W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
D U B L I N
P L A N N I N G
Dublin is compact, lively, and surprisingly walkable, with most of its historic and cultural highlights located within the city centre.
As with many places however, the city’s charm often lies just slightly off the beaten path — in quiet Georgian squares, cosy pubs tucked down laneways, and museums that reward a bit of curiosity.
With a private guide and a thoughtfully structured itinerary, even a short stay here can feel rich and unhurried.
Spring and autumn are ideal seasons to visit. April through June and September through early November offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and a city at its most poetic.
Summer sees longer days and festivals in full swing, while winter brings early darkness, but also fireside music sessions and candlelit pubs that can be magical in their own right.
For accommodations, the historic areas around St. Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square, or along the Grand Canal provide a quiet but central base.
Temple Bar is very central as well, but not recommended for overnight stays unless you plan to be out as late as the noise is.
The Docklands district offers a more contemporary hotel experience and easy access to the riverfront.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Book of Kells at Trinity College – Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially during peak travel months. Mornings tend to be quieter, and your guide can help arrange fast access and deeper historical context.
EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum – Tickets can be purchased online or on-site. Consider booking in advance for smoother entry, particularly if combining with the nearby Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship.
Kilmainham Gaol – This site is only accessible by guided tour, and tickets sell out well in advance. Book online as early as possible.
National Gallery of Ireland – Entry is free, though special exhibitions may require advance booking. A private guide or expert-led visit can reveal layers of Irish visual culture that might otherwise be missed.
Dublin Castle & Chester Beatty – Entry is straightforward for both sites, though guided visits are the best way to understand their significance and avoid missing lesser-known highlights.
Teeling Whiskey Distillery – Pre-book your tour and tasting, particularly during weekends. This is one of the best places to explore the craft whiskey revival.
If you're planning an excursion to the coast, Howth or Dalkey are both reachable by DART (commuter train) and can easily be folded into a half-day trip with a private guide and car if preferred.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
History, Literature & the Heart of Dublin
Morning: Begin at Trinity College to see the Long Room library and the Book of Kells — a treasured artifact of Ireland’s early Christian period, and one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world. Afterward, step out into Grafton Street for a brief walk through Dublin’s upscale shopping district, before turning into the quiet calm of St. Stephen’s Green.
Continue down to Merrion Square to see the Oscar Wilde statue and its surrounding literary quotes carved in stone.
Lunch: Enjoy a relaxed lunch in the Georgian district — perhaps a light Irish seafood chowder or a dish featuring soda bread and local cheese. The cafés and wine bars around Dawson Street and Baggot Street provide excellent options.
Afternoon: Visit the National Gallery of Ireland or the Little Museum of Dublin for a focused look at the city’s artistic or social history. If weather allows, take a detour through the grounds of Dublin Castle before exploring the Chester Beatty Library — a small but astonishing collection of Islamic, East Asian, and Western manuscripts.
Evening: Have dinner in a classic Irish bistro or modern gastropub, then consider a literary pub crawl or an evening of traditional Irish music in a pub with a good fire and great acoustics.
Some of our guides also know exactly which spots have authentic sessions and which are put on for tourists — it’s a difference that matters in a big way.
DAY II
Kilmainham, Emigration & the Soul of Dublin
Morning: Head to Kilmainham Gaol for a guided tour through one of Ireland’s most powerful historical sites. It’s sobering and unforgettable — the stories of revolutionaries and rebels echo through the stone corridors. Afterward, walk through the nearby Irish Museum of Modern Art gardens or Phoenix Park if the weather is fair.
Lunch: Stop in for something hearty in the Smithfield or Liberties districts — this might be a good moment for fish and chips or a beef & Guinness pie.
Afternoon: Explore Dublin’s maritime and emigration history at EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, located on the regenerated docklands, or board the Jeanie Johnston replica famine ship to better understand the stories of those who left Ireland behind. End with a visit to Teeling Whiskey Distillery for a tasting and insight into the resurgence of Irish whiskey-making.
Evening: Return to central Dublin for a final dinner — maybe something more refined, perhaps built around local lamb or oysters in season.
If you haven’t yet wandered through Temple Bar, this is the moment, though we suggest heading away from the busiest blocks for something with a bit more atmosphere and a bit less noise.
DAY III PLUS
You might also want to stay longer, and here’s why we think you should:
A day trip to the coastal village of Howth offers cliff walks, seabirds, and seafood that is among the best in Ireland. On a clear day, you can see as far as Wales.
Dalkey, home to rock stars and poets, offers a similar coastal feel with more quiet and less wind.
Further afield, you can use Dublin as a launching point to the Boyne Valley — home to Newgrange, a Neolithic passage tomb older than Stonehenge.
Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains, an ancient monastic site surrounded by woods and lakes, is another fine choice for those drawn to Ireland’s spiritual side.
And of course, you can always extend your visit west to Galway, Cork, or the Dingle Peninsula, linking Dublin into a longer, richer Irish itinerary.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.
