What are your favorite sights and activities in Dublin and surrounding areas that are not on everyone's "must-see" list?
We will be living there for 3 months and want to explore the "Back Doors."
Please share your special little museums, pubs & restaurants, parks, book stores, walks, sports, activities, etc.
Also, interested in activities for kids 3-10 years old.
Thanks for sharing your secrets.
Posted by
NM, USA
911 posts
Chester Beatty Library on the grounds of Dublin Castle. Free (although they would like a small donation)/. Fascinating collection. Not crowded. Interesting cafe and gift shop out of the ordinary for Ireland.
Dining - Boxty House for Irish food, Matt the Thresher for seafood, and for lunch Avoca department store cafe.
Posted by
North Carolina
2493 posts
Strongly second the Chester Beatty Library - what a wonderful place! Also visited a couple of beautiful parks: St. Stephen’s Green, and Merrion Square Park. Both are fun for kids to run around in, and the latter has a really cool memorial to Oscar Wilde.
Posted by
1585 posts
For lunch, Assassination Custard on St. Kevin street near St. Patrick’s cathedral. It doesn’t look like much, has only 2 or 3 tables which you share but it was one of the best meals I had in Dublin. Truly farm to table.
Posted by
Connecticut
337 posts
I’ll add a second vote for Marsh’s Library. It’s tucked away behind St. Patrick’s.
Your kids might like the Natural History Museum. Its nickname is “the dead zoo.” The building, and its collection of unfortunate taxidermied animals, both date to Victorian times. It’s a fascinating and dusty peek into what museum collecting once was. (In fact, if it sounds interesting, go visit before it’s modernized, which I hear will be soon!)
Posted by
1172 posts
I think Kilmainham gaol is not a secret anymore but is a must in my books. I third the Chester Beatty Library.
Your kids would enjoy Dublinia, St Stephen's Green and Phoenix Park I think
Food wise: I second Gallagher's boxty house. The carrot cake at Avoca, any flavour of ice cream at Murphy's although my kids always preferred the "99" that you can get almost everywhere. The hot chocolate at Butler's ( plus you get to pick a truffle )
Love the Killiney Hill Walk.
While you are there, venture over to the West coast as well. Just beautiful!
It actually is a dream of mine to spend a summer in Dublin. Have been 3 times and long to go back.
Posted by
OP
Edmonds, WA USA
18 posts
Thanks to my traveling friends for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by
1172 posts
Oh another thing that my 10 year old and I did last summer was the Butler's chocolate experience. It was quite fun!