What to do with 5 Days in Dublin

Danielle Call

I went to Ireland for the first time in 2019 and absolutely fell in love with it! I was only in Ireland for five days, but managed to introduce myself to many different parts of the country. From Dublin and the iconic Guinness Storehouse, to Northern Ireland and Giant's Causeway, to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast. I didn't get to spend a lot of time in each of these places but it gave me a taste and left me wanting to return as soon as possible!

Kilmainham Gaol, Jameson Distillery Bow St., Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, The Brazen Head, Queen of Tarts Cow's Lane, George's Street Arcade, The Secret Book and Record Store, Murphys Ice Cream, St. Stephen’s Green, Trinity College Library

  • Kilmainham Gaol in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      Kilmainham Gaol has played an interesting part throughout Ireland's history. The tour here was incredibly informative and very engaging. From people committing crimes to be put in jail during the potato famine so they would be guaranteed a meal to eat, to the role it played throughout the Troubles in the early 1900's, Kilmainham has an extremely rich history. I highly recommend this tour and museum. Make a reservation to guarantee a spot, we just happened to get lucky and there were two spots open when we arrived.

  • Jameson Distillery Bow St. in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      The Jameson Distillery doesn't only offer tours, but you can also take a cocktail making class and a whiskey blending masterclass. While I love a good tour, I also really enjoy a class that allows me to use my new found knowledge of food and drink! The next time I'm in Dublin I will definitely be taking one of these classes!

  • Guinness Storehouse in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      The Guinness Storehouse is HUGE! It is 8 stories of brewing and Guinness history, but to be honest, I didn't really start enjoying it until the 4th floor where they show old videos of barrels being made and where they have a showcase of Guinness advertising throughout the years. You go through a small sensory workshop where you receive a tiny Guinness and learn how the experts taste test each batch. You can also learn how to properly pour a Guinness which was cool, but I highly recommend visiting here on off hours.

  • Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      A trip to Dublin wouldn't be complete without at least one brewery or distillery tour! Unfortunately Teeling was closed when I was there, but I have heard that they give smaller more intimate tours where you can really experience the passion and expertise that goes into Teeling's production. It is definitely on my list for next time!

  • The Brazen Head in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      The Brazen Head is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin. Here you can feast on a hearty Irish stew in the dining area, and when you're done, head over to the cozy old bar to listen to talented musicians playing some Irish Trad. If you only have a few days in Ireland, I highly recommend spending at least one evening here.

  • Queen of Tarts Cow's Lane in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      The Queen of Tarts was possibly the best breakfast I had in Ireland! It is a great place to start your day of sightseeing in Ireland. Set back a bit from the main street on Cow's Lane, the Queen of Tarts is an adorable tearoom/cafe where you can get breakfast, brunch, or lunch, and grab some jam or a pastry to take with you for later! I had to get the full Irish breakfast to get the full experience, and it was delicious!

  • George's Street Arcade in Dublin, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      George's Street Arcade is a cool little "open air" covered market. Inside you'll find small cafe's and bake shops, artist stalls, indie shops, eclectic jewelry, and much more.

  • The Secret Book and Record Store in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      Set in back behind a health food store and a vape shop, this small bookstore has a huge selection of old and used books, records, and movies. As with any used bookstore, take your time looking through because you never know what you might find!

  • Murphys Ice Cream in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      One thing I learned in Ireland is that the Irish are really proud of their dairy! Almost everyone we met told us we needed to get ice cream at Murphy's. They use fresh milk and cream from the Kerry Cow, indigenous to Ireland, to make their ice cream. They weren't open early when we went by, but they're definitely on my list for next time no matter what season we visit!

  • St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      One of the many beautiful parks in Dublin, St Stephen's Green is a great place to pull up a blanket and people watch with a cup of coffee, take a walk around to admire the sculptures, or grab a seat by the lake and waterfall with a good book. Whatever you choose, it is a great place to relax and recharge before your next Irish adventure.

  • Trinity College Library in Ireland, Ireland

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    • mustangdmv

      Trinity College Library, and the Trinity College campus are beautiful. If you enjoy old Georgian architecture then take your time walking around this city campus. When I was there unfortunately there was a long line to enter the library and view the Book of Kells and the iconic Long Room at the library. It does cost 16€ for tickets and I know people that have said it is not worth it to stand in a line in the library to look at one page of an old book. While I certainly agree with that sentiment, I would have loved to explore the library itself.