Dublin
Ireland
Backpacking Dublin
Information on Dublin, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
A small capital with a huge reputation, Dublin has a mix of heritage and party life for backpackers that will not disappoint. Dublin is a warm and welcoming city, known for the friendliness of its people and famous for the personality of its residents who have a mixture of wit, humor, intelligence, and forward insight that has attracted writers, intellectuals, and visitors for centuries. One-fourth of the residents in Ireland live in the Greater Dublin urban area, providing a good deal of hustle. The city’s heart is divided north-south by the River Liffey, with O’Connell’s Bridge connecting the two parts. Pubs (which are phenomenal), cafés, and restaurants everywhere, usually performing or playing live music rarely allows for quiet. On the north side, near the General Post Office, stand most of the remaining Georgian houses, built in the 18th century around squares, now side by side with glass and concrete offices and apartment blocks. Though Dublin has undergone modernization, and some areas—such as the narrow and winding streets of the Temple Bar district west of Trinity College—regularly play host to rowdy and raucous crowds, a strong sense of history and of a centuries-old capital carries on.
Must See
The Guinness Brewery - A trip to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a must. Although this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dublin, it definitely lives up to the hype. The brew house is located at St. James’ Gate Brewery and the interior is designed to look exactly like a pint of Guinness. On the tour, you will walk through seven floors of brewing history, where you also get to see the brewing process and learn about how this stout beer gets crafted to perfection. The tour finishes at the Gravity Bar which has amazing panoramic views of Dublin.
Kilmainham Gaol - One of the most unique historical places you could visit in Dublin is a museum called Kilmainham Gaol. An ex jail which is now a museum, once held children arrested for petty theft, Irish revolutionaries and where the British imprisoned and executed the leaders of a coup in 1916 to end British rule in Ireland. You will see rundown cells, dank corridors where the prisoners walked to their death, and walls riddled with bullet holes from the executions. Convicts were held here while waiting to be transported to Australia.
Dublin Castle - Completed in the early 13th-century and built as a defense against future invasions, the castle acted as the English seat of power in Ireland. In 1673, the castle was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in Georgian style. The castle remained the seat of government until 1922 when Ireland became its own country.
Must Do
Temple Bar - Dublin’s most popular district for partying. The area has an old city vibe with its cobbled streets and preserved medieval buildings. The pub named Temple Bar is the most famous, but there are tons of other pubs around to drink in. Inside Temple Bar you will find room after room, numerous bars, a beer garden, over 450 whiskeys, and many travelers.
Irish Whiskey Museum - The Irish Whiskey Museum is an interactive tour offering an experience unlike any other in Dublin. They tell the simple and easy to understand stories from the origin of whiskey in Ireland while serving and selling the best of Ireland. For the whiskey tastings, the museum changes the whiskeys every month so you can easily visit again and not taste the same whiskey twice.
Chill at Phoenix Park - Phoenix Park is the largest urban park in Europe and, within its 1750 acres, there’s plenty to see and do. The lush green space is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of Dublin city and It is the perfect spot to walk or relax. The park is a magnet for tourists and locals alike and is always busy during the day.
Tour of Trinity College - Trinity College, Ireland’s most prestigious university, this magnificent campus is home to the Long Room of the Old Library. The Long Room contains over 200,000 of Trinity’s oldest books, and is where you will find the Book of Kells. Completed in 800 AD, the Book of Kells is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript.
Nightlife
Dublin’s nightlife is great, and backpackers love the typical Irish pubs and bars, with its live music, traditional beer and the friendly and fun Irish people. Dublin itself is home to over 600 pubs so be prepared to eat, drink, dance and chat. The Temple Bar area’s streets in the evening are full of people enjoying a drink at the local pubs and it’s easy to have a fun night out. Since all pubs are around the same area in the city center, you can easily check out several places and pick the spot with the best live music and atmosphere. The drinking age is 18 and pubs are able to stay open until 3:30 am. If the pub life isn’t for you there are clubs and bars scattered all over the city as well.
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