Many of the best activities to do in Dublin are completely free! With everything from art galleries to beautiful green parks and museums to stunning walks, there is something for everyone to enjoy without having to spend a penny! Don’t believe us? Have a look for yourself:
Poolbeg Lighthouse
30-minute drive from hotel
Poolbeg Lighthouse, a formation of three lighthouses that protect Dublin Bay, has stood at the Great South Wall at the Port of Dublin since 1767! Surprisingly enough, when first built, the Great South Wall was the world’s longest sea wall. Today, it still remains one of the longest sea-walls in Europe.
The Great South Wall Walk is one of the finest across Dublin. This 4km stroll brings you out into Dublin Bay and right up to Poolbeg Lighthouse. When you reach the lighthouse, you will be presented with stunning views, no matter which way you look! There is parking available at the start of the Great South Wall with the walk taking approximately 45-minutes to complete.
If you are feeling up for the challenge there is a longer, more challenging walk to Poolbeg Lighthouse, starting from nearby Sandymount Strand.
Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
15-minute drive from hotel
The Hugh Lane Gallery is an art museum located in Charlemont House, 15-minutes’ drive from Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, since 1933. The gallery’s original collection of modern art was presented by Sir Hugh Lane in 1908 and has, over the last century been enhanced by notable bequests, gifts and acquisitions including Francis Bacon’s Studio and Archive and Sean Scully’s gift of paintings.
Make sure to visit the stained-glass room, which is next to the reception desk. Here you will find the remarkable and ever popular Harry Clarke piece The Eve of St. Agnes as well as work from other 20th century stained-glass artists.
Irish National War Memorial Gardens
15-minute drive from hotel
The Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, are dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the First World War. Designed by the great memorialist Sir Edwin Lutyens, the memorial gardens are considered to be amongst the finest across Europe.
The beautiful landscape of the gardens, including the stunning sunken rose gardens and pond at its centre, make this the ideal place for a peaceful stroll or an area to just sit, relax and reflect.
The gardens, only a 15-minutes’ drive from Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, are open to visitors 7-days a week all year round.
Dublin Discovery Trails
All within walking distance from hotel
Dublin Discovery trails is the perfect way to explore the capital, at your own pace and learn about the history which shaped our magical city. The Dublin Discovery Trails app gives you access to a series of free self-guided tours, with each trail telling its own unique, magical tales along the way.
There are 8 trails in total to choose from, who knows you may even cover them all across your time in Dublin! Across the trails, you will journey through the heart of the ancient city, learn about the tales of the Rebellion, explore the iconic sites of the city and much, much more!
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
20-minute walk from hotel
The National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology was first established in 1890 and can be found on Kildare Street, only a 20-minute walk from Maldron Hotel Kevin Street. The museum is the national repository for all archaeological objects found in Ireland and is home to over two million artefacts.
Exhibitions include the fabulous collection of prehistoric gold artefacts dating between 2200BC and 500BC, an insight into prehistoric Ireland, an exploration of the Viking Age through surviving objects and the museum’s world-renowned collection of medieval ecclesiastical objects and jewellery.
There are also various interesting temporary exhibitions taking place throughout the museum.
The Phoenix Park
15-minutes’ drive from hotel
The Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed park in Europe! First opened to the public in 1747, the park is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, all year round.
A trip to Phoenix Park is the ideal day out for the whole family with so much to do and see! The Phoenix Park visitor centre provides a lively and interesting self-guiding tour of its history and wildlife of the park. Here you will also find a children’s playground, the stunning two-and-a-half-acre Victorian Walled Garden and the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house that dates from the seventeenth century.
The People’s Gardens is another amazing spot in the park. They comprise of an area of twenty-two acres demonstrating Victorian horticulture at its best. The People’s Gardens feature an ornamental lake, children’s playground and many picnic areas.
Keep your eyes peeled as the park is home to a large herd of fallow deer. The Phoenix Park also contains Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of the President of Ireland. If you are lucky, you may even spot our president, Michael D Higgins, walking his iconic dogs in his back garden.
Chester Beatty Museum & Library
10-minute walk from hotel
Chester Beatty is the pre-eminent Irish museum promoting the appreciation and understanding of world cultures with holdings of manuscripts, rare books, and other treasures from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The museum has been best described by Lonely Planet as ‘not just the best museum in Ireland but one of the best in Europe’.
A 10-minute walk from Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, visitors to this remarkable museum will discover permanent and temporary displays, an intercultural learning programme and a broad variety of public activities for all ages and backgrounds.
The Chester Beatty was once the private library of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, today it is used as a research library for scholars from all over the world.
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street is perfectly located in the heart of Dublin City, within walking distance of many of the city’s most popular attractions.
Our stylish new rooms provide the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a good night’s sleep after a long day of exploring the city. There are plenty of dining options available at Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, guaranteeing you receive a scrumptious meal at every sitting.
