Getting in Touch with Our Viking Roots at Dublinia
Dublina presents Dublin’s history in the most engaging way, with life-like depictions of the city’s past.
When I first moved to Dublin, I thought the Dublinia was simply a place for children to learn about Dublin’s history. It wasn’t until I was dragged on a trip there with a friend that I realised how much adults can learn from Dublinia’s many displays.
Now, I know you might be sceptical like I was, but trust me, and give this lovely museum a try. I’m sure you’ll discover something about Dublin that you didn’t know before. Join us as we guide you through Dublin’s history at Dublinia.
What is Dublinia Known for?
Dublinia is a child-friendly museum that takes you back to Dublin during the Viking era. Here, you’ll learn about the lived experiences of Dublin citizens and the many trials and tribulations they faced due to the constant raiding of the Vikings.
Best Time to Go to Dublinia
The best time to visit Dublinia is during the spring and summer months, from April to August, as the weather in Dublin is quite temperate during this time. We suggest heading to Dublinia as soon as it opens to avoid large crowds.
Things to Know About Dublinia
Address: Dublinia is located at St Michael’s Hill, Christ Church, 5 Meath St, Saint Catherine’s, Dublin 8, D08 VE80, Ireland. It is located near other notable heritage sites, including Christ Church Cathedral, Chester Beatty, Dublin Castle, and Dublin City Hall.
Operating Hours: Dublinia is open from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at approximately 4:00 PM.
Parking: There is no parking located at Dublinia. If you’re looking for parking, we suggest heading to Q-Park Christ Church, Q-Park Four Courts, or Thomas Street Car Park. All of which are conveniently located and within walking distance of Dublinia.
Contact Information: You can reach the officials at Dublinia by phone at +353 1 6794611 or by email at [email protected]. For bookings, please contact them directly at [email protected].
Pets: Pets aren’t allowed within the premises of Dublinia. They do, however, allow visitors with assistance and guide dogs within the premises. We would suggest that you bring proper documentation and identification for your assistance dogs, just to be safe.
Accessibility at the Dublinia
Wheelchair Accessible: Dublinia is fully equipped to accommodate wheelchair users, allowing them to explore the entire museum. The entire museum can be easily explored with a wheelchair, and lifts are available to transport you between floors.
Accessible Height Admissions Desk: The admissions desk at Dublinia has been adjusted to an accessible height. This allows all users, regardless of height or wheelchair accessibility needs, to easily access the desk.
Tactile Elements: Dublinia features tactile elements that can be experienced by individuals with visual impairments. These are a great help to immerse them in the tour.
Disabled Toilet: Disabled toilets are available at Dublinia. If you’re having difficulty finding them, their staff is there to help guide you to them.
Audio-visual subtitles: There are subtitles available for most of the tour for those who are hard of hearing. These subtitles are available in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian. There are certain sections where subtitles are not provided.
Sensory Map: For individuals with sensory sensitivities, a sensory map is available, detailing the specific sensory experiences found within each section of the museum. You can download the map here.
AsIAm Certified: Dublinia is AsIAm certified and continually strives to enhance its experience, providing a fun and fulfilling environment that is as autism-friendly as possible.
How to Get to Dublinia
Car: Dublinia is quite accessible by car, as you can simply head to Winetavern Street. It is accessible by High Street, Patrick Street, Lord Edward Street, and Merchant’s Quay. You will still need to head to the car parks we listed above for parking.
Dublin Bus:
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 13 | High Street Stop | Monday to Friday:5:30 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:6:10 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:7:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 49 | Patrick Street Stop | Monday to Friday:6:10 AM – 11:20 PM Saturday:6:45 AM – 11:20 PM Sunday:10:30 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 54A | Patrick Street Stop | Monday to Friday:6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:7:15 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:10:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Route 74 | Patrick Street Stop | Monday to Friday:5:30 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:6:00 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:7:30 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 123 | High Street Stop | Monday to Friday:6:10 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:7:00 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:8:20 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route G1 | High Street Stop | Monday to Friday:5:00 AM – 4:25 AM Saturday:5:24 AM – 4:25 AM Sunday:5:26 AM – 4:26 AM |
| Route G2 | High Street Stop | Monday to Friday:5:15 AM – 3:53 AM Saturday:4:54 AM – 3:55 AM Sunday:4:54 AM – 3:54 AM |
Bike: You can easily ride a bike to Dublinia by heading to the same streets we talked about in the car section. As for parking, we’d suggest heading to the same car parks we suggested earlier or parking your bike at Dublin City Hall.
LUAS Tram System: There are two LUAS stops located near Dublinia. One of them is Four Courts Stop, while the other is Smithfield Stop, both of which are located on the Red Line of the LUAS. For the Green Line, the closest stop is Trinity Stop.
Taxi: If coming from the outer edges of Dublin City, a taxi would be a convenient way to get to Dublinia. This will be quite expensive, and we advise against taking a taxi if you’re in the area of Dublin City Centre, as walking or using public transport is much cheaper.
How Much is a Ticket to Dublinia
Dublinia offers only three different experiences, all of which fall under the General Admission category. If you’re looking to save €1 off your ticket, they encourage you to book online through this link.
| DUBLINIA | |
| Ticket Type | General Admission |
| Adult | €16 |
| Senior | €14.50 |
| Student | €14.50 |
| Child | €9.50 |
| Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) | €44 |
| Family (1 Adult & 2 Children) | €30 |
Types of Experiences at Dublinia
There are generally three different types of experiences available at Dublinia. Two of which are limited Guided Tours, and the other is a Self-Guided Tour. Below are the details of each experience so you can easily pick which one you or your family prefers.
Daily Guided Tour (Single Exhibit)
| Daily Guided Tour (Single Exhibit) | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 2:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The Daily Guided Tour for either the Viking or Medieval Exhibits is available at around 2:00 PM each day. These exclusive tours are included with your general admission tickets and are available only to those on-site at the designated time.
This tour is exclusive to one or the other, so you will need to choose which one you prefer when attending. Additionally, guided tours are not available in July.
Daily Guided Tour (Viking and Medieval)
| Daily Guided Tour (Viking and Medieval) | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Saturday |
| Time Slots: | 11:00 AM |
| Tour Duration | About 2 Hours |
If you’re looking to explore both the Viking and Medieval exhibits with a tour guide, head to Dublinia at 11:00 AM to join the Joint Guided Tour. This tour encompasses both exhibits and is perfect for families with young children.
This tour, unlike the previous one, is only available to guests from Monday to Saturday. If you wish to participate in this tour, please arrive at 11:00 AM, as it includes General Admission. Additionally, guided tours are not available in July.
Self-Guided Tour
| Self-Guided Tour | |
| Days Available: | Monday to Sunday |
| Time Slots: | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tour Duration | About 1 Hour |
The Self-Guided Tour is the primary way to explore the entirety of Dublinia. This tour allows you to explore the museum at your own pace and also gives you access to certain sections of Dublinia that aren’t available on the Guided Tours.
Some sections that are not typically included in the Guided Tours are limited-edition exhibitions. These include the recently showcased Mystic Dublin and the other main exhibit at Dublinia. St. Michael’s Tower.
Exhibits at Dublinia
There are currently four exhibits that are available at Dublinia. Typically, you’ll find three main exhibits and an additional one that changes periodically. Here are the current exhibits, along with what you can expect at each one.
Viking Era Dublin
– Media Credit: https://www.dublinia.ie
The Viking Exhibit will take you to what Dublin was like during the Viking times. Here, you’ll get to see what it was like inside a Viking warship. You’ll even get to see the cultures and houses of the Viking tribes, and you’ll even get to try on Viking clothes!
Medieval Dublin
– Media Credit: https://www.dublinia.ie
In this exhibit, you’ll be thrust into Medieval Dublin, where you’ll get to witness what it was like for commoners of the era. You’ll see the different diseases, crimes, and cultures of Medieval Dublin. You’ll even get a chance to play at a medieval fair.
St. Michael’s Tower
– Media Credit: https://www.dublinia.ie
St. Michael’s Tower was once part of the church of St. Michael the Archangel, which is now occupied by Dublinia. This medieval tower still stands as part of Dublinia, and you’ll get to see and learn about the history of the area surrounding the parish.
Mystic Dublin
– Media Credit: https://www.dublinia.ie
Mystic Dublin is an exhibit that showcases the superstitions and magical beliefs that Medieval Dublin once had. The exhibit features many artefacts of mystical origins, and there are some that many Dublin citizens still hold dear, even in modern times.
Where to Eat When Heading to Dublinia
After a nice visit to Dublinia, I’m sure you’ll find yourself looking for some food to avoid ending up starving, like some of the medieval peasants. Thankfully, there are several good restaurants surrounding Dublinia. Here are the ones that we’d highly recommend.
WILDE
– Media Credit: WILDE Instagram
Website: https://wilde.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WILDEDublin/
Address: Balfe St, Dublin D02 CH66 Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 646 3352
Price Range: €50 – €100
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday:
- 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday:
- 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
WILDE offers a wonderfully classy and fancy dining experience to its guests. They have fantastic seating and decoration that screams luxury. You can try out the pan-roasted organic Salmon as it’s incredibly flaky and is packed with so much flavour.
One of this spot’s standout features is its terrace overlooking the energetic Grafton Street, bringing an alfresco vibe right into the city centre.
Fire Steakhouse
– Media Credit: FIRE Steakhouse and Bar Instagram
Website: https://www.firesteakhouse.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIREsteakhouse/
Address: Dawson Street, The Mansion House, Dublin D02 XK40 Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 676 7200
Price Range: €50 – €100
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday:
- 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
While Fire Steakhouse may offer some expensive steaks, we highly recommend ordering one, as they are incredible, with fantastic marbling. Their sirloin prime centre cut is so big that it’s enough to share with two other people. Trust us, this is the one.
And as a matter of fact, Fire has earned a reputation as one of Dublin’s top dining experiences, and not just locally. It has even won the Global Luxury Steakhouse of the Year award.
Boss Stop
– Media Credit: Boss Stop Instagram
Website: https://bossstop.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553952833922
Address: 24 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2, D02 XE40, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 572 9906
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday:
- 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday:
- 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
For those looking for a little spice in their life, Boss Stop has the perfect amount that will surely get you ordering seconds. If you’re looking for something spicy, we suggest trying the pork soup noodle, as the broth is rich and packs just the right amount of heat.
Aside from that, you can try their Sichuan La Zi chicken. It’s a fiery dish tossed with dried chillies and crispy potatoes.
Where to Stay When Heading to Dublinia
As Dublinia is located near Dublin City Centre, you can easily find a nice hotel or hostel to stay in. We’ve got a few nice selections that’ll ensure comfort without breaking the bank.
Harding Hotel
– Media Credit: Harding Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.hardinghotel.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardinghotelchristchurch
Address: Fishamble St, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 679 6500
Price Range: Starts at €151
Harding is a classic hotel that overlooks Christ Church Cathedral. Its exterior is a low-key Victorian redbrick hotel, and it’s simple and quaint. Its rooms are adorned with local artworks, and they offer comfortable accommodations, especially considering their low price point.
Gogarty’s Temple Bar Hostel
– Media Credit: gogartys
Website: https://www.gogartys.ie
Address: 18-21 Anglesea St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 RX38, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 671 1822
Price Range: Starts at €35
Gogarty’s Temple Bar Hostel provides you with ample access to Dublin’s Cultural Centre without breaking the bank. Located on top of Gogarty’s Pub, you’ll have a quiet room all for yourself, and you won’t even be aware of the noise from outside.
Gogarty’s also serves award-winning traditional Irish food, ranging from Dublin Bar mussels to beef & Guinness casserole.
Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin
– Media Credit: Hyatt Centric Dublin Instagram
Website: https://www.hyatt.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hyatt
Address: Dean St, The Liberties, Dublin, D08 W3X7, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 708 1999
Price Range: Starts at €255
The Hyatt Centric is a chic hotel that offers sleek decor for a reliable stay. The rooms here are equipped with all the modern amenities you could ask for, and upgraded rooms feature additional amenities, such as a sofabed or terrace views.
Guests staying here may be surprised to learn that the very land it occupies yielded fascinating archaeological discoveries during construction, including intriguing 11th-century graffiti.
Staycity Aparthotels
– Media Credit: Stay City Aparthotels Instagram
Website: https://www.staycity.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staycity
Address: 8 Bride St, Dublin, D08 Y2AY, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 919 8003
Price Range: Starts at €280
If you want to stay at a studio apartment when visiting Dublin, then Stacity Aparthotels is the right choice for you. Each one is fully furnished, packed with a kitchen and two bedrooms, and it feels like a high-class apartment that’ll beat any hotel room.
For travellers with a company, the aparthotel offers spacious two-bedroom apartments, approximately 45 square feet each, equipped with two king-size beds. These units comfortably sleep up to four guests.
Tips When Visiting Dublinia
Before you head off to relive Dublin’s Viking and Medieval pasts, we’d like you to hear us out for a bit as we’ve got a few tips that might pique your interest when visiting Dublinia. Who knows, it might even make your visit a memorable one!
| Don’t Avail the Guided Tours While it might be tempting to avail the Guided Tours, we’d suggest that you stick with the Self-Guided Tour instead. That’ll give you enough time to fully immerse yourself in the exhibits. Visit Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral is another famous tourist attraction located just across the street from Dublinia. If you’re looking to maximise your visit, we’d suggest heading there next, as you can easily visit both in one trip. Dine at Temple Bar Dublinia is conveniently located near Temple Bar, Dublin’s vibrant cultural district. If you want to experience what Dublin is like in the modern age after seeing the horrors of Medieval Dublin, then heading there is the best choice. Join a Pub Crawl If you’re eager to learn more about Dublin’s history, then we suggest booking a pub crawl. There are ones that focus on Dublin’s rich literary history, and others that focus on Dublin’s musical history. Each will surely add to your admiration for the city. |