Off Beaten Path Attractions in Dublin
Mainstream tourist attractions only show one side of a place. If you want to delve a little under the surface, you need to check out our 10 Off-the-Beaten-Path things to do. By the way, don't confuse this list with our 10 Offbeat Things to Do!
Our number 1 choice is the National Botanic Gardens, simply because so few people come to Dublin to smell the roses, let alone look at a bog garden, a peat garden and splendid Kew Gardens-style greenhouses. A perfect choice on a sunny afternoon.
In a very different kind of park, we fund the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Museum, which busies itself with Hurling and Gaelic Football. It's a 20-minute walk from O'Connell Street, or 5-10 minutes away by bus. Next come two attractions which are off the beaten path, in the "it's very easy to miss" sense. First is City Hall, which tens of thousands of people pass by each day. Pop in (its free) to see its fantastic decorated ceiling and the history exhibition in the vaults. Ther are more, altogether creepier vaults at St Michan's Church, home to near-perfectly preserved centuries-old bodies (some call them "mummies").
Still on the church theme, it's hard to miss mighty St Patrick's Cathedral, but equally impressive is tiny Marsh's Library, next door, with its historic (chained) book collection.
Two important centres of Dublin culture, just off the beaten track, and within a couple of hundred metres of each other are The James Joyce Centre and the Hugh Lane Dublin City Art Gallery. The latter is worth tracking down just for its cafe - by a real waterfall, no less!
A 5- to 10-minute walk south of St Stephen's Green you'll find the home of another one of Dublin's literary great; 'Author of Many Plays' is the simple accolade on the plaque outside the birthplace/museum of George Bernard Shaw.
Many visitors head for Kilmainham and see its famous Gaol, far fewer go the extra 10 minutes to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. See its website before you go to see if it's worth your while. Finally don't miss the Jeanie Johnston tall ship, a 10-minute walk towards the new Docklands area, though its story, of Ireland's terrible potato famine goes back over 150 years.
Our number 1 choice is the National Botanic Gardens, simply because so few people come to Dublin to smell the roses, let alone look at a bog garden, a peat garden and splendid Kew Gardens-style greenhouses. A perfect choice on a sunny afternoon.
In a very different kind of park, we fund the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Museum, which busies itself with Hurling and Gaelic Football. It's a 20-minute walk from O'Connell Street, or 5-10 minutes away by bus. Next come two attractions which are off the beaten path, in the "it's very easy to miss" sense. First is City Hall, which tens of thousands of people pass by each day. Pop in (its free) to see its fantastic decorated ceiling and the history exhibition in the vaults. Ther are more, altogether creepier vaults at St Michan's Church, home to near-perfectly preserved centuries-old bodies (some call them "mummies").
Still on the church theme, it's hard to miss mighty St Patrick's Cathedral, but equally impressive is tiny Marsh's Library, next door, with its historic (chained) book collection.
Two important centres of Dublin culture, just off the beaten track, and within a couple of hundred metres of each other are The James Joyce Centre and the Hugh Lane Dublin City Art Gallery. The latter is worth tracking down just for its cafe - by a real waterfall, no less!
A 5- to 10-minute walk south of St Stephen's Green you'll find the home of another one of Dublin's literary great; 'Author of Many Plays' is the simple accolade on the plaque outside the birthplace/museum of George Bernard Shaw.
Many visitors head for Kilmainham and see its famous Gaol, far fewer go the extra 10 minutes to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. See its website before you go to see if it's worth your while. Finally don't miss the Jeanie Johnston tall ship, a 10-minute walk towards the new Docklands area, though its story, of Ireland's terrible potato famine goes back over 150 years.
Marsh's Library
St. Patrick's Close
St. Patrick's Close, Upper Kevin St
Sparkling Literary Lineage...
Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
Charlemont House
Parnell Square North
Manet, Dégas, Rodin and more...
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Royal Hospital
Military Rd, Kilmainham
Superb contemporary gallery in beautiful historic setting with adjacent gardens and large grounds...
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