There are several big airports to choose from in Ireland, but for my trip flying in and out of Dublin was the most economical even though we had no plans to spend much time in Ireland’s capital. My mom and I had about one day (two half days really) to explore some of what Dublin had to offer and we made the most of doing very little. We had a jam packed schedule seeing many different attractions in other cities like Galway, Donegal, Cliffs of Moher and Belfast so we wanted a more laidback time in Dublin. We decided to visit a few attractions but ultimately chose shopping and drinking as our top Dublin fun.
Here’s my top choices for how to spend one day in Dublin.
Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
1. View the Book of Kells at Trinity College
Possibly the most touristy thing to do in Dublin is to visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College. The Book of Kells, considered to be Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure, was created in the year 800AD and is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament. I like to say it is an incredibly old book and basically the first Bible. It is not, however, the first Bible but it is an immaculate copy of the Bible’s New Testament, produced by monks possible on the Island of Kells (the exact location of its creation is disputed).
While I was intrigued by the history of the Book of Kells and of course wanted to view the masterpiece, I was more intrigued by the Trinity College Old Library. I love old libraries that are filled floor to ceiling with ancient books. The wooden book selves, the damp smell and the stories that fill the room have always held my heart in old libraries. And Trinity College Old Library did not disappoint.
When we visited in 2018, the line to enter was quite long and tickets were required. The line essentially gets backed up due to everyone pausing around the displayed-under-glass Book of Kells. But after viewing the Book, you are than free to roam the library (within limits of course). Let your imagination run wild as you look up and all around at the countless number of ancient books that fill the room.
(The Book of Kells and Trinity College Old Library are currently closed to the public due to the pandemic.)
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2. Shop on Grafton Street
Even if you are not much of a shopper, strolling down Grafton Street in Dublin is worth the steps. Grafton Street, which runs from St. Stephen’s Green to College Green, is great for shopping, eating, drinking and people watching. Fun fact: Grafton Street was once most known for prostitution in 1870 when 1,500 prostitutes were said to work the street. Today, you won’t find women for sale but you will find plenty of shops.
The Aran Sweater Market was our mark for Grafton Street. My mom and I wanted authentic Aran knitwear sweaters and we had heard the Aran Sweater Market was the best. The authentic Aran Knitwear comes from the Aran Islands, off the coast of Galway in western Ireland. Located directly on Grafton Street, the Aran Sweater Market features traditional Irish sweaters, shawls, bags, scarfs, hats, and so much more. You can even find your Irish clan crest woven into a scarf or sweater. Be prepared to spend some money in the store but the quality is worth the extra expensive.
Hit a few souvenir shops along Grafton Street and then go for a pint. Less than a 10 minute walk from Grafton Street is Temple Bar, the premier tourist destination for a Dublin pint and live music.
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Temple Bar in Dublin, Ireland; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
3. Sing, Dance, Drink Guinness at Temple Bar
After quite literally dragging my mom along the Cliffs of Moher as we attempted to hike the never ending trail, I knew I had to make things right by doing the one thing that she continuously said she wanted to do in Ireland — listen to live Irish music.
The best tourist spot to do that in Dublin, is the popular Temple Bar located fittingly enough in the Temple Bar section of Dublin. Temple Bar is a tourist bar filled with people (pre-pandemic) at all hours. There are a several rooms inside to sit and enjoy a pint. But the live music is truly the best part of Temple Bar. The fiddles, violins and toe-tapping jigs that fill the air inside the bar will have anyone, Irish or not, wanting to get up and dance.
When the pandemic is over, stop in for a pint (or several), listen to some live Irish music and take it in, that you are in Dublin! Be thankful for that Luck ‘o the Irish.
Disclaimer: Please check to see that any of the above recommendations are currently open and welcoming visitors despite the pandemic, before planning a visit.
Related: Instagram vs. Reality: Hiking the Cliffs of Moher
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