How To Spend 24 Hours In Dublin, Ireland On A Budget

This post will share how to spend 24 hours in Dublin.

For my first trip of the year, I decided to visit Ireland since I had covered Scotland in December.

As always, I chose the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland capitals, Dublin and Belfast, respectively.

Unfortunately, after planning the entire trip, I stuck to Dublin because I couldn’t find a late Friday night flight.

Plus, I didn’t want to explore two major cities – which would be exhausting, especially since I have a 9-5 job to return to.

As a result, I decided to choose slow travel. I didn’t even have enough time anyway.

So, I’m back and ready to share my 24 hours in Dublin experience before I jet off to another weekend break next week.

Getting to Dublin From Manchester

I’m sure you have realized that international travel has changed significantly in the past two years.

This meant I had to plan this trip properly to prevent any contingencies.

Thankfully, Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area, so flying in and out of the U.K. was pretty easy.

Also, just before I departed, they dropped all their COVID-19 travel restrictions, which required a pre-departure test and testing on arrival.

I was so anxious about the travel protocols that I checked every day before my trip, hoping it wouldn’t change.

Fortunately, it went smoothly.

So I booked a direct flight with Ryanair for about £13.

The flight itself took about 40 mins, but the entire process took about an hour.

Which just reminded me why I hate flying. I’ve been travelling via train for six months, and flying is stressful.

Anyway, I ensured I didn’t delay by uploading my Passenger Locator Form and COVID Vaccination Passes to Ryanair.

This ensured that my check-in was as seamless as possible.

Plus, I spent about 15 minutes in security with just a single zip backpack.

My flight took off at precisely 8 am from Manchester Airport and landed before 9 am at Dublin Airport.

Getting Around Dublin

From the airport, my travel plan has shown that the cheapest way to transport from the airport to the city centre is by coach.

Thankfully, a Dublin Express coach was just at the terminal entrance, ready to depart.

So, I bought a return ticket for €10, equivalent to £8.

This coach took me to any stop in the City Centre and back.

It was a great decision because I could save money on an Uber back to the airport.

I just had to wake up early to catch the coach.

Like I do in most of my city breaks, I walk around and only take public transport except when necessary, which turned out to be a good thing because the public bus system in Dublin only accepts cash for fares.

It was ridiculous that I couldn’t buy a bus ticket to see another Tesco with my Apple Pay.

I was almost livid until the cute bus driver allowed me to ride free.

I had to walk back to my hostel.

Here’s How To Spend 24 Hours In Dublin Without Spending Money

In a separate post, I’ll share my complete Dublin travel guide, which includes all the details of my entire travel plan and budget.

(Hint!; I managed to spend just about £100 for the whole trip)

If there’s one thing you need to take away from this post, it is that Dublin is an expensive city.

This is because it is the Tech Capital of Europe, with over 30 Big Tech Companies.

Yes, including all your faves; Google, eBay, Amazon, Salesforce, Adobe, PayPal.

The rise in these companies’ presence will affect living and visiting costs.

It is also important to note that Ireland and Northern Ireland should not be mistaken.

I visited the former in the E.U., while the latter is part of the U.K.

So, make sure you confirm the entry requirements before visiting.

With that out of the way, let’s get down to business.

There’s so much to see and do in Dublin that you’ll need a one- to two-week itinerary to explore the city thoroughly.

As I mentioned, I didn’t try to overdo it as I was managing my energy.

So, I just stopped at as many landmarks as my feet could take me and promised to return to the rest.

So, if you have just about 24 hours to visit Dublin, here’s a handy walking guide.

From closest to farthest;

The Temple Bar Pub

I don’t drink, so it was pretty easy for me to sit this one out.

But it was great to come face to face with the iconic Irish pub.

The area is also called Temple Bar, and it is the centre of Dublin’s nightlife, making it a popular tourist destination.

So grab a beer or two if you can.

It was raining when I arrived, so I had to be careful not to damage my camera, which was annoying.

Dublin Castle

On your way to Dublin Castle, you honestly can’t miss the stunning building of the City Hall, which was built in the 18th Century.

It currently houses the Dublin City Council.

I found the City Hall more impressive than the Dublin Castle itself.

I came in through the state apartments, undergoing restorative work.

I couldn’t even be bothered to find the castle because I’ve been to quite a few in the past few months.

But it was great to see the former seat of the British government’s administration in Ireland before they went their separate ways.

Molly Malone Statue

A completely unmissable landmark is this Molly Malone Statue in a low-cut dress and popping boobs.

The outfit signifies how women breastfed their babies publicly in the 18th Century.

I’m not even mad about it; honestly, I just found it fascinating.

Irish Whiskey Museum

Will your 24 hours in Dublin be complete without stopping by one or two museums? I think not.

There are so many museums in Dublin that you’ll be spoilt for choice.

You need to pick one or two that aligns with your interests.

If whiskey tasting is one of them, go for it! Book tickets here.

National Wax Museum Plus

Nearby is the National Wax Museum, where you’ll find waxworks of famous Irish people, including James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, etc.

You’ll find this museum exciting if you’re into the liberal arts.

O’Connell Bridge

If there’s one thing you’ll find in Dublin, it is bridges and monuments dedicated to all their famous people.

They don’t joke at all.

Across the River Liffey, which flows through the centre of Dublin, there are about seven pedestrian and vehicular bridges.

The O’Connell Bridge is one of them, named after a political nationalist leader in the 19th Century.

O’Connell Street

Walking down the bridge will lead you to one of the most iconic streets in Dublin.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many landmarks and monuments on one street that played a vital role in Irish history.

Some of the statues and monuments on the street include;

• O’Connell Monument
• Sir John Gray
• Parnell Monument
• Spire of Dublin
• An Post, General Post Office

The Custom House

Step out of O’Connell Street and walk towards The Custom House when you’re done.

It is an outstanding 18th-century building that houses the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Imagine having to work in such an iconic building daily.

I would never get over it.

The Famine Memorial

As you walk down the north bank of the River Liffey, you’ll find the heartbreaking Famine sculptures, a memorial in remembrance of the Great Famine, which happened in the 18th Century.

During this painful period in Irish history, over one million people died, and another million fled the country, leaving a dent in the population.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

This newly established museum documents the history of the Irish diaspora and the factors that drove their emigration to other countries, including the Great Irish Famine.

It is interesting to know that the former chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company privately owns this museum.

The Jeanie Johnston: An Irish Famine Story

When spending just 24 hours in Dublin, you must be smart about the attractions you visit. Often, I’ve found that it is better to follow whatever a particular road has to offer.

This saves time and energy in the long run.

Still, on the Dublin Docklands, you’ll find a ship called Jeanie Johnston, pivotal in transporting emigrants from Ireland to Quebec, Baltimore, and New York.

During that period, it took a total of 14 voyages. If you’d like to explore further, you can book tickets for a guided tour.

Samuel Beckett Bridge

Further down, you’ll find the 20th-century cable-stayed bridge named after the Irish writer Samuel Beckett.

I think it’s the most impressive of all the bridges so far.

While I was slightly frightened walking over the bridge, it felt exciting.

Finally,

My 24-hour trip to Dublin is just the tip of the iceberg.

Once I can find cheap accommodation, I’ll return to explore further.

There’s something so captivating that compels me to this city.

The Irish are fighters, and I’m so proud of how far they have come.

There are also many surprisingly famous people from Ireland who I assumed were European, particularly novelists.

I had such a great time exploring Dublin and look forward to returning.