10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Dublin

The National Leprechaun Museum, aka “The Louvre of leprechauns”, is a museum based on Irish folklore and mythology, from leprechauns to fairies. Less of a museum and more of a tour through interactive displays and activities, it will give adults and kids alike a good story of their own to tell.

The tour guides will tell you the stories, linking them with local geography and customs, which really gives a sense of how Irish culture developed. The guides are super enthusiastic and make a special effort to keep the kids entertained. If you don’t have children, we’d recommend going for the evening tour, where you’ll be let in on some of Dublin’s darkest secrets…

Marsh's Library, Ireland's first public library, has been open since 1707 and sits nestled behind St Patrick's Cathedral. Whether you're a bookworm or just after a bit of peace and quiet, it's a great hidden spot to check out, right in the centre of the city.

The interior is magnificent, with Baltic oak bookcases housing over 25,000 books from the 16th-18th centuries. Bram Stoker spent time researching witchcraft here, and James Joyce was a regular, too. The design has barely changed over the years, so you can feel the inspiration these literary giants found in the smell of old books and the comforting silence.

Glasnevin Cemetery is Ireland's largest cemetery and is the resting place of around 1.5 million people, including many influential figures from Ireland's past. It sits at the north end of the city, spanning 50 hectares, with an entrance to the National Botanic Gardens on the east side.

The cemetery is hauntingly beautiful, with grand monuments of different styles dating back to the 1860s. There's a museum onsite as well, where you can learn about the forefathers of Ireland who are buried here. We’d recommend taking a tour of the museum and cemetery, so you can hear their story.

Drimnagh Castle is Ireland's only castle with a full moat and was built by the Normans in the 13th century. Sitting in the western suburb of Drimnagh, towards the end of Long Mile Road, it's much more off the beaten track than Dublin Castle.

The castle is a great place to immerse yourself in history, and you're bound to get an intimate tour full of gruesome tales. It's amazing to explore, with a stone bridge over the moat, grand halls and secret passages all to be discovered. The tour guides have a real enthusiasm for the place and it's a real hidden gem of Dublin.

Iveagh Gardens is a public park heading towards the south of Dublin, hidden behind the National Concert Hall. In fact, it's surrounded by buildings on all sides, so you'll only really find this hidden gem if you go looking.

The gardens are lovely to walk around, and they stay much quieter than the neighbouring St. Stephen's Green. There's a maze and a fountain, and you can barely tell you're still in the city. If the weather's good, then it's a great place to relax over a picnic.

The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre sits right on the border of County Dublin and County Meath, just north of the city. It's a spot barely known among tourists, so if you're looking to enjoy Irish arts the way locals do, it's well worth a visit.

The centre hosts a variety of music and dance performances, workshops and exhibitions throughout the year, all promoting traditional Irish heritage. Check the calendar to see what's on during your visit, but if you'd rather just pop down, the café has some great food. All cooked fresh to order, you'll find a real home-cooked Irish meal here.

Experience Gaelic Games is a place where you can learn to play 3 national GAA sports of Ireland: hurling, Gaelic football and Gaelic handball. Not many people outside of Ireland have heard of these, but they're the most loved sports by locals - in fact, the national GAA stadium, Croke Park, is the third biggest in Europe.

The facilities are excellent and the trainers are professionally certified. All abilities are welcome. You'll be placed in groups and get taught the basics of each sport. Refreshments are provided, and whether you’re in 1 big group or mixing with others, the trainers guarantee an active day full of laughs for all.

The Oscar Wilde Statue is found lounging on a rock in the corner of Merrion Square Park in Dublin. It's a little off the beaten track so it's easy to miss, but once you're there you're likely to have no company while you admire and take photos of it.

The statue captures Wilde’s colourful character, not only by the coloured rocks used to build the statue, but also by the wry smile etched in skillfully by the sculptor. It’s guarded by 2 other statues, one of Wilde’s wife and the other of the Greek god of wine, Dionysus.

Dublin Ulysses tours are a great way to explore the city, especially if you want to discover some quiet places off the beaten track. The guide knows the book inside out, allowing you to really see the city through James Joyce’s eyes.

You'll follow the footsteps and thoughts of Leopold Bloom and Dedalus, from Sweny’s pharmacy – now a bookshop – to Davy Byrne’s, where Bloom’s famed gorgonzola sandwich is still on the menu. Even if you haven’t read the book, it’s an enjoyable way to explore Dublin, especially with a local’s knowledge on hand.

Howth Head Peak is a rocky peninsula to the northeast of Dublin that gazes out over the Irish Sea. There are a number of nature trails up to the peak, which take you quite literally off the beaten path.

The trails aren’t difficult, but can take a few hours, so make sure you’re stocked up on snacks and water. Wildlife lovers will feel at home here, with a wide variety of flora and fauna to keep you company along the walk. Howth village and harbour are on the north-eastern side of the outcrop, ready to welcome you for a well-earnt meal at the end of the day.