Discovering Dublin in 2025
Whether you’re planning to visit Dublin, or are lucky enough to live here, we have some of the best ideas for things to see and do in the first months of the new year.
It is an intriguing thing that we spend so much more time discovering all that cities have to offer when we are there as visitors. As locals we will often pass by our famous galleries and museums, although we do have insider information on our own cities’ more hidden gems. Blending local knowledge with tourist treats, we bring you the best of both worlds for the new Dublin Season.
Exciting Exhibitions
Every January, our neighbours at The National Gallery of Ireland show a gorgeous selection of watercolours by JMW Turner, which according to the terms of the artworks’ bequest, can only be shown when the sun is low in the sky. Look out too for the AIB Portrait Prize and Young Portrait Prize exhibitions, until March 9th. Coming in February to The Coach House Gallery at Dublin Castle, the intriguingly titled All Flowers in Time Bend Towards the Sun features the work of many of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary artists, and includes a self portrait by Christy Brown, of My Left Foot fame, never before seen in public, runs February 13th to May 11th.
Also in the grounds of Dublin Castle, the lovely Chester Beatty has an exhibition of Japanese netsuke in the shape of the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac. It is on until March 23rd, and while you’re there, check out the Silk Road Cafe for Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean inspired dishes, daily until 5.30pm, late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.
Fantastic Festivals
Tradfest takes over the pubs, clubs and venues of the city from January 22nd to 26th, with everything from full concerts to impromptu sessions, and a line up featuring more than 150 artists across 100 events.
While January 1st marks a new beginning for many, for some it’s all about the Lunar New Year, which in 2025 falls on January 29th. Ushering in the Year of the Snake, you’ll find celebrations across the city from January 25th to February 2nd, including at Asia Market, where you’ll find cookery demos, feasts and cocktail masterclasses. Ireland’s newest bank holiday on February 3rd celebrates Saint Brigit, with a festival running from January 31st to February 3rd. Exhibitions, concerts, talks, walks music and theatre celebrate strong women and powerful Celtic culture. After that, you just about have time to draw breath before it’s the turn of the Dublin International Film Festival, with The Merrion Hotel as proud hospitality partner. Running from February 20th to March 2nd, it’s a must see for film lovers everywhere, including classic films, international premieres, workshops and conversations. Do drop in for a drink before – and after the show.
Parks and Gardens
At The Merrion Hotel, you’re a stone’s throw (or a duck’s quack) from Merrion Square and St Stephen’s Green, both lovely spots for a wander in all seasons. Close by is a smaller gem, the recently refurbished Wilton Park.
This Victorian park on the banks of the Grand Canal is to be found in the heart of literary Dublin, just between the Patrick Kavanagh Bench at Wilton Terrace, and Mary Lavin Place, a new city square, and the first public space in Ireland to be named for a woman writer. Renowned artist Eilis O’Connell’s new sculpture, Tipping the Wing was commissioned in Mary Lavin’s memory, and is to be found in the park.
On the far side of St Stephen’s Green, discover the Iveagh Gardens. This secret spot is accessed via Clonmel Street just off Harcourt Street, and is a favourite among city folk for its grottos, maze and rose gardens. Open daylight hours.
Curious Churches
Dublin is famous for having two cathedrals, Christchurch and St Patrick’s, within a very short step from one another. Christchurch is almost 1,000 years old, and while there are regular concerts, there is no charge to experience Choral Evensong by the cathedral choir on selected evenings. Discover dates here. The equally beautiful and atmospheric St Patrick’s hosts events, including classical music, and candlelight concerts of popular classics – from Coldplay to Country to the music of U2. Close by is a smaller gem, St Audoen’s Church at Cornmarket. The Visitor’s Centre opens from March to November each year, but the medieval church itself, which is the oldest church in Dublin is open daily.
We couldn’t mention churches at this time of year without giving a shout out to Whitefriars Church on Aungier Street, for here rests the heart of the patron saint of love himself, Saint Valentine. The shrine is in a quiet side chapel, and you won’t find jazzy flowers or trinkets, but if you do want to make a pilgrimage come Valentine’s Day on February 14th, this could be the spot.
Marvellous Music
Atmosphere can really add to a concert, and events at The Pepper Canister Church (also known as St Stephen’s Church) on nearby Mount Street Crescent are always special. Irish four-part unaccompanied harmony group Landless, who specialise in singing traditional songs, play the Pepper Canister on January 25th, before heading to London for a concert at Bush Hall on February 8th. One of Dublin’s newest concert halls, the Whyte Recital Hall at the Royal Irish Academy of Music is a real gem. With its marvellous acoustics, it’s well worth a visit, especially as the Wigmore Series of Concerts continue, featuring Berlin’s Leonkoro Quartet on February 4th with a programme including Haydn, Berg and Ravel; and Natalie Clein on March 27th and April 24th playing The Bach Cello Suites.
A partnership with The Merrion Hotel welcomes RIAM scholars to the Drawing Rooms for musical accompaniments to Afternoon Tea on selected dates throughout February and March. Enquire when booking.
Top Shops
The Grafton Street area of Dublin is world-famous for its shops. Brown Thomas is the most venerable, and “BT-s” being a by-word for a certain kind of style amongst many Irish people. Dive into the streets behind Grafton Street however, for Irish-made, niche and quirky shops, and souvenirs to remember. Stable of Ireland on Balfe Street specialise in hand made linens and other accessories including scarves, bags and tableware. The Irish Design Shop on Drury Street is a trove of carefully curated, and commissioned Irish-made items.
Then, in the elegant Georgian Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Margaret O’Rourke of MoMuse makes jewellery to marvel at. Still at the Powerscourt Townhouse, award winning Maggie and Jools of Cloon Keen create perfumes and candles inspired by the Irish landscape, legends and literary figures. Their beautiful Báinín was made to evoke the sense of Irish wool and the scent of rain on warm earth. You could say it’s the spirit of Ireland!
Hotel guests can book, and find out more about local itineraries with The Merrion Concierge.