Dublin on a wet day: indoor ideas that beat waiting for the sun

Accept the weather

Rain in Dublin is rarely torrential; it is more often a soft drizzle that comes and goes through the day. Locals barely notice it. Still, if the skies stay grey, the city has plenty of indoor attractions to keep you happy, and many of them are among its best experiences.

Pack a waterproof jacket rather than relying on an umbrella, which tends to suffer in the wind.

History under one roof

Dublin Castle, the seat of British rule in Ireland for centuries, offers guided and self-guided tours of its lavish state apartments and, in some cases, the medieval undercroft where you can see remains of the original Viking-era defences.

Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison west of the centre, is one of the most moving places in the city. Many leaders of Irish rebellions were held here, and guided tours tell the story of Ireland's struggle for independence. Tickets are timed and often sell out, so book well ahead.

Whiskey and stout

The Guinness Storehouse is Dublin's most visited attraction, a multi-floor journey through the brewing process and the brand's history that ends with a pint in a rooftop bar overlooking the city. It is popular and polished, and booking ahead is recommended.

Ireland's whiskey revival has also brought several distilleries back to the Liberties and Smithfield. Tours explain how Irish whiskey is made and usually end with a tasting.

Books, cinema and cosy corners

Spend an hour browsing Dublin's bookshops, from large independent stores to tiny second-hand dens. The Irish Film Institute in Temple Bar screens independent and classic films and has a pleasant café and bar.

And of course, there are the pubs. Many of Dublin's oldest have snugs, small private booths with their own doors, once used by those who wanted to drink discreetly. On a wet afternoon, there are few places cosier.

Shopping under cover

If shopping appeals, Dublin has several covered centres and arcades. The Powerscourt Townhouse, a converted Georgian mansion off Grafton Street, houses boutiques, antiques dealers and cafés around a covered courtyard. The George's Street Arcade, a red-brick Victorian market, is full of quirky stalls selling vintage clothes, records, books and snacks. Both are perfect for an hour or two of browsing while the rain passes, and both are close to plenty of cafés where you can wait for the clouds to clear.

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