Dublin on a Shoestring: A 5-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College Dublin
   10-minute walk (0.5 miles) from St. Patrick's Cathedral to Trinity College Dublin

   Visit Ireland’s largest church and immerse yourself in its history. Then head to Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest and most renowned college. Check out the Book of Kells, the college’s library, and the historic buildings.

2. Day 2: Phoenix Park and National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
   20-minute bus ride (2.5 miles) from Trinity College Dublin to Phoenix Park

   Take a stroll, picnic, or hire a bike to explore Phoenix Park. Visit Dublin’s Zoo, the residence of the President of Ireland, and a Victorian flower garden. Just a short stroll away, discover the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology to learn about Ireland’s ancient heritage including the infamous "bog bodies".

3. Day 3: Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery Bow St.
   20-minute bus ride (2.6 miles) from National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology to Guinness Storehouse

   The Guinness Storehouse is a must-see for beer lovers! Explore the history of the iconic Irish stout via interactive exhibits, tastings and a chance to pour your pint! After lunch, learn about the whiskey-making process at Jameson Distillery Bow St. before sampling some of the world’s best whiskey.

4. Day 4: Kilmainham Gaol and The Temple Bar
   20-minute bus ride (3.2 miles) from Jameson Distillery Bow St. to Kilmainham Gaol

   Explore Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison that housed Irish political prisoners including many leaders of the Easter Rising. After lunch, head to The Temple Bar, the most famous pub in Dublin. Enjoy live music, a pint of Guinness, and some Irish craic (conversation).

5. Day 5: Dublin Castle and Grafton Street
   20-minute walk (0.9 miles) from The Temple Bar to Dublin Castle

   Visit Dublin Castle, the former seat of British rule in Ireland, and discover the history and cultural significance of this site. Afterwards, head to Grafton Street for some shopping, street performances and a bite to eat before heading home.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• St. Patrick's Cathedral (1 hour, free)
• Trinity College Dublin, Book of Kells (1.5 hours, €14)
• Phoenix Park (2 hours, free)
• National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology (1.5 hours, free)
• Guinness Storehouse, self-guided tour (2 hours, €20)
• Jameson Distillery Bow St., Guided tour and tasting (1 hour 30 minutes, €22)
• Kilmainham Gaol, guided tour (1 hour, €9)
• The Temple Bar (2 hours, €5-7 for a pint)
• Dublin Castle (1.5 hours, €8)
• Grafton Street (2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: €85-87

Useful tips:

If you have more time, check out the seaside town of Howth or visit Ireland’s ancient capital, Tara, and the nearby Newgrange archaeological complex. If you have less time, skip Jameson Distillery Bow St. and opt for a self-guided tour of The Irish Whiskey Museum instead.