Dublin’s famous light rail (tram) system is one of the most popular forms of transport people use to get to us here at the Storehouse. Cheap, reliable, regular, and not remotely at the mercy of Dublin’s city centre traffic congestion, it’s the perfect way to nip quickly through the city. But it’s far more than just a tram line - it’s a veritable light rail tourist trail in its own right, passing by some truly iconic Dublin sights and attractions.
If you want to pack as much sightseeing as possible into your day in Dublin, why not create an itinerary that works with your Luas ride to the Storehouse (or from here, if you’re visiting us early)? You can see a great selection of Dublin’s delights without wasting any time travelling across the city, and with TFI 90-minute fares and Leap Visitor Cards available, it couldn’t be a better or more inexpensive way to get around.
To make things even easier for you, because we’re helpful like that, we’ve put together a handy list of some of the best spots to visit and sights to see while you ride the red towards James Street for your Guinness Storehouse tour.
If you’re jumping on at the Red Lines’ first stop, you’ll be close to some quintessential Dublin sights and landmarks including the 3 Arena (formerly The Point theatre) and the Convention Centre, but most notably the iconic Samual Becket Bridge. The bridge is a photographer’s fave and well worth a quick visit, particularly beautiful on a bright day or while lit up at night. Best of all, it was designed to resemble a harp - what better way to kick off your journey to the Guinness Storehouse?
Just a three-minute walk from this stop you’ll find the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, a wonderful museum that takes you through the full history of the Irish diaspora - from the reasons we left and the means we left by, to the globe-spanning places we ended up and the far-reaching impact our little emerald island has had!
There’s an awful lot to see and do within just minutes of this central stop and you don’t have all day, so why not just stay on board and breeze past some of Dublin’s most recognisable landmarks as you make your way towards us? From the shining Spire and the imposing columns of the GPO to the beautiful arch of the Ha’penny Bridge, drink it all in - and make sure to come back and spend a little more time exploring some of the city’s ‘must sees’ in this bustling area.
Smithfield Square was once a bustling fruit and vegetable market, lined with inner city ‘farm yards’ holding livestock. The cobbled square was filled with traders and merchants selling fruits, vegetables, nuts and other produce from wooden crates. Today, it’s undergone huge regeneration and is now home to multiple restaurants, bars, and pubs as well as a cinema and the iconic Jameson Distillery.
Dublin’s Four Courts is the seat of the Irish Supreme Court and an important historical Dublin landmark, having been heavily damaged during the Irish Civil War in 1922. A short walk from here, just across the Liffey, you’ll find Christchurch Cathedral, famous for its Medieval crypt and incredible architecture. Right next door is Dublinia, the wonderful interactive Viking museum that will whisk you back in time to the smells, sights and sounds of Viking Dublin.
As the name suggests, this stop is near a museum - and it’s a good one. The National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History houses some fascinating historical and contemporary collections that relate to both military history and decorative arts, with a huge focus on Ireland’s struggle for independence and the Easter Rising in particular.
You can choose almost any stop along this route and within a minute or two you’ll be on the banks of the Liffey. It’s the life force of the city, the waterway on which Dublin was built. Punctuated with beautiful bridges and creating the natural seam between North and South Dublin, it’s a lovely place to take a walk on a sunny day. Find a bench to sit on, grab a coffee from one of the many great little spots on the Quays, and watch Dublin go by.
This is the Guinness Stop, and by now you’re probably ready to head straight for the famous Gravity Bar and a lovely creamy pint, right at the source! But you’re also on the fringes of the Liberties, one of Dublin’s loveliest historic city centre neighbourhoods with its lovely old pubs, charming cafes and most of all its beautiful antique quarter. If you like to step back in time, take a walk down Francis Street to discover its many treasures.
There’s so much to see and do throughout Dublin and the red Luas line from the Point to the Guinness Storehouse will bring you past most of it - just make sure you don’t miss your Storehouse time slot!
Can You Hop on and off the Luas?
This is a big question that gets asked by tourists. The answer is yes, you purchase the Luas ticket choosing the destination but passengers can easily hop off and hop on like a regular city tram. The Luas passes by every 5-10mins so you wouldn’t be long waiting for the next Luas.
Thinking of visiting the Storehouse for a tour? Why not try our new Home of Guinness experience, an immersive and in-depth fully guided tour that will give you an amazing, insider insight into the history and process, the innovations and ingenuity of Guinness over the years. You can book here to secure your spot.