10 Dublin attractions that should be on every Irish bucket list

The 1884 letter that started the GAA, the fascinating tale of a Viking warrior, and Ireland’s only intact Georgian mansion are just some of Dublin’s surprising stories, ready and waiting for you to discover. 
 
How many can you tick off your list? 
 
St Patrick’s Cathedral 
The grand spire of St Patrick’s Cathedral dominates the Dublin 8 skyline with this majestic building said to be built on the site where St Patrick carried out some of Ireland’s first baptisms. Go on a tour and see the final resting places of famous author Jonathan Swift, former Dean of the cathedral, and Douglas Hyde, the first president of Ireland. The captivating tours are available in six languages including Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish, German, English, and Irish. 
 
The cathedral’s choir dates to 1432 and their performances are world famous. Catch one of their lunchtime or evening recitals and if you’re ever in the capital for Christmas, their renditions of magical carols capture the festive spirit in a truly special way. 
 
There’s many a captivating tale linked to this iconic building, with the phrase ‘chancing your arm’ originating at St Patrick’s when two feuding families made peace in the cathedral’s chapter house. With its impressive architecture, note the Gothic style flying buttresses, the largest church in Ireland comes straight from the pages of a fairytale. Stroll around picturesque St Patrick’s Park after with a coffee in hand, it’s the perfect place to while away an afternoon. 
 
Teelings Whiskey Distillery 
Take a trip to Teelings Whiskey Distillery in the heart of Dublin 8 and experience this vibrant place. The story behind Teelings is brought to life by engaging exhibitions and striking street art. Learn about the Teeling family’s link to the Liberties directly from the distillery’s founders Jack and Stephen, who guide you through the story of their unique whiskey blends in Teeling’s newly designed Cocoon space. 
 
Watch the creative process from grain to cask, soaking up the distinctive malt aromas, and take the opportunity to nose the flagship batch straight from the barrel, at cask strength. Listen in awe as your expert guide talks you through the distillation process, from mashing to maturation, and sample some of Teelings’ finest expressions. 
 
This is an unforgettable experience for whiskey connoisseurs and with the Teelings Distillery Tour App available in six different languages, more people than ever before can discover its magic. 
 
Christchurch Cathedral 
Magnificent Christ Church Cathedral stands in the middle of buzzing Dublin, but you’ll feel like you’re in another world entirely once you enter its intricate wooden doors. See the tomb of Richard de Clare, famously known as Strongbow, in the nave of the cathedral, and explore the medieval crypt with its fascinating treasures that date back thousands of years. 
 
While in the crypt, check out an incredible array of costumes so you can truly immerse yourself in the cathedral’s rich history. Don a white pleated ruff with or tasselled bonnet and travel back to Tudor times, or imagine what life was like as a medieval monk by trying on an intricate robe for size. 
 
Discover the cathedral’s innovative sound installation which features state of the art technology completely new to Ireland. This free experience is wheelchair accessible and available to all visitors once you enter the cathedral grounds. Look out for the Listening Bench, where you can listen to Christ Church’s iconic stories told by talented storytellers in several different languages. 
 
Dublinia 
Dublin originated as a Viking settlement and at Dublinia, you can travel back in time to experience life as a seafaring warrior. Take a flying visit over the medieval city to see some of the capital’s most well-known landmarks with a front row seat at the museum’s newly installed Curved Screen Theatre.  
 
Learn about Viking warrior Gunnar and Diarmuit Mc Murchada, once the King of Leinster and the source of many an Irish legend. Examine amazing artefacts from the National Musuem of Ireland and step right into the medieval era with epic interactive displays, as you hear a firsthand account of growing up in medieval Dublin. 
 
Play medieval games, visit a rich merchant’s kitchen, and explore a Viking warship. Round off your visit by climbing 96 steps to the summit of an original medieval tower, soaking up magnificent views of the city. 
 
Irish Whiskey Museum 
Delight the whiskey enthusiast in your life with a trip to the Irish Whiskey Museum. Behind the façade of this ornate Edwardian style building on buzzing Grafton Street, you’ll find a treasure trove of whiskeys. Look out for 1916 Whiskey and Monastervin Whiskey as the museum houses some of the last bottles of these sought after blends. Pour over memorabilia portraying some of the country’s most important historical events, and enjoy a guided tour followed by an immersive tasting experience. 
 
Book in for the Whiskey Blending Tour where you’ll taste familiar flavours and find new favourites under the expert guidance of talented distillers. Learn how to create a whiskey perfectly suited to your palate and take it home so you can relive the experience all over again. From time to time, the museum holds cheese and whiskey pairings catering for savoury palates, and luxury chocolate and whiskey tastings for sweet tooth fans. 

EPIC 
Go on an immersive journey through Ireland’s emigration history with a trip to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum. Check out the engaging interactive galleries where you’ll discover emotive stories of why over 10 million people left this country to seek a new life. 
 
Ireland Never Leaves You is the grand finale to your EPIC experience, a film depicting the difficult journeys of Irish emigrants. Hear how 23-year-old Patrick Keaney left Kerry for New York on board the Jeanie Johnstown famine ship in 1849. Contrast that with the experience of Emma Dabiri, an author and activist who recently moved from Dublin to London. This audio-visual interpretation brings to life the sights and sounds of an overseas ship voyage in the 19th century, with many emigrants leaving Ireland knowing they might never see their loved ones again. 
 
Make time for the Power of a Name exhibition, where you can add the name of someone close to you who emigrated, ensuring a tangible record is kept forevermore. 
 
Glasnevin Experience 
Discover Ireland’s national cemetery, set in a hauntingly beautiful Victorian garden on the north side of Dublin. Poets, presidents and politicians, singers, soldiers, and suffragettes - some of our country’s most notable figures have their final resting place here. Wander around the vast 124 acres where over one and a half million people are buried and see if you can spot the graves of Michael Collins, Éamon De Valera, Countess Markievicz and Luke Kelly. 
 
The Extraordinary Lives indoor exhibition allows visitors the chance to experience Glasnevin’s most surprising stories in a completely new way. Hear about Maria Higgins, the woman who died once but was buried twice, and Bill Stephens, a lion tamer from Fairview tragically killed by one of his lions. 
 
While you’re there, search for your family surname in the visitor centre’s extensive database and uncover the history of your ancestors. Admire the world’s largest collection of Celtic crosses on your visit to Glasnevin and look out for the secret gate which leads into the spectacular National Botanic Gardens. 
 
The GAA Museum 
Trace the origins of Gaelic sport at the GAA Museum in the hallowed halls of Croke Park, a true institution for Irish people. Read the 1884 letter that started the story of Ireland’s Gaelic Athletic Association and how the organisation was founded in the billiard room of a Tipperary hotel.  
 
Pour over the enthralling exhibition curated by historical experts with a chance to view the original Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire cups. Find out how hurling, the fastest field sport in the world, grew in popularity as Irish people moved abroad.  
 
Watch incredible vintage footage from some of our most iconic hurling, camogie, and football games, and relive memorable modern matches, heaven for dedicated GAA fans. Marvel at the amazing sports skills showcased by Ireland’s most celebrated players and learn how sport enriches communities all over the country. 
 
Clondalkin Round Tower  
A unique Irish architectural feature is the stone round tower with 65 towers in existence, dotted amongst rich green fields and limestone walls. The oldest surviving structure is Clondalkin Round Tower in the heart of North Dublin, founded by St Mochua in the 7th century. 
 
Drop into the visitor centre and discover an interactive multimedia exhibition, a deeply immersive experience that brings you on a journey through the origins of the magical tower. Bring the kids and let them build their very own round tower or have fun dressing up in medieval costumes, it’s the perfect free family day out. 
 
With eight different spaces featuring picturesque walks and charming cottages, a visit to Clondalkin Round Tower is an enchanting experience, transporting you to a bygone era. Stroll around the Physic Garden where you’ll find out what herbs were used by the monks for healing purposes, and reflect in the Meditation Garden, breathing in the fresh scents of the pristine lawns planted with chamomile and thyme. 
 
Newbridge House & Farm 
Explore Ireland’s only intact Georgian mansion with a visit to Newbridge House and Farm on the outskirts of Dublin. Described as Dublin’s ‘best kept secret’, a day at this incredible house and working farm is an experience to remember.  
 
A tour of Newbridge House brings you on a tour through three centuries showcasing priceless antiques, rare paintings, and detailed sculptures to delight even the most discerning interiors expert. Don’t miss the  Cabinet of Curiosities featuring family heirlooms handed down through the years, admire the Red Drawing Room, one of the finest examples of Georgian design in the country, and explore the Servants Quarters.  
 
At Newbridge, you’ll get an authentic insight into ‘upstairs’ life for the gentry and ‘downstairs’ where the live-in staff resided, listening to tales of how the grand Cobbe family once lived. 
 
Bring the little ones along the Farmyard Discovery Trail through the cobbled courtyard, picturesque paddocks and wide open pastures, where they’ll meet Connemara ponies, baby chicks, curious goats and friendly pigs. Enjoy lunch on the Couch House Café’s scenic terrace and for winter days, grab a cosy seat inside for a warming cup of hot chocolate. 
 
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