Activities for Rainy Days in Dublin

Thanks to Dublin's oceanic climate, grey days and drizzle are common throughout the year. But far from being a limitation, this characteristic adds a special charm to the city that invites you to explore all those indoor activities it has to offer.

On a rainy day you can discover the city's rich cultural heritage by visiting the National Museum of Ireland or enjoy a cosy evening in a traditional pub. From interesting museums to historic cafes, there are many things to see and do in Dublin on a rainy day. In this article you'll find a list of the best things to do so that the weather doesn't stop you from exploring the city.

In Dublin, a city where rainy days are as frequent as beers in a pub, a great way to enjoy yourself indoors is with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. This tour not only allows you to learn about the production process of Ireland's most famous beer, but also to immerse yourself in its history and cultural heritage.

Tickets to the Guinness Storehouse allow you to take a self-guided tour of all seven floors of the brewery, including an audio guide, exhibits and interactive activities that take you step-by-step through the Guinness brewing process, from ingredient selection to bottling.

It also usually includes a Guinness beer tasting, which you can enjoy in the Gravity Bar, while taking in the panoramic views of the city. This bar is located on the roof terrace of the building and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. On the premises there are also restaurants offering Guinness inspired food and shops offering a variety of products.

This is an ideal tour for rainy days as all activities take place indoors. As one of **Dublin'**s most popular destinations, I recommend booking in advance and planning your visit early in the day to avoid crowds and make the most of the experience. The Guinness Storehouse is located about 3km from the centre. You can get there by public transport or by most of Dublin's tourist buses.

Facts and Figures

• Price: Admission is around £30 per person.
• Opening hours: 10am to 4.30pm approx.
• How to get there: by public transport on the red tram line. Address: Guinness Storehouse, St. James's Gate, Dublin 8.

A great way to immerse yourself in Irish history and culture while sheltering from the weather is to take a guided tour of the iconic Book of Kells and Dublin Castle. Book of Kells, a 9th century manuscript, is one of Dublin's top attractions, perfect for those days when the weather doesn't invite you to explore Dublin outdoors.

These tours usually start at Trinity College Library, where the professional guide can explain in detail the artistic techniques used to create the intricate illustrations that decorate the pages of the Book of Kells, and discover the deep symbolism they represent. The highlight of this part of the tour is the manuscript itself, a historical treasure you won't want to miss.

Before leaving the building, you can visit the gift shop and purchase unique souvenirs related to this masterpiece. This tour usually includes a walk around the outside of Dublin Castle, which is nearby, although in this case, it may not be possible due to the weather. However, you will be able to learn about the history of this building, one of the city's main castles, which has been a royal house and a Viking settlement.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 20 ¤ per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours and a half.
• Transport: not included.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover an artistic work considered a historical and cultural treasure of Ireland, accompanied by an expert guide who will be able to provide you with full information about its context and meaning.
• Disadvantages of this option: if, in fact, your visit coincides with a rainy day, you may not be able to enjoy the walk through the gardens of Dublin Castle.

Dublin is renowned for its literary history, and what better way to shelter from the rain than by joining a tour of some of its best literary pubs. These pubs, each with their own unique charm, have been frequented by some of Ireland's greatest writers and offer a quiet space to read a book or enjoy a good beer.

These tours are usually run in small groups and are guided by experts in Irish literature, who tell you anecdotes about the writers and the pubs they frequented. They usually take place after sunset, making them one of the best night tours in Dublin

It is also common for the guides to use their histrionic skills to liven up the evenings, and there are quizzes and more interactive activities on offer. You can always enjoy a drink while listening to the various stories, but these are not usually included in the price of the tour.

Among the pubs you will visit are some of the most iconic, such as The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Dublin. Another highlight is Davy Byrne's Pub, an iconic venue mentioned in James Joyce's Ulysses. You can even book a traditional pub crawl if you're interested in exploring more of Dublin's amazing pubs.

Useful facts

• Price: from £21 per person.
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: Pub crawl.
• Benefits of this option: You will discover the life and works of Ireland's most famous writers, while visiting the pubs where they themselves were inspired and socialised.
• Disadvantages of this option: Drinks and pub meals are not usually included.

On a rainy day, the Jameson Distillery is a must for any whiskey aficionado. These days are ideal for a guided tour that will take you on a journey of Irish whiskey lore as you tour the facility and learn about the process of making one of Ireland's most iconic brands.

These tours usually include a tasting of different types of whiskies, which you can enjoy with the help of an expert guide. You may even receive a certificate for participating in the tasting. Tours are available daily from morning to dusk and are conducted in medium-sized groups. You can also explore the shop, which offers exclusive Jameson products.

As this is a relatively short activity, less than an hour, it's a good idea to round off your day with a visit to some of Dublin's best museums, ideal for shelter from the weather.

Also, if you are visiting Dublin in May, bear in mind that this is an ideal month to enjoy this experience, as special events and themed tastings are often held, despite the frequent rain at this time of year.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 21 € per person.
• Duration: about 40 minutes.
• Means of transport: not included.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit one of the most typical distilleries in Ireland and taste different varieties of whisky.
• Disadvantages of this option: only people over 18 years old can participate.

If you want to delve into the secrets of whisky and learn about innovative modern techniques, the Teelings Distillery is a must-see on a rainy day. Opened in 2015, it offers a contrast to the historic Jameson, so it's a great choice for a whisky tour, allowing you to learn about the whisky-making process and taste the most notable varieties.

This tour can be taken every day, morning or afternoon, with an expert guide who will tell you about the history of the company, how it's made and its most characteristic varieties. It is located in Liberties, a historic area in the heart of Dublin. A visit during the winter months is highly recommended, as they organise special events such as themed tastings and cocktail classes.

As well as enjoying the guided tour, you can sample the different varieties of whisky produced by the distillery, such as their award-winning single malt, made from a single malt. Depending on your interests, you can choose between several tasting options, which can be a whisky and a cocktail, or four varieties of whisky, among others.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 21 € per person.
• Duration: around one hour.
• Means of transport: not included.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to tour a modern Dublin distillery and taste different varieties of whisky, accompanied by an expert guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: Only people over the age of 18 can participate in the tasting.

Rainy days become so much more enjoyable when accompanied by music and food. And when you visit the city, you'll have the chance to get a taste of Ireland's rich cultural heritage by attending some of Dublin's best shows. Here are some of the most interesting options you can find in Dublin.

Irish House Party

Irish House Party is a great way to make the most of a rainy night in Dublin, offering you the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked local meal while enjoying live entertainment, such as Celtic dance performances and traditional music. You also have the option of buying a ticket to watch the show only, if you choose to dine elsewhere.

• Location: The Irish House Party The Lansdowne Hotel 27 Pembroke Road Dublin 4.
• Price: up to €67 per person.
• Times: Dinner usually starts at 6.30pm and the show at 8pm.

Taylors Three Rock

An evening at Taylors Three Rock includes a cabaret show which lasts around 2 hours. There you can enjoy a 4-course dinner while keeping an eye on the performances. Don't forget to book your ticket for this traditional show at Taylors Three Rock in advance as it is a very popular show.

• Location: 16 Kellystown Road Dublin 16 DUBLIN 16 County Dublin.
• Price: around £88 for adults and from £57 for children aged 7-15. Children under 6 are free.
• Opening hours: Opening hours are generally from 12 noon to midnight daily.

Dublin Belvedere

For an evening combining music, dance and great food, you can book your ticket for a folk show at the Belvedere in Dublin. This almost 3-hour event features a 3-course dinner exclusively from their chefs using seasonal ingredients.

During the evening, you can also enjoy a live performance with musicians playing traditional instruments such as the bagpipes and fiddle, and dancers performing traditional choreography. It is renowned for its interactive atmosphere, allowing a close connection with the performers, reminiscent of traditional Irish pubs.

• Location: Belvedere Hotel Dublin Great Denmark Street Dublin 1.
• Price: from €63 per person.
• Opening times: Opening from 6.45pm, dinner is served at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm for 1 hour 45 minutes.

Dublin's weather is known to be quite unpredictable, so it's not always a good option to explore the streets on foot. A good way to see the main sights of the city is to take a vintage bus tour.

From these buses you can admire Dublin's main sights, such as the EPIC Museum of Emigration, the Guinness Bre wery and Trinity College, home of the famous Book of Kells manuscript, while listening to the on-board commentary about each of these attractions.

This tour is usually available 5 times a week, at three different times during the day. A cup of hot tea, ideal for rainy days, and a variety of snacks are also provided. If you're a photography enthusiast, you'll be interested in capturing photos in the rain, and you can even turn the tour into a memorable photo tour of the city.

Interesting facts

• Price: from €60 per person.
• Duration: around one and a half hours.
• Means of transport: classic bus.
• Advantages of this option: it gives you a panoramic tour of Dublin's main attractions, including on-board commentary, hot drinks and snacks.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include entrance fees to the sites of interest.

Dublin offers a wealth of tours and excursions that can be taken every day, but a rainy day can be the ideal time to try something different, such as a ghost bus tour, and the gloomy atmosphere of these overcast days will add to the experience. Plus, the gloomy atmosphere of these cloudy days will add to the experience.

These tours take place at night and usually last about two hours. The bus usually passes through places full of mystery, such as St Kevin's Cemetery, where many claim to have seen shadowy figures, and St Audoen's Church, known for legends of spirits haunting its steps.

If you are a lover of the paranormal, or are interested in Dublin's darker history, this tour is ideal, as it usually includes detailed narrations of the most terrifying events that have occurred in the city, with actors providing a great performance. The tour is available all year round, but tends to be most in demand in October during the Halloween season.

Facts of Interest

• Price: from 35 € per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the hidden side of Dublin, aboard a comfortable bus.
• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tour is not suitable for children under 14 or sensitive people.

When the rainy weather makes an appearance, Dublin's museums are an alternative way to continue enjoying the city and shelter from the bad weather. One of them is Epic, the Irish Emigration Museum, where you'll find some 20 galleries with interactive exhibits about this key moment in Irish history.

You can also learn about the influence of Irish culture around the world and what its most representative values are. If you want to know what makes Irish culture what it is, exploring this museum will give you the answer.

With your ticket to EPIC you can take the tour at your own pace and access a passport with which you can collect stamps as you explore. If you wish, you can purchase an audio guide, at an additional cost, which will provide you with additional information about the exhibitions.

Useful information

• Location: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, Ireland.
• Price: about £23 for adults, £16 for teenagers aged 13-17 and about £12 for children under 12. Children under 6 are free
• Opening times: daily between 10am and 5pm.

If visiting distilleries has left you wanting to learn more about everything related to this subject, you can take advantage of rainy days to visit the whiskey museum, and learn more about the history and curiosities of this famous Irish drink.

Tours last about an hour and are conducted with an expert guide, who can give you a lot of information about the processes of production, distillation and aging of whiskey. You can do it at different times, both in the morning and in the afternoon, and every day of the year.

If you are travelling to Dublin with children, you will be interested to know that they can enter the museum, although they may not be interested in the subject matter. On the other hand, the entrance ticket usually includes a whisky tasting, which you can customise according to your preference. For this tasting you will be guided by experts, who will highlight the specific characteristics of each drink.

Useful information

• Location: 119 Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 E620, Ireland.
• Price: around £25 for adults, £23 for seniors and £12 for children aged 5-17. Children under 4 are free.
• Opening hours: daily from 10.30am to 6pm.