Uncovering 10 Hidden Gems Of Dublin 

Published: August 30, 2024   Author: Garvan Rushe

Picture yourself in a city where every corner has a story to tell, and the old and new come together in a lively mix of culture and charm. Welcome to Dublin, Ireland’s vibrant capital, where history surrounds you with unique buildings and a fascinating vibe. 

But the real magic of Dublin lies in its hidden spots, waiting to be discovered by an adventurous person like you! So, let’s uncover the lesser-known attractions that make Dublin so captivating.

Step Back in Time at St Audoen’s Church

St Audoen’s Church is a medieval site on your cultural journey located on the way to the Guinness Brewery on High Street. It was built around 1190 and is the only medieval parish church still in use in Dublin today. Entrance is free, and you can also take a tour, which we strongly recommend. This church is situated in the heart of Dublin’s Old City. Of particular interest is the Lucky Stone, a very Irish phenomenon that dates to the 9th century and gives anyone willing to touch it the opportunity to make a wish. It is said a spirit surrounds the stone wherever it goes.

Like most old churches in Dublin, it was converted to a Protestant church and never converted back. This is because a Catholic church-building boom hit Ireland following Catholic Emancipation (1829). You’ll see this at St Audoen’s with its neighbour – a monolithic Catholic church (now Ireland’s centre for the Polish Catholic Church in Ireland). They were intentionally trying to overshadow (literally) the old, small, charming Protestant church.  

Famine Memorial – Custom House Quay

The Famine Memorial along the quays is one of two memorials for the Great Hunger –(1845-1850) in Dublin. The other one is a more abstract sculpture in St. Stephen’s Green. Why two monuments? Because the Great Hunger was the most important event in Irish history. The Famine was a terrible time in Irish history when over 1.5 million people died of disease and starvation, and another 1 million people emigrated. 

Dublin sculptor Rowan Gillespie created this very moving memorial in 1997 and featured five emaciated, life-sized figures dressed in rags, clutching onto their belongings and children. They are walking toward the docks, where, back in the 1840s, they would have made their way onto the so-called “coffin ships” to bring them to Britain, Canada, USA, or Australia. The ships were called coffin ships, as one-third of the people died on board due to the harsh conditions and disease. Initially, the artist intended the dogs to eat corpses, but this was understandably deemed too much by the Dublin council. It encapsulates the desperation suffered by these people. Humanity has been drawn out of their faces. 

Our Tip: 

Take a moment here to reflect on this symbol of suffering. Think about how your family or country would be affected if they faced a famine. Imagine if everything you rely on and consider stable—food sources, family, shelter, peace, community, language—suddenly fell apart.

 

The Irish Elk Collection and Natural History Building

The Natural History Museum in Dublin has a mind-blowing collection of Irish elk skeletons. These huge skeletons stand tall and give you a look at the giant animals that used to live in Ireland, Europe, and Asia. Their massive bones were discovered in bogs across the country, which confused scientists back in the 18th century. When a French scientist, Georges Cuvier, studied them, people realised these animals had gone extinct, which was a big deal in understanding natural history.

But the Irish elk is just the beginning. The museum proudly displays over 10,000 specimens, including extinct and endangered species. The museum itself is in a beautiful Victorian building that hasn’t changed since 1857. This is an extra appealing trait – it’s like a museum of a museum. 

Our Tip:

It’s worth it to see just the Irish Elk. Of course, if you have kids, considering staying longer is vital. 

St Michan’s Mummies

Hidden in a quiet part of Dublin, St Michan’s Church might look plain, but the real excitement is underground. Founded in 1095, the church we see today was built in the 1600s and even has an old pipe organ that Handel is said to have played in the 1700s. The adventure starts in the crypts beneath the church, where you’ll find mummies like “The Crusader” and “The Nun.” These bodies have been preserved naturally and have been drawing visitors for centuries. The crypt is spooky with its dry air and limestone walls, perfect for a mystery-infused tour. So, if you’re up for something different and want a unique peek into Dublin’s past, St Michan’s is worth visiting.

Our Tip:

We’d recommend reading up on the Sheares brothers since they’re interred there and the corresponding 1798 Rebellion BEFORE visiting.

Glasnevin Cemetery 

For off-the-beaten-path activities in Dublin, consider taking a guided tour of the Glasnevin Cemetery. Opened in 1832 through the actions of Daniel O’Connell, it’s the biggest cemetery in Ireland, where over 1.5 million people are buried. Conveniently located just 2.5 km from Dublin city centre, Glasnevin is a huge Victorian garden cemetery, home to the world’s largest collection of Celtic crosses. It is quite spectacular. 

The visitor centre features award-winning exhibits like “The City of the Dead,” and you can even search a database to learn more about your ancestors. Whether you love history or want to hear some fascinating stories, put a visit to Glasnevin Cemetery on your list. 

At Glasnevin, you can find buried famous political and artistic figures such as: 

Daniel O’Connell, “The Liberator,” who fought for the repeal of the Act of Union; 

Arthur Griffith, who served as President of Dáil Éireann; 

Charles Stewart Parnell, who led the Irish Parliamentary Party, key in land reform and Irish nationalism; 

James Larkin, who founded the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, was pivotal in the 1913 Dublin Lockout;

Éamon de Valera, an Irish political leader, served as Taoiseach and President, key in the independence struggle;

Michael Collins, a key revolutionary leader in the fight for Irish independence;

Brendan Behan, an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright;

Luke Kelly, Ireland’s greatest folk singer, was a founding member of The Dubliners.

Our tip: join the Dublin Tour Guide on a tour to Glasnevin cemetery and discover customs associated with Michael Collins and Brendan Behan’s graves. Also, learn why The Gravediggers pub next door became famous for its Guinness and oysters. You definitely don’t want to miss this!

The General Post Office

The GPO, or General Post Office, has a significant place in Irish history as the headquarters of the Easter Rising of 1916. The building suffered fire damage during the rebellion and was later rebuilt with only its original facade.

The GPO stands as a powerful symbol of Irish pride, with a statue of Cúchulainn, a mythical hero, proudly displayed at its front. This statue was there during the Rising and even got featured on a coin in 1966, marking the 50th anniversary. This blend of history, symbolism, and resilience makes the GPO a must-visit gem for those eager to delve into Ireland’s rich past.

Our Tips:

GPO is nearly always visited on our sightseeing tours. The Cú Chulainn statue incites at least one ancient Irish mythological story, which is not just great for kids! 

Together with Dublin Castle, it’s regarded by Irish people as the most important historical and cultural building in Dublin. 

Marsh’s Library

Marsh’s Library is not your ordinary library—it’s a treasure trove of history and ghostly tales. As Ireland’s oldest public library, it retains its breathtaking 18th-century charm, with elegant dark oak bookcases and rolling ladders that make you feel like you’re stepping into Hogwarts. 

Despite its supernatural aura, Marsh’s Library has attracted its fair share of literary greats like Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, and James Joyce, whose signatures can still be seen in the visitor book.

Our Tip:

There are options to have private viewings of rare bookings. It’s great if you are interested in maps, for example. 

Croke Park  

Croke Park, or Croker, is like the superstar of stadiums in Dublin, Ireland. It’s not just huge—it’s the biggest in Ireland, the third largest in Europe, and the largest amateur stadium (yes, none of the players of Gaelic Games are paid) fitting in a crazy 82,300 fans. 

Since 1884, Croke Park has been the spot for Gaelic games, hosting epic showdowns like the All-Ireland finals in football and hurling. But it’s not just about sports—Croker has seen legends like Muhammad Ali throw punches and U2 rock out. Billboard Magazine even named it the world’s best rock venue. 

Like everywhere in Ireland, Croke Park has an impressive, rich history: Hill 16 is a stand section built from the rubble of Dublin city buildings due to the 1916 Easter Rising. During another period of unrest, the War of Independence, the British Army drove an armoured car onto the pitch during a match. They fired on the crowd. 60-100 people were injured, and 14 were killed, including one player, Michael Hogan, after whom The Hogan Stand is named. (One of the guides we work with is from Tipperary, who has Hogan’s surname, and his family is still involved in Gaelic Games today).

Attending a game here is one of the most Irish things you can do. It’s Mecca for the Gaelic Games.

National Museum of Archaeology & History

Walk into the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street, and you are magically transported back to see famous Celtic artefacts. St Patrick’s Bell, Tara Brooch, the Ardagh Chalice, ancient Gold, Viking, and Medieval items await you to discover them. A stroll through time will take you back to 7,000 BC. 

The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology opened its doors in 1890, and since then, it has been wowing visitors with its stunning archaeological collections. 

One remarkable aspect of Ireland’s national museums is that they are free. This comes from a belief that every resident of Ireland (and the visitors!) should have no obstacle to entering and developing an interest, love, and fascination for all things Irish. The downside is that they don’t have the same marketing budget as the private attractions (like a well-known brewery, wink wink). So many tourists miss out on this wonderful site. Don’t be one of those!

Because the size and scope of the museum can be overwhelming, we have designed a tour that allows you to experience the highlights without feeling exhausted. Rather than explore 30-50 pieces, we focus on 10-15 key exhibits that explain Irish culture and history. Our tour is entitled ‘Treasures of Ireland: Museums Tour’ and takes you on a 3-hour curated visit (with a break) of this epic institution, the National Library, and the next lesser visited of Dublin’s attractions…

National Gallery of Ireland

Located in the elegant Georgian Quarter, away from the bustle of the city, the National Gallery has an impressive collection of art by renowned masters such as Rembrandt and Picasso. The gallery boasts over 16,000 pieces from the 1300s to the present day, featuring works by Vermeer, Titian, Degas, and numerous Irish artists. Each piece offers a glimpse into a different era of creativity. 

Since its opening in 1864, it has inspired Ireland’s creative minds, including playwright Samuel Beckett and poet WB Yeats. 

The Irish are not famous for visual art. No, when you’ve been impoverished to the point that rent and food are constant concerns, you don’t have the discretionary funds to purchase oil paints. Besides the fact that Ireland is physically separate from continental Europe and didn’t experience the exchange of Renaissance ideas, as did other countries like the Netherlands, its colonial past made it one of Europe’s poorest societies. All this means that if you had a proclivity for painting, you’d find a pen and paper and write instead – hoping that this other artistic medium would satisfy or placate the urge to paint. Therefore, most of the visual art created in Ireland was made from the Anglo-Irish stock (people who were ethnically British but became partially or fully Irish in their identity over time), who were generally upper middle class or upper class. Typically, it started from the 1850s and became more broad in its authorship from the 1920s onwards. 

Remarkably, this gallery has some impressively important names (Rembrandt, Renoir, Picasso, Caravaggio, Vermeer), so this is not some parochial room. It’s a huge complex with myriad rooms, halls, and periods covered. As a result, it’s not just a great place to get lost, but it’s very easy to get lost. Your best bet would be to take the worry out of which periods/rooms to visit by enjoying our aforementioned Museums Tour. You’ll see the highlights, but more than that, you’ll learn about the context in which the pieces were painted, bestowing more weight and relevance to the paintings than what can be gleaned from the plaque on the wall.

Some pieces, like ‘Marriage of Strongbow & Aoife’ or ‘An Allegory,’ will impact you. You’ll remember them in 5, 10, or maybe even 20 years. And isn’t that one thing that travel is for – making memories?

Dublin’s best-kept secrets

Dublin is full of unique and exciting places waiting to be explored. To really get to know the city, you’ve got to check out its hidden gems. Dive into Dublin’s culture and traditions by exploring these lesser-known areas. Don’t just stick to the touristy spots—create your own experiences!

Secure a spot on a personalised Bespoke Tour with Dublin Tour Guide and start your adventure!