If you are planning to work and study in Ireland it can be difficult to find activities on a limited budget. That is why our students have compiled a list of the top 5 free activities in Dublin to keep you busy when you’re not in class!
Temple Bar Markets
Known as the cultural centre of Dublin, Temple Bar offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, clothes shops and music venues and is known for its vibrant nightlife. Temple Bar also hosts some fantastic daytime markets offering everything from food and local artisan produce to second hand clothes, vinyl and books.
The Food Market takes place on Saturday from 10am until 4.30pm in Meeting House Square. This market features a large number of stalls and independent traders selling food and dishes from Ireland and around the world.
Designer Mart on Cow’s Lane takes place every Saturday from 10am until 5pm and is located in the Old City area of Temple Bar, close to Christchurch. Here you can find Irish designers showcasing their work and can expect to see everything from pottery and jewellery to clothes and artwork, all at a great price. There are also several cosy coffee shops and cafes if you just want to sit back and watch the world go by.
Temple Bar Book Market takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 6pm in Temple Bar Square, the main centre of Temple Bar. Whether you are looking for books to practise your English or classic vinyl and CD’s, or even if you just want to wander about and enjoy the atmosphere, Temple Bar Book Market is a great way to spend your weekends.
National Museums of Ireland
Dublin is home to some of the best museums in Ireland full of Irish art, culture, and natural history. In Dublin, there are three galleries – Archaeology, on Kildare Street in Dublin 2, Decorative Arts & History in Collins Barracks in Dublin 7 and the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street in Dublin 2. The museum in Collins Barracks in Dublin 7 also features an extremely interesting and informative collection of items from the 1916 Rising in Ireland which eventually led to the Irish Civil War and independence.
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is located in the 17th century Royal Hospital, close to Heuston Station. IMMA features modern and contemporary art and is the home of the National Collection. Most exhibitions at IMMA are free of charge and facilities include a café, bookshop, beautiful gardens and you can also avail of free guided tours.
Chester Beatty Library
Located in the gardens of Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library is completely free to visit. Not only is it one of Ireland’s top museums but it also has one of the best book collections in Europe.
The Library has been described by Lonely Planet as one of the best museums in Europe and features artefacts from a large selection of cultures from around the world. Some of the items on display include Egyptian papyrus, medieval manuscripts, copies of the Qur’an, Renaissance manuscripts, jade books from the Imperial Chinese Court and much more.
National Botanical Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens are located in the suburb of Glasnevin, 5 km north-west of Dublin city centre. The gardens are an area of outstanding beauty, with over 300 plants from around the world featured in a Victorian greenhouse. As well as an indoor section, there are several outdoor walks. Admission is free and audio tours are offered in various languages so if your English is basic you can still explore in your native language!
Howth Head Walk
If you would like to escape the city and enjoy the colourful Dublin coastline and some fresh sea air, the Dublin suburb of Howth features one of the most spectacular and accessible walks in Dublin. Starting from Howth Dart station, the walk continues around the cliffs of Howth offering breathtaking views of the Irish sea, the village of Howth and on a clear day you can even see England!
The Howth walk continues around the cliffs and and concludes in the village of Howth where you can find several cosy pubs to enjoy a pint of Guinness and delicious seafood chowder with brown bread! Sláinte!
The Cobblestone
The Cobblestone is an authentic Dublin pub with traditional live Irish music every night. Featured in our ‘top 5 student pubs’ blog the Cobblestone is situated in Smithfield, a ten minute walk from the Guinness Storehouse.
www.cobblestonepub.ieIf you are planning to work and study in Ireland it can be difficult to find activities on a limited budget. That is why our students have compiled a list of the top 5 free activities in Dublin to keep you busy when you’re not in class!
Temple Bar Markets
Known as the cultural centre of Dublin, Temple Bar offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, clothes shops and music venues and is known for its vibrant nightlife. Temple Bar also hosts some fantastic daytime markets offering everything from food and local artisan produce to second hand clothes, vinyl and books.
The Food Market takes place on Saturday from 10am until 4.30pm in Meeting House Square. This market features a large number of stalls and independent traders selling food and dishes from Ireland and around the world.
Designer Mart on Cow’s Lane takes place every Saturday from 10am until 5pm and is located in the Old City area of Temple Bar, close to Christchurch. Here you can find Irish designers showcasing their work and can expect to see everything from pottery and jewellery to clothes and artwork, all at a great price. There are also several cosy coffee shops and cafes if you just want to sit back and watch the world go by.
Temple Bar Book Market takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 6pm in Temple Bar Square, the main centre of Temple Bar. Whether you are looking for books to practise your English or classic vinyl and CD’s, or even if you just want to wander about and enjoy the atmosphere, Temple Bar Book Market is a great way to spend your weekends.
National Museums of Ireland
Dublin is home to some of the best museums in Ireland full of Irish art, culture, and natural history. In Dublin, there are three galleries – Archaeology, on Kildare Street in Dublin 2, Decorative Arts & History in Collins Barracks in Dublin 7 and the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street in Dublin 2. The museum in Collins Barracks in Dublin 7 also features an extremely interesting and informative collection of items from the 1916 Rising in Ireland which eventually led to the Irish Civil War and independence.
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is located in the 17th century Royal Hospital, close to Heuston Station. IMMA features modern and contemporary art and is the home of the National Collection. Most exhibitions at IMMA are free of charge and facilities include a café, bookshop, beautiful gardens and you can also avail of free guided tours.
Chester Beatty Library
Located in the gardens of Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library is completely free to visit. Not only is it one of Ireland’s top museums but it also has one of the best book collections in Europe.
The Library has been described by Lonely Planet as one of the best museums in Europe and features artefacts from a large selection of cultures from around the world. Some of the items on display include Egyptian papyrus, medieval manuscripts, copies of the Qur’an, Renaissance manuscripts, jade books from the Imperial Chinese Court and much more.
National Botanical Gardens
The National Botanic Gardens are located in the suburb of Glasnevin, 5 km north-west of Dublin city centre. The gardens are an area of outstanding beauty, with over 300 plants from around the world featured in a Victorian greenhouse. As well as an indoor section, there are several outdoor walks. Admission is free and audio tours are offered in various languages so if your English is basic you can still explore in your native language!
Howth Head Walk
If you would like to escape the city and enjoy the colourful Dublin coastline and some fresh sea air, the Dublin suburb of Howth features one of the most spectacular and accessible walks in Dublin. Starting from Howth Dart station, the walk continues around the cliffs of Howth offering breathtaking views of the Irish sea, the village of Howth and on a clear day you can even see England!
The Howth walk continues around the cliffs and and concludes in the village of Howth where you can find several cosy pubs to enjoy a pint of Guinness and delicious seafood chowder with brown bread! Sláinte!
The Cobblestone
The Cobblestone is an authentic Dublin pub with traditional live Irish music every night. Featured in our ‘top 5 student pubs’ blog the Cobblestone is situated in Smithfield, a ten minute walk from the Guinness Storehouse.