Dublin is the largest city and capital of Ireland – land of poets and legends! Located on the east coast of this North Atlantic island, Dublin is a small city in the world of capitals, but one with a massive reputation. It’s got a fascinating history, rolling hills, castles and, of course, whiskey and beer varieties to write books about! But what if you’ve only got 24 hours to explore? And what if it’s in the heart of winter? Don’t fear. Pull tight your scarf, get your winter boots on and grab an Irish coffee on the go. We have 24 hours in Dublin and we’re going to make it count! This is where you need to go to experience and capture the essence of Dublin.

Moore Street Market

Want a true a slice of Dublin life? Start your exploration in Moore Street. One of Dublin’s busiest streets and home to the original Dublin street market! It’s here that you can taste the cosmopolitan outlook of the Irish. From Monday to Saturday traders – local and ethnic – run their stalls. You can browse while hearing accents and languages from all corners of the world! The food stalls offer anything and everything from fresh fruit, Asian delights, bratwurst and English pudding. The open-air fruit and vegetable market is the oldest food market in Dublin.

Moore Street runs adjacent to one of the famous shopping streets in Dublin, Henry Street. If shopping is what you’re after, this is the place to be. Wintertime means Christmas lights and special prices – both dazzling to any traveller in Dublin!

Take a minute and delight in the Irish hospitality and that welcoming accent. Go here to find out all about Moore Street Market.

Jameson Distillery Bow Street (Jameson Distillery)

Next up, the Jameson Distillery Bow Street. Here, you could have a label printed with your own name – yes, a Jameson Whiskey bottle just for you! John Jameson took ownership of and expanded the distillery in 1805. He expanded so much that it was often described as “a city within a city”. The distillery is no longer in use and has become a full-time museum and visitor’s center. Top Tip! Make someone feel special this Christmas by getting them a personalized Jameson Whiskey bottle.

National Leprechaun Museum and National Museum of Ireland

As you explore along the South Wall to the Jameson Distillery, make a stop in the National Leprechaun Museum. Said to be the first of its kind, this museum pays tribute to the legendary Irish Leprechaun. Perhaps you’ll find some clues to the pot of gold?

If museums warm up your winter chill, be sure to make a stop at the National Museum of Ireland: Decorative Arts & History. The National Museum of Ireland has three branches within Dublin, namely the Decorative Arts & History, Archaeology and Natural History. There’s also a branch in County Mayo dedicated to Country Life.

Guinness Storehouse

No trip to Dublin is complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. With seven floors dedicated to the making of this famous dark liquid, you could easily spend over an hour here. You even get to end off the visit with a pint of Guinness on the 7th floor (and have an epic view of the city)! The storehouse covers seven floors surrounding a glass atrium shaped in the form of a pint of Guinness.

The Brazen Head

As you head back into the winter cold outside, take a detour to the Brazen Head – officially Ireland’s oldest pub. This landmark was built in 1198 and has been open since! It’s not only worth a visit for its historical value, but its also known as one of the best places to listen to traditional music. They have music session on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) 9.30 pm to 11.30pm and Sunday from 3.30pm to 6.30pm. And there’s absolutely no entry fee.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

From the oldest, to the tallest, we escape the cold once more as we step into this 43m tall cathedral. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to hear some Christmas hymns. The cathedral was founded in 1911 and is considered to be the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland.

Trinity College Library and Book of Kells

The Old Library at Trinity college is bound to warm up your mind. The place you want to be is called the Long Room, which is the main chamber of the Old Library. It’s nearly 65m in length and is filled with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books. Even some publications by famous philosophers and literaries. For any literature or history lover, this is a must-see!

Another big attraction here is The Book of Kells. Written in 800 AD, this Latin manuscript is a sight to behold! The exhibition is found in the Trinity College library and will leave you astounded at the methods and creativity of times past.

Temple Bar

There’s no place to eat, drink and be merry like the Temple Bar! This area is known as Dublin’s cultural quarter and the cobbled streets are lined with pubs. You can escape the cold with a warm plate of stew, a pint of beer and some live Irish music. Cheers! Or like they say in Irish Gaelic – Sláinte (slawn-cha)!

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If you would like to see what else Dublin and the rest of Ireland has to offer, take a look at our winter vacations in Ireland! We’ve found the best spots in Ireland on our Irish Explorer tour.