Nestled between the glorious mountains and the mesmerising Irish Sea, Dublin is a buzzing city that has it all.
Like a lot of major cities, Dublin can be expensive, but you can still explore our wonderful home on a student budget.
Keep reading for The Global Undergraduate Awards comprehensive list of The Best Free Things To Do in Dublin.
Trinity College is located in the heart of Dublin and is one of the city’s most popular attractions due to both its long history and beautiful architecture. Founded in 1592, making it Ireland’s existing oldest university. Take the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a wide array of notable alumni such as Sameual Beckett, Bram Stoker, and Edmund Burke.
From Prehistoric Ireland to Ancient Egypt, visitors can enjoy artefacts spanning centuries, dating back to 7000 BC and into modern history. Highlights include the world-famous Iron Age ‘bog bodies’, an exhibition of prehistoric Irish gold, and a section dedicated to an early medieval book of psalms known as the Faddan More Psalter. Different workshops, talks and tours run throughout the year.
The primary hub for art in Ireland, the national gallery provides an experience that aims to inspire an interest in and an appreciation of art for all who visit. The gallery houses more than 16,000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures and prints. They hold various exhibitions changing often.
This city centre oasis is nestled into 48 acres of land on the historical grounds of The Royal Hospital of Kilmainham. A visit to Irish Museum of Modern Art can include discovering the beautiful galleries, exploring the marvellous meadows, having a bite to eat in the cafe and browsing the gift shop.
Dublin is a coastal city with plenty of beautiful beaches and Seaside Towns dotted along the DART line (Dublin’s internal train system). You can take a freezing dip in some of the famous swimming spots such as The Vico Baths or The Forty Foot, check out the coast on The Howth Cliff Walk or visit some of the gorgeous beaches such as Sandymount Strand.
Located in the historic Collins Barracks, a former military base you will find two fascinating and completely diverse collections. Decorative arts encompasses silver, ceramics, glassware, furniture, clothing, jewellery and coins while the military history collection tells of Ireland’s military and revolutionary past.
Just a short bus journey outside the city you will find the oasis of calm and beauty that is The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. The gardens are famous for their exquisitely restored historic glasshouses and unique plant life.
Experience the life, work and imagination of Seamus Heaney Ireland’s Nobel Prize–winning poet. Experience the personal and cultural experiences that shaped his extraordinary work.
The Lab is an arts hub designed to support up-and-coming Irish artists. Delivering a year-round program of free events and exhibitions, visit here to discover Ireland’s most talented emerging artists.
You simply cannot walk down a street in Dublin’s city centre without coming across the bustling busker scene. Artists like Hozier, U2 and the late Glen Hansard made their humble beginnings on the streets of Dublin. You never know what rising star you might encounter.
If you have any questions or need assistance during the Summit, please speak to a member of the GUA team. If you can’t find us, use the contact form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
