10 Historic Places to Explore in Dublin

10 Historic Places to Explore in Dublin

With Dublin’s Festival of History on the horizon, what better time to discover the city’s fascinating past?

And the best part? You don’t need to sit through a lecture to learn about it (unless of course, that’s your thing). Dublin’s history is written into its streets, buildings, and landmarks – from medieval churches to Viking ruins.

So, here are ten places to experience Dublin’s history without stepping foot in a lecture hall 🔎🏛️

1) Dublin Castle 🏰

Built in the early 13th century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle was the centre of British administration in Ireland up until 1922. After Irish independence, the castle was handed over to Michael Collins and the new Irish government and remains an important site for state ceremonies.

2) Kilmainham Gaol 🔐

Kilmainham Gaol (pronounced kil-MAN-em JAIL) has housed thousands of prisoners since its opening in 1796, including many political prisoners involved in Ireland’s struggle for independence. Most famously, 14 leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed here – one of whom married his partner in the prison chapel just hours before his execution.

3) Trinity College 📚

Founded in 1592, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest and most prestigious university, with a long list of iconic alumni like Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde. Sally Rooney, and even Hozier. The Old Library is its biggest historical draw though, where an 800 AD illuminated manuscript known as the Book of Kells is on display.

4) St Michan’s Crypt 💀

Located in St Michan’s Church, these crypts tell a spooky tale of Dublin’s past through its naturally preserved mummified remains. Among them are people from some very prominent Dublin families, and it’s believed that Bram Stoker visited before writing his legendary vampire tale, Dracula.

5) General Post Office 📮

The GPO opened on Dublin’s O’Connell Street in 1818 and became the headquarters of the rebels during the 1916 Easter Rising. The building was badly damaged during the fighting but survived and is still a functioning post office today.

6) Glasnevin Cemetery ⚰️

Glasnevin Cemetery is the final resting place of around 1.5 million people, including many major figures from Ireland’s cultural and political history, like Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins, and Éamon de Valera. While it might sound gloomy, it’s also a beautiful place to wander.

7) Lidl on Aungier Street 🛒

Yes, Lidl.

Next time you buy your meal deal, keep a look out for the remains of Viking-era Dublin.

Beneath this very ordinary supermarket are archaeological ruins dating back to medieval times, including an 11th-century Hiberno-Norse structure. There’s also an 18th-century theatre feature preserved beneath the shop, visible through little windows on the floor.

8) St Patrick’s Cathedral ⛪

As well as its stunning Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows, St Patrick’s Cathedral is an important religious centre in Ireland. It’s also closely associated with Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, who served as its Dean and is buried there.

9) Ha’penny Bridge 🌉

The Ha’penny Bridge opened in 1816 as Dublin’s first dedicated pedestrian bridge across the River Liffey. Its name comes from the halfpenny toll people originally paid to cross it. Don’t worry though – nowadays, it’s free.

10) Sweny’s Pharmacy 💊

Sweny’s Pharmacy became famous through James Joyce’s Ulysses, in which the protagonist, Leopold Bloom, visits the pharmacy and buys their signature lemon-scented soap. While it’s no longer a working pharmacy, the original Victorian interior has been preserved – and you can still buy a bar of lemon soap.

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