The back story
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Area guide
Temple Bar, the Old City and the Liberties
Trinity and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Christ Church and St Patrick’s, the Guinness Storehouse and the distilleries of the Liberties.
Area guide · Dublin
Temple Bar, the Old City and the Liberties: a thousand years in a walk
Trinity and the Book of Kells, Christ Church and St Patrick’s, the Guinness Storehouse and the distilleries of the Liberties.
What's onThis week in Dublin
What to see and do
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Timed entry
The Book of Kells Experience
The Book of Kells, the Long Room of the Old Library and three digital rooms in the Red Pavilion, at Trinity College.
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St James’s Gate
Guinness Storehouse
The home of Guinness at St James’s Gate: the story of the stout, ending in the Gravity Bar.
St James’s Gate, Dublin 8 D08 VF8HExplore View on map
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Closed until January 2027
Dublin Castle
Built in the early 13th century on the site of a Viking settlement; closed to the public until January 2027.
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Almost 1,000 years
Christ Church Cathedral
The cathedral that has stood at the heart of Dublin for almost 1,000 years, famous for its music.
Christchurch Place, Dublin 8 D08 TF98Explore View on map
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National Cathedral
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Ireland’s National Cathedral, on a site linked to St Patrick for more than 1,500 years.
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Viking and medieval Dublin
Dublinia
Viking and medieval Dublin beside Christ Church, with a medieval tower to climb.
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Founded in 1707
Marsh’s Library
Dublin’s oldest public library, founded in 1707: one of the few 18th-century libraries left in the world.
St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8 D08 FK79Explore View on map
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Opened in 1796
Kilmainham Gaol Museum
One of Europe’s largest unoccupied gaols, opened in 1796; guided tours only, booked ahead.
Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 D08 T2X5Explore View on map
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A pedigree to 1782
Teeling Whiskey Distillery
A working whiskey distillery in the Liberties, from a family with Dublin roots back to 1782.
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In a former church
Pearse Lyons Distillery
A family distillery in the restored St James’s Church in the Liberties.
James’s Street, Dublin 8 D08 ET27Explore View on map
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Royal Hospital Kilmainham
IMMA
Ireland’s museum of modern and contemporary art, in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and its 48 acres.
Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8 D08 FW31Explore View on map
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Contemporary art
The Douglas Hyde Gallery
Contemporary art at Trinity College, open five days a week.
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The national film institute
Irish Film Institute
Ireland’s national cultural institution for film, in Temple Bar: independent, Irish and international cinema and the Irish Film Archive.
6 Eustace Street, Dublin 2 D02 PD85Explore View on map
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On foot
The Liffey quays
From Heuston to the Docklands along the river, over the Ha’penny Bridge and past the Custom House.
Where to eat
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One MICHELIN Star
D’Olier Street
A 13-course surprise tasting menu in a restored landmark building. One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 guide.
D’Olier Chambers, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2 D02 H589Explore View on map
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One MICHELIN Star
Variety Jones
A family-run room of 12 tables on Thomas Street. One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 guide.
79 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 D08 F2RNExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Spitalfields
Traditional cooking in a pub on The Coombe. Bib Gourmand in the 2026 guide.
25 The Coombe, Dublin 8 D08 YV07Explore View on map
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In the MICHELIN Guide
Pichet
A classic bistro, modern Irish cooking with French flair.
14–15 Trinity Street, Dublin 2 D02 T998Explore View on map
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Classic Dublin
The Winding Stair
A restaurant over a bookshop, looking across the Liffey to the Ha’penny Bridge.
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On Francis Street
Two Pups
A neighbourhood café on Francis Street, with pastries from its own micro-bakery.
74 Francis Street, Dublin 8Explore View on map
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Sourdough
The Fumbally
A Liberties café with its own bakers, and sourdough workshops in the old stables.
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From 6:30am
Lemon Jelly Café
An independent café near Temple Bar, open daily from 6:30am for breakfast and crêpes.
Millennium Walkway, Dublin 1 D01 Y027Explore View on map
Pubs and bars
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It gives its date as 1198
The Brazen Head
A pub on Bridge Street that calls itself Ireland’s oldest, with music seven nights a week.
Where to stay
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Three banking halls
The College Green Hotel
A five-star hotel in three historic banking buildings facing Trinity College, with the Atrium Lounge under its glass canopy.
35–39 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 D02 HR67Explore View on map
Health and wellness
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Emergency department
St James’s Hospital
A major teaching hospital with an emergency department, on James’s Street.
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