Top Things to do in Province of Leinster
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Province of Leinster, Province of Leinster
Discover the best top things to do in Province of Leinster, Ireland including The Wicklow Way, Museum of Style Icons (M.O.S.I), James Joyce Tower & Museum, National Gallery of Ireland, St Stephens Green, Phoenix Park, Chester Beatty, Howth Head, National Botanic Gardens, Bray Head.
Restaurants in Province of Leinster
1. The Wicklow Way
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By Familiaturner
This area of Ireland is not to be missed. Very different from anything else we saw. If you start in Roundwood and take highway R759 you will go through some amazing countryside. Stop near Lough Tay and find the trailhead. (There are a few parking areas). You can take a spectacular hike on a beautifully maintained trail (much of which is raised boardwalk) and see amazing views in every direction. Then, drive towards Sally Gap. It's hauntingly beautiful and unique. So worthwhile. You can continue on to Dublin from there. Country roads (narrow) but typical of those in Ireland.
2. Museum of Style Icons (M.O.S.I)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
3. James Joyce Tower & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 296 reviews
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.
4. National Gallery of Ireland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,086 reviews
The National Gallery of Ireland holds the national collection of European and Irish fine art. Admission is free to the permanent collections. The historic wings have recently been refurbished and reopened to the public. Entrance to the gallery is via Merrion Sq and Clare Street entrances.
Reviewed By ElizaMo55 - Warsaw, Poland
I was very lucky to visit a breath taking exhibition of Spanish impressionist, Sorolla when visiting NGI in October. National Gallery of Ireland hosts a number of temporary art exhibitions which are definitely worth visiting, beside permanent collection of Irish art.
5. St Stephens Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,623 reviews
Beautiful urban park immortalized in James Joyce's "Ulysses."
Reviewed By MaggieMay82 - Dublin, Ireland
This little piece of heaven just at the top of Grafton street has to be on your list to cost. Whether as a couple for a romantic walk throu all the little nooks and crannies designed into the park or going with kids to feed the ducks or swans or go to the playground and bring a picnic for after. And it won't cost you a penny
6. Phoenix Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,753 reviews
Beautiful urban park lined with running trails.
Reviewed By browncondo2102 - Kitchener, Canada
There are 8 miles of walls around this magnificent park and at 1750 acres is the largest park in the world. There are many things encompassed in this park. Dublin Zoo which was home to the MGM Lion at one time, Magazine Fort, President's House and the US Embassy. The USA was the first country to recognize Ireland so they got the pick of the litter as to where their embassy would be located in 1927. Inside the park is a Cross Monument where in 1979, Pope John Paul 2 preached to 1.2 million people. There are many large gardens of planted flowers throughout the park and many deer and other animals still run wild on its grounds.
7. Chester Beatty
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,024 reviews
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.
8. Howth Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,717 reviews
Reviewed By sarahblandry - Manchester, United States
If you are visiting Dublin do yourself a favor and take one day to leave the city by DART train and see quaint Howth. Amazing walking trails, ocean views, delicious seafood restaurants everywhere, local crafts and food at the Howth market. Only a 30 minute train ride - well worth it!
9. National Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,910 reviews
Ireland's premier garden is a green oasis situated in the leafy suburb of Glasnevin, not far from Dublin city centre. It is just under 50 acres in size and home to over 17,000 different plant species. Famous for its Victorian glasshouses: the Curvilinear Range, designed by Richard Turner, and the Great Palm House, Ireland's only tropical rainforest. Outdoor features include the rose and rock gardens, double herbaceous borders, the pond and river walks, the organic fruit and vegetable garden and wild Ireland, the native conservation area. Guided tours of the Gardens all year round- Sundays at 12.00pm & 2.30pm, admission free. Monday-Saturday 11.30am & 3.00pm, €5 pp. Pre-booked tours by arrangement.
Reviewed By WirralChesterdraws
This garden is both educational and recreational, and (like the advert for the Victoria and Albert Museum) has an "ace cafe" attached. It is a great advertisement for horticulture in Ireland, and since one of their functions is to train the next generation of gardeners it provides the ideal learning environment for both experts and amateurs. This year I came a little too early to experience the annual sculpture exhibition, but in August the herbaceous borders were in peak flowering condition and of outstanding design and composition. While it is difficult to get excited by the arboretum which occupies the further parts of the garden, it is remarkable for the number of rare tree species, and like all the plants in the garden it is well-labelled. The glasshouses are the architectural highlights, particularly the 'curvilinear range' created by the Dublin ironmaster Turner, who also supplied the skeleton of the great Palm House at Kew. Glasnevin's palm house is less spectacular and the rear of the building has a facsimile of a domestic dwelling, though it won't fool the visitors. I enjoyed my visit to the cafe, which was buzzing on a hot summer's day, and the shop has the usual selection of publications. The only hiccup was that I paid my parking fee before going in for a snack, and as a result the barrier then refused to work. It was my own fault for failing to read the small print, but I felt sorry for the people queuing for the carpark while I messed around topping up the fee. I suppose it's the price you pay for "free" admission. The atmosphere of the garden is relaxing, and the river Tolka and its ox-bow lakes provide a soothing aquatic environment for herons as well as people. Highly recommended.
10. Bray Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 507 reviews
Reviewed By BrookeMorales - London, United Kingdom
Park your car in the car park below, pay car park and walk thr Bray head. Approximately 1 hour, easy and lovely walk along the coast.
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