The Irresistible charm of Dublin
City of literature, history, beer and Irish music.
Dublin is a city that can mean different things for different kinds of visitors. For some, it’s a gateway to the rest of Ireland and a chance to experience Irish history. For others, it’s a vibrant European capital with a bustling food scene, or the home of trad music. In recent years, elements of the city have reinvented themselves, with new energy being brought to historic neighbourhoods, as well as to traditional food, drink, art and culture.
But many visitors are drawn to Dublin for the parts of the city that have barely changed over the years: its pervasive sense of history, from Viking origins to museums, churches and cathedrals; the music and literature; the welcoming traditional pubs on almost every corner. Whether as a first stop of a tour of the country or as a weekend city break in its own right, Dublin is a destination with enduring appeal.
CAN’T-MISS CULTURAL SPOTS IN DUBLIN
For literature fans
Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)
A must for anyone with an interest in Dublin’s literary side, MoLI is named for the character Molly Bloom from James Joyce’s Ulysses. Housed in a pair of Georgian buildings on St Stephen’s Green, MoLI showcases revolving exhibits on Irish books and storytelling both new and old, alongside rarities from the National Library, like the very first edition of Ulysses.
Learn about Irish history
Kilmainham Gaol
Regarded as one of the finest tourist destinations in Ireland, this museum of Irish history is on the site of the prison where many Irish revolutionaries were held and executed. A guided tour of the prison takes you through the events of the 1916 Easter Rising, as well as bringing to life other significant stories from Irish history. Tickets get snapped up quickly, so bear in mind that booking opens 28 days in advance.
That black beer
Guinness Storehouse
It’s hard to leave Dublin without spending some time with Guinness. Locals have differing opinions on where the black stuff tastes best, but you can’t beat experiencing the real thing with a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. Located on the site of the St James Gate brewery, where the streets outside carry the distinctive smell of the stout-making process, your entry comes with a pint in the Gravity Bar, which offers panoramic views of the city centre.
DUBLIN’S BEST FOOD AND DRINK
Upscale and local
Spitalfields
In the heart of the Liberties you’ll find Spitalfields, an upscale pub-slash-restaurant with a very elegant wood-panelled dining room and a menu packed with locally sourced Irish ingredients like beef, cheese and vegetables. It’s the perfect place for a special dinner in this historic neighbourhood. The menu changes regularly, but the signature dish is the cock-a-leekie pie, a glorious chicken pie made for two to share.
Where musicians go for Irish music
The Cobblestone
Throw a pebble in Dublin and you’re sure to hit a pub with nightly trad sessions. But the Cobblestone in Smithfield is the real thing - where the musicians themselves go when they want to hear some authentic Irish music. Beloved by its locals and regulars, music-loving visitors from all over the world are also made to feel welcome, with excellent service from the barmen.
For fish lovers
Fish Shop
Looking at the menus of Dublin, you might forget that it’s a city on the sea. Seafood isn’t always afforded the respect it deserves in the city, but at Fish Shop you’ll find locally-caught fish in batter, along with mussels and oysters, served in a casual counter-top setting. Every dish on the menu is cooked simply, letting the quality of the catch shine.
WHERE TO STAY
Warm and friendly
Brooks Hotel
With an enviable address just off Grafton Street, the family-owned Brooks Hotel has a warm atmosphere, friendly staff and simple, elegant rooms. Combining the amenities of a larger boutique hotel with the personality and charm of a smaller establishment, Brooks is an ideal base for a walkable weekend in the city centre.
Chic Georgian townhouse
The Dean
Located in a stylishly revamped Georgian townhouse, it’s a short stroll from the Dean to the restaurants and bars of Camden Street. Chic rooms, a rooftop bar and an in-house health club make this lively hotel a good choice for revellers and party-lovers visiting Dublin.
Text by Ana Kinsella