Five Unusual Things to Do in Dublin

The Guinness Brewery Tour is a premium experience at the Guinness Storehouse that invites visitors into the extraordinary legacy of Guinness. For history savants, Guinness enthusiasts or the generally curious, this tour takes you on an intimate and exclusive tour of St. James’s Gate where you’ll explore three decades of brewing. Delve into Guinness lore, explore the underground tunnels, learn about Brewhouse 4 and finish with a delicious lunch and a pint overlooking Dublin’s skyline at the Gravity Bar. You’ll end the day with unrivalled insight into one of Ireland’s biggest exports and iconic brands.

In equal parts museum and shop, Sweny’s celebrates Dublin’s literary heritage and provides a wonderful stop for anyone hoping to get under the skin of Dublin’s culture. Tucked away on Lincoln Place, Sweny’s Pharmacy was immortalised by James Joyce in Ulysses when Leopold Bloom pays a visit to buy a bar of ‘Sweny’s lemon scented soap’. Sweny’s ceased trading as a pharmacy in 2009 but has been preserved intact by a dedicated team of volunteers. When one visits today, they are greeted by original architecture, rows of pharmaceutical ingredients and of course, plenty of lemon scented soap.

The Grand Lodge of Ireland is the second most senior in the world and the oldest in continuous existence. Their headquarters can be found on Molesworth Street and free public tours during the summer months invite curious travellers into the heart of the famous organisation. Beyond the secrets and speculation that surrounds the world-famous fraternity, be sure to take in the stunning architecture that evokes cultures from all over the world.

A real gem and oddity in the centre of Dublin city is the famous Irish artists’ studio which has been preserved in all its chaotic glory. The studio of Francis Bacon, one of the leading artists of his generation, was removed from Reece Mews in London where he lived and worked until his death and transported to the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin where a team of archaeologists, curators and conservators reinstalled it down to a tee. A true rarity in Dublin’s artistic lineage, this is a space not to be missed.

Another elevated experience that offers a touch of the unusual at the Home of Guinness is the Connoisseur Experience. Delve into the origins and taste profiles of Guinness on a small intimate tour where you’ll be guided by a Guinness expert who will reveal the aromas and nuances within each sip. After sampling some varieties you’ll be taught how to pour your own pint and have free entry to the self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse. This is an ideal way to add something extra to your experience and come away with an enviable insight into all things Guinness.