Top 20 Free Things To Do In Dublin

1. Trinity college www.tdc.ie

It costs nothing to amble around the cobbled grounds of Trinity College, Ireland’s foremost university, following in the footsteps of famous alumni such as Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker and Jonathan Swift. You can admire the elegant courtyards and neoclassical architecture and, weather-permitting, stretch out on the cricket grounds outside the Pavilion Bar for nothing.

2. National museum of Ireland – archaeology www.museum.ie

History buffs will love the collection of Celtic and medieval treasures housed in the National Museum. Its most famous artefacts are the Tara Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice, as fine an example of Celtic metalwork you’ll ever see, but also worth checking out are the “bog bodies” in the Kingship & Sacrifice exhibit – four Celtic Age bodies in varying states of preservation.

3. Chester beatty library www.chesterbeatty.ie

Bibliophile Alfred Chester Beatty’s marvellous collection of ancient books, scrolls and other objets d’art is spread across two floors of this wonderful museum and is free to explore, as are the regular mindful mornings of yoga and meditation (book ahead and bring a yoga mat). In summer there are free Qi Gong sessions in the rooftop garden.

4. Dublin walking tour podcast

Local historian Donal Fallon has created three short, themed podcast tours with the Fitzwilliam Hotel. You don’t have to be a guest to use them, just listen to an advert. The walks take you past Dublin’s historical highlights, the locations of the Easter Rising battles and the city’s essential fashionista stops.

5. Aras an uachtaráin www.president.ie

Free tours of the official residence of the Irish president, Aras an Uachtaráin, a handsome Palladian mansion whose design inspired the architect of the White House in Washington, DC, depart from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre every Saturday and operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Occasionally, tours might not run due to state business, so always check the website beforehand.

6. Irish museum of modern art www.imma.ie

This former 17th-century hospital – built in the Anglo-Dutch style and inspired by Paris’ Les Invalides – is now the country’s foremost modern art gallery, with a fine collection of contemporary Irish artists as well as some heavy-hitting moderns including Picasso and Miro. When you’re finished with IMMA’s cutting edge collection, stroll around the building and the beautiful surrounding gardens.

7. Dublinbikes  www.dublinbikes.ie

With over 100 locations throughout the city and over 1000 bikes on demand, the trick is to rent and return the Dublinbike to a station within 30 minutes to use it for free. If you need a bike for longer, release another bike and off you go. All the details are on the website and you can download a free app.

8. Indigo sessions  www.theworkmansclub.com

Indigo Sessions is a free, monthly showcase of emerging talent in Dublin’s thriving music scene. Be the first person to brag that you saw him/her/them before he/she/they were big. Or not. The sessions are currently held in the Workman’s Club on Wellington Quay.

9. Science gallery www.dublin.sciencegallery.com

Hands-on, interactive and compellingly relevant, the Science Gallery is devoted to explaining the intricacies of science and how it applies to everyday life. Exhibitions explore big ideas, so bring your curiosity with you.

10. Poolbeg lighthouse

One of the city’s most rewarding walks is the 800-meter stroll along the Great South Wall to the Poolbeg Lighthouse, that red tower visible in the middle of Dublin Bay. It’s best enjoyed around sunset on a clear day, when you’ll have a stunning view of the bay and the city behind you.

11. O’donoghue’s  www.odonoghues.ie

It costs nothing to enjoy the nightly traditional sessions in O’Donoghues, a fine pub that was where folk and trad legends The Dubliners cut their musical teeth in the 1960s. Sure, the music and the atmosphere is better with a drink of something stronger in your hand, but a glass of water doesn’t cost a penny.

12. National gallery  www.nationalgallery.ie

The National Gallery’s collection of art stretches across seven centuries and includes a terrific Caravaggio and striking portraits of Ireland’s most notable figures. It’s all free to explore, but it’s worth joining one of the free tours that run Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays – the 12.30pm Sunday tour is designed with younger audiences in mind.

13. National museum of Ireland – decorative arts & history

This branch of the National Museum is located in the magnificent neoclassical Collins Barracks building, dating back to the early 18th-century. Today it houses an eclectic mix of historic memorabilia, design and craftwork – check out the history of the 1916 Rising exhibit and the one dedicated to designer Eileen Gray.

14. National botanic gardens www.botanicgardens.ie

A glorious green haven north of the city centre, the historic greenhouses and tranquil atmosphere make the National Botanic Gardens worth a visit in every season. Keep an eye out for the entertaining squirrels.

15. Dublin city gallery – hugh lane  www.hughlane.ie

The Dublin City Gallery – Hugh Lane, most of which is housed in the William Chambers-designed Charlemont House, focuses exclusively on modern and contemporary art, with a strong representation Irish artists, Highlights are the Impressionist paintings of the Lane Bequest and the faithfully reconstructed studio of hell-raising painter Francis Bacon in all its messy glory.

16. Temple bar food market

It costs nothing to amble about the stalls of the Temple Bar Food Market, which runs every Saturday on Meeting House Square. And if you show enough appreciation for the lingering aroma of all the delicious food, there’ll undoubtedly be the tempting offer of a free sample.

17. Phoenix park www.phoenixpark.ie

You could easily spend an entire day exploring Europe’s largest inner-city park. You don’t need to pay for Dublin Zoo to see animals either – Phoenix Park is home to an enormous collection of deer, just wander off into the woodlands to find them.

18. Museum of natural history www.museum.ie

Dr. Livingstone (of “I presume” fame) cut the ribbon at the Natural History branch of the National Museum in 1857 – and little has changed since. Dusty, weird and utterly Victorian, the “dead zoo” is one of the finest museums of its kind in Europe.

19. Sandeman’s new dublin tour www.neweuropetours.eu 

Sandeman’s free, three-hour walking tour of the city departs Barnardo Square everyday at 10am, 11am and 2pm (though there can be more depending on the time of year). The guides are informed, energetic and lots of fun – tipping is optional but deserved.

20. Yoga in the park www.yogadublin.com

Between late March and early November the Happenings crowd run regular yoga sessions in three of the city’s parks – Dartmouth Square in Ranelagh, Pearse Square in the city centre and St Anne’s Park in the seaside suburb of Clontarf. Check the website for details of upcoming sessions (and for cancellations