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12 January 2024
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The vibrant city of Dublin is brimming with must-see attractions and things to do. There’s the Guinness Storehouse, for starters! Can you really say you visited Dublin if you didn’t take a tour there and sample a pint of the famous brew in its authentic homeland? Other top-rated attractions include the magnificent Trinity College, where you can marvel at the world-renowned Book of Kells. If you’re just visiting for the craic, the cobbled streets of Temple Bar come alive at night with traditional music, good times and plenty of warm Irish hospitality.Â
However, while these are undoubtedly some of the main attractions, there are many other must-see places that don’t always get the love they deserve. They might not make it on to your to-do list if you are too busy focusing on the biggest and best-known attractions. Fear not though, because we’re here to change all that! Read on to discover seven underrated places in Dublin to add to your travel itinerary…
Known as ‘Dublin’s Secret Garden’, this is one of the city’s hidden gems. Iveagh Gardens were designed in 1865 and combine French formal and English landscape styles. The gardens are located close to St Stephen’s Green Park in Dublin city centre, but they don’t get anywhere near as much attention! There are loads of beautiful attractions to explore, including rustic grottos, wilderness, woodland, a rose garden, a yew maze, and sunken lawns with fountain centrepieces. Perhaps the most stunning sight here is the cascading waterfall feature, which has 32 rock samples – one from each county in Ireland. There’s also an American garden, archery grounds and rockeries. There’s no shortage of things to see here. Easily one of the most underrated places in Dublin!
The coastal village of Malahide is sometimes overlooked by Dublin travellers – but it’s a picture-perfect destination! A 20-minute train ride out of the city, the cobbled streets of Malahide are filled with charming bouÂtiques, cafés and pubs. It’s home to the Malahide Castle & Gardens estate, which offers 260 acres of parkland to explore. There’s also the scenic Malahide Beach if you fancy a seaside stroll. Another gem for walkers is the coastal route to Portmarnock, an elevated path with parkland on one side and the sea on the other. In short, Malahide is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of Dublin city centre!
Keen walkers should also be sure to put Howth on their travel itinerary. Similar to Malahide, this is a short train ride from the city centre (about 30 minutes). This picturesque coastal village is home to a scenic harbour frequented by seals! In addition, there’s a castle and four beaches to explore. If you’re able, Howth Cliff Walk is a must-do! It’s perhaps one of the top reasons for visiting Howth. There are several routes you can take along the cliffs, and it’s well worth walking out to the striking 19th century Baily Lighthouse. A great opportunity to get some dramatic photos!
Next on our list of underrated places in Dublin is Marsh’s Library. This hidden gem dates back to 1707, making it the oldest public library in Ireland. It’s one of the few buildings still used for its original purpose. Books were donated to the library in the early 18th century and the surviving copies are very rare and valuable. Today the library holds 25,000 books, as well as 300 manÂuscripts. If you’re a bookworm, you will love soaking up the atmosphere of this 18th century library and its hidden garden. There’s also an exhibition of some of the most beautiful bindings! E-readers like Kindle may be convenient, but they will never be able to compete with these magnificent tomes!
This is a must for history buffs. The Archaeology branch of the National Museum of Ireland will take you all the way back to 7000 BC! It’s free to enter and you can discover gold treasure, ancient history, and Vikings! The extensive and fascinating collections here include something quite macabre – the ancient ‘bog bodies’. These are remarkably well-preserved human remains, although probably not for the squeamish! The most antiquated of these is Cashel Man, who lived and died in the early Bronze Age around 2000 BC. Less gruesome highlights on display include the Tara Brooch, an ornate Irish brooch dating from the 8th century. It provides a rare glimpse of ancient Celtic art. The museum is also worth visiting to see one of Ireland’s most important relics – the bell of St Patrick and its shrine.
If you’re after some peace and quiet away from the lively city centre, Phoenix Park is the ideal getaway. Spread across 1,750 acres, it’s twice the size of New York’s Central Park! This peaceful oasis is home to a herd of wild fallow deer. You might spot some of them roaming around! There are plenty of walking and cycling routes to enjoy, as well as multiple monuÂments, cafés and a visitor centre. You could easily spend hours here as there’s so much to discover. Another highlight is the Edwardian Farmleigh House & Estate, which was home to the Guinness family for generations.
This unique museum concludes our list of underrated places in Dublin. Instead of serving as a traditional museum with displays and collections to browse, it’s a storytelling tour! One of the museum’s storytellers will take you through a series of themed, immersive spaces, telling you traditional folktales, myths and legends. Storytellers choose their own stories and while they’re unscripted, they’re entirely rooted in Irish folklore. There’s a daytime tour, which runs seven days a week and is family friendly, but there’s a much darker offering in the evenings! The ‘Darkland’ tour is for over-18s and runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On these adult tours, you’ll hear macabre, gruesome and obscure tales from Ireland’s darkest myths and legends!
This blog has introduced you to just a handful of the most underrated places in Dublin. To discover more of the city’s lesser known gems, along with the big hitters, check out the No Fuss Guide to Dublin! This handy pocket-sized guidebook will enable you to explore the city like a local. It’s packed with more than 400 must-see attractions as well as QR codes and what3words references for easy navigation. It also includes suggested itineraries, transport information, hotel recommendations and many more travel tips! Click here to order your copy – and enjoy exploring this marvellous city!
