County Dublin

Virtually synonymous with the same-named city at its heart, Dublin is by far the most populated county in Ireland, with roughly one quarter of the country's population living and working within its borders. Unsurprisingly, here you'll find the biggest concentration and range of hotels and restaurants, the largest choice of attractions and things to do, plus virtually all of the services that Ireland has available.

Beyond the city limits, County Dublin's collection of villages have for the most part retained their distinct character, despite being largely absorbed into the suburban conurbation: to the north, seaside towns such as Malahide and Howth are separated from the city proper by fields and, in Howth's case, a long beachy strand. In the south, Dalkey and Sandycove are pleasant seaside suburbs with a strong village feel.

Explore County Dublin

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Latest Stories from County Dublin

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout County Dublin.

  • Library

    Old Library & Book of Kells

    Trinity's greatest treasures are found within the Old Library and the incredible Long Room is one of the most photographed rooms in Dublin, for good…

  • Brewery

    Guinness Storehouse

    The most popular attraction in Dublin is this multimedia homage to Guinness. An old fermentation plant in the St James's Gate Brewery has been converted…

  • Historic Building

    Trinity College

    Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's most prestigious university, a collection of elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings, cobbled squares and nature…

  • Gallery

    Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin

    Whatever reputation Dublin has as a repository of world-class art has a lot to do with the simply stunning collection at this exquisite gallery, housed in…

  • Museum

    Chester Beatty Library

    This world-famous library in the grounds of Dublin Castle houses the collection of mining engineer Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875–1968), bequeathed to…

  • Museum

    National Gallery

    A magnificent Caravaggio and a breathtaking collection of works by Jack B Yeats – William Butler Yeats' younger brother – are the main reasons to visit…

  • Museum

    Kilmainham Gaol

    If you have any desire to understand Irish history – especially the long-running resistance to British colonial rule – then a visit to this former prison…

  • Museum

    14 Henrietta Street

    Explore behind the facade of one of Dublin's famous Georgian townhouses, carefully restored to gently peel back layers of complex social history over 250…

  • Historic Building

    Dublin Castle

    As the stronghold of British power in Ireland for more than 700 years, Dublin Castle has played a central - and often adversarial - role in the history of…

  • Church

    Christ Church Cathedral

    Its hilltop location and eye-catching flying buttresses make this the most photogenic of Dublin's three cathedrals, as well as one of the capital's most…

  • Cathedral

    St Patrick's Cathedral

    Ireland's largest church and the final resting place of Jonathan Swift, St Patrick's stands on the spot where St Patrick himself reputedly baptised the…

  • Museum

    Museum of Natural History

    Affectionately known as the 'Dead Zoo', this dusty, weird and utterly compelling museum is a fine example of the scientific wonderment of the Victorian…

  • Park

    Phoenix Park

    The hugely impressive 709 hectares that comprise Dublin's Phoenix Park are not just a magnificent playground for all kinds of sport—from running to polo…

  • Park

    Merrion Square

    Merrion Sq is the most prestigious and, arguably, the most elegant of Dublin's Georgian squares. Its well-kept lawns and tended flower beds are flanked on…

  • Museum

    Jameson Distillery Bow Street

    Smithfield’s biggest draw is devoted to uisce beatha (ish-kuh ba-ha, ‘the water of life’); that's Irish for whiskey. To its more serious devotees, that is…

  • Library

    Marsh's Library

    This magnificently preserved scholars' library, virtually unchanged in three centuries, is one of Dublin's most beautiful open secrets and an absolute…

  • Museum

    Croke Park Stadium & Museum

    This museum is all about the history and importance of Gaelic sports in Ireland and the role of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) as the stout…

  • Museum

    Little Museum of Dublin

    This award-winning museum tells the story of Dublin over the last century via memorabilia, photographs and artefacts donated by the general public. The…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in County Dublin.

  • Activities