Activities for Rainy Days in Dublin

Thanks to Dublin's oceanic climate, gray 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 cozy 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 will find a list of the best activities 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 legacy.

Tickets to the Guinness Storehouse allow you to take a self-guided tour of the seven floors of the factory, so you will have an audio guide, exhibits and interactive activities that will allow you to learn step by step the process of making Guinness beer, from the selection of ingredients to bottling.

It also usually includes the tasting of a Guinness beer that you can enjoy in Gravity Bar, while watching 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 stores offering different 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. Guinness Storehouse is located about 3 km from the center. You can get there by public transport or with most of Dublin's tourist buses.

Facts of Interest

• Price: the entrance fee is around 30 € per person.
• Hours: from 10 am to 4:30 pm approximately.
• How to get there: by public transport with the red streetcar line. The address is 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 begin 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 store 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 main castles of the city, which has been from a royal house to a Viking settlement.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 20 € per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours and a half.
• Transportation: 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 can provide full information about the 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 known 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 its own 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 conducted 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, which makes 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 for more interactive quizzes and activities to be proposed. You can always enjoy a drink while listening to the different stories, but they are not usually included in the tour price.

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

Interesting facts

• Price: from 21 € per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: pub crawl.
• Advantages 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 socialized.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include drinks and meals in the pubs.

On a rainy day, the Jameson distillery is a must stop for any whiskey aficionado. These days are ideal for a guided tour that will take you to discover the tradition of Irish whiskey while you get to know its facilities and learn about the process of making one of Ireland's most iconic brands.

These tours usually include the tasting of whiskeys of different characteristics, which you can appreciate with the help of the expert guide. They even give you a certificate for participating in the tasting. The tour can take place every day from morning to dusk and is conducted in medium-sized groups. You can also explore the store, which offers exclusive Jameson products.

As this is a relatively short activity, less than an hour, a good idea is to complete your day with a visit to some of the best museums in Dublin, ideal for shelter from bad weather.

On the other hand, if you visit Dublin in May, keep in mind that it is an ideal month to enjoy this experience, as there are usually special events and themed tastings, 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 can visit one of the most typical distilleries in Ireland and taste different varieties of whiskey.
• Disadvantages of this option: only people over 18 years old can participate.

If you want to delve into the secrets of whiskey and learn about innovative modern techniques, the Teeling Distillery is a must-see, ideal for a rainy day. Opened in 2015, it offers a contrast to the historic Jameson, so it is a great option for a whiskey tour, as it will allow you to learn about its production process and taste the most outstanding varieties.

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

In addition to enjoying the guided tour, you can taste the different varieties of whiskey produced by the distillery, such as its award-winning single malt, made from a single malt. Depending on your interests, you can choose from several tasting options, which can be a whiskey and a cocktail, or four varieties of whiskey, among others.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 21 € per person.
• Duration: about one hour.
• Transportation: not included.
• Advantages of this option: you can tour a modern distillery in Dublin and taste different varieties of whiskey, accompanied by an expert guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: only people over 18 years old can participate in the tasting.

Rainy days become much more enjoyable when you accompany them with music and food. And when you visit the city, you'll have the opportunity 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 this city.

Irish House Party

Irish House Party is an excellent option to take advantage of a rainy night in Dublin, as it offers you the opportunity to taste a local home-cooked 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 decide to dine elsewhere.

• Location: The Irish House Party The Lansdowne Hotel 27 Pembroke Road Dublin 4.
• Price: up to 67 € per person.
• Hours: dinner usually starts at 18:30 and the show at 20 hours.

Taylors Three Rock

An evening at Taylors Three Rock includes a cabaret show that lasts about 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 to 15. Children under 6 are free.
• Opening hours: opening hours are generally from 12:00 to 0:00 every day.

Belvedere in Dublin

For an evening combining music, dancing and great food, you can book your ticket for a folk show at the Belvedere in Dublin. This nearly 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, which allows 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 hours: open from 6:45 pm, dinner is served at 7 pm and the show starts at 8 pm with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes.

It is known that Dublin has a rather unpredictable weather, so it is not always a good option to walk the streets. A good option to visit the main tourist attractions of the city is to hire a tour in a classic or vintage bus.

From these buses you can admire the main monuments of Dublin, such as the EPIC museum of emigration, the Guinness Brewery or Trinity College, where the famous manuscript Book of Kells is located, while listening to the commentary on board about each of these attractions.

This tour is usually available 5 times a week, at three different times during the day. In addition, they usually liven up the tour with a cup of hot tea, ideal for rainy days, and various snacks. If you are a photography enthusiast, you will be interested in capturing photos in the rain, you can even turn this tour into a memorable photo tour of the city.

Interesting facts

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: about an hour and a half.
• 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 ride. Plus, the gloomy atmosphere of these cloudy days will help to intensify the experience.

These tours take place during the night and usually last about two hours. The bus usually passes through sites 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 stairs.

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 about the most terrifying events that have occurred in the city, with actors providing a great performance. The tour is available all year round, but is usually in highest demand in the month of 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 years old or sensitive people.

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

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

With your ticket to the EPIC museum you can take the tour at your own pace and access a passport with which you can accumulate 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 exhibits.

Useful information

• Location: The Chq Building, Custom House Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, Ireland.
• Price: about 23 ¤ for adults, 16 ¤ for teenagers from 13 to 17 years old and about 12 ¤ for children under 12 years old. Children under 6 are free
• Hours: daily between 10 am and 5 pm.

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 about the history and curiosities of this famous Irish drink.

The 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 during the morning and afternoon, and every day of the year.

If you travel 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, with the entrance they usually offer a whiskey tasting, which you can customize according to your preference. For this tasting you will be guided by experts, who will highlight the characteristics of each drink.

Interesting facts

• Location: 119 Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 E620, Ireland.
• Price: about 25 € for adults, 23 € for seniors and 12 € for children from 5 to 17 years old. Children under 4 years old are free.
• Hours: daily from 10:30 am to 6 pm.