MORNING: A deep dive into Irish history
8:30 am If we need breakfast this morning, we can go to a spot that’s as Irish as they come. The takeaway Declan and Donal’s is a local mainstay run by two brothers who know most of their customers by name. There’s nothing fancy about the decor because they put all their efforts into amazing breakfast rolls. Their classic bacon-and-egg version is the best you’ll find.
9:50 am 14 Henrietta Street Tour Only Wed-Sun
A few blocks away is 14 Henrietta Street, one of the most innovative museums in Europe. North of the center of the city, this Georgian-era townhouse tells the story of Dublin through its people. We will arrive 10 minutes early for our pre-booked tour and see what the building looked like over the years, including in 1911 when it was converted to a tenement and was home to more than 100 people at a time. It’s a lesson in Irish history you won’t find anywhere else.
11:30 am The story of 14 Henrietta Street leads us historically to the 1916 Easter Uprising. It stands to reason that we focus on that by visiting the General Post Office. It's just a 12-minute walk from 14 Henrietta Street. The GPO is one of the most famous buildings in Ireland. Behind its towering columns, leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising planned their protest against British rule. Get your headphones ready. Next, we will visit The GPO Museum, which tells a compelling story of the average Dubliners who bravely fought for the right to self-determination.
AFTERNOON: Climb aboard a three-masted ship
1:00pm Of course we want to ask the hosts at GPO where they have lunch. If we don't get a suggestion, we can continue walking down O’Connell Street to grab lunch. A few blocks away is the historic Oval Bar, a pub that was burned down during the battles that raged after the Easter Rising. Beautifully restored, it’s a lovely place if we would like some upscale versions of pub favorites. The truffle and wild mushroom risotto is a standout.
2:30pm Some may want to stay at the pub and rest. Others might be ready to look at the War for Independence of 1919. If you want an easy tour, you can head east along the river to the Custom House Visitor Centre, inside what might be the city’s handsomest building. Dating back to the 18th-century, it was mostly destroyed during the War of Independence. Exhibits on the brutal struggle are well worth your time.
3:30 - 6:30 Ever wondered why the Irish have made such an influence on the world? How did such a small country make such a big impact on the world? Over the centuries more than 10 million people emigrated from Ireland – at EPIC you can find out why they left, where they went and how they shaped the world. From the Custom House Visitor Centre, we stroll a few blocks east to see the Famine Sculptures, a series of bronze figures representing the people forced to leave Ireland during the potato famine. Then we will learn more about that era at the nearby EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, another award-winning interactive institution. The museum was founded on the belief that emigration is one of the most interesting ways to fully understand a country. As you uncover the stories of our emigrants, you’ll realize that emigration is not about what people leave behind, but what they bring with them.
Cap off the afternoon by climbing aboard the Jeanie Johnson, a replica of the ships that took many Dubliners to North America.
EVENING: Hear the pipers play at the corner pub
A few blocks east is one of the most impressive restaurants in the city, Ryleigh’s. First, can we talk about the views? On the sixth floor of the swanky Mayson Hotel, it has what might be the best views of the river from the red leather banquettes. But it’s the expertly prepared steaks that earns this place on Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best” list. There’s a list of “toppers” like shitake mushrooms and black tiger prawns, but these cuts of beef don’t need gussying up.
It’s not hard to find one of the favorite pubs, the nearby Pipers Corner. There’s a massive mural of legendary piper Séamus Ennis over the front door. This is a traditional spot that's been stripped down to the essentials: a long wooden bar, a line of comfortable stools, and a booth in the front where the performers play.
- Like to explore on your own? The Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands lets you cover an amazing number of sights, from the historic Custom House to the docks that were once the lifeblood of the city.