Weekend break in Dublin: the top things to do

Ireland is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, welcoming around 12 million overseas tourists each year. Almost half of those visitors choose the capital city as their destination of choice. There are some great things to do in a weekend break in Dublin and I’ll show you the best of them.

It’s easy to understand why. Dublin is a city steeped in history, culture and known around the globe for being warm and welcoming. Whether your flights are already booked or you’re still weighing up the pros and cons of a Dublin city break, we’ve got you covered.

Read on to find out about the top places to visit on a Dublin weekend break.

Start Your Weekend Break in Dublin at The General Post Office,

Many foreigners view Ireland as a friendly, welcoming country full of light-hearted people who are up for the craic. Peer beneath the surface though and you’ll find a long and bloodied history of conflict with British invaders and occupiers.

The General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin is a standing monument to that past. On April 24^th, 1916 the GPO was seized by members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army led by Padraig Pearse, becoming a de facto headquarters for the freedom fighters.

Eventually, the building fell to British forces under heavy bombardment and the flames of nearby fires. To this day though it remains an important symbol of Irish independence with the untouched bullet holes in the GPO of the fight laying testament to the hard-fought nature of that struggle for freedom.

Pose by Samuel Beckett Bridge

Samuel Beckett Bridge is today one of the most iconic landmarks in Dublin. This pedestrian bridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava and named after one of the heroes of Irish literature.

The bridge has the shape of a harp, one of the symbols of Ireland, along with the shamrock (clover). For that reason, it really stands out in the area and it’s worth crossing and striking a pose during your weekend in Dublin.

Explore St. Michan’s Church

If you’ve ever visited Rome or Paris you’ve likely heard of the eerie and mystifying catacombs where you can find the mummified remains of the city’s former inhabitants. What most tourists don’t know though is that Dublin has a similar resting place.

See Also: What To Do in Liverpool in 2 Days

In the Smithfield district, you will find the unassuming St. Michan’s Church. Step down into the 800-year-old basement and you’ll see just why this quaint-looking church is famous all over the world.

The specific atmospheric conditions of the church’s basement have allowed for the remains which were buried there to become mummified over time. Strangely, the coffins and caskets housing the bodies have rotted away, spilling out the perfectly preserved remains.

If you’re brave enough, it’s an absolute must-visit on your Dublin city break.

Drink at Temple Bar, A Must on A Dublin Weekend Break!

If you’re a native Dubliner you’ll most likely go out of your way to avoid Temple Bar, but if you’re a tourist you simply have to tick it off your weekend in Dublin bucket list.

It’s over-priced. It’s overcrowded and it’s quite tacky, but there’s still something charming about Europe’s most famous pub area. Wander down the tight streets and step into one of the many traditional feeling Irish pubs to enjoy a great pint of Guinness.

Head down in the late afternoon and you’ll most likely find a traditional folk band playing in the packed-out front rooms of the Temple Bar pubs. Keep an eye on your watch though, after a certain time in the evening these gorgeous little pubs tend to get overrun with inebriated stag dos from England!

Relax in a Casino

There’s plenty of time for history and culture during the day, so why not spend an evening relaxing in one of Dublin’s great casinos during the evening? Located just off Grafton Street is The Sporting Emporium – Ireland’s largest and most luxurious casino.

Here you can relax and enjoy the entertainment on offer at weekends or get involved in the table games. There are dozens of great games like roulette, baccarat, and blackjack to enjoy as well as some high-stakes poker games.

You might want to practice your Texas Hold ‘Em skills at one of Ireland’s many online casinos beforehand though as the skill level at this Dublin casino tends to be slightly higher than your average poker room.

Visit Guinness Storehouse

Among the top places to visit on a weekend break in Dublin, is the Guinness Storehouse. In 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease at St. James’ Gate Brewery in Dublin for an annual rent of £45. In the years that followed the brewery would go on to become one of the biggest on the planet and the home to Ireland’s most iconic drink.

Your tour of the Guinness Storehouse starts as you stand at the bottom of the world’s largest pint glass which rises dramatically up through the building. Over the rest of the tour, you will explore the seven floors of the building, learning everything from the history of Guinness to how it is enjoyed now as well as the story of how it became world-famous.

At the end of the tour, you will be pulled a complimentary pint of the smooth stout in the sky-high glass bar where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can book your Guinness Storehouse tickets here.

Just like many capital cities across Europe, Dublin is home to many different landmarks for tourists to visit during the day. The Irish capital also has hundreds of entertainment venues to suit everyone’s tastes where tourists can head to on a night to experience the Dublin culture.

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