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A Guide On What To Expect At The 9 FREE Museums In Dublin

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Did you know that there are NINE museums in Dublin that you can visit all year round? They all offer unique insights into irish history, arts and culture. Here is the list of the nine free museums in Dublin - what they offer, and what you need to look out for at each spot.Most people think of drinking in pubs in the Temple Bar area when you visit Dublin, but there is a great deal of arts and culture you can see while you are touring in Dublin. Not to mention all the free things you can do here too. Did you know that there are nine FREE museums in Dublin that you can visit all year round? They all offer unique insights into irish history, arts and culture. Here is the list of free museums in Dublin – what they offer, and what you need to look out for at each spot.

  • Natural history museum

This is one of the most under-rated museums here in Dublin. It is also known as ‘the dead zoo’, this is because all the displays are replica’s or taxidermied. The best part of this museum is you really get to see upclose, the sheer size of some of these animals. Another fun fact is that if you are a fan of the TV-series ‘Penny Dreadful’ – a part of season three is shot at this museum. We really enjoyed walking around and looking at all the displays, the space is huge and if you get there early in the morning over a weekend, it can be a quiet place to explore.

National History Museum, Dublin, Ireland. Also known as the dead zoo. Penny Dreadful was filmed here.

  • National print museum

This is a small museum, but definitely not to be missed. You can view all the old print methods, and how printing has evolved through the years. You can also view the 1916 proclamation on a similar print machine that was used to print this proclamation. Another great part of this museum is the coffee shop next store. It is in a glass atrium to the one side of the museum and is the perfect spot for a meal or just a coffee and a slice of home-made cake.

National Print Museum, Dublin, Ireland

  • National museum of decorative arts

Decorative Arts & History is home to a wide range of objects, which include weaponry, furniture, silver, ceramics and glassware; as well as examples of folk life and costume. To be honest, this is not a museum we have visited yet. I know we will eventually get there, but it just doesn’t really interest me at present to go, but hey, it is free to enter so why not just check it out for yourself?

  • National museum of archaeology

Warning: this museum is HUGE. You need a full day to really explore it from top to bottom. There is so much to see here. The main reason I wanted to visit this particular museum is to visit the bog bodies exhibition. In 2003, Iron Age bog bodies were discovered at Oldcroghan, Co. Offaly and Clonycavan, Co. Meath. A bog body is a human cadaver that has been naturally mummified in a peat bog. An excerpt taken from the museum’s website says: “The exhibition is based around the theory that human sacrifice and the deposition of the victims in bogs along tribal boundaries is related to sovereignty and kingship rituals during the Iron Age.” I found the exhibition was packed with information, and found it very interesting to learn more about the reasons why these bog bodies came to be.

National Museum of Archaeology, Dublin, Ireland

  • Irish museum of modern art

Another large museum that deserves a bit more time to explore is the Irish Museum of Modern Art. We visited it after we went to see Kilmainham Gaol – since the two are right across the street from one another. In hindsight, we needed more time to explore this museum. There are several exhibition areas allowing you to experience contemporary art, and these change every few months or so. Give yourself at least a few hours to walk around, plus the onsite cafe downstairs serves up pretty good food if you get a bit hungry.

Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin, Ireland

  • Pearse Museum 

We learnt about Patrick Pearse when we did the cemetery tour at Glasnevin Cemetery. Patrick Pearse had quite an interesting life. He was first an educationalist, who believed there was more to education than just focusing on exams and tests. But he is more commonly remembered as a nationalist who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising. The museum is a story about his life, as well as his brother William, and I found it a very interesting place to visit. It is also where Robert Emmet’s execution block is on display.

Pearse Museum, Dublin, Ireland

  • James Joyce Tower & Museum

This was one of the first museums we visited, and it is in Dun Laoghaire. The museum is free to visit, and as museum’s go – it is small. I mostly enjoyed getting to see what the inside of a Martello tower looks like. The British built 50 Martello towers along the Irish coastline as part of their defense against Napoleon. It is about as tall as two floors and has a tiny staircase inside that winds it’s way to the top. The view at the top of the tower is a real treat. On a clear day you can see Howth.

  • Science Gallery

Where science and art collide – this museum has a new exhibition every 4 months. It is a small space, that offers visitors an interactive and thought provoking journey combining science and facts with art and creativity. We went a few months ago to the ‘Humans need not apply’ display which talked about the current progress artificial intelligence has made, along with what the future could look like as AI evolves and grows. I enjoyed the exhibition space, and it was small enough to navigate and explore within a few hours, and still leave time to explore other parts of Dublin on the same day.

Science Gallery, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland

  • Chester Beatty Library

Don’t let the name confuse you, this is no ordinary library. It is described by Lonely Planet to not just be the best museum in Dublin but one of the best in Europe.  The library is free to visit, and holds things like manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and decorative arts. It is behind Dublin Castle, next to the Dublin memorial garden -which is perfect for a coffee and chat while taking in the garden view.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MUSEUM TO VISIT?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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Did you know that there are NINE museums in Dublin that you can visit all year round? They all offer unique insights into irish history, arts and culture. Here is the list of the nine free museums in Dublin - what they offer, and what you need to look out for at each spot.

The Best Ways to Find a Pet-Friendly Rental in Dublin

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Although it is super tricky to find a rental that is pet friendly, it is possible. Here are the considerations you should have when looking for a pet-friendly rental in Dublin, Ireland.Lately I have been getting a few emails from people looking to move to Ireland with their pets. The number one question they ask is how easy is it to find a place to live with your pet. In the sage words of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done. Although I am sure he never meant it for moving to a new country with your pet. Although it is super tricky to find a rental that is pet friendly, it is possible. I tried to list a few of the considerations you should have when looking for a pet-friendly rental in Dublin.

While moving your pet over to Ireland can be relatively easy to do (no quarantine definitely helps, but read my post on all you need to know about moving your pet to Ireland f you need help with this.). The trick is once you are over here; it is a bit of a stress finding accommodation for the whole family, fur babies included.

[bctt tweet=”Here are some ways to find a pet-friendly rental in Dublin.” username=”Thisisus_living”]

If you can – divide and conquer. 

We didn’t want to kennel Jack while we looked for a place to stay, so my husband moved over a few weeks before we did to find a pet-friendly place.

Search online, but try do it while you are in Ireland.

We looked online, on www.daft.ie, to find a place to rent in Dublin. I think we were lucky, given the time we moved over and that my husband was available to meet at any time of the day. We found a place within 10days, and were able to move into the place 4 days later. I do think that was a bit of luck and the fact that the place we found was empty already helped move the process along quicker than expected.

Narrow down the search, by looking for what you need.

It is better to look while one of you is here; this is because places go so quickly. When you are looking for places online, try advanced search settings by looking for places that are privately managed by the landlord and not a rental agent. This is because a landlord can make a decision on the spot on whether he/she is happy to allow pets – a rental agent will need to sign this off with the owner, and it is far easier for that person to say no if they haven’t met you. Search for places that have a garden or small outside area. You will also find it more likely to find a pet friendly lace in a house, versus a flat. I guess this might also come down to what kind of pet you have, but a flat doesn’t just mean what the owner allows – you also need to factor in what the body corporate of that block of flats allow.

Be available to act fast.

You will need to act fast, if you see a place that ticks all your boxes, be available to go see the place and make a decision right there. One of the deciding factors to how we were able to secure the home we live in now, was that Rob was able to draw the deposit and offer it right then and then.

Be prepared to pay a bit more.

If you can, you might have to budget a bit more, in some cases I have heard of people offering a double deposit to secure a home for themselves and their pet. Depending on where you want to live, rental prices in Dublin are quite pricey. We chose to find a place that was closer to the city, and central to public transport because we don’t own a car and we also wanted to experience living in a city versus outer areas which are more similar to the suburbs we had back in South Africa. We ended up with a place that is a bit older and with basic furnishings than what we hoped, but it’s central and close to bus, train and luas (tram) so it’s the perfect lock up and go for us. We are super lucky that our landlords are really nice, and they allowed us to keep Jack with us which was the most important thing!

HOW DID YOU FIND PET FRIENDLY PLACE TO RENT IN YOUR TOWN?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

PIN THIS AND READ LATER:

Although it is super tricky to find a rental that is pet friendly, it is possible. Here are the considerations you should have when looking for a pet-friendly rental in Dublin, Ireland.

Although it is super tricky to find a rental that is pet friendly, it is possible. Here are the considerations you should have when looking for a pet-friendly rental in Dublin, Ireland.

7 walks to do around Dublin

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7 walks to do around Dublin7 walks to do around Dublin. Along the river, or the canal. All walks are easy to moderate7 walks to do around Dublin; and all free to do, all year round!7 walks to do around Dublin - plus you can get to them using public transport!

Dublin walks/trails to do this weekend!

Since arriving in Dublin we have made it our mission to do all the Dublin walks/trails we can get our hands on! We both come from families who love to hike and walk in forests. Since we are trying to conserve our money, while I wait for a job! Getting out and going for a walk doesn’t cost a damn thing! Plus, we love to pack a picnic and it is a great way to really see the city from all angles.

Since we rely on public transport, I thought I would share some of the more obvious Dublin walk options first, the ones that are easy to get to. Then later, I will write a post on the harder to get to walking/hiking trails. If you are keen to get out this weekend, here are some great walks you can do, in and around Dublin this weekend:

  1. Poolbeg Lighthouse (11 km)

We are very fortunate that this is right at our doorstep. I might be a bit trickier to get to for others. It is an 11 km from our door to the lighthouse and back. I suggest you park along the Sandymount beach promenade and start the walk from there. It is such a varied walk, starting along the promenade, then into Sean Moore’s park, bit of a hill through some forest bit, out onto a service road, along the beach and then out onto the pier. There is a guy in a coffee van most weekends which is a great place to stop for a coffee either before or after the walk along the pier. Just a word of warning that at high tide, and bad weather the pier gets beaten with the waves. I tried to run out there on a windy day, and ended up having to turn around. It was a big NOPE! cold, windy, and wet? I did not sign up for that. But on a good day, I imagine the pier may be busy with others taking in the good weather, and the stunning views. It is well worth it.

poolbeg lighthouse

  1. Sandymount Beach Promenade (5km)

If you are not keen on a full-on trek, you could just walk from one end of Sandymount Beach to the other end and back. If you do both ways it is a nice 5km walk, plus it has the most incredible sunset views.

sandymount beach

  1. Ringsend to Ballsbridge Canal Walk (4km)

There are some great walks along parts of the river or canal around Dublin. We are lucky to be very close to Aviva stadium, so we often walk along the river to and from Lansdowne train station. It is also a great to cycle or run, if walking is not your vibe. From Ringsend church, you can follow the river all the way past the stadium, under a bridge and all the way to Ballsbridge. You could even extend this walk and cross over to Herbert Park.

dodder river walk

  1. The Dropping Well to Bushy Park River Walk (5km)

Truthfully, this is a bit further away from us. We took bikes from grand canal docks along the canal/river all the way to the dropping well restaurant before starting this section on foot. The dropping well is in such a cool spot, however, on Sundays it is quite a popular spot for the elderly and families (they do a good roast special!) We grabbed a drink and sat outside on the deck. The great thing is there is a smoking and non-smoking part to the outside deck, so you can still enjoy the views without getting smoked out.

Bushy park dublin

Then if you hop onto a train, you can do anyone of these walks too:

  1. Dun Laoghaire (from 3km)

Take the DART from town to Dun Laoghaire (Mallin) station. There are two piers walks to do in Dun Laoghaire (east and west), but you could also walk along the promenade to forty foot (and go swimming, if you are brave!) Plus, it is an excuse to grab a teddy’s ice cream, which is a great day out in my books! You can read more about Dun Laoghaire here.

  1. Killiney/Dalkey Hill (2km)

Take the DART from town to Dalkey station. As you come out of the station, keep left and follow the signs up to Killiney hill. You could walk up, catch the view, and walk back to Dalkey, or you could walk up from Dalkey and back down to Killiney. There is a DART station in both little towns and the full loop is around 2km, so not too far too walk at all. You can read more about Dalkey here.

  1. Howth (2km – 6km)

Take the DART to Howth. Here you will have plenty of options, including grabbing a mandatory fish and chips. You could walk along the pier, along the short promenade in front of the harbor. Or if you are feeling very active, you could do the cliff walk. Some parts are a bit tough (uphill), but for the most part, the views distract you and it is a great loop. You can walk along the cliffs, and then when you get to the top, reward yourself with a pint at the Summit Hill Inn. The cliff walk is 6km. If you are lazy after the walk (or after too many pints), you can grab a bus which is right outside the pub, alternatively, it is a downhill trek back to Howth station.

howth cliff walk

  1. Bray to Greystones (6km)

Technically not is county Dublin (it’s on the border), but not to be missed. Grab the DART and get off at Bray. You can then walk up Bray’s Head, which is short in distance but all uphill, but the view of Bray is amazing. Then you can come back down and do the bray to Greystones cliff walk. This walk is 6 km (one way), and not at all strenuous. It’s pretty flat. But the views are amazing. You can also watch the train go by, and grab the train from Greystones back home. Just a word of warning, the train doesn’t stop at Greystones very frequently, especially on Sundays, so you may need to wait a bit for the train. You can read more about what we did in Bray here.

Which walk have you done? What have you got planned this weekend? With the long weekend upon us, it is a great opportunity to get out the house and get a bit active! I know my main reason is to try work off all the creme eggs I intend on shoveling in my mouth this weekend!

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!