48 Hours in Dublin

Day 1: Wake up to culture

Home to so many literary greats, it makes sense that your first morning in Dublin should focus around the written word. Grab some breakfast at Bewley’s Café, and walk it off by making your way to the Dublin Writers Museum, one of the 33 attractions included on the Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card.

A treasure trove of literary gems, the Writers Museum is located in a magnificent 18th century mansion, and is home to an impressive collection featuring the lives and works of Dublin's finest wordsmiths – Swift, Sheridan, Shaw, Wilde, Yeats, Joyce and Beckett are among the luminaries presented through the museum's stock of books, letters, portraits and personal items. Learn from the experts, and take one of the multilingual tours available throughout the day.

Haven’t had enough of Ireland’s scribes yet? Take your new-found literary knowledge and visit the James Joyce Centre on North Great George’s Street, just a five-minute walk from the Writers Museum.

Surrounded by Joycean landmarks, including Belvedere College where the man himself went to school, the Centre houses a permanent interpretative exhibition that includes the front door to No. 7 Eccles Street, the home of Leopold and Molly Bloom, a copy of Joyce's death mask and the furniture from the apartment of Paul Leon where Joyce worked on his final novel Finnegan's Wake.

The whole experience is included in the Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card, and you can also take a walking tour of Joyce's Dublin as part of your literary journey. Oh, and don’t worry about wasting time waiting in lines, the Dublin Pass means you’re an instant VIP at all of the included attractions (except Kilmainham Gaol, the Old Jameson Distillery and Dublina as these are tour-based), leaving you with more time to explore Dublin.

Maybe sport is more your thing?  If so, use your Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card to take in Dublin’s two magnificent stadiums. Croke Park, the home of the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) offers stadium and museum tours where you can learn about the history of the sport and its governing body in the 3rd largest stadium in Europe. Or go to the home of Irish rugby and soccer, the Aviva Stadium. See the dressing rooms and run onto the pitch like a sporting hero. 

Day 2: Explore Dublin history

Start your second day in Dublin at St Stephen’s Green and visit one of the most charming and interesting attractions in the city – The Little Museum of Dublin.

This eccentric small museum is full of treasures donated by ordinary Dubliners. It charts the cultural and social history of the city over the past century – from George Bernard Shaw to U2 and much more.

The best way to explore the museum is on one of the guided tours that happen on the hour, every hour. Admission and a tour are all included within the Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card, as well as a guidebook – bargain!

It’s a 15-minute walk from here, or a short bus ride to Christ Church Cathedral – a vast, imposing structure that has sat in the heart of Dublin’s Old City for over 1000 years. No visit to Dublin is complete without venturing within its walls and soaking up its captivating atmosphere. The Cathedral Crypt is the oldest surviving structure in Dublin and is one of the largest medieval crypts in Europe.

Check out Dublinia next door to Christ Church and be transported back in time to the very beginnings of Dublin City. St Michael’s tower at the end of the tour gives a fantastic view of the city allowing you to imagine how the landscape of the area has changed in the past centuries. Both Christ Church Cathedral and Dublinia are covered by your Dublin Pass, making them a bargain both culturally and financially!

Lunch and a glass of the black stuff

Stop for some traditional Irish fare at Gallagher’s Boxty House in Temple Bar, and indulge in a Boxty – a tasty filled potato pancake! Once your belly is full, cross the old city walls (you’ll spot lighting marking where it used to be on the pavements over Thomas Street) and walk up to the Guinness Storehouse, Ireland’s most visited attraction.

Located in the heart of the Guinness Brewery at St James's Gate, the Storehouse is a must-see for any visitor. Explore the history of this world-famous drink and claim your complimentary pint (you can even pour your own) in the Gravity Bar located on the seventh floor. Take a sip while enjoying spectacular views over Dublin and its surrounds.

Close by is Kilmainham Gaol (Jail), a fascinating insight into modern Irish history and well worth a visit if you have the energy!

Or maybe you would like to continue with the theme of locally produced drinks by taking in a tour of the Old Jameson Distillery across the Liffey in Smithfield. Here you not only get to learn about the art of whiskey making but you also earn a qualification as an official whiskey taster – all for free with your pass! 

They say you get to know what’s real about a city when you leave the centre of it, and Dublin’s surrounds are easy to get to and a real treat for visitors. The Dublin Pass includes entry to gems such as Glasnevin Cemetery, Malahide Castle, Dalkey Castle Heritage Centre and Castletown House and Parklands – all worth checking out if you have the time.

Then wind down the evening by immersing yourself in an activity that we Irish do well – storytelling. Have a wonderful dinner while learning about myths and legends in Dublin’s oldest pub The Brazen Head with the help of a 10% discount using your pass. If you still have the energy for exploring, join the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl to wrap up your time in Dublin with culture and craic, all while making a saving of 25%.

Getting there

Whether you prefer road, sea or air, Dublin is really accessible, making it the perfect spot for a quick city break. And, once you pick up your Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card, getting around is even easier! Make the most of the Dublin Pass card as soon as you land by availing of a free airport transfer on Aircoach straight into the heart of the city centre.

Find out more about all 33 attractions and 23 discounts available with the Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card. 
Buy your Dublin Pass Sightseeing Card online and receive a discount