Dublinia

Dublinia brings Viking and medieval Dublin to life. Instead of glass cases, you get walk-through scenes, costumed living-history guides and interactive stations – housed in the former Synod Hall, linked by a covered bridge directly to Christ Church Cathedral. It's one of the old town's most accessible history attractions, especially for families.

Viking Dublin

The first exhibition area takes you into 8th- to 11th-century Dublin. You step into a cramped, smoky Viking house, board a warship and can try on Viking clothing. Hands-on exhibits cover daily life, craftsmanship, weapons and burial rituals of the Norsemen.

A highlight is the skeleton of "Gunnar", a 9th-century Viking warrior found during building works on George's Street. The living-history guides explain the board game Hnefatafl (Viking chess), among other things, and demonstrate coin minting.

Medieval Dublin

The second floor covers medieval Dublin. A detailed city model shows the origins of today's street layout. The route takes you past a medieval market with period-typical smells and sounds, past a merchant's house and through narrow lanes with re-created everyday scenes. It also covers the darker sides of the era: plague, leprosy, punishment methods and dentistry 700 years ago.

History Hunters and St Michael's Tower

The top floor is devoted to archaeology. Here you learn how researchers piece together Dublin's past, with original finds from the famous Wood Quay excavations on the banks of the Liffey.

To finish, it's worth climbing the 96 steps up St Michael's Tower for a panoramic view over the old town. There's no lift to the tower, though the exhibition floors themselves are wheelchair-accessible via lift. The exit leads over the covered bridge straight into Christ Church Cathedral.

Living-history tours

Every day at 14:30 there's a costumed living-history tour included in the admission price. Depending on the day, it covers Viking Dublin, Medieval Dublin or the climb up St Michael's Tower – worth timing your visit around.

The venue's audiovisual stations are subtitled in English as well as French, Spanish, German and Italian. Accessibility features also include a lowered reception desk, a handling collection, an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities; carers with valid ID come free of charge.

Visiting and practical tips

Allow around 90 minutes for the visit. It's quietest on weekday mornings, right after opening at 10:00 – coach and group tours mostly reach the old town's attractions between 10:00 and 15:00.

• Tickets: on the day, or cheaper booked online in advance through the official booking system.
• Combined ticket: discounted for Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral, available at the welcome desk; availability depends on the cathedral's opening hours.
• Getting there: right in the old town on St Michael's Hill; hop-on hop-off buses stop right outside.

Dublinia and Christ Church Cathedral combine easily into a half day via the connecting bridge, and the larger St Patrick's Cathedral is just a few minutes' walk away. For more on the city's past, see the guide Dublin history, and for other notable places of worship, Churches in Dublin.