Suggested 1 Day Family Itinerary

24 Hours In Dublin For Families

getting around dublin

Dublin is an easy town to navigate by bus, which will save you a lot of money compared to taxis.  You can pick up a Leap card at most service stations or online. You can get any money you have left returned at the end of your trip.

9am

Following a delicious and healthy breakfast in The Parlour make your way down to the LUAS Station and in 30 minutes you will be in the heart of Dublin City.

kilmainham goal

Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe. It opened in 1796 as the new county gaol for Dublin and finally shut its doors as such in 1924. During that period it witnessed some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation.

Among those detained – and in some cases executed – here were leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916, as well as members of the Irish republican movement during the War of Independence and Civil War.

It is suggested to purchase you tickets online before you arrive.

11am

Take the LUAS or Public Bus (both covered by your LEAP card) back to the centre and make you way to the

national museum of ireland also known as the dead zoo

Built in 1856, the National Museum of Ireland – Natural History is a magnificent Victorian artefact in its own right.

Sometimes described as ‘a museum of a museum’, it houses a wide-ranging and comprehensive zoological collection of more than 10,000 exhibits. Visitors can explore Irish mammals, birds, fish and insects, as well as mammals from around the world. Admission is free.

Highlights include imposing skeletons of Ireland’s extinct giant deer and a huge, basking shark suspended from the ceiling. The aptly named Wonder Cabinet allows visitors to get up-close to museum objects with a fascinating handling collection.

The museum offers a year-round programme of workshops, talks and tours for all ages. There is also a gift shop onsite.

1pm

The little ones are probably getting hungry now , a short walk from the museum will bring you to Grafton Street where you will find many place to eat but a favourite with Dublin families is Captain Americas Original Cookhouse Bar & Grill upstairs on Grafton Street located opposite the Disney Store the children may like a browse in the store too.

2pm

take a 2 minute walk to st stephen’s green park which is a historical park and garden, located in the centre of dublin city.

The park is an important public resource in the area, and provides an oasis of green calm in the middle of a bustling city. Its four centuries of history are eventful and complex, involving such important figures as Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, and Countess Constance Markievicz. The park itself hosts a large number of important sculptural monuments to Irish history. Many species of birds and plants also call the park their home. Public facilities at St Stephen’s Green Park include a playground and a garden for the visually impaired along with a pond the children will enjoy feeding the ducks…

3pm

Exit the North Gate of  St Stephen’s Green to the pickup point for

the viking splash tour

Experience Dublin like never before … on a sightseeing adventure across land and water, so let us show you around like only the Vikings Can !

Join Viking Splash Tours on a thrilling 75 minute tour around the main sights and scenes of historic Dublin City. Roar along with our cast of Viking guides, as they deliver an informative, entertaining and engaging commentary, ensuring all are captivated on this thrilling tour!

See Dublin’s tallest Cathedral, unearth stories about our old medieval city and Viking heritage, spot Dublin’s iconic skyline feature, the Spire, all before splashing into the Grand Canal Basin to uncover U2’s recording studios! Most of all, learn how to roar like a true Viking!

4.30pm

The next stop on your tour is a 5 minute stroll away to Trinity College and The Book of Kells Housed within the Old Library building, the Book of Kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate Latin text and intricate illuminations. Discover how the world’s most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. You’ll also gain access to the Long Room, one of the world’s most beautiful libraries and home to 250,000 of Trinity College’s most ancient books.

On exploring the Long Room, get a close-up view of the Brian Boru Harp, Ireland’s oldest surviving harp and a rare original copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a seminal text in Irish history which influenced the foundation of the Irish Republic as a Sovereign Independent State.

The Exhibition and gift shop are open 7 days a week. Entry is timed and tickets must be purchased online

6pm

mcgettigan’s cookhouse

It’s time for dinner– Our award-winning onsite restaurant, McGettigan’s Cookhouse & Bar, offers menus to cater to every meal and taste bud. The Cookhouse delivers a casual, diverse and relaxed dining environment serving international cuisine with an extensive cocktail list, craft beers and specially selected wines, where you can join a friend or business colleague for a meal. Unwind while listening to our surround sound music system as we create the perfect ambiance in a modern Dublin setting.

Our chefs are committed to using locally sourced ingredients and we believe that Dublin has some of the best farming land and producers in this country. We always try to source the majority of our fruit and vegetables locally, and believe in sourcing all our meat and fish from Ireland.