5 Unusual Things To Do for a Unique Stay in Dublin

Ever welcoming and always ready with the craic, enchanting Dublin is liberally blessed with peerless museums and art galleries, an effervescent gastronomic scene and – almost literally – a pub on every corner. But to really understand a city, you have to peer deep into its soul, and that’s when the Irish capital comes into its own. There are many, many unusual things to do in Dublin – be they slightly quirky or downright off the wall – and these are the peculiar hidden finds that turn a great trip into an unforgettable one. Here’s a peek behind the curtains for visitors looking to explore Dublin beyond its major attractions, all within 25 minutes’ walk of the city centre.

While most visitors make a beeline for the sublime beauty of The Book of Kells in the Library at Trinity College – Ireland’s most famous university – one of its most eye-catching edifices remains relatively unknown. Running along the south side of New Square and dating from 1857, the Museum Building is a superb but unconventional specimen of Venetian Gothic architecture. As befits the home of the geology department, its façade was constructed from different stones, including limestone and granite, and sports ornate carved flower and animal motifs around the doors and windows. Inside it’s even more spectacular: a pair of millennia-old giant deer skeletons stand guard over the vast central hall, which is awash with green marble arches and pillars supporting an extraordinary soaring dome studded with a mosaic of jewel-coloured bricks.

• College Green, Dublin 2
• Tickets start at €16
• Only accessible on Trinity Trails walking tours starting at the Campanile in Front Square
• Tour start times: Mon 10:30am & 3:30pm, Tue 12:30pm, Thur 3:30pm, Fri 12:30pm & 3:30pm, Sat–Sun 10:30am, 12:30pm & 3:30pm

On your way to Phoenix Park, that perennially popular spot for picnics on your weekend in Dublin? What many visitors don’t realise is that en route to the park from the city centre, you pass one of Dublin’s most eccentric secrets. Surely one of the most unusual things to do in Dublin is stop by the Hungry Tree, an 80-year-old London plane tree in the grounds of the King’s Inns, Ireland’s oldest law school. It is slowly devouring the cast-iron bench deeply embedded in its trunk. Yes, while most trees exist on a diet of carbon dioxide, water and light, Dublin’s unique arboreal attraction has grown over the decades and appears to be slowly swallowing the bench. Once you’ve admired the tree’s tenacity and taken a snap for your socials, have a ramble around the rest of the gardens.

• King’s Inns, Constitution Hill, Dublin 1
• Admission free
• Open 24/7

If there’s something the Irish are well-known for, it’s their dedication to the black stuff and an occasional tot (or two) of whiskey. By all means tour the entertaining Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery – both big hitters on Dublin’s tourist bucket list – but to catch the city’s contemporary zeitgeist, head for Roe & Co, a young company launched in 2017 as part of the ongoing renaissance of Irish whiskey. This state-of-the-art distillery is housed in the Art Deco former Guinness Power Station, a city landmark where you can admire vast copper stills and learn about blending techniques on 40-minute guided tours. Ultimately, of course, everybody ends up in the bar for tastings of Roe & Coe’s distinctive triple-distilled blended whiskey. Remember to plan your route back to your accommodation in advance, so you can have a safe and enjoyable time.

• 92 James’s Street, Dublin 8
• Tours start at €42
• Open for tours Sun–Wed 12pm-5pm, Thur 12pm-6pm, Fri–Sat 12pm-7pm; Power House Bar Sun–Wed 12pm-7pm, Thur 12pm-8pm, Fri–Sat 12:30pm-9:30pm

And that’s as true today as it was back in Joyce’s day. If you’re going to sample some of the city’s famous hospitality with a late night on the town, why not forego the overpriced tourist pubs of Temple Bar and say “sláinte” in that rare and atypical find, a pub that also sells batteries, light bulbs and paint? Yes, for some off-the-wall reason, Mary’s Bar doubles as an ironmonger's. Still, there’s a fantastic choice of Irish craft beers, whiskeys galore and even a few cocktails to get the evening going with a swing. Should you wish to line your stomach, the pub does a roaring trade in quality burgers, fries and milkshakes too. Monday is quiz night, visit on Tuesday evening for live Irish music or Wednesday for whiskey tastings. Oh – and maybe buy a hi-vis jacket while you’re there. You never know when you might need one.

• 8 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
• Open daily from 11am–11:30pm

Instead of succumbing to a standard open-top bus tour of Dublin’s impressive roster of landmarks, why not combine your sightseeing trip with a traditional Irish afternoon tea? As unusual things to do in Dublin go, this is an offbeat, entertaining (the kids will love it!) and delicious way of seeing iconic sights like Temple Bar, Phoenix Park, Trinity College, the immaculate streets of Georgian Dublin and the city’s two cathedrals. Just hop aboard a whimsically decorated 1960s double-decker bus at St Stephen’s Green North and settle down to sip tea and munch on sandwiches, fruit tarts and homemade scones (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options are available) lovingly presented on pretty cake stands while your witty, informed hosts regale you with their favourite tales of old Dublin town.

• St Stephen’s Green North, Dublin 2
• Tours €55
• Tours last between 70–80 minutes, depending on traffic. Departure times vary from day to day

Now you’re armed with the inside information on unusual things to do in Dublin, and if you're travelling with kids, you may also need to add some family fun to your itinerary. Where will your first stop be?