Kells (buy your fast-track ticket ). 

Map Directions from Trinity College to the Irish House of Parliament.

#6 Irish House of Parliament

Directly opposite the main entrance to Trinity College is the former Irish House of Parliament, and today houses the Bank of Ireland. The building is both architecturally and historically significant, which is why it is an important stop on walks around Dublin. 

Built in the mid-1700s, the Irish House of Parliament was the first ever specifically designed parliament structure, in that it featured an interior with a dual chamber – one for the House of Lords and one for the House of Commons. It’s a design that is still used today in bicameral government buildings around the world.

In the year 1800, however, it was inside the building that the parliament voted (under bribery and threat of King George III) to abolish itself in order to unite Ireland and Britain under as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It was a relationship that only lasted 22 years. 

One odd thing to note about the building is the absence of windows. While there are places for windows, glass panes were never installed as there was a Window Tax that would have driven up the cost. 

Want to take a fun detour? Just around the corner from the House of Parliament is one of the most famous statues in Dublin – the Molly Malone Statue ( MAP ). Walk past the front of the Parliament House and turn left on Church Lane and walk about a block to find the famous Molly Malone. She is a character in an Irish song – a fishmonger by day and prostitute by night. The statue is often referred to as ‘The Tart with the Cart’ and visitors rub her bosoms for good luck. 

Map Directions from Parliament Building to O’Connell Street.

#7 O’Connell Street and The Spire

Continue your Free Dublin Walking Tour by making your way north to the O’ Connell Street Bridge. Standing on the bridge, look up the stretch of O’Connell Street as it leads north from the River Liffey. The street has been the site of massive protests, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parades, shellings during the 1916 Easter Rising and a bombing of the Nelson Pillar in 1966. 

The street is named after the influential Daniel O’Connell (who is called The Liberator for his part in the Catholic Emancipation and his efforts to repeal the 1800 Act of Union). His statue stands at the north end of the bridge.

Further along the street are many other statues featuring some of Ireland’s most celebrated figures – as well as the Spire of Dublin. Officially called Monument of Light , the Spire was built on the site of Nelson’s Pillar and reaches a height of 390 feet. The needle-like monument stands as a symbol of Dublin.

Map Directions from O’Connell Bridge to Ha’Penny Bridge.

#8 River Liffey and the Ha’Penny Bridge

The next sight on our free Dublin Tour is the River Liffey. The river runs through the center of Dublin, dividing the city into north and south. The river has been an important part of the city’s trade since the time of the Vikings. 

Several bridges span the river, including three that are designated pedestrian-only, which makes for nice walks in Dublin. The most popular footbridge is the Liffey Bridge, which dates to 1816 and is better known as the Ha’ Penny Bridge for the 1/2 pence toll once required to cross it. 

Map Directions from River Liffey to Temple Bar District.

#9 The Dublin Temple Bar District

Every Dublin itinerary should include one or two stops at a traditional pub! The energetic Temple Bar District on the south side of the river is chock-full of Irish pubs, restaurants and tourist shops – and is one of the Dublin areas most visited by tourists.

Enter the district through the Merchant’s Arch, directly across from Ha’Penny Bridge and turn right onto Temple Bar. It’s fun to simply roam, but Temple Bar Street is not to be missed! 

The Temple Bar District is one of the best places in Dublin for a Pub Crawl ( like this one! ). Several of the bars have a line-up of live music starting mid-day and going late into the night. Our favorite pubs in the district are The Temple Bar and The Quays. 

Map Directions from Temple Bar to Dame Street and the Olympia Theater.

#10 Dame Street Dublin and The Olympia Theater

The next stop on our free tour of Dublin is Dame Street, a major thoroughfare through the heart of Dublin City Centre. Lined with a mishmash of architectural styles, the street is home to numerous banking institutions, restaurants and shops. 

That said, the still-operating Olympia Theater is, perhaps, the most prominent landmark on the street. Opened in 1879, The Olympia Theater is the premier theater and concert hall in the Dublin city center. 

The stage has seen a slew of famous acts from Charlie Chaplin to Mumford & Sons. The theater underwent a major overhaul in the 1970s and the original iron and glass awning had to be completely restored after a truck crashed into it in 2004. For more about the history – and upcoming events – visit the official website . 

Map Directions from Olympia Theater to Dublin City Hall.

#11 Dublin City Hall

Built as the Royal Exchange in the mid-1800s, the building was transferred to the city government and renamed Dublin City Hall in 1850. The building is still used by the Dublin City Council today.

It is free to visit Dublin City Hall. Step inside the rotunda, where giant columns support the domed ceiling. The murals on the walls of the rotunda tell the story of Dublin’s history, which the tiled floor mosaic depicts the city’s Coat of Arms.  

Map Directions from Dublin City Hall to the Dublin Castle.

#12 Dublin Castle

Next up on our Dublin historic walking tour is the grand Dublin Castle. The Dublin Castle was built between 1208 and 1220 as the residence of viceroys.

Although the castle is now used as a conference center and event complex, the buildings of Dublin Castle represent some of the oldest architecture in the city. It remains one of the top tourist attractions in Dublin. It is free to walk on the grounds, but a ticket is required for admission inside, where they also offer tours of Dublin Castle. Get more details for you visit.

Map Directions from Dublin Castle to Christ Church Cathedral. 

#13 Christ Church Cathedral of Dublin

The Christ Church Cathedral is the next stop on our tour. One of the top attractions in Dublin, Ireland, the Christ Church Cathedral dates to Medieval times. 

The church was built around the year 1030 – making it older than St. Patrick’s and one of the best places to visit in Dublin for a history lesson. It was expanded in 1171, but most of the current structure was built between 1871 and 1878. An entry ticket is required for admission, unless you are there to pray. Visit the official Christ Church website for more information.

Map Directions from Christ Church Cathedral to John’s Lane Church. 

#14 John’s Lane Church

Although lesser-known than St. Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedral, we think the John’s Lane Church is one of the Dublin hidden gems, which is why we include it in our free Dublin walking tour. 

The church was built on the previous site of St. John’s Hospital between 1862 and 1895. The French Gothic steeple reaches over 200 feet and is the tallest in Dublin – however, it is the colorful interior that is most striking. John’s Lane Church is one of the churches you can enter in Dublin for free.

Map Directions from John’s Lane Church to The Brazen Head Pub. 

#15 The Brazen Head

Claiming to be Ireland’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head is said to have origins dating back to the year 1198. The classic Irish pub features quaint rooms, three bars and live music. 

The traditional Brazen Head pub is a perfect place to stop for a pint at the end of a Dublin Self-Guided Walking Tour. For more information, read our article about The Brazen Head and be sure to also check out our Guide to Dublin’s Best Pubs !

MAP OF CITY CENTER DUBLIN, IRELAND

When embarking on Self Guided Walking Tours of Dublin, Ireland, a map is a must! We provided map links to each sight on our free Dublin walk, but we have a few more maps that will help you get from the first to the last stop!

Walking Route for Self Guided Tours in Dublin

Use this  link to Google for a Dublin sightseeing map that has turn-by-turn directions for our Self-Guided Walking Tour Dublin, Ireland. Note: While the map does not list every sight, the route is inclusive of all the stops on our tour.

Interactive City Center Map: Dublin, Ireland

Use this link to a Interactive Downtown Dublin Map to help route your way to the sights and attractions listed on our Self-Guided Dublin Walking Tour. 

Dublin, Ireland Self-Guided Walking Tour Map PRINTABLE

This is a printable map of Dublin. To print our Dublin, Ireland must-see map, first click on the map to enlarge it, then right-click and select Print. 

More Tours and Guided Walks in Dublin

Our above outlined free tour of Dublin is a great way to see the city. In fact, we think it is the Best Free Walking Tour Dublin that allows visitors to see the city at their own pace. 

However, visitors who want to learn more about the history of Dublin and meet fellow travelers may want to consider joining a Dublin tour guide for their walk.

The guided tours in Dublin range in price and duration – and focus on specific themes. 

Dublin Historical Walking Tour

The history of Dublin is fascinating. Join one of the easy 2-hour walking tours of Dublin that focuses on that vibrant history. Led by a local guide, participants are guided through the city while listening to the interesting facts and information that shaped Dublin. Get the details!  

Dublin Pub Crawl

When we think about things to do in Dublin, the first thing that comes to mind is drinking in pubs. We could have easily spent our days in Dublin doing nothing more than sipping pints of Guinness goodness; it really does taste better in Dublin!

However, then we would have missed out on Dublin sightseeing – and we weren’t going to visit Dublin and not see the top tourist attractions!

After a day of Dublin city sightseeing, however, visit the best pubs in Temple Bar on one of the entertaining Dublin night tours to the best bars! Book this tour!

Dublin Dark Side Walking Tour

There is a dark side to Dublin – as evidenced by gruesome stories of the past. On the Dark Dublin Tour participants will learn about the brothels and witches and the Hellfire Club while waltzing through back alleys and dark city streets. Book it…if you dare!

Ghost Tour Dublin

Join one of the Dublin guided tours to the spookiest spots in town! Learn the haunted history of Dublin on a spooky Gravedigger Ghost Tour. Note: This is a bus tour…which will give your feet a much-needed rest. Find out more!

Dublin Literary Pub Crawl

Follow in the footsteps of Ireland’s most famous writers…to the pubs, of course! On this Dublin Literary Tour, listen to stories of the great writers and learn about Dublin’s pub culture. Book the Literary Pub Crawl! 

1916 Tour Dublin

The 1916 Tour is a Dublin history tour that focuses on the events of the Uprising. The 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour includes visiting key locations, re-enactments and multi-media presentations for a unique experience. Learn more!

Pro Tip: Looking for free walking tours about the Easter Rising? Use the Self Guided Dublin Walking Tour audio guide podcast for a basic intro.

Food Tour in Dublin

Join a guide for a grazing tour of Dublin on this highly rated Food Tour. Learn about the history and local cuisine while feasting your way past city sights. Reserve your space!

Alternatively, embark on a journey to experience the contemporary food culture with the best bites at a few of the top restaurants. Get the details!

Street Art Tour Dublin

The city of Dublin has a vibrant street art scene. Visitors interested in learning more about the alternative side of Dublin can join the Street Art Tour to find off the beaten path local haunts. Book it!

Dublin Private City Tour

Those who want a personal introduction can join one of the Dublin Private Walking Tours. On this private tour, visitors get to see Dublin with the help of a local guide. Get the details!

For more themed Dublin walking tours, check out these of Dublin City Tours .  

More Fun Dublin, Ireland Tours

Once you have the lay of the land, indulge in a few essential Dublin experiences and tours.

• Visit Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse for a connoisseur tasting
• Head to the Jameson Distillery for a lesson on Irish whiskey
• Take a River Liffey cruise

Hop On Hop Off Dublin Tour Bus

Visitors interested in sightseeing without all the walking can catch a ride on one of the Dublin Bus Tours. The Dublin sightseeing bus routes make stops at (or near) all of the top attractions. The bus tickets also include other perks, like on-board commentary, discounts at top sights and a guided Dublin walking tour. 

Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Dublin

The classic, red Hop On Hop Off Tour in Dublin has two routes that stop at 28 places of interest – plus two walking tours included in the price. Visitors can opt for a 1- or 2-Day Pass .  

Green Do Dublin Hop On Hop Off Bus

Do Dublin is another tour company that offers a Hop On Hop Off Dublin, Ireland bus service. In addition to the 24- and 48-hour bus tickets , the Dublin tour company tickets also include transportation to and from the airport, as well as use of all Dublin city bus routes – plus free admission to The Little Museum of Dublin. 

Top Tip : A Dublin City Bus Tour is also included in the Dublin Pass , which can save money on entry into sights, too!

Tours and Day Trips From Dublin, Ireland

Use the city as a base and explore Ireland on one of many Dublin day trips. Visitors can explore on their own or join one of the highly rated tours that explores the region outside of Dublin City Center.

One of our favorite getaways is a short jaunt to the coastal village of Howth. Visitors can easily plan their own Day Trip To Howth – or book a guided trip . Other simple day trips from Dublin include the beachside community of Bray and the lovely village of Malahide .

Visitors can also travel to Northern Ireland to see the city of Belfast . Again, plan the trip on your own or join a tour from Dublin of Northern Ireland and Giant’s Causeway .

Other popular day tours from Dublin include seeing the stunning Cliffs of Moher (with a stop in quaint Doolin ), Visiting Galway or making a trip to the Blarney Castle (and kissing the Blarney Stone, of course!).  

Dublin day tours are offered by many companies. Read reviews from fellow travelers to find the best Ireland tours from Dublin on Viator ! 

Looking for multi-day Ireland trips? Set out from Dublin to see Ireland highlights on a five-day tour or enjoy the sights of Ireland on a six-day trip . 

Travel Tips For Your Dublin Trip

We have just a few final tips for your trip to Dublin! Planning an Ireland trip can feel a bit overwhelming – so we are outlining the essentials below – like where to stay, how to get there and what to pack.

Also check out our 3 Day Dublin Itinerary and 7 Day Ireland Itinerary for even more things to do! If you are coming from abroad, read our advice on Planning a Trip to Europe . 

As you make your plans, you will find that staying organized is key. To stay on top of all the details, use our Printable Travel Planner , which includes 25+ pages of travel organization! 

Where To Stay in Dublin, Ireland

We think the best place to stay in Dublin, Ireland is in the center, where it is easy to access the top sights and attractions on foot.

That said, during the summer tourist season, top value hotels book up quickly – so you will want to make sure you secure Dublin accommodations in advance of your trip. Before you start your search, read our tips for Booking the Best Hotels . 

Two of the highly-rated Dublin hotels are Leonardo Dublin Christchurch and Temple Bar Inn . Budget travelers can search for Dublin Hostels – like  Garden Lane Backpackers . Finding a vacation rental through Airbnb is another option on your vacation to Ireland.

Getting To Dublin, Ireland

Dublin can be reached by plane, train, bus, or ferry. Our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying, we are JetSettingFools, after all! When we do need to purchase cheap plane tickets , we start our search for the best deals on airline fares on Skyscanner . 

Flying to Dublin from the US is easy, with direct flights from DC , Philadelphia , Boston , NYC , Chicago , and SFO . Additionally, DUB is well-connected with all major European hubs like London , Frankfurt , Paris , Madrid , Lisbon and Amsterdam !

To get between destinations when flights are not possible, we usually rely on public transportation and take trains or buses. Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann provide bus transportation services in Ireland. 

We aren’t keen on driving abroad, but renting a car can often save time and money (especially when traveling with more than two people) – and having a car rental allows for greater discovery.  

Dublin Walking Tours: What You Will Need

Now that you know all about the Best Walking Tours of Dublin – plus other fun activities and essentials – it’s time to get ready for your sightseeing!

Make sure you are prepared by bringing the following items along with you. You can find all of our packing hacks  and advice on our Packing Page  – and grab your FREE packing checklist !

Travel Shoes

Although Downtown Dublin, Ireland is a very walkable, travelers will want to ensure they pack comfortable city walking shoes . I like to wear lightweight, rubber-soled shoes, like Columbia shoes or NB Trainers . Kris prefers wearing Merrell trail shoes, even in the city!

Ireland Weather Attire

The weather in Dublin is always unpredictable. It’s best to bring along a packable raincoat or travel umbrella for your free walking tour of Dublin. For those sunny moments, don’t forget sunglasses ,  sunscreen and a wide-brimmed travel hat . 

Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase , you will also want to have a great day bag to organize all your daily travel essentials . When we explore a city on foot, we like to wear small backpacks where we can stow our wallets, keys, map, jacket and umbrella.

Travel Camera

On walking tours of Dublin, Ireland visitors see heaps of top sights. While many travelers use their phone, we believe it is best to invest in an actual travel camera that will take high-quality photographs. We carry a Canon Rebel  with a 18-135mm lens . This DSLR is a perfect budget camera for beginner photographers – as it comes bundled with heaps of accessories and is easy to use! 

WiFi Connection

In our free Dublin Walking Tour, we include map links to get from sight to sight. However, in order to use those links, you will need a WiFi Connection . While many US cellphone providers offer temporary international data packages, they can be expensive! Instead, we recommend purchasing a WiFi Mobile Hotspot . 

Not only can we connect up to ten devices at one time (which is perfect for families or friends traveling together), but we purchase an eSIM in advance and are connected the minute we touch down off that long-haul flight . We would be lost without it – literally! That said, we still think it is also a good idea to carry a paper Dublin map and/or guidebook .

Ireland Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may help in the case of cancelled flights or lost luggage – as well as illness or injury while abroad. Consider traveling protected with World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to Ireland ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board .

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How to see more of Ireland on a budget

Mar 31, 2024 • 6 min read

Read on for expert tips to make your money go further in Ireland © davidf / Getty Images

By most European standards, Ireland can be quite expensive. Accommodation and food are generally priced at the upper end of the scale, which means a sizeable daily budget is needed.

However, there are plenty of ways to make your money go further during your visit to Ireland, and if you are travelling on a tight-ish budget, I have a host of cost-saving tips that will help you enjoy the best of what the country has to offer without missing out on the very best experiences.

Here’s a few tips that will help stretch your budget while visiting Ireland. 

Daily Costs

• Hostel room: €40-€70 (€50-€120 in Dublin)
• Basic room for two: €80-€100 (€100-€150 in Dublin)
• Self-catering apartments (including Airbnb): €150-€250
• Public transport ticket: €3.60
• Coffee: €3-€5
• Sandwich: €4-€8
• Dinner for two: €150
• Beer/pint at the bar:  €6-€9
• Average daily cost: €150- € 250

Know the cheapest time to go to Ireland

Peak season – May and August – is the most expensive time to visit, so you can make considerable savings travelling to Ireland outside of those months. Winter (except for Christmas) is when flight costs and accommodation rates are at their lowest, but you’ll likely encounter the worst weather and a lot of seasonal closures, especially along the west coast.

The ideal time to visit is during the shoulder season, especially in autumn (spring has St Patrick’s Day and Easter, which are typically busy and popular), when the crowds have dwindled, prices drop (especially for accommodation) and the weather can be surprisingly good.

Check the cheapest way to get there

Ireland is an island, so the vast majority of arrivals come by air. Dublin is the most popular arrival point, but if you’re coming from North America, flights into Shannon Airport are usually cheaper. For arrivals from Europe, Irish-based Ryanair is Europe’s largest airline, with dozens of cheap flights into Dublin and Cork from most major European cities. Cheaper still is the ferry. There are ferry ports in Dublin, Rosslare and Belfast , serving arrivals from the UK , France and Spain . A typical Sail & Rail ticket between London and Dublin can cost as little as €20.

Public transport is a good option to get around

Ireland has a pretty extensive network of public and private buses that are the most affordable way to travel. Transport for Ireland is a handy route planner for all public transport services across the country, including buses; in rural areas, Local Link services are a convenient way of exploring the local surroundings.

How to save money on attractions

Many attractions offer discounted rates if you buy tickets online in advance. You can also buy visitor passes that include entry to a number of attractions, such as the Dublin Pass. The Heritage Card includes free entry to all Office of Public Works–managed sites; it can be a good deal depending on how many spots you plan to visit.

There’s free entry to the four museums that make up the National Museum of Ireland (three branches in Dublin and one, the Museum of Country Life , in County Mayo), the National Gallery in Dublin, the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork and the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

Where to find good, cheap eats 

In bigger towns and cities with a large working population, many restaurants offer lunch deals that usually include a starter and a main course; a lot of Asian restaurants serve bento boxes as part of their lunch deals. Many restaurants also provide early bird menus that usually run between 5pm and 7pm; the menu is more limited but can offer considerable savings compared to the standard evening a la carte menu.

Early Table is an excellent online service that allows you to book an early sitting in restaurants across the country. You need to buy credit with them but the savings are considerable, usually up to 50% of the regular price of the meal.

How to get good value accommodation in Ireland

Accommodation will likely be the heftiest part of your travel budget. However, as many hotels use booking engines that operate dynamic pricing (which means rates go up and down depending on demand), early booking can often result in some very good deals. Calling a hotel directly – especially at the last minute – can also result in getting a better price than the one quoted on a website.

The traditional B&B was long the backbone of the Irish accommodation industry, and while many have been superseded by a glut of midrange hotels, they still offer surprisingly good value for money – with a home-cooked breakfast thrown in for good measure. Another option for savings on accommodation is to travel in the off-season, when rates are typically lower.

Find out where to join a free walking tour in Ireland

There are a handful of free walking tours that only expect a tip. Yellow Umbrella Tours operates free, thematic tours in Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Galway. Sandemans offers free tours across many European cities including Dublin, where it has a standard walking tour as well as an evening haunted tour, which explores the darker stories of the capital.

The best entertainment in Ireland for the price of a drink is...

Irish traditional music is Western Europe’s most vibrant and dynamic folk music. It is played all over the country, mostly in traditional pub "sessions", where many of the world’s very best players in the genre will showcase their remarkable skills…at no cost to the public. All you need to do is show up, buy a drink and settle in to enjoy.

How to visit heritage sites for free

Unless you invest in a Heritage Card, visiting OPW (Office of Public Works; the government agency that manages Ireland’s heritage sites) attractions can add up. However, try to time your visit for the first Wednesday of the month, when a large number of sites waive their entry charges as part of Free Wednesday . 

How to ride the train for cheap in Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the Sunday Fun Day Tracker ticket gives passengers unlimited train travel on a Sunday for £9 (£4.50 for children). Tickets are available from all ticket offices, the mlink ticketing app and from the train conductor.

Take advantage of the transport fare cap

If you’re planning to explore the region surrounding Dublin, you will save money by using public transport, which has instituted a fare cap on travel to some of the region’s commuter towns across counties Kildare, Meath and Louth. Standard single fares to/ from Dublin to a host of towns is fixed at €6.

Invest in a Leap card for public transport in Dublin

If you're going to use public transport in Dublin, be sure to get a Leap card  – a tap on, tap off card (similar to London’s Oyster Card) – which reduces fares by around 10% compared to cash and eliminates the hassle of having to provide exact change when buying a ticket. Leap cards can be bought in most convenience stores. Topping up is a cinch: you can do it at train stations, Luas stops and at all convenience stores that sell them. You can also download the Leap top-up app for NFC-enabled iPhone 7 (or above) and Android phones. You then hold the card to the back of the phone and it’ll display your balance and options to add value.

Keep planning the trip of a lifetime in Ireland:

• Start that Ireland bucketlist with our list of the  top things to do . 
• Have wheels, will travel: here are the best  road trips  to tackle in Ireland. 
• Get outside and into the great outdoors in Ireland with these top walks .
• Read on for when's the  best time to go to Ireland.
• Get off the beaten track with this guide to where locals holiday in Ireland. 

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Grafton Street’s story: How a downbeat country lane became an upmarket home for A-listers, hotels, Turkish baths and shops

Bewley’s, the streets most famous landmark, opened in 1926 with a ‘double-height egyptian revival mosaic pylon-style shopfront’.

Grafton Street, Dublin, is Ireland's best-known shopping street. But in medieval Dublin the area was farmland, well outside the walls of the city. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Grafton Street, one of Ireland’s most famous shopping streets and one of the busiest in Europe, once contained the elements of an entire city within its half a kilometre length.

There were the grand houses of the fashionable elite, hotels, Turkish baths, a cinema, schools, undertakers, restaurants and cafes, and of course shops. It wasn’t the current near-ubiquity of fashion retail, but an eclectic mix of musical instrument sellers, chandlers, booksellers, clockmakers, miniaturists, an enticing sounding “gallery of curiosities” and even more intriguingly a “fancy repository”. Over 300 years the street has accommodated everything from the mundane to the marvellous.

Grafton Street was officially named in 1708 for the FitzRoys, Dukes of Grafton, but as these things usually happen, it had evolved as a thoroughfare from a desire line long before.

In medieval Dublin the area was farmland, well outside the walls of the city. A country lane linked the grazing common of St Stephen’s Green with Hoggen Green, now College Green, then a Viking ceremonial site.

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[  Who owns Grafton Street? Wealthy Irish families and faceless funds control 119 of Dublin’s most valuable buildings  ]

It remained a lane through fields owned by the Molesworths of Swords well into the 17th century, with Dublin Corporation conceding in 1671 that it was “so foule and out of repaire that persons cannot passe”. Two years later the lane appears on Bernard de Gomme’s map of the city as “Highway to St Stephen’s Green”, with now a number of houses – about eight, near the southern end.

Today v 1970s

However, it was the stamp of the FitzRoys that got things going. In 1712 the corporation was “encouraged” to find the money to develop Grafton Street as a “crown causeway”, only 30 years since it acknowledged the need for repairs, and development took off like a rocket. By the time John Roque published his 1756 map of Dublin, Grafton Street had been fully built out, and the A-listers had started to move in.

The Colley family, who later changed their name to Wellesley, were there by this time and within three generations had risen from barons to earls to marquises. Richard, Marquis of Wellesley, was born on Grafton Street in 1760. If he’s not quite ringing any bells, his younger brother Arthur might; he was better known as the Duke of Wellington.

The Duke of Wellington went to school on Grafton Street, in Whyte’s Academy, established in 1758 at number 75, now Bewley’s cafe. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

The Iron Duke went to school on Grafton Street, in Whyte’s Academy, established in 1758 at number 75, now Bewley’s cafe. Other pupils included Thomas Moore and Robert Emmet.

Sir Thomas Vessy, Bishop of Ossory, was also living on this street by this time. Louis de Valle, manager of the Smock Alley was here as early as 1733, and classical scholar John Hawkey, opened a school in 1746 in Grafton-street, near Trinity. This prosperous residential community flourished throughout the 1700s.

The next major change for the street came in 1794 with the construction of Carlisle Bridge, now O’Connell Bridge. This new Liffey crossing made Grafton Street an important north-south thoroughfare bringing commercial investment, although shops had already arrived in the later decades of the 18th century, with, as Christine Casey notes in The Buildings of Ireland – Dublin, new apartments above complete with “diningroom, bedchamber and closet”.

It was this switch to mixed-use that possibly saved Grafton Street from the desolation that hit the northside when the peers and their entourage upped sticks back to London after parliament was abolished by the Act of Union in 1801.

“The northside got this huge hammer blow because it really was the centre of elite living and they were all off to Westminster. Grafton Street did, of course, have a scattering of peers, but largely, more well-off professional people, as opposed to those of apex of the elite”, says historian Arran Henderson, who runs the Dublin Decoded walking tours.

“You also had the advent of living-over-the-shop and I suspect a lot of these apartments would have been for second sons; somewhere to crash when you’re in town.”

You also had the advent of living-over-the-shop and I suspect a lot of these apartments would have been for second sons; somewhere to crash when you’re in town —   Arran Henderson - historian

This burgeoning commercial character coincided with a building boom in the late 1700s, which resulted in the demolition or substantial alteration of Grafton Street’s Dutch Billy houses. These houses with their distinctive triangular gable fronts, taking their name from the new King William III, were popular in Dublin from the late 1600s until the mid-1700s. There are a few visible still around Dublin, others were hidden behind new flat Georgian facades. This is possibly the case with number 14 Grafton Street (now Sketchers), where the single, centred top floor window indicates it may originally have had that triangular shape.

“There was a huge building boom in Georgian Dublin in the 1760s through to the 1790s and Dutch Billies were considered really uncool, so you either altered your Billy to make sure it didn’t look like one any more, or if you had the money, you completely rebuilt,” Henderson says.

Grafton Street was getting into its stride. The 1800s saw the arrival of some of the street’s most famous institutions. Brown Thomas set up shop in 1848 in numbers 16 and 17 (the opposite side of the street to where it now trades) eventually expanding from numbers 15 to 20. Two doors down, at numbers 12 and 13 – now Boots and half of the Skechers shop – the Royal Hotel arrived at about the same time.

On the opposite side of the road at number 91 a tailor, there since 1838, must have been watching with interest. John Wright Switzer made his move in 1859 with the imposing Commercial Hall building from numbers 91 to 93 Grafton Street. Switzer and Company later filled a block from 88 to 95, staying in business until the early 1990s when it closed and Brown Thomas moved across.

Weir’s jewellers came in 1869. Their premises, from numbers 96 to 99 Grafton, were substantially rebuilt in 1881, with numbers 97 to 99 rebuilt again in 1934 to accommodate the Maskora Turkish baths.

The early decades of the 20th century saw another flurry of activity. Initially with a Dutch Billy/Tudor-Bethan mash-up revival style that started just before the turn of the century, still visible in several gabled buildings, particularly at the southern end of the street. In 1911 architect Richard Caulfield Orpen, a brother of painter William Orpen, embraced this style with gusto delivering the Grafton Street Picture House at number 72, one of the first cinemas in the county, operating until 1973.

Today v 1939

Just three years after the cinema opened, there was another exciting arrival, with a branch of American department store Woolworths setting up a few doors down, eventually expanding from numbers 65 to 68, then demolishing the lot in the 1960s, to rebuild in its own house “style”, before shipping out in the 1980s.

Probably Grafton Street’s most famous establishment, Bewley’s, opened in 1926 with, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage breathlessly says, a “double-height Egyptian Revival mosaic pylon-style shopfront”. To say this new building by Millar and Symes, on the site of the former Whyte’s school, cut a dash, doesn’t come close.

“It was directly inspired by the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen, which was on front pages all over the world and had a huge impact on everything: jewellery design, costume design, people were really gripped by it,” Henderson says.

“Those cultural and historical ripples, still seen on our streets, help you to understand what people were thinking at the time.”

In 1927, another bold arrival in the form of Mitchell’s Hotel, perhaps the last great building on the street, opened. It replaced Mitchell’s chocolatiers and tea rooms at numbers 9 to 11 and was built in a late Art Deco style “looking maybe a little bit fascistic” says Henderson, as it stares down Wicklow Street. It was, like Bewley’s, the height of sophistication.

“I suspect going for tea at Mitchell’s was a bit like the Westbury or the Shelbourne today.”

It’s now a McDonald’s fast food outlet.

McDonald’s opened in 1977 and others followed, with most of the established cafes and restaurants, except Bewley’s, replaced by fast-food restaurants over the 1980s and 1990s. Towards the end of the 1990s phone shops started to appear, and the city council finally decided it needed to act.

In 2006 it designated the street an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). There were at the time 24 protected structures on the street (since increased to 29) but the conservation designation gives protections to all buildings. This means changes such as alterations to shopfronts require planning permission, to guard against increasingly garish interventions, or rubbishy pastiche attempts to evoke ‘ye olde Grafton Street’.

The council followed this with a Scheme of Special Planning Control for the street, restricting the use of buildings. Certain establishments would be refused planning permission, including fast-food outlets, amusement arcades, bookmakers, discount shops, phone shops and sex shops.

However, Graham Hickey, chief executive of the Dublin Civic Trust, says that these provisions have limited effect.

“These are excellent policies, but only come into play when there’s a planning application. If a development proposal comes in to the council, it will be assessed in accordance with the ACA or the planning controls. But if nobody goes for planning permission – and that’s been the case with most buildings on the street with long-standing legacy issues of poor presentation – neither of those two policy instruments are applicable,” he says.

Some recent planning applications have resulted in much improved shopfronts, but these remain the minority. A more direct intervention by the council to work with owners to achieve the vision it wants for the street is needed, Hickey says.

“Grafton Street holds a premium connotation in our collective imagination, but to be honest I think that really exists between the covers of a book,” he says.

“The reality on the ground is less romantic, the street certainly is not presented to its best advantage. These property owners, many of them on the scale of pension funds, in other European cities would be jostling to have the best presented building on the street. Sadly, Grafton Street is bargain-basement in its presentation.”

The council says it is seeking to “boost the attractiveness” of Grafton Street by “improving the quality of the public environment” as well examining its mix of uses. The special planning controls will be reviewed next year and the council says it will “work with all stakeholders to ensure that the street retains its national and international significance as a shopping destination”.

Dublin's Grafton Street is the country's premier shopping district owned by institutions and wealthy individuals. Video: Bryan O'Brien

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14 Things To Do in Dublin, Ireland On a Long Layover With AerLingus

Utilizing a long layover is one of the best traveler hacks out there. With AerLingus offering most flights with a stopover in Dublin, if you're going to stop there anyway, you might as well leave the airport and get some exploring in. Dublin is a relatively small city, and with even just one day, you can tick a few things off of your Irish bucket list. Here are 10 recommended things to do on a long layover in Dublin with AerLingus.

UPDATE: 2023/05/12 13:37 EST BY KHYATI DAND

More Things To Do in Dublin, Ireland On a Long Layover With AerLingus

It can be very hard to kill time on long layovers but that's not something travelers flying to Dublin have to worry about. With the entire city at one's disposal, long layovers in Dublin are an excellent way to explore the Irish capital. This list was updated to include more things that travelers can do on stopovers in Dublin when flying with AerLingus.

RELATED: 10 Places Perfect For Exploring While On a Long Layover

See The Book Of Kells At The Trinity College Library

The Library of Trinity College in Dublin is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland and nothing will make time fly by quicker than the dark aisles of its 16th-century reading halls. The library has over 7,000,000 volumes of books on its shelves but if there's one thing that visitors must see, it's the Book of Kells -- the four Latin Gospel manuscripts dating back to the 9th century. No matter the time of the year, the library always has at least one volume on display for the public to see.

Catch A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Flights can get pretty darn tiring. Oftentimes, there's very little energy left for anything exciting on a layover, let alone exploring an entirely new city . In that case, hop-on hop-off bus tours offer visitors an excellent means through which to see Dublin without much physical exertion on their part. Simply catch an open-top double-decker bus, grab a seat in a corner, and watch Dublin's top attractions pass by as you listen to audio guides for context.

Get A Taste Of Irish Food

What better way to spend a layover in Dublin than to eat your way through the Irish capital? Food blogger Ketty Quigley's Delicious Dublin Tours take visitors on a three-hour walking trip around the city with stops at plenty of famous eateries in between. As local experts tell tales of Dublin's food history, visitors will not only taste the best of local Irish food, but they will also learn of its past and present. These tours operate regardless of the weather in the notoriously temperamental capital.

Hop Onto A Viking Splash Tour

Long layovers in Dublin are one thing if you're alone or in the company of a fellow adult, but finding entertainment can be a far more tedious task when traveling with kids. A Viking Splash Tour is an excellent adrenaline-filled activity -- and an incredibly unique one at that -- for both adults and kids to take part in when in Dublin. The tours take place on a restored World War II amphibious vehicle that functions much like a bus on the roads but transforms into a boat as it mightily glides into the Grand Canal Dock, splashing passengers on board with the cold waters of the canal.

Drink At Temple Bar

What visit to Ireland is complete without a proper pint of Guinness? Head to the place that does it best, and arguably the most famous bar in not only Dublin but all of Ireland: Temple Bar Pub. Not to be confused with the neighborhood that is called Temple Bar, Temple Bar Pub is an infamous landmark pub with the traditional bright red exterior, welcoming you in to have a pint or two.

Related: 10 Pubs You Need To Grab A Brew At While Visiting Dublin

Dublin Castle

Despite popular belief, there's a lot more to do in Dublin than just drinking. Ireland is home to several castles, and Dublin Castle is one of the finest . Having been built in the thirteen century, Dublin Castle has since served as home to English and British administration. In 1922, Dublin Castle was given to the Irish government, where it now serves as a popular tourist hotspot. For an entry fee of about 8 euros, you can head inside and see the collection of art, as well as take in the majestic red velour and gold-plated interior.

Related: 9 Things To Do In Dublin: Complete Guide Beyond The Pubs To This Irish Capital

Chester Beatty

Within the confines of Dublin Castle is what Lonely Planet has described as one of the best museums in Europe: Chester Beatty. Also known as Chester Beatty Library, this museum is home to the collections of Sir Chester Alfred Beatty, a philanthropist and mining magnate who was given the title "King of Copper" due to his fortune. The collections at Chester Beatty include but are not limited to Arabic treatises on religion, Western manuscripts, pieces from Persian poets, and even Japanese art.

Shop At George's Street Arcade

Looking to get a little shopping in on your long layover in Dublin? George's Street Arcade is one of the best places in the city of Dublin to do so. Centrally located close to other major tourist spots, George's Street Arcade has shops ranging from Brazilian-made fashion at Carnaval to Mystic Ireland Crystals. There are also plenty of eateries on site, like the top-rated vegan burgers at Flip Burgers and proper wine and cheese at Loose Canon.

Take A Guinness Brewery Tour

Back to booze because, hey, it is Ireland, after all. Aside from Irish whiskey, the most popular alcoholic beverage in Ireland is Guinness. The Irish take their Guinness seriously. There's a craft behind pouring each one which amplifies the overall taste. If you're curious to know the art behind this extremely popular beer, head to the Guinness Brewery for a tour.

Related: You Need 90 Minutes To See The Guinness Storehouse, And Here's What The Ultimate Self-Guided Tour Looks Like

Visit Jameson Distillery

If you're more into whiskey, or better yet, if you want to add a second boozy adventure to your layover in Dublin, the Jameson Distillery is a great addition to your activities. Learn the history behind one of the most popular Irish whiskeys in the world. Created in 1780 by John Jameson, the long-standing tradition behind making Jameson can now be experienced as a tourist. The tour options range from a simple visit to cocktail classes.

See Local Music At Whelan's

Who doesn't love a good Irish folk band? While you are bound to find live music at pretty much any pub in the city, Whelan's is one of the best. You can check out their calendar on their website to see who's playing, and it's recommended to book a table in advance since this place quickly fills up. Enjoy a beverage while listening to some classical local Irish music.

Drink High Tea On A Vintage Bus

Are you less interested in whiskey and stouts and more interested in feeling posh with a cup of tea in hand? There are many tours to book in Ireland , but one of the more unique experiences in Dublin offered on GetYourGuide is a high-tea tour while riding on a vintage bus . Priced at about $50 per person, a high-tea tour in Dublin is a fun way to experience the city from a double-decker bus that's been refurbished to be its fanciest self. The tour comes with food options, including those that are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly.

Cross Ha'Penny Bridge

The Ha'Penny Bridge is a pedestrian bridge located in central Dublin. It was built in May 1816 over the River Liffey and remains a popular tourist attraction to this date. Its central location is close to the popular Temple Bar neighborhood, and the best part about ticking Ha'Penny Bridge off of your bucket list during a short layover is that it's only going to take a few minutes to see it.

Free Walking Tour

One of the best ways to quickly explore any city while learning a bit about its history is by taking a free walking tour . Explore Dublin by foot, see plenty of major tourist hot spots, and learn the history through a local tour guide, all for zero cost. The tour is offered several times a day, meaning it's likely you can fit it into your Dublin layover regardless of what time you land.