10 Hidden Gems Things to do in County Dublin That You Shouldn't Miss

November 20, 2021 Natalie Tallman

Discover the best top things to do in County Dublin, Ireland including Oratory of The Sacred Heart, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Wonderful Ireland Walking Tours, Richmond Barracks, 14 Henrietta Street, Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, James Joyce Tower & Museum, Chester Beatty, St. Michan's Church, Marsh's Library.
Restaurants in County Dublin

1. Oratory of The Sacred Heart

Marine Road Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dun Laoghaire Ireland +353 1 205 4700 http://events.dlrcoco.ie
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5.0 based on 34 reviews

Oratory of The Sacred Heart

Reviewed By johanniec19 - Dublin, Ireland

This tiny little Oratory - with the most amazing artwork & decoration by Sister Concepta (Lily Lynch) ... This year 2020 - a hundred years ago that she started decorating the space behind the Statue of the Sacred Heart and commissioned the Studio of Harry Clarke to do the stained Glass Windows too . An inscription on one of the windows read: Pray for All the Donors of this Oratory 1920. But it was built by the Monks Brothers 1919- commissioned by the Dominican sisters as a Peace Memorial after WWI. Dun Laoghaire CountyCouncil organise tours with Heritage Tours on specific dates which can be find under either Spring Heritage or Summer Heritage with a dedicated website to give exact dates & times ( which often varies).

2. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Custom House Quay The Chq Building, Dublin D01 T6K4 Ireland +353 1 906 0861 [email protected] http://epicchq.com/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=website_link
Excellent
87%
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5.0 based on 7,771 reviews

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Don't just visit Ireland, understand it with a visit to the EPIC, winner of Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards 2019. EPIC is an interactive journey about how a small island made a big impact on the world. Discover why Irishness is celebrated around the world, with a journey through Irish history & culture, told from the perspective of those who lived. To begin your journey you will receive a stamped passport as you enter the exhibition, & then follow a path through the 20 themed galleries. You will discover why people left, see how they influenced the world they found, & experience the connection between their descendants & Ireland today. Immerse yourself in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and discovery the world has ever known. EPIC brings these amazing stories to life in a unique & spectacular way. Located in Dublin's Docklands. Open daily from 10am. Last entry is 5pm, museum closes at 6:45pm.

Reviewed By pqflyer - San Diego, United States

The EPIC Irish Emigration Museum really is an epic experience. The title "museum" doesn't say enough. Everything is interactive, giving visitors the possibility of a quick overview or -- at any point -- more in-depth information. The best use of current technology I've seen in such an institution. The path through the exhibit is clear and logical -- no chance of getting lost or missing something. Much to see and do and think about. If you love Ireland or have Irish roots or are interested in history or simply want to experience the use of cutting-edge technology in a museum setting --- this is a must-see in Dublin. Near the Jeannie Johnston ship and the Famine sculptures.

3. Wonderful Ireland Walking Tours

63 Dundrum Gate, Dundrum Ireland http://www.walkingholiday.ie/
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5.0 based on 45 reviews

Wonderful Ireland Walking Tours

4. Richmond Barracks

Excellent
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5.0 based on 319 reviews

Richmond Barracks

Richmond Barracks is a venue of historical importance that celebrates the rich stories and experiences of the local community, past and present. The Barracks runs regular guided tours and is currently running the Richmond Barracks to Kilmainham Walking Tour on Thursdays to Sunday at 11am and 1.30pm. The walk from Richmond Barracks to Kilmainham is steeped in Dublin’s rich historical, political & cultural landscape. Discover the local stories, the hidden histories & walk in the footsteps of those 1916 Rising Rebels that were marched to their execution in Kikmainham Gaol.

5. 14 Henrietta Street

14 Henrietta Street Off Bolton Street on the North Side of the City, Dublin D01 HH34 Ireland +353 1 524 0383 [email protected] https://14henriettastreet.ie/?a=nosplash
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5.0 based on 785 reviews

14 Henrietta Street

When you enter 14 Henrietta Street you’ll experience over 300 years of family and city life in the walls of one address. Our intimate guided tours bring you on a journey from the houses grand Georgian beginnings to the tenement dwellings of its later years. By connecting to the personal stories of those who called 14 Henrietta Street home the building’s hidden histories are revealed. See the house, hear its stories and discover the layers of Dublin history within its walls. “It really brought the human side of history alive for us” The building is accessed via a Guided Tour only. Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday : 10.00 - 16.00 We advise booking in advance

Reviewed By ginacH1248DB

Went here with my mum, dad and sister the other week and we were literally blown away. This is a real hidden gem of an attraction (and you will enjoy just as much as an Irish person as you would a tourist) a true way to get a proper taste of Dublin. From the minute we arrived all the staff and reception were beyond nice and our tour guide Gillian was also INCREDIBLE, so informative, passionate about the tour, great fun and really added the extra element. Could not recommend more, thank you all so much

Charlemont House Parnell Square North, Dublin D01 F2X9 Ireland +353 1 222 5550 [email protected] http://hughlane.ie
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4.5 based on 644 reviews

Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane

Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane is the oldest gallery of modern and contemporary art. Visit the gallery to see our great collections of paintings, sculpture, drawings and Francis Bacon's studio. Opening Hours Tuesday to Thursday 10.00am- 6.00pm Friday & Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm Sunday 11.00am-5.00pm Closed Mondays. ADMISSION TO THE GALLERY AND EXHIBITIONS IS FREE. See gallery website for current exhibitions and events.

Reviewed By CiaraSlevin - Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

I've been wanting to see Francis Bacon's Studio for years and during a recent trip to Dublin eventually got a chance to. Bacon, one of the most prominent figurative artists in the world, was born in Ireland to British parents. On his death in 1992 Bacon's sole heir bequeathed his London based studio to Hugh Lane and it was subsequently moved piece by piece to Dublin. It's a bit of an art lovers pilgrimage to visit this studio and observe this messy wonder. Bacon was a phenomenal, shocking and experimental figurative painter and his studio a remarkable chaos. Great to see Bacon's paintings also and a filmed interview recorded before his death which provided insight into the artists methods and thought process. Superb exhibition and a superb gallery which displays a rich array of both traditional and contemporary art.

7. James Joyce Tower & Museum

Fortyfoot, Sandycove Point, Dun Laoghaire Ireland +353 1 280 9265 [email protected] https://www.joycetower.ie
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4.5 based on 296 reviews

James Joyce Tower & Museum

Museum housed in a seaside tower that inspired the setting of the first chapter of Ulysses; features memorabilia and a fantastic view of the coast and the surrounding countryside.

Reviewed By Seehanes

If you are in the Sandycove area it would be difficult to justify not visiting the James Joyce Tower. The tower is one of a series of small defensive forts that were built along the Dublin coastline in the early 1800s. There is access to all levels including the open roof from which views are impressive. If the tower itself is not sufficient reason to attract attention, then the James Joyce perspective may tip the balance. Joyce stayed here for six nights in September 1904, when he was 22 years old, as a guest of his friend Oliver St. John Gogarty who was leasing the tower. On the sixth night fellow guest Samuel Chevenix Trench dreamt he saw a black panther and proceeded to shoot at the creature - terrifying Joyce who immediately fled. The tower provides the scene for the opening pages of Joyce's novel Ulysses. Biographical information and interesting photographs of Joyce form part of the display here. There is also a black panther, for good measure. Staff are friendly and helpful. There is no admission fee, but donations can be made at the discretion of visitors.

8. Chester Beatty

Dublin Castle Chester Beatty Library Castle Street, Dublin D02 AD92 Ireland +353 1 407 0750 [email protected] http://www.chesterbeatty.ie
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4.5 based on 4,024 reviews

Chester Beatty

FREE Admission. Described by Lonely Planet as ‘not just the best museum in Ireland but one of the best in Europe’ - and the only Irish museum to ever win European Museum of the Year - the Chester Beatty’s extraordinary collections from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe span centuries, continents and cultures and offer visitors a fascinating view of global artistic heritage. Donated to the Irish nation, American mining magnate and philanthropist Sir Alfred Chester Beatty's bequest is considered one of Ireland's greatest gifts. Open late on Wednesdays until 8pm. Download the Chester Beatty app, for audio tours in 6 languages, virtual walk-throughs, online collections and more!

Reviewed By Pathfinder801848 - Batavia, United States

Incredible treasures housed at the library - illuminated editions of religious texts, a lovely roof-top garden (great way to take a picture of the Dublin Castle garden), and other artifacts from East and West.

9. St. Michan's Church

Church St. Lower, Dublin DUBLIN 7 Ireland +353 1 872 4154 [email protected] http://www.stmichans.com
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4.5 based on 1,320 reviews

St. Michan's Church

Underneath the church are five long burial vaults containing the mummified remains of many of Dublin's most influential 17th, 18th and 19th century families, including the legendary Shears brothers and the highly decorated coffins of the Earl's of Leitrim. Since Victorian times visitors have descended the vault steps to see the mummies and Bram Stoker, creator of the "Dracula" stories is believed to have visited the vaults in the company of his family. In one vault can be seen the remains of the "Crusader" though in fact he is only 650 years dead. The early visitors to the vaults were responsible for many of the myths and legends surrounding the bodies, though modern scientific investigations have cast doubts on many of these stories. Nevertheless, a visit to the Crypts to see the historic mummies is a remarkable experience.

Reviewed By TheRightChemistry - Natick, United States

St. Michan's is definitely worth a visit. The quick tour allows you to see the crypts below the church, as well as a number of mummified bodies. A great atmospheric exhibit, and quite creepy.

10. Marsh's Library

St Patrick's Close, Dublin D08 FK79 Ireland +353 1 454 3511 [email protected] http://www.marshlibrary.ie/
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4.5 based on 635 reviews

Marsh's Library

One of Dublin's most beautiful tourist attractions. An unspoiled gem right in the heart of the city. Established in 1707, Marsh's Library is a wonderfully preserved library of the early Enlightenment complete with its original oak bookcases. Visitors often comment on the wonderful smell of the old bookcases and books.The library contains over 25,000 rare and interesting books relating to the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, covering medicine, law, science, travel, navigation, mathematics, music, and classical literature. There is also some material of a very scurrilous nature. Every year an exhibition of rare and curious items is presented from the holdings of the Library. The current exhibition is titled: 'Bram Stoker & the Haunting of Marsh's Library', an exhibition of books that were requested by Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, when he came to read in the Library in 1866-67.

Reviewed By carawasthere - Boston, United States

Marsh’s Library is right next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. There is a very small entry fee - ~€3 and it’s worth every penny! The have a great exhibition about their stolen books currently on display which was really fascinating. They also have a few “games” and activities. Normally, I’m not down for this sort of thing but their activities were awesome! There are mini LEGO figurines (book thieves - tied to their exhibition) for you to find and circle on your own map. All are hiding in plain sight! You can also draw/color your own LEGO book thief. There’s also ink/quills/paper for you to draw or write in and a selfie station at the very end since no photos are allowed inside the main rooms. I loved this little library so much! You should definitely go see it!!

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