10 of the Best Ways to Experience Dublin
Thousand of international attendees will make their way to Dublin on 7-8 October for our fourth annual conference. To help you get the most out of your experience, we’ve shortlisted some fun activities you should try while visiting the Irish capital.
The city is known for its colourful buildings, charming streets, historic architecture and live music.
Here’s what you shouldn't miss:
Dublin Walking Tour
Dublin is the perfect city size to get almost everywhere by foot, so a relaxing walking tour is all you need to experience its atmosphere. The best starting point is The Spire on O'Connell Street. Don’t miss Trinity College, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
If you’re a UXDX 2019 attendee, you’re welcome to join our free walking tour that will take place on Sunday, the 6th of October.
Visit Jameson Distillery
Learn the secrets of making Irish whiskey on a fully guided tour of the historic Jameson Distillery in Dublin. Then, enjoy a relaxing whiskey tasting and learn how to blend your own take-home whiskey. Jameson Distillery Bow St. is the original site where Jameson Whiskey was distilled until 1971, so you really don’t want to miss this iconic tourist attraction.
Discover Dublin by Boat
If you want to avoid the traffic (yes, it can get quite hectic in Dublin), why not see Dublin from the River Liffey and explore some spectacular views. Most cruises come with a live tour guide, so you’ll also have the opportunity to learn the history of Dublin and its river, from the Vikings to modern-day, while enjoying the city landmarks.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse Factory
If there’s one Irish thing you have to try, it must be a pint of Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse building dates back to 1904 and is built in the style of the Chicago School of Architecture. It’s the number one tourist attraction in Ireland, offering guided tours 7 days a week. It unfolds across seven floors shaped around a giant pint, which, if filled would contain 14.3 million pints of Guinness.
Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick's Cathedral is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It was founded in 1191 and with its 43-meter spire is the tallest and the largest church in Ireland. You’ll also have the chance to see a selection of artifacts relating to Jonathan Swift, the dean of the cathedral from 1713 to 1745 and author of Gulliver’s Travels. Tickets start from 8 EUR.
Take a Photo with The Spire of Dublin
The 120m high monument, also called the Monument of Light, rises above O’Connell Street. It was commissioned as part of a street layout redesign in 1999 and it was completed in 2003 (the delayed opening is why they changed the name from the Millennium Spire to just the spire). At first glance, it might seem odd and boring, but if you get right at the base and take a photo pointing up it creates a nice effect. The project caused some controversy, with many locales feeling that The Spire has little architectural or cultural connection to the city.
Visit Dublin Castle
Located just off Dame Street, Dublin Castle is the heart of Irish history. Today the building is mainly used for state events, such as the inauguration of each President of Ireland or state banquetes. Originally built as a defensive fortification, Dublin Castle was for 700 years the seat of British power in Ireland. Amongst the highlights are the Ladies Drawing Room, the Throne Room and St. Patricks Hall which you’ll have the chance to see during your visit.
Listen To Buskers On Grafton Street
Grafton Street and Henry Street are the two principal shopping streets in Dublin. Grafton Street was established in 1708 by the Dawson’s, a wealthy Dublin family and it’s still one of the most expensive main shopping streets in the world. It’s mainly pedestrianised and home to world-known fashion brands and lively restaurants. Have a stroll and experience the vibe of the city with its talented street musicians.
Take a Day Trip to The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. It was voted Ireland’s favourite visitor attraction in 2019 by the Irish Independent readers. The cliffs are stretching 700 feet over the Atlantic coast, providing an excellent lookout on Ireland's beautiful western shoreline. The day trip costs around 50 EUR, usually departing before 7am from Dublin.
Drink Inside The Church
The Church is not actually a church, but a converted restaurant in the heart of Dublin. It was built in 1699 and it boasts many outstanding features, such as the Renatus Harris built organ and spectacular stained glass window. It’s a little on the pricey side, but the unusual atmosphere is worth a visit for a quick drink.