Dublin City Travel Guide

Dublin may be small in size, but it’s bursting with character, culture and history. From its Viking roots and Georgian elegance to its lively pubs and literary legends, Ireland’s capital city offers something for every traveller.

Wander cobbled streets, explore world-class museums, trace the footsteps of Joyce and Wilde, or simply soak up the buzz of Temple Bar. Dublin is a city that invites you in with warmth and leaves you longing to return.

Dublin serves as the perfect getaway, offering a blend of vibrant city life and extensive culture. Read on to discover all about Dublin City.

Early History

Human settlement around Dublin Bay dates back to prehistoric times, but the first confirmed town was founded by Norsemen (Vikings) in the 9th century. They created a thriving trading hub, which persisted even after their defeat at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. In 1170, Anglo-Normans captured Dublin, prompting King Henry II of England to assert control, establishing the city as a key political centre. Despite plagues, uprisings, and Cromwellian devastation, Dublin had grown by the 18th century into the second city of the British Empire.

18th Century Dublin

A surge in prosperity followed the arrival of Huguenot and Flemish weavers in the late 1600s. Georgian Dublin blossomed, with elegant architecture, new bridges, and suburban expansion. Culturally, it was a golden age, with figures like Jonathan Swift and Handel contributing to its vibrancy. However, the Catholic majority faced harsh discrimination under the Penal Laws, stripping them of rights and opportunities.

The Ha’Penny Bridge

A city full of bridges, and this one might be the most iconic. The Ha’penny Bridge, officially known as the Liffey Bridge, has stood in Dublin since the early 1800s. Before its construction, passengers were ferried across the river. These ferries were operated by a man named William Walsh. In 1815, Walsh was given an option – either refurbish the ferries (as they were deemed unsuitable for use) or build a bridge. He thankfully chose to build the pedestrian bridge. Because he constructed the bridge, he was allowed to charge a toll for 100 years. The toll was a ha’penny – hence the name! The Ha’penny Bridge remained in its original state until 1998, when the city council thought it needed refurbishment. Most of the original pieces were restored and reinstalled to their original state.

19th & Early 20th Century

Dublin’s decline began with the 1801 Act of Union, which dissolved the Irish Parliament. Poverty deepened, worsened by the Great Famine and overcrowded slums. As restrictions eased, a Catholic middle class emerged, and Daniel O’Connell secured Catholic Emancipation in 1829, later becoming the city’s first Catholic mayor in centuries. Railways spurred suburban growth, but poor living conditions persisted. The 20th century brought political upheaval: the failed 1916 Easter Rising shifted public sentiment, leading to the War of Independence (1919–21). Civil war followed the 1921 treaty, causing further damage. Dublin remained politically volatile into the 1930s.

Modern Day Dublin

Modern day Dublin is a dynamic capital that blends rich history with contemporary vibrancy. A hub of culture, creativity, and innovation, the city is known for its lively arts scene, literary heritage, and thriving tech and business sectors. Georgian architecture lines cobbled streets, while trendy cafés, galleries, and modern developments give the city a youthful energy. Dublin is also home to world-class universities, a diverse population, and a welcoming spirit.

Literature

Since 2010, Dublin has been a UNESCO City of Literature. To receive this designation, Dublin has had to meet several criteria set by UNESCO, such as hosting literary events, having educational programmes focus on literature, actively promoting literature, and the written arts playing a significant role in the city. Dublin has all this in abundance, with several well-known writers throughout history having spent time there.

Find out more about Ireland’s other UNESCO sites and traditions.

Ireland’s UNESCO Sites

James Joyce

James Joyce, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, was born in Dublin in 1882 and spent much of his early life in the city, which became the backdrop for much of his work. Though he lived abroad for most of his adult life, Dublin remained central to his imagination, serving as the setting for his masterpieces Dubliners, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, and Ulysses. Today, his legacy is honoured across the city with the annual Bloomsday celebrations held every 16th of June in tribute to Ulysses and its unforgettable depiction of a single day in Dublin.

Samuel Beckett

The Nobel Prize-winning playwright and novelist was born in the Foxrock suburb of Dublin in 1906. He studied at Trinity College Dublin, where he excelled in languages and literature, laying the foundation for his distinctive voice and later works in English and French. Though Beckett spent much of his adult life in Paris, his Dublin upbringing profoundly influenced his worldview and literary sensibility. Themes of isolation, existentialism, and the absurd, central to his work, reflect a keen awareness of Ireland’s cultural and political complexities at that time.

Oscar Wilde

One of Ireland’s most celebrated literary figures, Oscar Wilde, was born in Dublin’s city centre in 1854. He grew up in a cultured and progressive household in the heart of Georgian Dublin. His wit, flamboyance, and literary brilliance found early roots in the city’s rich intellectual scene. Today, visitors can explore his legacy at Merrion Square Park, where a distinctive statue of Wilde reclines opposite his childhood home, surrounded by stone pillars etched with some of his most memorable quotes.

Georgian Architecture

The Georgian Era (1714 – 1830) led to a more planned development of Dublin. The Wide Street Commission, established in 1757, developed the city to accommodate the population explosion over the previous 50 years. The Commission not only widened the streets but also constructed terraced residential squares with green areas in the centre. Some of these residential squares still exist, and walking around them feels like stepping back in time.

To see some examples of Georgian Dublin, visit Merrion Square, Leinster House, Áras an Uachtaráin, Marlay House, Custom House, the Museum of Literature, Hugh Lane Gallery and The Merrion Hotel.