Holidays to Dublin

Celtic culture, literary heritage and more pubs than you can wiggle a fiddle at; a Dublin holiday is all about the craic.

Plenty of pubs

Dublin has a pub on almost every corner. Temple Bar might be the tipsy (and touristy) heart of the scene, but be sure to sink a pint in the Brazen Head, Ireland’s oldest pub. And don’t miss a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, a Mecca for true fans of the black stuff.

Literary legends

From Oscar Wilde and WB Yeats to Sally Rooney, some literary greats have wandered the Georgian streets of Dublin – and you can follow in their footsteps. Gather some novel-writing inspiration at the Museum of Literature and the James Joyce Centre. Pick up a first edition at Ulysses Rare Books or get a selfie with the fittingly louche sculpture of Wilde in Merrion Square.

City break heaven

Packed with historical sites, cultural treats and endless pubs oozing with Irish charm, Dublin is an easy choice for a city break. Peek into Oscar Wilde’s house, visit Dublin Castle and stop for a pint or two (ideally accompanied by some live music) along the way. You can easily squeeze the highlights of a Dublin holiday into a long weekend.

Shop ‘til you drop

Whether you’re after a toy leprechaun or a rare bottle of Irish whiskey, shopping in Dublin is as much about soaking up the atmosphere as it is about bagging the best souvenirs. Take a stroll down Grafton Street to peek into Brown Thomas, Ireland’s most prestigious department store. Or browse the bohemian stalls at the George’s Street Arcade, which first pulled up its shutters in 1881.

Catch some live music

Who needs Spotify when you have Dublin’s traditional music on your doorstep? For brilliant Irish folk tunes, head to O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row – once a hangout of The Dubliners. Elsewhere, The Cobblestone in Smithfield calls itself ‘a drinking pub with a music problem.’ You haven’t lived until you’ve belted out “Molly Malone” in a crowded pub with strangers who suddenly feel like friends.