Absolutely… there are plenty of ways to enjoy the gorgeous little city without breaking the bank.
Culture: Dublin has a deep love for the arts, so guess what? There are lots of free museums to check out. Gaze at work by famous artists such as Jack B Yeats and Caravaggio at
The National Gallery of Ireland, pop in to the
Irish Museum for Modern Art if you prefer the contemporary model, strike a pose in the
Gallery of Photography, or explore the Decorative Arts and History exhibit at
The National Museum of Ireland.
This is a UNESCO City of Literature, so dip into Dublin’s
literary legacy! Some of the events and talks are free during festival programmes, including the
Mountains to the Sea (March),
Bloomsday (June),
The Dalkey Book Festival (June), or
The Dublin Book Festival (November). Be illuminated under stained glass windows of
St Patricks or
Christ Church cathedrals, or take in
Kilmainham Gaol, a haunting and unique historical experience for any traveler – and although this one does charge for entry at €8, it’s definitely worth its weight in holiday gold!
The great outdoors: for a city built around a horseshoe-shaped bay and framed by mountains, Dubliners like to say that the city’s outdoor space is one of life’s most glorious – and free – pleasures. Stick to the city centre for the serene
Iveagh Gardens or
Stephen’s Green, or venture out to
Phoenix Park to spot some wild fallow deer. Hop on the DART (the commuter rail system) for Dublin’s
coastal towns and villages: head south to walk
Dun Laoghaire Pier and reward yourself with a Teddy’s ice-cream, venture up
Killiney hill for incredible views and a cup of coffee at Victoria Gate, or take the northbound train to the Howth
Cliff path loop walk, followed by a tasty bowl of seafood chowder in one of the many village cafés.
Entertainment: You don’t have to step inside a venue to hear an eclectic mix of musical talent. Dublin’s buskers got the seal of approval from National Geographic, so stick around Grafton Street for stars of the future to appear. Or perhaps head to Meeting House Square for free outdoor gigs, especially during summer!
Then there are Early bird menus in fabulous restaurants, great lunch deals and markets, such as Fallon & Byrne, where you can pick up picnic ingredients and eat on the go!
We could go on and on as this is just the tip of our Dublin on a budget iceberg...do any other community members have suggestions?
