A Town Full of Character: 8 of the Best Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland
Check out the National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology
A visit to the National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology is like a trip back in time. The finest collection of prehistoric gold artifacts in Europe ever found are housed here, like this gold Viking ship, part of the remarkable Broighter hoard that was discovered in 1896, one of the top finds from the Irish Iron Age.
It also includes incredible items like the famous Tara Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice, one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church, dating back to eighth century AD. One of the highlights for many in this museum are the bog bodies, like the Cashel Man which dates back to 2,000 BC — there are some 100 that have been discovered in Ireland to date.
The bodies were mummified and preserved in peat bogs, where the acidic conditions help to keep their remains incredibly intact. You can even see the tiniest details, including nose hair, eyelashes, fingerprints and fingernails.
Sip a Pint at the Oldest Pub in Dublin
The Brazen Head claims itself to be the city’s oldest pub. Although the building dates to around the mid-18th century, as the story has it pints have been poured here since 1198. One of the best ways to experience its rich history is to enjoy a pint and chat with the locals. You can also view the old papers, photos and ads that reveal its past as a former coach house.
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Listen to Traditional Live Music
There are countless pubs in Dublin for enjoying traditional live music. However, don’t visit the Temple Bar if you hope to avoid big tourist crowds and aren’t in the mood to hear loud Allman Brothers covers. Instead, enjoy fabulous Irish tunes in places like O’Donoghue’s, the pub that launched the career of Irish folk band The Dubliners.
It’s somewhat of a mecca for traditional musicians and offers live music every night of the week. You can also check out the many photos and drawings of Irish musicians that adorn its walls.
The front snug of Hughes Bar is another great pick as you can join in the musicians’ circle, becoming a part of the entertainment yourself. Irish musicians play fiddles, pipes, whistles and mandolins, and anyone who’s around is welcome to play too. Occasionally a celebrity pops in as well.
The backup band for Bob Dylan joined the house musicians for an informal, unscheduled gig in recent years. It’s those unplanned moments that make it so much fun; you never know what the night will bring.
