RADAR

10 Things to Do in Dublin

Trade the Irish capital’s crowds for hidden Georgian streets, authentic local culture and, yes, at least one bar visit.

By Sean Deasy

Coffee and a cookie at Banco; Kaldero’s dining room; the maze at Iveagh Gardens; outside Project Arts Centre. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF BANCO; COURTESY OF KALDERO; CLAUDE THIBAULT; COURTESY OF PROJECT ARTS CENTRE

Dublin may well be a city that celebrates its storied history — with its regal churches, famous pubs and momentous green spaces — but it by no means lives in the past. Today, the cosmopolitan city brings culture and the arts firmly into the 21st century. So, on your next trip to Ireland’s capital, embrace some of the many contemporary offerings from current generations of Dubliners. And give the lesser-known landmarks a try, too, with suggestions from Cathy Whelan, a local guide with 20 years of tour experience. 1. Banco If you should start your day in the neighbourhood of Stoneybatter, about a 15-minute walk northwest of the city’s centre, pop into Banco, which locals are calling the worst-kept secret in bakeries. Opened in mid-2026 by the team behind the Michelin-noted Grano, the nearby homemade Italian pasta restaurant, Banco delivers an exceptional morning offering right over the counter. Visitors can enjoy espresso along with decadent biscotti and pistachio pastries before exploring the city. banco.ie

2. St. Audoen’s Church There is no shortage of churches in the city, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral — with the tallest spire in the country — makes the short list for many visitors. If you choose just one to visit, why not see Dublin’s last remaining medieval parish church? This historic site dates to the Norman era and honours the patron saint of Normandy, St. Ouen. Visitors can explore the ancient grounds, view the 15th-century Portlester tomb, and see an award-winning exhibition detailing the church’s crucial role in the medieval city’s daily life. heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/st-audoens-church-visitor-centre 3. Om Diva Style-conscious shoppers can explore five floors dedicated to independent style in the Creative Quarter, in the city centre just west of Grafton Street. Om Diva boutique is a true fashion hub, housing curated vintage alongside Atelier 27 — a dedicated space in the upper floors featuring unique designs, clothing and accessories from roughly 80 local Irish designers. First opened in 1999 as a market stall, Om Diva offers an authentic alternative to mainstream shopping and direct support for emerging local talent. omdivaboutique.com

Banco’s crostatina alla marmellato. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF BANCO

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St. Audoen’s Church and Visitor Centre. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF ST. AUDOEN'S CHURCH

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4. Brendan Joseph Looking for a more exclusive retail experience? Discover wearable art by Brendan Joseph. Handcrafted from fine silks, linens and cashmeres, his woven scarves and accessories feature tactile structures designed to shift and change colour in natural daylight. Joseph’s retail store is now closed, but — by appointment only — you can get a private tour of his working studio on Goatstown Road. brendanjoseph.com 5. Project Arts Centre Culture seekers already know about the famous Abbey Theatre, founded by W. B. Yeats. Not too far away, in Temple Bar, is the heart of Dublin’s contemporary avant-garde movement, Project Arts Centre. Since 1966, it has championed experimental performance, visual arts and radical theatre. It is one of the main hubs of the city-wide Dublin Fringe Festival each September. Year-round, visitors gain direct access to cutting-edge local and international artists tackling the pressing cultural questions of today. projectartscentre.ie 6. Windmill Lane Recording Studios You’ve seen the Irish Rock ’n’ Roll Museum Experience? Now tune in to Windmill Lane. Originally famed for its U2 graffiti-covered walls on its namesake street, Ireland’s premier audio production house now operates out of an Art Deco building on Ringsend Road. Global superstars and local artists alike have recorded here, making it a legendary stop for contemporary music fans visiting the city. Tours require advance booking. windmilllanerecording.com/studio-tour

A white building with a turquoise entrance and a bicycle parked out front; A bright pink staircase with matching railings leads to a mannequin in a coral dress.

A dancer in a colourful patterned skirt twirls on stage in front of a band of drummers and musicians; A tall, red-brown dollhouse-style stands in a pale green room with wooden floors.

(Clockwise from top left) The entrance of Windmill Lane Recording Studios; Om Diva Boutique; a model of 14 Henrietta Street; a performance at Project Arts Centre’s annual “open day” event. | PHOTOS: ERIC LAUDONIEN/ALAMY; COURTESY OF OM DIVA; COURTESY OF 14 HENRIETTA STREET; COURTESY OF PROJECT ARTS CENTRE

Overhead view of a table of Filipino dishes,

A pale green cocktail in a coupe glass, set on a metal surface.

(Left and far right) Some of Kaldero’s Filipino delicacies. (Middle) The Slurred Word, featuring Havana Club 3 Anos, is Kaldero’s take on a Last Word cocktail. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF KALDERO

7. Kaldero Food enthusiasts can experience Dublin’s dynamic multicultural culinary scene through this vibrant open-fire dining destination on South King Street. Created by chef Richie Castillo, who’s a rising name in modern Filipino cuisine, it pairs bold traditional Filipino flavours such as calamansi, pandan, labuyo chili and muscovado with premium Irish produce cooked over custom grills. kaldero.ie 8. Iveagh Gardens Often called Dublin’s secret garden, these historic downtown grounds date back more than three centuries and were redesigned in 1865. The scenic Victorian layout features a restored yew maze, a vibrant rosarium, fountains and a striking summer cascade, providing a tranquil escape not far from the popular St. Stephen’s Green. iveaghgardens.ie 9. 14 Henrietta Street EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is one of Europe’s leading tourist attractions. But 14 Henrietta Street deserves a visit, too. This award-winning museum on a cobblestone Georgian street vividly charts social history, tracing a grand 1720s mansion’s evolution into crowded tenement housing by 1911. Through guided tours of the carefully restored rooms, visitors gain a moving glimpse into the changing lives of Dublin’s past residents across three centuries. 14henriettastreet.ie 10. O’Donoghue’s Pub No trip to Dublin is complete without at least one visit to a proper bar. Why not choose a spot that blends the best of culture from yesterday and today? Established on Merrion Row in the 18th century, this legendary folk-music hub evolved from an old grocery and shebeen (an unlicensed bar) into a destination for the likes of Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen. Renowned for its warm, lively atmosphere and what may be the best-poured Guinness in the city, O’Donoghue’s holds a legendary place in music history as the birthplace of the famous folk band The Dubliners. odonoghues.ie CAA