Weekend activities in Dublin are not easy to plan. Unless you can get your hands on a crystal ball, we have no way of knowing whether it’s a t-shirt or a woolly hat you’ll need this weekend..
With no guarantees in sight, we thought we’d come up with a list of activities you can enjoy this weekend come rain, hail or shine. Channelling some positive energy, we decided we’d start off with some dry weather activities for the weekend ahead!
Sunny Plan
In search of something totally different? Go on, be a tourist in your own city for a change. Coming in at number one is the Dublin Bus Tours! While every Dub thinks they know all there is to know about their beloved city, The Dublin Bus Tour will prove you wrong! Showcasing Dublin in a whole new light, the tour promises to bring you some new surprises and secrets you never knew about Dublin. Should the sun split the stones again this weekend, soaking up some rays while experiencing the city from a bus rooftop wouldn’t be too shabby!
Jam packed with history, Dublin Castle is a must see whether you’re a born and bred Dub or visiting the city for the weekend! Originally built on a site settled by the Vikings, Dublin Castle functioned as a military fortress, prison, treasury and courts of law, later to be handed over to the Provisional Government as led by the famous Michael Collins.
With Guided Tours at approximately 70 minutes including the State Apartments, the Viking Excavation and the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle is not just for history lovers but those of you looking for something fun and fascinating to get up to!
If you’re in need of some cheering up, get on board the imaginative and exciting Viking Splash experience for a belly laugh like no other! Whether it’s your significant other, a friend or your group of best pals, this is one activity that will cater for everyone. Barging through the streets of Dublin, the tour is loud, funny and unapologetic. While gaining insight into the evolution of Dublin City on both land and water, the tour is also renowned for terrifying innocent passers-by with a boisterous Viking roar!
If the sun decides to make an appearance, happy days but if the rain turns up uninvited, fret not folks we have a host of activities to take your mind off the weather!
Although it doesn’t solely rely on the sunshine, The Little Museum Of Ireland is a fun little weekend number that’s made all the more enjoyable if the heavens aren’t pouring down! Located right beside St Stephen’s Green park, the museum is the ideal Saturday morning activity before making a day of things and treating yourself to an ice cream in the park afterwards! Well worth the visit, the museum was even described by The Irish Times as Dublin’s best museum experience! Capturing the remarkable history of our capital city so beautifully, we couldn’t agree more.
With tickets being snatched up like wildfire, we suggest you grab your tickets well in advance to avoid any disappointment. Like all good things, when they’re gone, they’re gone and with The GPO Witness History centre we can certainly see why! This seriously engaging exhibition puts you right inside the GPO during Easter Week in 1916. History will come to life as you experience events from both sides of the conflict and through the eyes of bystanders caught in the crossfire through electronic touch screens, video, audio visual booths, sound and authentic artefacts – many previously unseen.
After the exhibition, you can relax and reflect in the café and retail store overlooking the courtyard. Make sure to take a stroll around the courtyard which is also home to a commissioned sculpture called ‘They are of us all.’
Wet Weather plan
Looking for a warm cosy place to curl up in, pop into Wigwam to escape the downpour. Whether it’s a drizzle or the heavens open, Wigwam and it’s warm décor and friendly staff are there to welcome you in from the cold. With a hot food menu and huge drinks selection, there is plenty to smile about at Wigwam. We say warm yourself up with a hot whiskey and forget about the outside world.
Whether you’re Irish born and bred or just visiting for the weekend, The Leprechaun Museum is the silly and fun pick me up you need on a rainy weekend! Sure to lift your every spirit, we can promise you the craic will be had and giggles will be shared. Where you can photograph your friend looking like a leprechaun as they stand beside oversized furniture, it is vital you remember to pack a camera! To be sure, to be sure, to be sure!
Looking for a truly unique event to take your mind off the rain, look no further than The Guinness Storehouse! With fun and frolic to boot, the building is simply an extravaganza of design and architect. Feeling like you’re in another world, there is enough grand design and visual interactions to keep you entertained for hours.
Laid out over seven floors surrounding a glass atrium shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness, The Storehouse has various interactive exhibitions to trawl through the history behind Guinness. Saving the best for last, the seventh floor is home to the Gravity Bar with panoramic views of Dublin and where visitors can relax and enjoy a pint of the black stuff.
Is there anything more satisfying than watching the rain beat off the window panes while tucked inside a cosy room? Who knew a renovated Church with high ceilings could replicate this feeling?! We didn’t. Even though it’s huge in size, The Church is certainly not short on cosiness!
With intimate booths, the church is the ideal venue for a group get together where everyone can be heard. With rooftop high ceilings, you can your group can be as loud as you desire and let your secrets and giggles escape high up into the ceiling without anyone overhearing! Giving you the ultimate privacy and cosiness to boot!
For the ultimate lazy rainy day grab a cinema ticket and check out a new flick at Cineworld on Parnell Street. Fun fact for the movie buffs out there.. the cinema is home to Ireland’s only IMAX screen. With blockbusters, small independent films, foreign movies and even a few classics, there is plenty to be said for a movie day at Cineworld! What better way to spend a rainy day than to curl up to a good movie and gorge on some popcorn and a bag of pick n’ mix?!
A fact even us Dubs may forget, Dublin was originally founded by the Vikings. Dublinia brings to life the origins of this settlement through exhibitions, events and self guided tours. One of Dublin’s top visitor attractions with three exciting exhibitions, Viking Dublin, Medieval Dublin and History Hunters, Dublinia is well worth the visit.
Located on the historic crossroads of old Dublin, The Viking and Medieval Dublin exhibitions bring the city to life in an exciting and contemporary way for all ages. Hide out from the rain and immerse yourself in Dublin history seeing the city from a whole new perspective.
So whether you’re out basking in the sun or tucked up in a cosy pub sipping on the black stuff, don’t let the forecast control your weekend. In a country with ever changing weather, let this list be your bible and spoil yourself for choice this weekend!
