24 Hours in Dublin
Whether it be a flight cancellation or outbreak of a pandemic that causes you to leave the beautiful country of Ireland I have got you covered! The next time you visit Ireland be sure to spend at least a day in Dublin! This beautiful city is bursting with culture and bustling with life and young energy from the universities. Situated near the sea, Dublin should definitely be on your 'next to travel list'! With the Cliffs of Moher being my favorite attraction in Ireland, it does need a days worth of travel time to reach not allowing a visitor much time in the city.
As my third time visiting, this city and country it absolutely never gets old. The spans of green and endless fresh off the tap pints of Guinness are all a girl could want. Not to mention the famous Irish hospitality where everyone seems to carry a smile and have a skip in their step.
St. Patrick's day weekend was the last time I visited Dublin before COVID-19 measures were taken, and let me tell you it was one of the best weekends ever! I would definitely recommend planning a trip to Ireland during this time if you're lucky enough. In the following post I have compiled my travel guide for 24 Hours in Dublin. Enjoy!
Airport Transportation
Getting from the airport into Dublin is super easy and can be cheap! There are several transport options for those traveling to Dublin City Center and beyond. You can travel directly from Dublin Airport to central locations such as O'Connell Street or connect to the rest of Ireland, by reaching Connolly and Heuston train stations, as well as Ireland's central Bus station, Bus Áras. Our trip into the center had only cost 7 Euros one way, and was a quick comfortable ride. The standard taxi or Uber fare from Dublin airport to Dublin city center is between €20-30. This rate can rise if you are traveling on an Irish public holiday or late at night.
Where to Stay in Dublin
Top 5 places include: Temple Bar (the ideal district), Portobello, Smith Field, The Docklands, and Merrion Square (Tip: Check TripAdvisor or Hotwire to compare the best deals before booking). Our hotel was located about a 30 minute walk from Temple Bar and ended up being a super ideal!
24 Hours in Dublin Itinerary
8:00am – Good Morning! Eat Breakfast at Hotel
To save on a pricey breakfast out, eat breakfast at your hotel. The traditional Irish breakfast experience is available at many of the places you can stay. All full Irish breakfasts include some or all of the following: bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, potatoes and toast with butter and marmalade. Of course there always a lot of tea to drink.
8:45am Ha'Penny Bridge
Dublin has an abundance of gorgeous architecture including bridges. With different styles and purposes, Ha'Penny Bridge is definitely one you'll want to cross. A part of the downtown area, you will more than likely come across this bridge.
9:00am – Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is truly incredible for how many years it has been standing. It was first founded in the 13th century. The castle is a good place to see quickly, especially on your way to the main area of attractions around Temple Bar. If you're interested in entering admission is 7 EUR for the self-guided tour. The castle is open daily from 9:45am-5:45pm.
9:30am – St. Patrick’s Cathedral
St. Patrick's is also a great place to stop by and if you're interested you can enter. It’s the official National Cathedral of Ireland. The grand immaculate cathedral is open weekdays from 9:30am-5pm and from 9am-5pm on Saturdays (there are limited hours also on Sunday, which vary depending on the time of year). Admission is 7 EUR for adults and there are free guided tours available throughout the day.
10:00am –Coffee Break!
Morning coffee breaks are an essential to a fueled day in Dublin! Checkout Dublin's top coffee shops and bakeries for a quick espresso, free WiFi or a little nosh.
Coffee Shops:
Kaph – Coffee drinks, etc.
Vice Coffee Inc. – Known for decadent options, such as the award-winning Fancy Franky, a hot Irish coffee topped with orange-blossom cream.
The Bald Barista – Coffee drinks, etc.
Joe's Coffee – Coffee, grab and go lunches.
Legit Coffee and Co. – Milk chocolate and white chocolate mochas are a highlight here.
Meet Me in the Morning – Coffee, pastries, artistic brunch, etc.
10:30am – Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Distillery
A brewery or distillery tour gives you the complete experience when visiting Ireland. These tours are not only fun and high energy, but incredibly interesting and informative on what goes on behind the scenes of that glass of stout or shot of whiskey. Personally I prefer the Guinness Tour because I just love their beer, its perfect for any occasion. The Guinness Storehouse Tour price: 19.50 EUR , Visitation time: 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Pro Tip: get your tickets online for a discounted price. Tours also fill up extremely fast. The Jameson Distillery Tour price: 19 EUR, Visitation time: 40 minutes to 1 hour. Pro Tip: get your tickets online for a discounted price. Tours here also fill up extremely fast.
12:30pm – Kilmainham Gaol
This gaol was used as a prison up until 1910. It was temporarily used after the 1916 Easter uprising and during the War of Independence for imprisonment and mass executions. Often there were about eight people in a tiny cell. To keep the prison population in check, many adult prisoners were shipped off to Australia. In 1960, it was restored and opened as a museum in the 1990s. It has a great introductory exhibit, and your ticket gets you a tour that lasts one hour and begins on the hour. Opening hours will vary depending on the month, but it’s usually open from 9am-5pm. Admission is 8 EUR for adults, with discounts available for families, students, and seniors.
1:30pm – Lunch: area around Mary/High Street
It’s far from the Gaol, so you need to take the bus, but it’s right near the next attraction. The area is also right near the Dublin Spire and is a big pedestrian shopping area with a lot of restaurants. During the weekend, there are some outdoor food markets.
Be sure to try out my two favorite spots: Boxtys (for traditional Irish foods and great hospitality) and Pòg Dublin (for all things green juices and healthy meals).
3:00pm – Trinity College/Book of Kells
This is Ireland’s most famous college. The main draw here is the Book of Kells, a ninth-century illuminated manuscript. Tickets for the tour and admission to see the Book of Kells cost 14 EUR for adults. Tours run daily at specific times, but the schedule changes every month so be sure to book ahead of time.
4:00pm – Modern Art at the Hugh Lane Gallery
The Hugh Lane Gallery specializes in modern and contemporary art. Hugh Lane himself was a man of humble beginnings who rose to become a major figure as an art dealer and collector. The gallery began as a repository for his own collection but has since evolved into a showcase for modern Irish art. It's free and visitation time is 1 to1-1/2 hours. Pro Tip: When you are finished in the gallery, be sure to visit the Parnell Square Garden of Remembrance across the street. It is a sobering memorial to those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.
6pm - Vintage Shopping near Temple Bar
Temple Bar is not only an amazing neighborhood for night life, food, and drinks but for shopping! On our recent trip my friends and I found some of the coolest unexpected thrift and vintage stores where you can purchase rare finds.
Our favorite stores included: Lucy's Lounge, Dublin Vintage Factory, Carousel and OM Diva.
8:00pm – Dinner and Drinks by Temple Bar
Temple Bar and the entire district around it on the river is even prettier at night! Sure, it’s touristy but with live music, Guinness on tap and a good atmosphere, it is one of Dublin's top attractions, which is a must see. No matter where you go, after running around all day, you’ll definitely need a drink and some hearty Irish food to warm the soul. Located all in the area around Temple bar are some amazing bars and restaurants. The top bars and eateries I would recommend are:
Bars & Restaurants:
The Brazen Head – Approximately a thousand years old it is the oldest pub in Dublin. This ancient bar showcases live traditional music and very friendly atmosphere.
SABA – A good place for cheap food in a local, vibey atmosphere.
The Bank on College Green – One of the prettiest bars I've seen this elegant bar is home to exquisite cocktails and live piano music.
Crawdaddy – A good venue for live music http://www.pod.ie/venue_cdaddy.php. Its part of a bigger club, but there are some great live acts in Crawdaddy.
The Hairy Lemon – A pub that’s as fun and kooky as its name suggests.
Whelans – Dublin’s premier live music venue. It draws a mix of old-school music-heads and hip hop pros who come for the jubilant atmosphere and stellar program.
The Chelsea Drugstore – Great food, service, and cocktails.
777 – On Sunday's it's €7.77 for everything on the menu.
Student Bars:
The Ginger Man – a proper Irish pub that’s cozy and welcoming.
Howl at the Moon – huge bar and nightclub split across four levels!
O'Reilly's Bar – a super-cheap place that serves great food as well as all the drinks you can imagine.
Doyle's – a down-to-earth pub that’s something of a Dublin institution, and only a short stroll from Trinity College!
Woolshed Baa & Grill – a huge sports bar where you can eat burgers, drink beer and watch pretty much any major sports event.
Dicey s – Dublin is definitely know for its lively night life. Dicey's was the only student club we managed to try out but was a great time! Sporting an outdoor and indoor area with a variety of great music, visuals, it was a lot of fun! Going out is definitely a must on your next day in Dublin.
Dublin continues to be one of my favorite cities in the world. With its life-changing experiences, bustling city life, expanses of greenery, and small town feel. Are you thinking of visiting Dublin? Need more information? Feel free to shoot me an email or comment below with any questions, or concerns you may have about your trip. Thank you for visiting gorgeousandglobal.com. And see you in my next post!
XOXO,
KEN