What To Do In North Dublin: Top Attractions & Things To See

Many visitors to Dublin never cross the River Liffey, sticking to the city center’s popular sights. Jaysus!

North Dublin has a character all its own—filled with tales of tumultuous history, cozy corners, and niche museums.

From iconic statues and storied streets to the lively traditional pubs, this side of the river offers a blend of culture and craic that’s well worth a wander. And more hyper local.

So, cross the Liffey with me, and let’s dive into the best things to do in North Dublin, where the city’s heart beats with a different rhythm.

Best Things To Do In North Dublin

Aside from the museums, which I explored on my own, I saw many of these north Dublin sites on on this wonderful 3 hour history walking tour.

Here’s a quick recap of what you can see and do in north Dublin. I’ve given you the most efficient order to see them in and estimated times for your visit to each site.

O’Connell Street (30 minutes)
GPO (1-1.5 hours)
Garden of Remembrance (20 minutes)
Dublin Writers Museum (60 minutes)
Hugh Lane Gallery (1 hour)
James Joyce Centre (30 minutes)
Custom House (45 minutes)
Famine Memorial (15 minutes)
Jeanie Johnston (30 minutes)
EPIC Museum (1-1.5 hours)
National Botanic Gardens (1 hour)
Glasnevin Cemetery (1-1.5 hours)
Phoenix Park (2-4 hours)

To see them all, you’ll definitely need a full day. And you may even have to pick and choose what to see, which this guide will help you do.

You can walk or use the Hop on Hop Off tourist bus to get to north Dublin. It stops at Parnell Square and O’Connell Street.

EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum

EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, opened its doors in 2016 and is tucked inside the historic CHQ Building by the River Liffey. This isn’t your typical museum—EPIC goes all out with high-tech, interactive displays that bring the Irish emigration story to life.

With 20 galleries, you’ll explore the stories of the 70 million Irish who left their homeland.

Each gallery reveals a different chapter: why they left, the journey they took, and the challenges they faced abroad. You’ll hear about both famous figures and ordinary folks who left their mark around the world.

Irish emigration wasn’t one-dimensional. People left for all kinds of reasons: economic hardship, the potato famine, a lack of land, and the heavy hand of British rule.

>>> Click herę to pre-book a ticket

Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship & Famine Museum

Shiver me timbers and anchors away, let’s talk about the Jeanie Johnson. It’s right across the street from EPIC, and pairs nicely for another dose of Irish history.

Jeanie Johnson is a replica of a 19th century famine ship, docked at Custom House Bay on the River Liffey. It’s one of the boats that used to sail between County Kerry and Canada during the Great Famine from 1845-52.

As you may know, Ireland had a bit of a “food shortage” back then. Well, the country was stuffed with food. But British imperialists stole it all, leaving the Irish to die when their staple food, the potato, was hit by a blight.

Conservative estimates are that 1 million Irish died. Double that number fled on ships like the Jeanie Johnson, bound for a new life. But many of those people perished on the journey.

And there are loads of people in the US whose ancestors came on ships like the Jeanie Johnson. This includes those of John F. Kennedy Jr.

The ship offers tours that delve into the stories of these Irish emigrants. Below deck, you’ll see the cramped little bunk spaces they lived in, complete with mannequins.

Above deck, you’ll hear stories of the ship’s maiden voyage and her painstaking construction.

Check out the ship’s figurehead. It will remind you of the Molly Malone statue in south Dublin.

>>> Click here to book a guided tour

Famine Memorial

While you’re in the neighborhood, look out for the Famine Memorial on the quay. By sculptor Rowan Gillespie, it’s a moving memorial depicting life size famine victims.

They are incredibly emaciated and walking toward the “coffin” ships that would have been berthed on the quayside.

Their faces look haunted and behind them trails a dog … just waiting to attack if they collapse from hunger.

Most Irish will tell you that the famine was a genocide. Britain exported available food and evicted the Irish from their land when the blight destroyed crops.

James Joyce Centre

The James Joyce Centre is a must-see for all fans of “The Master.” This spot celebrates Joyce’s life and work with a personal touch.

Here, you’ll find some of Joyce’s own possessions—everything from his writing tools to pieces that give you a glimpse of his everyday life. It even recreates his Paris’ living quarters.

The centre also has documentaries that explore his literary achievements and the bold, complex worlds he created in his books.

Plus, don’t miss the special exhibits that delve into Ulysses and Dubliners, showing how Joyce’s work still shapes Dublin today. You can also pick up Joyce-themed souvenirs in the gift shop.

Dublin Writers Museum

A short stroll away, the Dublin Writers Museum offers a full tour of Dublin’s literary heritage. It’s housed in a beautiful Georgian building, where you can step step back in time.

The exhibits are set out in chronological order. Each room dives into a different chapter of Irish writing, with rare books, letters, and personal items from Dublin’s greatest literary figures, including Yeats, Shaw, Wilde, and Brendan Behan.

You’ll find rare first editions of Dracula, Ulysses, and Gulliver’s Travels. And even handwritten notes and typewriters that bring these writers closer.

And the portraits? They line the walls, adding a personal touch as you walk among Ireland’s most celebrated writers.

>>> Click here to book a literary walking tour

The Custom House

The Customs House is an impressive Neoclassical building with a significant role in Irish history.

It looks quite a bit like the GPO. You can admire its architecture or take a guided tour.

Opened in 2022, the visitor centre offers an exhibition that delves into 230 years of Irish history. You’ll learn about its construction, its burning in the War of Independence, and subsequent restoration.

In the war, the Custom House was targeted by the IRA on May 25, 1921, as a symbolic and strategic attack against British rule. The IRA set the building ablaze, disrupting British administration and destroying key records.

Although many IRA members were captured, the attack demonstrated the Irish resistance’s strength and became a pivotal event in the fight for independence.

The Spire of Dublin

The Dublin Spire rises nearly 400 feet in polished stainless steel, right in the heart of the city. It’s an unmissable attraction in north Dublin.

Also known as the Monument of Light, it’s considered one of the tallest sculptures globally.

Its slender, needle-like design was meant to symbolize a fresh, forward-looking Dublin. During the day, it shimmers in the sunlight. At night, it’s softly illuminated by LEDs at the top, creating a subtle glow.

As with anything new in Dublin, the Spire has earned a few playful nicknames. Locals call it the “Stiffy by the Liffey” or the “Erection at the Intersection.”

Some folks love it, while others see it as a bit of craic. Either way, it’s part of Dublin’s quirky character.

Garden of Remembrance

The Garden of Remember is another great thing to do in north Dublin. It’s a little oasis and nice place to escape the souvenir shops on O’Connell Street.

You’ll find it at the northern end of Parnell Square, which is at the top of O’Connell Street. The garden was opened in 1966 during the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

It commemorates all attempts for Irish independence and those who die for the cause over the many years. You can’t call Ireland a quitter!

The garden is in the shape of a sunken pool in the shape of a cross. At one end is a raised platform with a sculpture of the Children of Lire by Oisin Kelly.

These were supposed magical children who turned into swans and lived on a lake for 900 years until the spell was broken and they turned back into humans. it’s meant to symbolize the Irish rebirth after 800 years of English repression.

On the bottom of the pool is a mosaic depicting broken weapons.

Under ancient Celtic traditions, when a dispute was resolved, the enemies smashed their weapons. So, this too, symbolizes a truce, or at least ending of hostilities, with the British.

Parnell Square

While you’re in the vicinity, take a stroll through Parnell Square.

A monument to Charles Parnell marks the entrance to the square. It’s a tall obelisk with a statue of Parnell at its base, honoring the “Uncrowned King of Ireland.”

The square behind him is named after him. No. 25 is where plans were set to stage the 1916 Easter Rising.

On the right, you’l see the renowned Gate Theatre where the likes of Orson Wells strutted their stuff before major stardom.

Hugh Lane Gallery

On the north side of Parnell Square is the Hugh lane Gallery. It was the first free-to-visit public gallery of modern art in the world!

It was established in 1908 by Sir Hugh Lane, an Irish art dealer and collector. It’s hosted in a Charlemont House, a Neoclassical mansion from 1765.

Lane’s vision was to create a space that made contemporary art accessible to the public and fostered an appreciation for the movements.

Inside, you’ll find artworks by Renoir, Manet, Degas and Picasso. An expansion in 2006 made it possible to add Irish pairings. The gallery is also home to the recreated studio of painter Francis Bacon.

Lane also donated many of his paintings to the National Gallery of Ireland on the other side of the river.

gravestone of Charles Stewart Parnell at Glasnevin

Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum

Glasnevin Cemetery is far more than a resting place. It’s a living chronicle of Ireland’s history, where every stone and pathway tells a story.

Established in 1832, this cemetery was originally a place where Irish Catholics could bury their loved ones with dignity and respect.

Here, you’ll find the graves of notable figures who shaped Ireland, from political leaders like Michael Collins to writers, activists, and everyday citizens whose stories reflect the country’s struggles and triumphs.

A visit offers solemn yet fascinating look at the brilliant minds who shaped the course of history.

The Glasnevin Museum is a keeper too. It adds even more depth, with exhibitions and multimedia displays that detail the lives of those buried within its grounds.

Guided tours are a highlight, especially the general history tour and the “Dead Interesting” tour.

Don’t miss the O’Connell Tower for a panoramic view over Dublin. Climbing its 198 steps is well worth the effort just for the stunning cityscape.

Pro Tip: Glasnevin is free to visit. But the museum and tower have a small admission fee.

Botanic Gardens

A visit to the Botanic Gardens in one of the most popular things to do in northern Dublin.

Located in Glasnevin, it’s a beautiful, historic garden with Victorian greenhouses, blooming flowerbeds, and scenic river walks.

The Victorian glasshouses are a real highlight—especially the Palm House, with its towering tropical plants. There’s also a lovely rose garden, rockeries, ponds, and seasonal displays that keep the gardens interesting year-round.

It’s free to enter, making it a great spot for a relaxing day out or even a picnic. You can wander the paths and spot some rare plants or unique sculptures.

Phoenix Park

If the great outdoors still beckons, you can head a bit further out to Phoenix Park. At 1,750 acres, it’s the largest walled park in Europe.

To give you some perspective, it’s larger than all of London’s parks put together. Among other things, you can see:

Victorian People’s Flower Gardens
Wellington Monument
Dublin Zoo
Magazine Fort
President’s House
Phoenix Monument
Visitor’s Centre
Ashtown Castle
U.S. Ambassdaor’s Residence

On your walkabout, you may see a large herd of wild fallow deer that have roamed here since the 17th century. They’re usually seen grazing in open fields, especially near the Furry Glen area or around the Papal Cross.

The Jameson Distillery

Whiskey fans should book a ticket to the Jameson Distillery. This must-visit attraction in North Dublin offers an immersive experience into the history and craft of Irish whiskey.

Established in 1780 by John Jameson, this historic site was transformed from a working distillery into an award-winning visitor center. Many prefer it to the Guinness Storehouse because it’s less crowded and more intimate.

You’ll get to see all the old equipment being operated by mannequins. You’ll learn everything in the world about the process of making whiskey.

You’ll get to taste some too of course. If you get addicted to the stuff, the massive chandelier in the distillery made from Jameson bottles might give you an idea of what to do with your empties.

>>> Click here to book a guided tour

Historic Pubs

There are loads of good watering holes in north Dublin. And you won’t find them stuffed with just tourists like in Temple Bar.

The Cobblestone is located in Smithfield. This pub is renowned for its traditional Irish music sessions, providing an authentic cultural experience.

The Celt is on Talbot Street. It offers up live music nightly and a menu of classic Irish dishes.

tucked in a snug with my niece at the Gravediggers pub

Established in 1820, The Oval Bar is an authentic Irish pub situated in the heart of Dublin City on Middle Abbey Street. It’s housed in a gorgeous Victorian building with most of its period features still intact.

Founded in 1833, John Kavanagh’s, affectionately known as “The Gravediggers,” is a family-run pub located adjacent to Glasnevin Cemetery.

Its nickname stems from its history of serving cemetery workers. It’s maintained a traditional atmosphere with no music or televisions. With its scuffed up floors and tiny snugs, it feels very authentic.

O’Connell Street & The GPO

Last but definitely not least is O’Connell Street, which is Dublin’s main thoroughfare. It’s dotted with statues and historical landmarks, including the iconic GPO (General Post Office).

I’ve written an extensive guide for what to see on O’Connell Street and at the GPO, so won’t repeat myself here. Bottom line: they are a must visit for a proper dose of Irish history.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best things to do in northern Dublin. You may find these other Ireland travel guides useful:

Pin it for later.