Things to do in Dublin for a birthday

By Go City Expert
Published: July 18, 2024
Rock n Roll museum

Cheers to Another Year: Dublin's Top Picks for Birthday Fun!

by Mia Russell

Another year, another birthday, and it’s time to start planning that celebration again! Whether planning festivities for yourself, a friend, or that special someone, finding a way to make this milestone feel distinct from previous years can be challenging!

Sure, you could go the traditional route and arrange a dinner date with your friends, but where's the excitement in that? Dublin has many unique and thrilling activities that can usher in another year of life, and they extend far beyond the ordinary meal at the local Italian restaurant.

From sipping afternoon tea while on a guided bus tour to indulging in an axe-throwing extravaganza, these fun ideas for celebrating a birthday in Dublin unquestionably outshine the more typical birthday festivities.

So, grab your party hat, and let's explore the best things to do in Dublin designed to help the guest of honor blow out those candles in grand style!

Rock Your Birthday at the Irish Rock 'n Roll Museum!

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If you're a fan of rock 'n roll and looking for a memorable way to celebrate your birthday in Dublin, then look no further than the Irish Rock 'n Roll Museum Experience. It's a celebration that combines music history, interactive fun, and the thrill of discovering the legends that put Ireland on the global rock 'n roll map. Get ready to sing, dance, and celebrate another year of life in style! Rock on!

If you or your friends are into rock music, this place is a treasure trove of iconic rock history. It's like stepping into the shoes of rock legends. You'll explore the lives and music of legendary Irish rock stars like U2, Thin Lizzy, and more. The museum features interactive exhibits, memorabilia, and a recording studio where you can jam with your friends. The highlight is the guided tour led by passionate rock experts who share fascinating stories about the country's music scene.

You can't help but feel like a rock star as you explore the museum, interact with the exhibits, and even record a song in the studio. It's an immersive experience that keeps the energy up. Celebrating your special day among rock memorabilia and hearing incredible stories about Irish rock legends adds a unique touch to your celebration.

The tour usually takes around 90 minutes, making it a perfect activity for a birthday outing! Remember to use your pass for free entry to the Irish Rock 'n Roll Museum Experience.

Enjoy a Vintage Tea Trip

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Looking for a unique and delightful way to celebrate your birthday in Dublin? Turn back the clock and hop on a vintage double-decker bus for a scenic tour of Dublin's most famous landmarks and a spot of tea!

Soak up Dublin’s historic sites like Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and learn the rich history of the city as you sip tea and nibble on scrumptious pastries and sandwiches. Starting near the iconic St. Stephen's Green, the tour typically lasts 1.5 to two hours, giving you plenty of time to soak in the city's charm and enjoy your tea!

Solve a Thrilling Mystery for Your Birthday with the Murder by Temple Bar Experience

Are you looking for a birthday celebration that's out of the ordinary, filled with suspense, and bound to leave you with unforgettable memories? Look no further than The Murder by Temple Bar! It's a fun, immersive experience with you playing detective while celebrating your special day.

This thrilling experience turns you into a real-life detective as you and your friends work together to solve a gripping murder mystery. The adventure includes exploring Temple Bar's hidden corners, gathering clues, and interacting with costumed characters who bring the story to life. The mystery unfolds unexpectedly, keeping you and your group engaged and, on your toes, - it's like stepping into a suspenseful movie plot and becoming the hero.

Head to one of the many restaurants or pubs in Temple Bar after solving the mystery to toast to your successful detective work and enjoy a birthday drink!

Use your pass to enjoy free admission to The Murder by Temple Bar experience.

Raise a Glass to Your Birthday on a Whiskey Tasting Tour

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Toast to another year of life with a fine Scotch on a fun whiskey tour with your friends! Head for the hills of the Wicklow Mountains and enjoy a real taste of authentic Irish whiskey in the beautiful Irish countryside on a Powerscourt Whiskey Distillery Tour.

An hour’s drive from Dublin's city center, Powerscourt Whiskey Distillery is nestled on the spectacular Powerscourt Estate, with a historic mansion and magnificent gardens. This tour takes you on a captivating exploration of the whiskey-making process. You'll learn about the art of distillation, the aging process, and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating fine Irish whiskey. The tour also includes tastings of Powerscourt's signature whiskeys, allowing you to savor the rich flavors of this beloved spirit.

The tour is a top choice for celebrating with friends who appreciate learning about the history and craftsmanship of whiskey. Plan for approximately 1.5 to two hours to fully enjoy the tour and tastings. After the tour, explore the rest of the Powerscourt Estate and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant to continue your birthday festivities!

Remember to use your pass to enjoy the Powerscourt Whiskey Distillery Tour for free!

Celebrate Your Birthday with a Bang at Dublin's Musical Pub Crawl!

Hey there, birthday star! If you want to have a blast and make your special day unforgettable in Dublin, the Musical Pub Crawl is your golden ticket. It's not just a pub crawl; it's a lively, musical journey through the heart of Dublin that'll have you dancing, singing, and toasting another fantastic year.

The Musical Pub Crawl kicks off in the heart of Dublin, typically from a central location like Temple Bar. This unique pub crawl is led by talented musicians who double as your guides. They'll take you to some of Dublin's finest traditional Irish pubs, where you'll enjoy live performances of Irish songs, jigs, and reels. You'll also learn about the history of Irish music, instruments, and cultural significance.

The crawl usually lasts around 2.5 hours, giving you ample time to soak in the musical magic and celebrate your birthday in style. The live music is the heart and soul of this experience. It creates an electrifying atmosphere, making it perfect for a birthday celebration.

You'll have the chance to explore some of Dublin's oldest and most authentic Irish pubs, meet new people, and connect with fellow travelers. It's a fantastic way to celebrate with your friends in a vibrant, friendly atmosphere.

Go City Expert
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When the Sun Goes Down - Things to Do in Dublin at Night

The Irish capital comes to life once the sun sets! Find out things to do in Dublin at night with our comprehensive guide! As any night-owl knows - once the sun goes down is when a city really heats up and Dublin is no different! From cultural evenings and delicious local produce to toe-tapping Irish tunes, pub crawls and more, we've got the low-down on the best after-dark activities with our favourite things to do in Dublin at night. An Evening of Food, Folklore and Fairies The Abbey Theatre See the best that Dublin's theatre scene has to offer at the country's national theatre, where some of the greatest stories by Irish playwrights such as JM Synge and Brian Friel have been performed. Discover what's on in their events calendar here. Dublin Pass holders receive 10% off. James Joyce Reading Groups If you're a massive literature buff, this reading group held in Sweny's Pharmacy is your chance to flex your creative smarts. Dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of Irish poet James Joyce's masterworks who popularised the space in his epic Ulysses, they have multiple evening classes on Thursday (Ulysses), Saturday (Ulysses in French) and Sundays (Finnegans Wake). Ghostbus Tour Slam! Sunday Ireland has been home to some of the world's most prolific storytellers and that tradition continues to this day in modern Dublin. Slam! Sunday is a monthly slam poetry competition in which twelve poets face off against one another in a creative battle, after which audience judges choose who wins a cash prize. Poets can sign up at the door and twelve names are randomly selected to compete on the night. Temple Bar Pub Crawl Temple Bar Night Market If you happen to be around in the summer, the streets of Temple Bar are transformed into a vibrant market full of gorgeous handicrafts and art. Held every Wednesday evening starting from late April to August, it's the perfect place to pick up a unique Irish souvenir made by some of the city's creative talent. Patrick Guilbaud As Ireland's only two Michelin starred restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud is representative of the best of Dublin fine dining. Perfect for an extra special date night, the most discerning diners in the capital have been eating here since 1981 and it continues to amaze with dishes such as lobster ravioli and a wine list to die for. Dawn2Dusk Guided Photography Tours   Practice your photography skills with some of the city's local photographers, who cater to hobbyists and professionals looking for their perfect shots. With a special night tour that spans the most beautiful sites along the River Liffey, it's a great way to spend a few hours enjoying the city. Bernard Shaw Ready to dance your heart out? One of Dublin's biggest nightlife teams Bodytonic continues to run fantastic events at their sweetheart club, The Bernard Shaw. With both international DJs and local musicians tearing up the decks, there's always something on to help you while the dark hours away. Hopefully that gives you a few good ideas on things to do in Dublin at night. Save on Admission to Popular Attractions Regular admission to a number of historical Dublin attractions is available on our Dublin Go City products. Choose as you go from 20+ Dublin activities and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. See all available passes and Dublin-based attractions here. So grab a Dublin attraction pass and go explore!
Megan Hills
New year fireworks in Dublin.
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Things to Do on New Year's Eve in Dublin

Dublin is one of those cities that was born to party. St Paddy’s Day, pay day, your nan’s birthday: every one of them a valid excuse for a good time. And New Year’s Eve is no exception, as the city erupts with parties, concerts and fireworks galore. But that’s not all: there’s also plenty to keep you occupied before you make a beeline for Temple Bar in the evening, from Grafton Street’s Boxing Day sales to medieval literary artifacts and bracing walks in the chill winter air. Indeed, Dublin has so many great attractions that there’s absolutely no way you can see them all in one day. With that in mind, here’s our guide to some of the best things you can do on New Year’s Eve in Dublin. In the Morning...Trinity College If you’re only going to tick off one or two of Dublin’s bucket-list landmarks today, make Trinity College one of them – trust us when we say your IG feed will thank you for it. We’re talking atmospheric cobbled quadrangles that once rang with the footsteps of such illustrious alumni as Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Aisling Bea, Jack Gleeson and, um, Chris De Burgh. Hum The Lady in Red to yourself as you admire the ultra-photogenic neoclassical architecture of the buildings that flank the courtyards and dot the grounds. Buildings like the Campanile, said to portend exam failure for any student who happens to be passing beneath its arches when the bell tolls. And the ornate Museum Building, packed to its rafters with soaring marble columns and eye-popping carvings. A guided tour of the Old Library is pretty much essential while you’re here. Step into a Hogwarts-esque world of towering bookshelves and imposing marble busts of writers, philosophers and scholars that include Jonathan Swift, Ada Lovelace and Mary Wollstonecraft. It’s here you can view the Trinity College harp, an oak-and-willow beauty that dates back to the 15th Century and, of course the extraordinary Book of Kells, surely the most astonishing preserved medieval manuscript on the planet. Grafton Street Stop by to say hi to Molly Malone of ‘Cockles and Mussels’ balladry fame, who presides over Suffolk Street (in bronze statue form), then it’s onwards to Grafton Street. This shoppers’ paradise of big brands and iconic Dublin department stores like Brown Thomas and Weir & Sons will be in full Boxing Day sales mode on New Year’s Eve, so it's a great time to pick up that designer handbag or leprechaun fridge magnet you’ve always dreamt of. There are plenty of good lunch spots here, too. Or grab a takeout and eat on the go, catching some of the many buskers along the street on your way – Bono and Damien Rice kicked off their careers right here on Grafton Street dontcha know. In the Afternoon...St Stephen’s Green Exit the festival atmosphere of Grafton Street and make a beeline for the relative peace and tranquility of St Stephen’s Green, one of Dublin’s most celebrated open spaces. This lush Victorian idyll is all manicured lawns, formal gardens and cute duck ponds. Hug a cup of hot chocolate on a bench or wander the park’s 27 acres, spotting statues of Dublin’s great and good along the way: an abstract memorial to W.B. Yeats by sculptor Henry Moore, an imposing bust of James Joyce, and a fittingly grand monument to Sir Arthur Guinness, who bought, drained, redeveloped and landscaped the marshland that became St Stephen’s Green, before bequeathing it to the public. What a guy. The Guinness Storehouse Speaking of Guinness, no trip to Dublin would be complete without sampling a drop of the black stuff on its home turf. Of course, every single bar in Dublin serves Guinness, each accompanied by the bravado claim that theirs is the most perfectly poured pint in town. If you want to cast aside all doubt on that front, hit up the Guinness Storehouse on the site of the original St James’s Gate Brewery for a potted history of Ireland’s most famous export and a tipple or two in the space-age 7th-floor Gravity Bar, with its stunning 360-degree city views. But, as you consider that third pint, remember: New Year’s Eve is a marathon, not a sprint. And you haven’t even set foot in Temple Bar yet... In the Evening...Temple Bar Temple Bar is one of Dublin’s most iconic areas, a dense network of cobbled lanes lined with independent boutiques, cool galleries and rabble-rousing traditional Irish pubs. In terms of how hectic those pubs will be, New Year’s Eve is probably rivaled only by St Patrick’s Day as this neighborhood’s busiest night of the year. The most iconic pub here is the Temple Bar itself, with its colorful hanging baskets and distinctive red facade, but there are dozens of (probably marginally less busy) Irish bars to choose from. Expect welcoming craic, fine indie and folk music shindigs, and lots of hugging come midnight. And try to remain good-humored about the long queues to get a drink. As for getting a table: you’ve got no chance. National Concert Hall For a calmer kind of celebration, Dublin’s magnificent National Concert Hall hosts its annual performance from the RTÉ Concert Orchestra on New year's Eve, usually a rousing mix of well-loved pop hits, jazz standards, movie themes, and favorites from the musicals. There will be singing, laughing, hugging and, critically, a complimentary glass of bubbles and Auld Lang Syne sing-along as the clock strikes midnight. Advance booking for this musical extravaganza is, of course, essential. New Year’s Festival Dublin’s New Year Festival seems to grow bigger and better by the year. At time of writing it’s up to four days across three venues, with around 40 acts expected to perform. But you’ll probably want to be at Dublin Castle in the evening on New Year’s Eve, where you can expect live music from some of the biggest names involved, plus food trucks for much-needed sustenance and, of course, bars serving up more of the near-mandatory black stuff (other beverages may be available). It all rounds off with a spectacular countdown to midnight complete with epic firework display. Save on things to do in Dublin Of course the activities and attractions we’ve suggested are a mere snapshot of the myriad things you can do in Dublin on New Year’s Eve. There’s also a medieval castle, two picture-perfect cathedrals, umpteen world-class museums and a glut of whiskey distilleries to explore, as well as literary tours, botanic gardens and much more. Sticking around for a few days? A Dublin pass from Go City can save you money when visiting multiple attractions, including many of those mentioned above.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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