Dublin museums are unmissable, but there are over 40 museums in the city. With so much to see and do in Dublin, visiting the right amount of museums can be a challenge. This guide takes away that headache.
Known for its friendly atmosphere and reputation for welcoming visitors, Dublin can be a great getaway for solo travelers, couples, groups, and families. But, with so many Dublin museums dedicated to history, culture, food, and drink, all located within an easy walk of each other, finding the right balance is key.
Here are some of the often-overlooked museums Dublin’s fair city has to offer. After visiting any of these, you will feel like you got a truly local experience during your visit.
Glasnevin Cemetery
Whether you are a history buff, or simply keen to learn about Ireland’s layered history throughout the last few centuries, there is no other tour quite like that of Glasnevin, Ireland’s national cemetery.
Set amongst beautifully restored gardens, and now the final resting place of some of the country’s most iconic revolutionary leaders, poets, presidents, singers, and suffragettes.
Take the afternoon to enjoy the Irish History Tour, an eye-opening and fascinating tour through the cemetery. Let Glasnevin’s expert guides take you on a walk through Ireland’s modern history, bringing their unique stories to life.
Follow this up with a trip to the visitor’s center. There, enjoy the City of the Dead, an interactive exhibition for all ages which explores funeral culture throughout the centuries.
Relax and unwind in the Tower Café afterwards. Nothing like a freshly made tea, coffee, and artisan sandwich all made using fresh, wholesome ingredients, to finish your visit.
Dublinia
Most of the layout of modern-day Dublin stems from its Viking and Medieval history. Did you know Dublin was for centuries home to some of the most feared and respected Viking clans?
Next to the spectacular gothic settings of Christchurch Cathedral, once the heart of Viking Dublin, travel back in time with Dublinia’s interactive exhibition.
Experience life onboard a warship, learn about weaponry, and discover the skills needed to become a Viking warrior. You can even dress up and see just how small and cramped a Viking house was all those centuries ago.
But that’s not all! Head on upstairs and move through time to medieval Dublin. Witness the sights, sounds, and smells of the 1300s. Learn how the bubonic plague ravaged the city, and how they treated toothaches! As you walk on, see the city transform once again into the city we know and love today.
Beat the crowds by visiting Dublinia in the morning. Allow yourself enough time to experience this wonderful homage to Dublin’s colorful history and be treated to one of the city’s best views by climbing the 96 steps to the top of the original medieval Cathedral tower.
As if that’s not enough, don’t miss the opportunity to pop across the road afterwards and enjoy some of the best fish and chips Dublin has to offer, from the one and only Leo Burdock.
EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum
The saying goes, you can’t go anywhere without seeing something Irish. Have you ever wondered how the Irish have had such an influence on the world? Let the EPIC museum on the banks of the River Liffey answer those questions.
Bittersweetly known as a land of emigration, more than 10 million people have emigrated from Ireland for a variety of reasons, all taking and spreading this small island’s culture and ethnicity with them. At EPIC, you will find out why they left, where they went, and how they shaped the world.
Take the family for a fun day out featuring the museum’s expertly planned activity trails and workshops. It’s not far from the hustle and bustle of O’Connell Street. If you’re hungry for traditional Irish food in Dublin, you may be able to find good places nearby.
With a range of ways to explore the museum, and plenty of stops along the way to take at your own pace, this is one of the Dublin museums that is suitable for everyone.
Chester Beatty Library
If collections are more your thing, then you must not leave Dublin without visiting the vast and marvelous collection housed at the Chester Beatty Library, located within the grounds of Dublin castle.
Home to some of the rarest manuscripts, books, and other treasures from Europe to as far east as China, this library houses some of the world’s most treasured artifacts, thanks in part to the library’s namesake, an American-British mining magnate who was made an honorary citizen of Ireland in 1957, and the first private citizen to be accorded a state funeral for his contributions to the state.
With both its permanent and temporary exhibits, be sure to include the Chester Beatty Library on your Dublin itinerary.
Irish Whiskey Museum
No doubt about it, one of the first things that come to our minds when we think of Ireland is whiskey. Trust us when we say you must not leave Dublin without a trip to the Irish Whiskey Museum.
Located in the heart of the city center, in the shadow of Trinity College, forget everything you thought you knew about Uisce beatha (water of life), and let this museum’s expert guides tell you the true story.
Housed in a classic Georgian building, you can spend an afternoon dedicated to learning about the spirit that has grown from four distilleries in 2013 to over 24 currently operating today. Walk around the building and learn about the different periods of whiskey-making down the years.
You might be wondering: are there any tasting opportunities? Finish your tour with a tasting of three or four different Irish whiskeys based on the periods you just learned about, and do not miss the opportunity to relax in their bar while enjoying gorgeous views of College Green over an Irish Coffee, or even a whiskey cocktail, should that float your boat.
Why not book your very own private experience today?
