Dublin is more than just the capital of Ireland — it’s the cultural heart of the country. Here, important events in Ireland’s past took place, Celtic remnants can be found, and museums, theatres and monuments tell about Irish history and how Irish culture developed over the years. And as creativity, stories, and music also belong to Irish culture, some of the best places to experience it are in the city’s streets or Irish pubs. In this post, we’ll let you know about the best places to learn about Irish culture in Dublin.
Experience and learn Irish dance
Irish dancing is a unique form of dance from the island. You might have seen it in scenes from the show Riverdance. If you’re in Dublin until 7 September 2025, you can even see the Riverdance show at Gaiety Theatre Dublin and experience the fast tap dancing style for yourself. And if you’re inspired, you can, of course, learn Irish dancing in a class.
Two great places to do so are, for example, Tap Dance Dublin or Irish Dance Dublin.
Listen and sing along to live traditional Irish music
If you’re looking to learn some Irish folk songs, the best way is to visit some authentic Irish pubs. And while there are great pubs in quarters like Temple Bar, too, you’ll find those that play live Irish music a bit further on the outside of the inner city. Great examples for authentic Irish pubs in Dublin are The Cobblestone in Smithfield, The Celt in Talbot Street or O’Donoghue’s near St Stephen’s Green. Here, you can also try a Pint of Guinness or a dram of Irish Whiskey – after all, the two are also part of Irish culture. And about them, you can learn more at the Guinness Storehouse or at the Irish Whiskey Museum.
Watch plays influenced by and talking about Irish history
There are some great theatres in Dublin: for example, Abbey Theatre, Gaiety Theatre or the Gate Theatre. A visit to one of them is always a great experience, for their professional productions and also their architecture. If you want to learn more about Irish culture, however, look out for plays that are set in Ireland or revolve around Irish characters. In the current performance calendar, there’s for example the play “Dublin Gothic” playing at Abbey Theatre from 21 November 2025 to 31 January 2026. The website describes the play as a “journey through Dublin’s long twentieth century.”
Join a cultural walking tour
A walking tour is always a great way to get to know a city better. Not only because you’ll walk the streets of Dublin yourself but also because an experienced guide tells you about Irish history and culture during it. In Dublin, there are, for example, walking tours in the north of the city, which tell you a lot about the Easter Rising while you’re passing the GPO or memorials of the fight for Irish freedom. And as Dublin is a city of writers, there are also several literary walking tours. During those, you’ll follow the steps of James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Bram Stoker, and the like.
Attend festivals and cultural celebrations
If you time your visit to the city right, you might be able to catch one of Dublin’s many cultural events, like St Patrick’s Day, Bloomsday Festival, or TradFest. Here, you can celebrate alongside the Irish while learning more about their culture.
Visit Dublin’s memorials and museums
And last but not least, you can of course visit the places that were created to remember and to learn about Irish culture and history: museums and memorials. Great places to visit are, for example:
– The GPO, to learn more about the 1916 rebellion.
– The Garden of Remembrance, which honors those who gave their lives for Irish freedom.
– Kilmainham Gaol, to gain more insight into Ireland’s path to independence.
– National Museums of Ireland at Kildare Street and Collins Barracks, to learn more about Ireland’s Celtic past and military history.
Start your journey and learn more about Irish culture
Whether you’re tapping your feet to live music, uncovering the past at a museum, or joining a live music session in a cosy pub, Dublin offers endless ways to experience the richness of Irish culture. It’s a city where tradition and modern creativity go hand in hand — and where every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered.
Image Sources:
Title: Quentin Rey on Unsplash
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2: Hamish Kale on Unsplash
3: Amanda Marie on Unsplash
4: Chris Kofoed on Unsplash
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