Dublin: 10 Ways to Travel Back in Time…
Dublin is a great city– easy to navigate, plenty of bars and distilleries to mingle with spirits, and so much history! You don’t have to stumble far before you find yourself traveling back in time. While you could walk to 1 through 9 on the list, if you are trying to squeeze in as many as you can in a 48-hour period– I recommend the Green Hop On/Hop Off bus. I mean you are in Ireland so green is the way to go, right? 🍀
So, whether you visit for a long weekend or for a week– here are my top 10 picks to travel back in time while visiting Dublin…
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Epic the Irish Emigration Museum
- The Old Library and Book of Kells
- Irish Whiskey Museum
- National Museum of Ireland- Archeology
- Dublin Castle
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Dublinia
- Glendalough (Day Trip)
- Bonus: Hellfire Club Horror Hike by Night *Time Travel & Spirits
1. Top of my list is Kilmainham Gaol— The tour and museum is a must see! My key piece of advice is: BOOK IN ADVANCE. Tours do sell out so make sure to you pick your time and make plans, either before you arrive or do it a few days in advance if you are spending the week in Dublin. The jail, or gaol opened in 1746 and before closing its doors in 1924, thousands of men, women and children were sent here for both minor offenses and monumental rebellious offenses– think of the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852) and the 1916 Easter Uprising. So many heartbreaking stories played out behind those walls.
2. After visiting the jail (or before! Both are a must!), make sure to visit Epic the Irish Emigration Museum to learn more about the Irish Dispora (dispersion of a people). This interactive museum offers a unique way to learn about the past– through touch screens and video projections, music and quick draw quizzes, and whispering libraries– you can see why it was voted as “Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction” at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 World Travel Awards. Have Irish Roots? Why not book a consultation with an on-site genealogist, located on site at The Irish Family History Centre. There really is something for everyone here– and don’t miss the Famine Sculptures across the street along the River Liffey.
3. As a book nerd and history buff, the Old Library (Long Room) at Trinity College is a must see– two floors of old leather books, rolling ladders & study carrells, with 40 marble busts of historical greats adorning the ends of each bookcase– and 4 women finally joining the ranks in 2013. I am not sure which is more impressive the Long Room or the room full of illuminated manuscripts just off to the side– top of the list is the Book of Kells! The Book of Kells, “Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure’ was created by the monks of Columba from the order of Iona, Scotland and dates back to 800 AD. The manuscript is famous for its intricate designs, incorporating Celtic and Christian traditions, which decorate or illuminate the gospel pages in Latin. It is pretty impressive to behold! Make sure you don’t miss it!
4. After the library, why not take a three-minute walk over to the Irish Whiskey Museum for a history lesson and a tasting? All those books will make you thirsty! Learn about how whiskey (with an E) is made and just who gets the angel’s share from every barrel produced. Unlike the other distillery tours in Dublin because you get to sample 4 different Irish whiskies. Tour takes about an hour but if you interested making your own blend— try the Whiskey Blending Experience (1.5 hours).
5. The National Museum of Ireland- Archeology may only be a 10-minute walk from the Irish Whiskey Museum but you may be a too little tipsy after your visit to make your way there! Save it for another day but make sure you check out the Viking Exhibit (my favorite) and the Treasury (Gold, lotsa gold). There is also ever changing special temporary exhibits to explore as well. So. Much. Viking. Stuff.
6. Dublin Castle, a bit more modern and intact than one would expect for a castle dating back to the13th century (at least from the outside) but as of 1922 it belongs to the Irish people once more. Once a traditional motte and bailey castle, picked for being the highest point in the center of the Dublin, it has suffered repeated fires and refortifications over the centuries, altering its appearance. The 12th century Record Tower is all that is left of the original medieval castle, but underneath it goes even further back. Recent excavations have uncovered the castle’s medieval curtain wall with postern gate leading to the original moat– worth checking out!
Why not combine stop 3 and 6? Buy a Fast track pass to the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle!
7 & 8: Onto the Cathedrals– St. Patrick’s and Christ Church both are worth a visit! Christ Church is a bit older– about 1028 to St. Patrick’s 1191– and boast two unique displays: a mummified cat and mouse found in a church organ and a preserved heart. According to church lore, the cat chased the rat into a pipe of the church organ and both became stuck, their remains are now on display. As for the heart, 12th century archbishop Laurence O’Toole had his preserved heart placed inside a heart-shaped box enclosed by iron bars. In 2012 it was stolen by a thief (missing in photo above) and magically returned 6 years later. Now, St. Patrick’s may not have any mummified remains on display but it does have the Door of Reconciliation–a 15th century door with a hole cut in it. In 1492 two Irish families, the Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare, were involved in a bitter feud. Eventually the two parties were convinced to make peace, Fitzgerald ordered a hole cut into the door so that the two could shake hands. This story also lives on in a famous expression in Ireland “To chance your arm”. Glad it was a happy ending!
9. Next– Who doesn’t like Vikings? (Being Irish and Swedish, I may be a bit partial) If you don’t, then avoid Dublinia as it is all things Viking and Medieval Dublin. Step into the past and try on Vikings clothes, play Viking games and discover Viking artifacts on permanent loan from the National Museum of Ireland– don’t miss climbing the original Medieval tower to get a spectacular view of the city. Dublinia has something to pique the interest of kids and adults alike.
10. While Dublin has so much to offer, you really should get out into the countryside and see the rolling green hills and 12th century round tower at Glendalough. Take a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains National Park — made famous by PS I Love You, Braveheart, Vikings, and Guinness (aka Lough Tay) — and make your way out to Glendalough, an early Medieval monastic village first founded in the 6th century. What remains of the sanctuary is pretty impressive! The next stop (or first, depending on the itinerary), is Kilkenny– the capital of Medieval Ireland– and home to Kilkenny Castle. Enjoy a tour, Lunch and some free time to explore. Such a great day outside of the city.
**Bonus: Hellfire Club Horror Hike in the Dublin Mountains (by night!) has to be one of my most memorable tours– hiking up an Irish mountainside by flashlight and exploring the burned-out ruins of an old stone hunting lodge. The lodge, built with stones taken from a nearby prehistoric burial site, was once used for meetings of Dublin’s Hellfire Club. (Interesting, right?) Strange stories surround the old lodge on Montpelier Hill– satanic rituals, animal sacrifices, exorcisms, lewd orgies, and even pacts with the devil. What is fact and what is fiction? I’ll let you determine that!
Whatever you end up doing in Dublin– you can’t go wrong! Have fun and enjoy exploring!
Tripadvisor Map: Dublin- 10 Places to Travel Back in Time mapped.
Time Travel and Spirits... 