Dublin rewards those who wander. Every side street has a pub worth stopping in, every pub has a story worth hearing. Throughout the city, you feel its warmth, the unmistakable sense that everyone around you is delighted you showed up. And yes, the Guinness really does taste better here.
Day 1: The Irish Emigration Museum and Temple Bar
We left the car in the short stay car park and flew to Dublin from East Midlands Airport. One hour in the air, an Uber at the other end, and we were in the city centre before we knew it.
Accommodation:
We stayed at the Abbey Hotel, which is the very definition of budget. Three beds in the room and not a great deal else. We booked last minute and wanted to keep costs down, and this was by far the cheapest option. Sitting directly above a bar does not make for the quietest nights. At times the noice was unbearable. You book it for the location, which is excellent.
We dropped our bags and walked straight to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. This is one of the best museums I have been to in years. It is interactive, absorbing and genuinely fun. They hand you a passport at the entrance and you stamp it at each exhibition as you move through. Trust me, you will want to collect every stamp. There are exhibitions on Ireland’s native fauna, you can touch and smell the landscape of the country. There are rooms dedicated to the extraordinary global impact of the Irish diaspora, including a fair few presidents. There are compelling videos tracing Ireland’s complex history. Every penny of the entry fee is justified. Do not miss this museum. It is the best museum in Dublin. Put it first on your list.
Just nearby is the Jeanie Johnston, the tall ship that carried over 2,000 emigrants to the new world during the Great Famine. We did not go inside but took some good photos of the ship and the surrounding docks.
Jeanie Johnston.
We walked along the waterfront until we found Gerard’s Deli for a coffee and cake, sitting in views of the River Liffey. A lovely way to recharge before the evening.
For dinner, we headed to Kopitiam Dublin on Capel Street for Malaysian food. We ordered the classic Nasi Lemak and Nasi Goreng. Portions were huge and the price was very reasonable.
Afterwards, we went to Temple Bar. Yes, it is touristy. Yes, you still have to do it. Start with a look inside The Temple Bar pub itself, though I would skip ordering a Guinness there since they have introduced surge pricing. Walk the surrounding area instead and find a pub that suits you. The prices across the neighbourhood will be a little higher than elsewhere and the crowd will lean more towards visitors than locals, but that is part of the experience on a first trip to Dublin.
The Temple Bar at night.
The bar we spent the most time at was The Auld Dubliner. The live music was fantastic and the Guinness was everything it should be. Guinness is black nectar and clearly the work of gods.
Day 2: Chester Beatty, the Jameson Distillery, Mad Yolks and a Big Night at O’Riordan’s
In the morning, we headed to Dublin Castle, though our specific destination was the Chester Beatty museum. Worth flagging: Dublin Castle itself is closed for most of 2026. The Chester Beatty houses a remarkable collection of artefacts, books and artwork. The series on world religions was a personal highlight. Well worth your time.
Top Tip: One alternative I would recommend is Trinity College Dublin and the Book of Kells. Book tickets in advance.
In the afternoon, we went to the Jameson Distillery Bow St., which I booked through GetYourGuide. You learn how Jameson whiskey is made, complementary drinks are included throughout and the gift shop is well stocked with variants you will not find at home. A personal favourite was the orange flavoured Jameson. Treat yourself to a Jameson and ginger beer while you are there.
Afterwards, we went to Mad Yolks for an egg-inspired lunch. The bacon bun is delightful.
We wandered the Smithfield area, which has a handful of interesting independent shops. Our main stop was the National Museum of Ireland. Our energy levels were admittedly fading by this point but there is still plenty to engage with, particularly around Ireland’s early history. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Second Abbey, a vintage store packed with curios and characterful clothing. If you have the stamina, Arnott’s and the surrounding area offers good shopping too.
For dinner, we ate at Aobaba, a Vietnamese restaurant on Capel Street. The grilled pork with rice was tangy and juicy, and the prices were kind.
For drinks, we went to O’Riordan’s Bar, on the edge of Temple Bar. A family member and friend joined us and made it a proper occasion. Live music downstairs, a restaurant upstairs, Guinness being poured with purpose and dancing until we called time. One of those nights.
A pint of Guinness.
Day 3: The Guinness Storehouse
In the morning, we started with a coffee at The Art of Coffee in Dublin 8. Then we headed to the Guinness Storehouse, and it completely blew my mind.
Seven floors, each dedicated to a different chapter of Guinness history. On the ground floor, you can see the original deed signed by Arthur Guinness leasing the land at St James’s Gate. The gift shop is spectacular and we left with bags full of treats. The highlight for me was reaching the top floor for a 360-degree view across Dublin city. There is even a floor with live performers entertaining the crowds.
It is an excellent place to try Guinness variants you would not normally come across. I had the West Indies Porter for the first time. It had a deep caramel quality that I was not expecting. Brilliant.
Top Tip: Book the Guinness Storehouse as early as possible. It is Dublin’s busiest attraction and popular time slots sell out days in advance.
Top Tip: If you have extra time, I recommend Grafton Street for shopping and the nearby Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. The National Gallery of Ireland and St Stephen’s Green are well worth a visit if the schedule allows.
For dinner, we went to the The White Rabbit. The fried chicken was crunchy, juicy and fully deserved its reputation.
It was the Champions League Final that evening, so we started at The Wool Shed sports bar and then went pub crawling. Luckily, almost every pub in Dublin was showing the game. With an early morning flight looming, we had to call time on the Dublin adventure earlier than any of us wanted to. Thank you my mum and dad for making this trip special. Dublin, you were a joy. I will be back.
