DUBLIN
Dublin is a warm and welcoming city, known for the friendliness of its people and famous for its craic (“crack”)—that mixture of repartee, humour, intelligence, and acerbic and deflating insight that has attracted writers, intellectuals, and visitors for centuries.
Dublin has been called “Fair City”. And it derives its title from the opening line of the traditional song "Molly Malone": "In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty..." and was the only English-language soap opera produced in Ireland until Red Rock was launched on TV3 on 7 January 2015.
Dublin was voted Europe's fourth most popular city break destination and is considered one of the friendliest capital cities in the world. Dublin's elegant Georgian architecture makes it one of Europe's most attractive capitals. Dublin is a relatively small and accessible city, small enough and safe enough to get around on foot, while the Luas tram system and the suburban rail system, the DART, provide excellent transport links throughout the city. Each of the many bridges that spans the river has its own history and style. Whether you fancy Michelin-star dining, cosy cafés, tasty Irish classics, bustling food markets, or fresh seafood straight from the coast, Dublin's a place with something to suit all tastes.
The name Dublin comes from the Gaelic "dubh linn" or “black pool” - where the Poddle stream met the River Liffey to form a deep pool at Dublin Castle. The city's modern name - Baile Áth Cliath – means the “town of the ford of the hurdles”. Ireland's four principal routeways converged at a crossing place made of hurdles of interwoven saplings straddling the low-tide Liffey.
Dublin's attractions are as diverse as they are plentiful: from the 11th-century Christ Church Cathedral to the Leprechaun Museum, this city has a wide selection to offer. The plethora of literary pubs have earned its status as one of just five UNESCO Cities of Literature on the planet. You can raise a pint to writers like James Joyce and Bram Stoker, or explore the life and works of poet WB Yeats at the National Library.
Dublin is a great city to explore on foot. From the gracious city parks of Merrion Square and Iveagh Gardens, to the grand Georgian architecture and alfresco café culture of South William and Drury Streets, there’s a lot to divert your attention. And don’t forget Temple Bar – a cobblestoned cultural enclave of galleries, restaurants, hopping pubs and the lively Meeting House Square.
What to see
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Located in Dublin's Docklands, the museum covers the history of the Irish diaspora and emigration to other countries. It was designed by the London-based design firm Event Communications and was voted as "Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction" at the 2019 and 2020 World Travel Awards.
The exhibition is made up of twenty galleries which are each individually themed, and fall under the headings of Migration (Galleries 1 to 2), Motivation (Galleries 4 to 7), Influence (Galleries 8 to 18) and Diaspora Today (Galleries 19 to 20).
Address: CHQ Custom House Quay, Dublin
Opening hours: Daily 10:00 - 18:45.
Phone: +353 1906 0861
Internet: www.epicchq.com/
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #41 or #41C towards Dublin center: 22 stops, 26 min
Car: 8.6 km, 20 min
Walk: 7.8 km, 1.5 hours
National Leprechaun Museum
Folklore made fun, an oral storytelling experience taking you on a trip to the Otherworld, home of leprechauns and other mythical creatures.
In the heart of Dublin, somewhere between bars and buskers, not far off the tram, there is a small place of fun and magic.
This slice of magic in Dublin city centre shares Ireland's rich storytelling and folklore tradition with audiences of all ages -family-friendly tours take place during the day, with tellings of the "darker" tales from mythology on Friday and Saturday nights.
Address: Twilfit House, Jervis St, Dublin
Opening hours: 10.00 - 18.30
Phone: (+353) 1 873 3899
Internet: www.leprechaunmuseum.ie/
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #41 or #41C towards Dublin center: 21 stops, 23 min, or #16: 26 stops, 30 min
Car: 8.6 km, 20 min
Walk: 7.7 km, 1.5 hours
Book of Kells and The Long Room
The Book of Kells is widely regarded as one of Ireland's finest national treasures. It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. The manuscript takes its name from the Abbey of Kells, which was its home for centuries. The Book of Kells can be called a gospel book. It contains the four gospels which come from the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The manuscript of the Book of Kells comes from an era in Ireland, a time of great learning, from the eighth and ninth century and is displayed in the Long Room in Trinity College, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.
Address: Trinity College Library, College St., Dublin
Opening hours: Vary by season
Phone: +353 1 896 1000
Internet: www.tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells/
Email: bookofkells@tcd.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus: #16 towards Dublin Center: 28 stops, 38 min
Car: 10 km, 25 min
Walk: 8.2 km, 1:40 hours
The Jeanie Johnston - Famine Ship
The Jeanie Johnston is a tall ship and famine ship that was docked in Ireland during the Irish famine. It made 16 successful voyages from the Emerald Isle to North America between 1848 and 1855 with – quite impressively – not one life lost.
Today, an exact replica of the Jeanie Johnston sits in Dublin on the Liffey River in the heart of the capital. It’s open as a living history museum to tourists and Irish nationals keen to gain further insight into Irish history seldom forgotten.
Address: The Jeanie Johnston, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1
Internet: https://jeaniejohnston.ie/
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #41 or #41C towards Dublin center: 22 stops, 25 min, or #27B: 39 stops, 32 min
Car: 8.5 km, 18 min
Walk: 7.9 km, 1.5 hours
Guinness Storehouse
Guinness Storehouse is a tourist attraction at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Since opening in 2000, it has received over twenty million visitors.
The Storehouse covers seven floors surrounding a glass atrium shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness. The ground floor introduces the beer's four ingredients (water, barley, hops and yeast), and the brewery's founder, Arthur Guinness. Other floors feature the history of Guinness advertising and include an interactive exhibit on responsible drinking. The seventh floor houses the Gravity Bar with views of Dublin and where visitors may drink a pint of Guinness included in the price of admission.
Address: James' Gate St., Dublin
Opening hours: Winter: Daily 9:30 - 19:00. Summer: Daily 9:30 - 21:00.
Phone: +353 1408 4800
Internet: www.guinness-storehouse.com
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #33, #41 or #41C: 21 stops, 25 min, followed by Red Line Light Rail: 7 stops, 12 min
Car: 9.7 km, 24 min
Walk: 9.1 km, 1:50 hours
The Little Museum of Dublin
The Little Museum of Dublin is a people's museum of Dublin, located in an 18th-century Georgian townhouse owned by Dublin City Council. As a civic museum for the city of Dublin, the Little Museum chronicles the history of the city in the 20th century. It provides visitors with an intimate and informative glimpse into life in Dublin during that time period.
The museum has a collection of over 5,000 artefacts that have been donated or loaned directly from the people of Dublin. It has three floors of exhibition space in the Georgian townhouse, one floor for office space, and an acclaimed Irish café, Hatch & Sons Irish Kitchen, in the basement. Areas of interest within the museum exhibitions include the 1916 Rising, U.S. President John F. Kennedy's visit to Dublin, and many other landmark events in Irish political and social history. In 2014 the museum opened an exhibit that focuses on the success of the rock band U2.
Address: Stephen's Green St. 15, Dublin
Opening hours: Daily 09:30 - 17.00
Phone: +353 1661 1000
Internet: www.littlemuseum.ie
Email: martha@littlemuseum.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards Dublin Center: 29 stops, 40 min
Car: 9.8 km, 24 min
Walk: 8.6 km, 1:45 hours
The National Gallery
The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish and European art. It was founded in 1854 and opened its doors ten years later.
The Gallery boasts some 2,500 paintings and approximately 10,000 other works in different media including watercolours, drawings, prints and sculpture. Every major European school of painting is extensively represented. It also houses a renowned collection of Irish paintings, the majority of which are on permanent display.
The Gallery houses the Yeats Archives with works by Jack B Yeats, his father John Butler Yeats and other members of this artistic family. Come see one of the most-loved paintings in the collection, "The Meeting on Turret Stairs" an 1864 painting by Frederic William Burton. The newly refurbished Millennium Wing has won awards and houses the Gallery Café.
Address: Merrion Square West, Dublin
Opening hours: Monday 11:00 - 17:30. Tuesday - Saturday 9:15 - 17:30. Thursday 9:15 - 20:30. Sunday 11:00 - 17:30.
Phone: +353 1661 5133
Internet: www.nationalgallery.ie
Email: info@ngi.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards Dublin Center: 28 stops, 38 min
Car: 9.1 km, 22 min
Walk: 8.6 km, 1:45 hours
Iveagh Gardens
Designed by Ninian Niven in 1865, but with a history dating back over three hundred years, the Iveagh Gardens are located close to St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin city centre.
From modest beginnings as an earl’s lawn, the gardens went on to host the splendour of the Dublin Exhibition Palace in 1865. Many of the original landscape features are still in place or have been restored and conserved since 1995. These include the yew maze, the rosarium, and the fountains. The cascade in particular is a stunning spectacle in summer. Iveagh Gardens are popularly known as Dublin’s ‘Secret Garden’.
Address: Clonmel St., Dublin
Internet: www.iveaghgardens.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards Dublin Center: 32 stops, 44 min
Car: 12 km, 30 min
Walk: 9.1 km, 1:50 hours
Dublin Bay Cruises
Dublin Bay Cruises sail between Dun Laoghaire and Howth up to six times a day from March to
October. Enjoy the picturesque scenery of Dublin Bay as you travel through time and discover how Dublin developed to become the capital city of Ireland.
Address: Dun Laoghaire and Howth Harbours, Dublin
Phone: +353 1901 1757
Internet: www.dublinbaycruises.com
Email: booking@dublinbaycruises.com
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #27B towards Dublin Center: 39 stops, 32 min
Car: 8.8 km, 21 min
Walk: 8.3 km, 1:40 hours
Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo opened its doors on September 1, 1831. Founded as a private society by anatomists and physicists and supported by wealthy subscribers. Today, covering over 28 hectares of Phoenix Park, it is divided into areas named Asian Forests, Orangutan Forest, The Kaziranga Forest Trail, Fringes of the Arctic, Sea Lion Cove, African Plains, Roberts House, House of Reptiles, City Farm and South American House.
Address: Phoenix Park, Dublin
Opening hours: Daily 9:30 - 18:00.
Phone: +353 1474 8900
Internet: www.dublinzoo.ie
Email: info@dublinzoo.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #41 or 41C: 20 stops, 20 min, followed by #46A: 12 stops, 12 min
Car: 10 km, 25 min
Walk: 9.3 km, 1:55 hours
Malahide Castle
Visitors interested in Dublin's rich history should visit Malahide Castle, a magnificent 12th Century Castle located along the beautiful north Dublin coast, close to the picturesque seaside village of Malahide. Malahide Castle and Gardens is located a 10-minute drive from Dublin Airport and a 25-minute drive from Dublin city centre. Ample free parking is available on-site. There are plenty of public transport options available to visit Malahide Castle from Dublin city.
Address: Malahide Demesne, Dublin
Opening hours: Daily 9:30 - 17:30.
Phone: +353 1890 5000
Internet: www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie
Email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #27B towards Eden Quay: 24 stops, 22 min, followed by #42 towards Portmarnock: 21 stops, 19 min
Car: 11 km, 19 min
Walk: 9.6 km, 1:55 hours
Dublinia
Dublinia is a historical recreation museum and visitor attraction in Dublin, Ireland, focusing on the Viking and Medieval history of the city. Dublinia is located in a part of Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral, known as the Synod hall. The Vikings settled in Dublin from 841 AD onwards. During their reign Dublin became the most important town in Ireland as well as a hub for the western Viking expansion and trade. It is in fact one of the best-known Viking settlements. Dublin appears to have been founded twice by the Vikings. At Dublinia you will be able to walk where Vikings walked before, step into Medieval Dublin at this Viking museum, find out about Dublin’s rich past and even climb an original Medieval tower
Address: Michael's Hill St., Christchurch, Dublin
Opening hours: March - September: Daily 10:00 - 18:30. October - February 10:00 - 17:30.
Phone: +353 1679 4611
Internet: www.dublinia.ie
Email: info@dublinia.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 29 stops, 40 min
Car: 8.9 km, 25 min
Walk: 8.2 km, 1:40 hours
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle lies in the heart of historic Dublin, and was the centre of the British administration in pre-Independence Ireland. The castle houses an impressive collection of historic artefacts and frequently hosts exhibits to do with culture, politics and history.
Address: Dame St., Dublin
Opening hours: Daily 09:45 - 17:45.
Phone: +353 1645 8813
Internet: www.dublincastle.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 28 stops, 38 min
Car: 8.5 km, 23 min
Walk: 8.2 km, 1:40 hours
Irish Museum of Modern Art
The Irish Museum of Modern Art also known as IMMA, is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art.
The Museum presents a wide variety of art in a changing programme of exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of work from its own collection and its education and community department. It also aims to create more widespread access to art and artists through its studio and national programmes.
The Museum’s mission is to foster within society an awareness, understanding and involvement in the visual arts through policies and programmes which are excellent, innovative, and inclusive.
Address: Military Road, Kilmainham, Dublin
Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday 11:30 - 17:30. Saturday
10:00 - 17:30. Sunday 12:00 - 17:30.
Phone: +353 1612 9900
Internet: www.imma.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #33, #41 or #41C: 21 stops, 25 min, followed by Red Line Light Rail: 6 stops, 11 min
Car: 10 km, 27 min
Walk: 9.9 km, 2 hours
Croke Park Skyline Tour
Located right in the heart of the city, this thrilling rooftop walkway is actually Dublin’s highest open-viewing platform and offers breath taking panoramic views of Ireland’s vibrant capital from the mountains to the sea.
This Dublin City tour highlights all the capital’s main landmarks while giving you an insight into its heartfelt history, told in a uniquely charming way by the charismatic Tour Guides. Then of course there’s the sporting highlight – the incredible view from the platform that’s suspended over the Croke Park pitch itself.
Address: Joseph's Avenue St., Dublin
Phone: +353 1819 2300
Internet: www.crokepark.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 20 stops, 21 min
Car: 6.7 km, 17 min
Walk: 6.4 km, 1:15 hours
The Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience
The Irish Rock N Roll Museum tells the story of the Irish music scene with a tour of a working music venue & recording facilities in Temple Bar, Dublin.
Address: Curved St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 PC43, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 635 1993
Internet: https://irishrocknrollmuseum.com/
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 28 stops, 38 min
Car: 8.7 km, 25 min
Walk: 8.1 km, 1:40 hours
Phil Lynott Statue
Best known as the frontman for the band Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott’s too-short life has been memorialized by a life-size bronze statue erected in central Dublin, just outside one of the famed bass player’s favourite pubs.
Harry Street
between Chatham Lane and Grafton Street
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 28 stops, 38 min
Car: 8.7 km, 25 min
Walk: 8.1 km, 1:40 hours
Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Jameson Distillery Bow St. is an Irish whiskey tourist attraction located just off Smithfield Square in Dublin, Ireland. Jameson Distillery Bow St. is the original site where Jameson Irish Whiskey was distilled until 1971.
Address: Bow St, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N9VH, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 807 2355
Internet: https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-IE/visit-us/jameson-distillery-bow-st
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 29 stops, 41 min
Car: 8.1 km, 20 min
Walk: 7.9 km, 1:35 hours
Shopping
Henry Street
Henry Street is a pedestrian-friendly shopping zone. As well as international brands like H&M and Zara, there are department stores such as Arnotts and shopping centres; Jervis Street and the Ilac. Between bargain hunts, take a moment to look up at The Spire, one of Dublin’s iconic monuments.
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #41 or #41C towards City Center: 21 stops, 23 min
Car: 7.9 km, 20 min
Walk: 7.5 km, 1.5 hours
Grafton Street
Grafton Street is Dublin’s thoroughfare for high street shopping. Surrounding streets and winding lanes are a treasure trove of uniquely Irish Boutiques with special gifts not available on the high street. Right in the heart of the city centre, a trip to this shopping district could easily be combined with a museum visit, or a meal in one of the quarter's broad range of restaurants.
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 28 stops, 38 min
Car: 8.7 km, 25 min
Walk: 8.1 km, 1:40 hours
George's Street Arcade
The George’s Street Arcade is a Victorian Style, red-brick indoor shopping market with a plethora of eclectic stores, galleries and eateries. The range of shops is diverse, from Bollywood belly dancing gear at Maharani to awesome iced teas at Bubblicity and delicious yet humble sandwiches at Honest to Goodness.
Address: South Great Georges St., Dublin
Opening hours: Monday - Wednesday 9:00 - 18:30. Thursday -
Saturday 9:00 - 19:00. Sunday 12:00 - 18:00.
Phone: (+353) 1283 6077
Internet: www.georgesstreetarcade.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #16 towards City Center: 29 stops, 41 min
Car: 9.4 km, 27 min
Walk: 8.4 km, 1:45 hours
Dundrum Town Centre
Dundrum Town Centre boasts over 130 stores, 40 restaurants, and even 12 cinema screens.
Ireland's premiere retail and leisure destination covers all needs - whether its fashion, beauty, sports, electronics, leisure or entertainment.
Address: Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 21:00. Saturday 9:00 - 19:00. Sunday 10:00 - 19:00.
Phone: +353 1299 1700
Internet: www.dundrum.ie
Directions from Airline Flight Academy:
Bus #41 or 41C: 21 stops, 23 min, followed by Green Line Light Rail: 12 stops, 25 min
Car: 21 km, 35 min
Walk: 15 km, 3 hours
Night Life
Pubs
The city is naturally split into north and south by the river. You’ll likely have heard about Temple Bar, which is located by the river on the south side. You’ll find lots of pubs and restaurants here and it’s an area popular with tourists. To the north, the main thoroughfare is O’Connell Street, off which splinter several streets that thrive at night: Parnell Street, Abbey Street and Capel Street in particular, are usually reliable routes.
If you’re looking for traditional music, there are a wealth of older pubs in the city, where you’ll find groups playing a session. On the other hand, if you’d like more modern decor and the chance of a cocktail, areas such as South William Street, George’s Street, Camden Street and Harcourt Street might suit you better.
Late bars and nightclubs
Looking for a dance? Most late bars and nightclubs around the city serve last orders at 02:30, but there are several exceptions. You can expect to pay a cover charge in certain places too.
Restaurants
Home to no fewer than five Michelin-starred restaurants (Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Chapter One, Heron & Grey, l’Ecrivain and The Green House), Dublin’s foodie pedigree is growing every year. Ireland’s premier food and drinks festival, Taste of Dublin, takes place each June in the city’s beautiful Iveagh Gardens.
With the coast to the east and Ireland’s famed farmland to the west and south, the fresh produce on offer here is second to none – and the city’s restaurateurs are making the most of it, offering up traditional favourites as well as a wider variety of international offerings than ever before.
Secret Bars
Ever had trouble finding a bar? Good, 'cause these guys would like to keep it that way. Proud of their secrecy and renowned for their hidden vibes, these secret bars in Dublin are notorious for being hard to locate. From basements brimming with creative cocktails to Prohibition-inspired favourites, check out our recommendations for the best cloak-and-dagger digs in Dublin.
Vintage Cocktail Club
15, Crown Alley, 2
https://vintagecocktailclub.com/
The Liquor Rooms
6-8, Wellington Quay, D02 HT44
9 Below
9 St Stephen's Green, D02 C891
The Blind Pig Dublin
18 Suffolk St, Dublin 2, D02 NP97