Dublin bucket list: The ultimate schedule of 99 things to do here when lockdown fully ends
| Published date | 09 May 2021 |
| Author | Amy Donohoe |
| Publication title | DublinLive (Ireland) |
Including the most beautiful locations, the most exhilarating activities, the tastiest food and the finest culture, how many of these on the bucket list must have you done?
And if you haven't, why not make it your goal to do as many of them as possible?
1. Take a walk along Howth Cliff path
Howth Head, a peninsula 15km northeast of Dublin City, has been immortalised in James Joyce's Ulysses. Howth village itself offers plenty to do including Howth Castle, The National Transport Museum, the Martello Tower and the Baily Lighthouse. The loop cliff walk is one of four which starts at the DART Station and takes you around the Nose of Howth and onto the clifftops.
2. Visit Ireland's Eye for some of the most breath-taking views in the capital
A short distance offshore from Howth, this rocky sea-bird sanctuary is also home to the ruins of a 6th century monastery. Doyle & Sons takes boats out to the island from the East Pier of Howth Harbour during the summer, usually on weekend afternoons.
3. Etihad Skyline Tour Croke Park
What better way to see Dublin than from 17 storeys high on the roof of Ireland's most famous sporting arena? Enthusiastic tour guides share local stories and history while pointing out key landmarks - all from 44 metres above the ground. In the winter months, why not try the special 'Dusk' twilight to darkness tour and see the festive glow of Dublin's lights.
4. Guinness Storehouse
No trip to Dublin would be complete without a trip to Ireland's most popular attraction in the heart of the St James'Gate Brewery. Start your Dublin journey with a tour of the storehouse and then refuel with a pint of the Black Stuff in the world-famous rooftop Gravity Bar.
5. Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Everyone enjoys a tipple but even if you don't want a drink, a visit to the Teeling Whiskey Distillery is a must. The first new distillery in Dublin in more than 125 years, it brings the ancient craft of distilling back into the very heart of the capital. Enjoy a traditional sip or a modern cocktail and see what goes into this exquisite top-shelf delicacy.
6. Leprechaun Museum
Leprechauns have dominated Irish folklore for 1,000 years so why not take a step inside Dublin's National Leprechaun Museum and see for yourself if these little people are real. From Red Hat tours for kids to daytime guided tours for all the family and adult-only weekend night time tours, this is a real gem in the capital's crown.
7. Ice Cream at Scrumdiddly's in Dun Laoghaire
A failure to visit this ice cream mecca in the southside seaside town is to deprive yourself of a little taste of heaven. With more than 2,500 combinations to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice and salivating for more.
8. Watch the world go by with a pint of Guinness and a ham and cheese toastie in Grogans
There's no shortage of pubs in Dublin but Grogans is a unique spot as famous for its special ham and cheese toasties as its pints of porter. Steeped in the rich history of Dublin's literary scene and boasting poet Patrick Kavanagh as one of its most famous customers back in the 70s, Grogans is a rare old find.
9. Board Games in P Macs near Marconi House
If the weather turns a little sour in the capital, while away a few hours playing Monopoly or Scrabble in this hotspot on Stephen Street Lower in the South Inner City.
10. Drinks in The Bernard Shaw
This quirky café by day, pub by night is one of the capital's top spots, located just off the Grand Canal. The icing on the cake is the double-decker bus that doubles up as a pizza restaurant, the Big Blue Bus in the back garden.
11. The Hellfire Club
Yes it's pricey at €25 a person but this is one of the most unique and genuinely terrifying tours you'll ever take. Board the bus and head deep into the Dublin Mountains to the Hellfire Club, known by some as "The The Most Terrifying Experience In Dublin."
One of Ireland's most lonely and infamous places, the burnt out shell of this haunted hunting lodge dating from 1725 is known for its association with Satanism and the supernatural. It's not unusual for visitors to experience head and chest tightness as their subconscious picks up on the horrors that this lonely hill has witnessed. Bring a torch, walking shoes and warm clothes, act brave and recover back at the Brazen Head pub, where you can avail of a special drinks promotions and dance the night away to live music.
12. Laugh your socks off at a comedy night in the International Bar on Wicklow Street
This is Ireland's first and oldest comedy club, and has been entertaining crowds for more than 25 years. With three different comedy shows running every night of the week, you've no excuses for missing a slice of the hilarious action.
13. Take in an exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art
As the national institution for contemporary art, IMMA has a jam-packed calendar all year round and promises to always be an explosion of pleasure for the eye.
14. Visit the Royal Hibernian Academy
The Royal Hibernian Academy is a treasure trove of exhibitions and installations tucked away off bustling Baggot Street. Browse the gallery, enjoy a delicious lunch or coffee and cake in Coppa Cafe or book tickets for a Hennessy Lost Friday at the Gallery - basically a unique night of creativity and Hennessy cocktails.
15. Stretch your legs on the Bray to Greystones cliff walk followed by lunch at The Happy Pear
This 6km hike will take you along the spectacular coast around the side of Bray Head above the railway line and rocky coastline and will take around two hours 30 minutes.
Refuel at the end in the exquisite Happy Pear restaurant on Main Street in Greystones by tucking into some of the most mouth-watering whole foods you'll ever enjoy.
16. Enjoy a day's shopping in the Powerscourt Centre off Grafton Street
This plush shopping mall is a treasure trove of luxury and with more than 40 shops and restaurants, there's something for everyone.
17. Enjoy lunch on the Boardwalk on a sunny day
It will cost you nothing to sit on the promenade which runs along the River Liffey on the Quays and relax in the summer or winter sun while you sip on a coffee and enjoy a picnic while taking in all the sites and sounds at the heart of Dublin city centre.
18. Enjoy a stroll in St Stephen's Green park
This 22-acre park is a paradise escape smack bang in the middle of Dublin and within its Victorian layout boasts many species of birds and plants, a park and a large number of important sculptural monuments paying homage to four centuries of history. Take a blanket and enjoy a picnic, sit back and read a paper or feed the ducks and forget all your worries.
19. Visit Grafton Street at Christmas
There's nowhere quite like Grafton Street at Christmas and even though it will be wet and cold in December, the warmth you'll feel under the twinkling lights will make it all worth it. If you're lucky enough to be here on Christmas Eve, get ready for some star-studded busking as Bono is an annual fixture.
20. Take a boat cruise on the Liffey
Sail through the heart of historic Dublin from the vantage point of the River Liffey, just like the Vikings did more than 1,000 years ago.
This 45-minute boat tour begins and ends at the Dublin Discovered mooring at Bachelor's Walk, close to both Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse and it's covered in so will stay warm and dry even if it rains - which is highly likely!
21. See the Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is...
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