Dublin for FREE

Dublin is packed with fun and FREE things to do!
here are a few ideas to get you started

Aras an Uachtarain
Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, , Dublin 8
The residence of the President of Ireland.
Áras an Uachtaráin is open Saturdays only. Free admission tickets are issued at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre on the day. Group and/or advance booking is not permitted.

Opening times:
Summer (Sat only) 10.15am-4pm
Winter (Sat only) 10.30am-3.30pm

Closed 24th-27th December

Guided Tours Meeting Point:
Phoenix Park Visitor Centre,
Phoenix Park,
Dublin 8

 
Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
Charlemont House, Parnell Square North, , Dublin 1
The greatest figuartive artist of the 20th Century . No visit to Dublin is complete without a visit to Bacon's Studio in Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane. The Gallery will celebrate the work of this famous Irish-born artist with a year long series of exhibitions culminating in "from ritual to Romance" a gallery wide exhibition of works and studio items by Francis Bacon, as well as a selection of work by William de Kooning.

Opening Times:
Closed Mon. Tuesday-Thursday: 10am-6pm; Friday & Saturday: 10am-5pm; Sunday: 11am,-5pm.

Admission Prices:
Free

Group Admission Prices:
Free. Tours are provided for groups. Cost €25
max group no.30

Facilities:
Cafe and bookshop.

How to Get There:
Walk to top Parnell Square & turn left.
By bus: 3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 19, 46A, 123 pass close to Gallery.
LUAS: to Abbey Street.
DART: to Connolly Station & Tara Street 10 mins.

Government Buildings
Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2
The imposing complex of Government Buildings on Upper Merrion Street was undertaken by the British administration in Ireland.
the building has been converted and entirely refurbished to form modern accommodation for a number of departments including the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General.

Guided tours of Government Buildings take place every Saturday. The tours are from 10.30–13.30 every hour on the half hour.

Each tour is approximately 30-40 minutes long.

Tour times are subject to change.

Tickets are free of charge and are available on the morning of the tours from the National Gallery (open at 10.00 am.). No advance booking is permitted.

Occasionally, tours may be cancelled at short notice. Where possible, a notice to this effect is placed in all National and Evening newspapers.

Tel:+353 1 662 4888

Irish Museum of Modern Art
Royal Hospital, Military Road, Kilmainham, , Dublin 8
The Irish Museum of Modern Art is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art.
The Museum presents a wide variety of art in a dynamic programme of exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of work from its own Collection and its award winning Education and Community Department.

Opening Times:
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5.30pm, except Wednesday 10.30am-5.30pm.
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 12noon-5.30pm.
Closed: Mondays, Good Friday, 24th-26th December.

Admission Prices:
Admission to the Museum and all exhibitions are free.

Wheelchair accessible, adapted toilets, baby changing facilities, locker room, unlimited free car parking, free guided tours of exhibitions and lunch room for visitors groups - booking required.

How to Get There:
Luas - Red line to Heuston Station.
Buses to Heuston Station: 26 from Wellington Quay, 51/79 from Aston Quay, 90 DART feeder bus from Connolly and Tara Street stations to Heuston Station. Buses to James St: 123 from O’Connell St/Dame St, 51B/78A from Aston Quay.
Car - 10 min drive from city centre.
On foot - approx 30-40 min from city centre.
Train - 5 min walk from Heuston Station, from Connolly & Tara Street Stations by 90 bus to Heuston Station.

National Botanic Gardens
Glasnevin, , Dublin 9
The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, were founded by the Royal Dublin Society in 1795.
The Gardens, 19.5 hectares on the south bank of the Tolka contain many attractive features including an arboretum, sensory garden, rock garden and burren area, large pond, extensive herbaceous borders, student garden and annual display of decorative plants including a rare example of Victorian carpet bedding.
Glasshouses include: the beautifully restored curvilinear range, Great Palm House, Alpine House, Cactus House and Fern House.

Opening Times:
Mid Feb - Mid Nov: Daily 9am-6pm
Mid Nov - Mid Feb: Daily 9am-4.30pm

Glasshouses and Alpine House open restricted hours.

Admission Prices:
General access is free but there is a charge for parking. Guided tours cost €2 per person, available by prior arrangement.
Free guided tours: Sunday: 12.30pm-2.30pm

How to Get There:
Buses 13, 13A, 19, & 19A(O’Connell Street)

National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West , Dublin 2
The National Gallery of Ireland was established by an Act of Parliament in 1854 and first opened its doors to the public in January 1864. Today the collection includes over 2,500 paintings and some 10,000 other works in different media including watercolours, drawings, prints and sculpture. Every major European School of painting is extensively represented. It also houses a renowned collection of Irish paintings. The gallery's highlights include the Yeats Museum, and works by Vermeer, Caravaggio, Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet. Enjoy visiting the National Gallery of Ireland and its award winning Millennium Wing.”

Opening Times:

Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm
Thursday 9.30am-8.30pm
Sunday 12noon-5.30pm
Closed 24-26th December & Good Friday.

Admission Prices:

*Free to permanent collection. Admission charge to special exhibitions in the Millennium Wing.

How to Get There:

Buses: 5, 7, 7A (Burgh Quay), 4A, 13A, 10, 63 (O’Connell Street), 45 (Eden Quay)
DART to Pearse Station (Westland Row)which is 5 minutes from the Gallery.
LUAS Green Line to St. Stephens Green.

Phoenix Park
 Dublin 8
The Phoenix Park is one of the largest and most magnificent city parks in Europe. A lively and entertaining exhibition on the history and wildlife of the Phoenix Park is on display in the Visitors Centre. Here visitors can receive information and enjoy a historical interpretation of the park from 3500BC to the present day.
There is a special section for children which allows them to explore the wonders of forest life. Temporary exhibitions are also regularly on display in the centre. Adjoining the Visitor Centre is the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house that dates before the 17th century. The castle has been incorporated into an 18th century mansion and was 'rediscovered' when this building was demolished due to cry rot.

Opening times
Nov-mid Mar: Wed-Sun 9.30-5.30pm
Mid Mar-end Oct: Daily 10am-6pm

Admission prices
Free

How to Get There
By bus: 37, 38, & 39 (from Middle Abbey Street to Ashtown Gate)

OPW Yearly Heritage Cards available here!

General Post Office
O'Connell Street, , Dublin 1
Dublin's GPO is a landmark building, situated prominently in the middle of O'Connell Street.

It is the headquarters building for An Post, the Irish Postal Service. The foundation stone was laid in 1814 and this was the main stronghold of the Irish Volunteers in the 1916 Rising.

Nowadays the General Post Office offers a wide range of services.

Opening Times:
Mon-Fri: June, July & Aug: 10am-5pm
Every Sat,Sun & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
Closed Christmas period

Irish Traditional Music Archive
73 Merrion Square, , Dublin 2
The Irish Traditional Music Archive – Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann – is a reference archive and resource centre for the traditional song, instrumental music and dance of Ireland.

Howth Coastal Path
Howth , County Dublin
At the northern tip of Dublin Bay, prepare yourself for a picturesque walk over cliff tops as you circle Howth head . With its stunning panoramic views, glance north to County Down’s Mountains of Mourne, south to the lush green Wicklow Mountains, and straight ahead for the expanse of Dublin city and its bay in between.

Route Summary
Start your walk to the east of Howth Village at the parking area of Balscadden Bay. From here, a good path leads you up and around the Nose of Howth and onto the cliff tops.
Continue uphill, taking in the stunning views of Lambay Island and Ireland’s Eye, but take care of your footing as the path draws very close to the lip of the cliff and you must walk near to the edge. All around, you’ll be overwhelmed by the magnificent heady scent of coconut from the bright yellow gorse on the heath.
Moving upwards to 120m, a slight detour to the south takes you to the magnificent Baily Lighthouse – the last of Ireland’s 82 lighthouses to become automated.
At the highest point of your walk (171m), the Ben of Howth awaits and it’s marked by an ancient burial cairn, which, according to legend, is said to be the final resting place of the last of the Irish giants.
Your return to Howth Village begins along a path running parallel to your outward route. Swinging gently away from the cliffs, you’ll be glad to know that it’s downhill from here, over the heath and into the bustling village.

Directions: Howth village is situated 15km (9½ miles) north-east of the city centre on the north side of Howth Head.
Estimated Time: 2hrs - 3hrs
Start and Finish: Parking area few hundred metres east of Howth Village
Terrain: Mix of tarmac, gravel and firm earthen paths

Click Here for more info.