10 Things to Do in Dublin in October

Ireland is history, culture and nature. The neighbouring island of the United Kingdom has had a complex past that has given it an enormous legacy, as well as a huge Viking and Gaelic influence that has formed an impressive cultural mix.

Without a doubt, Dublin has a lot to see and do but, if you've decided to come and visit the city in October, don't worry! Dublin is adapted for the arrival of the cold and the rain and, with the 10 plans I'm going to suggest, I assure you that you'll have a great time. Let's get started!

As in many parts of the world, saying October means that Halloween immediately springs to mind. However, if you happen to be in Dublin around this time, I promise you will experience it in a much more special way as you are in the land of Dracula. This is where, more than 100 years ago, Bram Stoker gave life to the terrifying vampire that has terrorised generations.

If you are in Dublin during the last days of October, get ready to have a frightening time, because, before the night of the 31st, the Bram Stoker Festival is held for 4 days, a festival dedicated to the writer that is warming up for the scariest night of the year. During these days, you can attend concerts, themed parades and even go to the Amusement Park decorated for the night of the witches.

And, on the night of the 31st, you can find all kinds of pubs and bars with special offers and people in costume for a frightfully fun night out, or book a ghost bus tour of Dublin, a spooky tour that I 100% recommend for this time of year.

Interesting details

• Price: Each of the Bram Stoker Festival activities is usually priced at around £5 per session, concert or activity.
• Tickets: You can secure your ticket to the festival by booking on the official website.
• Venue: the activities and venues that celebrate both the Bram Stoker Festival and Halloween night are spread throughout the city. I recommend you check each year's programme on the website.
• Date: the night of 31 October and the 4 or 5 days before.

During the first half of October, Dublin hosts every year one of the most important cultural festivals in the country, the Theatre Festival. The capital of Ireland has a great artistic weight, having great references and writers such as James Joyce and the citizens know how to welcome this kind of events and enjoy them every year.

If you are in Dublin during these dates in October, I encourage you to check the agenda on its official website, because during these days you can not only attend numerous plays spread across several venues in the city, but you can also witness various exhibitions and cultural activities on the occasion of the festival both theatre, dance and music. You may also decide to book tickets for a traditional music and dance show in Dublin, which is sure to surprise you.

Interesting details

• Price: There is a cost for each activity. Some may be free and others usually cost between €5 and €10.
• Tickets: You can buy tickets directly from the box office but I recommend booking in advance on the official website.
• Venue: Every year different venues and theatres around the city take part.
• Date: First half of October.

In Dublin you should also take the opportunity to visit the surrounding area, where you can find natural wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher and charming villages such as Galway less than 2 hours' drive away.

If you come to Dublin in October, you can't miss a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most emblematic sites which, with the arrival of the cold weather and the falling leaves, look much more bucolic and green.

These tours usually last all day and you can get a guide to explain everything in depth and transfers for around €50 - a great way to enjoy Dublin in October!

Interesting details

• Price: around £50.
• Tickets: I recommend you book your ticket for this type of tour through a tourist website. You can also arrange it in person when you arrive in Dublin but it can be more expensive.
• Location: The Cliffs of Moher are located in the province of Munster.
• Date: It's best to go in early October to make the most of the last warm weather and enjoy Ireland's autumnal atmosphere.

October in Dublin isn't quite as cold as winter yet, but the evenings are getting chilly and it's not always pleasant to walk around when the sun goes down. One of the best things to do when evening falls and you want to be under cover is to book a tour of Dublin's famous pubs.

Ireland has a great tradition and pride in its pubs, where you can not only drink all kinds of craft beers and national spirits, but also eat some of the most traditional dishes while listening to local music or watching a big hurling match.

Interesting details

• Price: depending on what you drink, pints of beer are usually around €7.
• Tickets: No ticket required.
• Place: Temple Bar is one of the most famous neighbourhoods for Irish pubs.
• Date: They are open all year round but especially during the rainy and cold months such as October.

October is considered low season in Dublin and, although there are times when the weather may not be good, this can be a great advantage for visiting the city as you can go sightseeing without having to dodge the crowds and, above all, get into the main museums without having to wait in long queues.

Some of the main ones you can't miss are: the National Gallery, where you'll find all the country's art from the Middle Ages to the present day, the National Museum of Archaeology, where you can find samples of Ireland's history with pieces that are even more than 7000 years old, visit some of the many museums in the city, the National Museum of Archaeology, where you can find samples of Ireland's history with pieces that are even more than 7000 years old.You can visit some of the many art galleries that dot the city or book tickets to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin.

Both museums are free and, at this time of year, are highly recommended as you'll learn more about Dublin with their almost empty halls.

Details of interest

• Price: The National Museums in Dublin are free.
• Tickets: To avoid queuing at the ticket office, you can book your tickets on their official website.
• Location: the National Museum of Archaeology in Kildare St. and the National Gallery is in Merrion Square W.
• Date: These museums are open all year round, but it's worth visiting in October during the low season.

Although the best of Dublin is to be found in its narrow streets and historic centre, don't forget that the capital of Ireland has numerous tours and excursions and, in addition, it has an important bay that hosts every year all the national and neighbouring bird species.

If you like the world of animals and you are interested in seeing them move freely, October is definitely a good time to go to Dublin, as this is the time when the last migratory birds arrive and gather in Dublin Bay. However, we also suggest you visit another of its most famous cities by booking a trip to Belfast and the Giant's Causeway from Dublin, you'll love it!

Interesting details

• Price: it's free, just arrive with your binoculars and enjoy.
• Tickets: not required.
• Location: The best views are in the bay and on the beaches of Bull Island.
• Date: Early October is the best time to see it.

Dublin is a city that is used to cold and rainy weather in early autumn, but it's likely that if you're sightseeing during October, you'll be caught out on a rainy day that isn't very pleasant for walking and sightseeing. For this type of situation, I recommend that you opt for sightseeing and book a Dublin sightseeing bus tour.

This type of bus is designed for all seasons and, while in summer you can sunbathe on the top and comfortably discover the city, in the rainy season like October, they have a folding roof so you can be sheltered from the weather and enjoy the main attractions.

The price is also very economical and for less than 30€ you will have a comfortable two-hour ride.

Interesting details

• Price: between 20€ and 30€.
• Tickets: it's best to book on a travel website in advance to secure your place, although you can also buy tickets directly.
• Location: Each company departs from a different location but they all travel around the centre in a one- to two-hour journey.
• Date: They operate all year round, but it is advisable to use it when the weather is not good, such as in October.

Did you know that one of the most famous beers in the world is brewed in Ireland? The Guinness Store house is located in Dublin and is a great plan to do if you come to the city in October, as for a few hours you will be sheltered from the inclement weather and, in addition, you can do it without so many people because it is not high season...

For a whole morning and for approximately 30 euros you can visit and make a circuit throughout the factory, learning about the brewing process and getting to know closely how this famous dark beer is created.

Finally, you can try some of the beer samples they make, as well as take home some souvenirs from the official shop. You can also take the opportunity to eat or have a drink at the bar, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the city. Undoubtedly, an unforgettable plan for one of the many cloudy days in the capital.

Interesting details

• Price: around 30€.
• Tickets: you can buy tickets on the official website or through a tourist website.
• Location: The Guinness Storehouse is in St. James's Gate.
• Date: Open all year round but ideal to see it in low season and when the weather is bad.

Dublin is a modern and cosmopolitan city, but it is also deeply rooted in its origins and history. If there's one festival that best reflects this, it's Ireland Music Week, and if you've come to Dublin in October you're in luck, as it takes place during the first few days of the month.

Throughout this week, numerous artists perform concerts all over Dublin. This festival has been running since 2003 and has gained a national reputation and you can enjoy both new talent emerging throughout the year as well as established artists. You have the option to buy a general day ticket or choose the concert you like best.

Details of interest

• Price: depending on whether it is a general day ticket or a specific ticket for a particular concert. It can be between 10€ and 30€.
• Tickets: I recommend you book your ticket in advance through the festival's website so you don't miss out.
• Venue: there are several concert venues in the city that participate in the festival and they can vary each year. It is advisable to check the programme before you go.
• Date: The first week of October.

Dublin is a city committed to sport and health and that's why every last Sunday in October the KBC Marathon has been held throughout the city. There are races for all fitness levels, from 8 kilometres to the 20 kilometre half marathon.

If you look fit and want to experience the essence of Dublin at its best, you can sign up and run one of the routes, with a chance to win up to 15,000 euros if you win the overall marathon.

Otherwise, you can come along as a spectator and soak up the atmosphere and people at one of the city's most popular and eagerly awaited races.

Interesting details

• Price: registration for the race is free.
• Tickets: No entry is required, just register and have a free race badge.
• Venue: there are several races within this event but they all go through the city centre in different distances.
• Date: Last Sunday in October.

If you missed your holiday during the summer season and were only able to escape to Dublin for a few days in October, let me tell you that it was by no means a bad choice. It is true that it is not one of the most popular dates for tourists but the weather is still not as cold as in January and February and you can still go outdoors.

The average temperature throughout the month is usually between 14º and 7º degrees, especially reaching minimums at night. With a good coat and comfortable shoes, you can visit the city without any problem. The downside is that it's estimated that it rains for 13 days on average in October - that's half the days of the month.

That's why one of the best tips for visiting Dublin at this time of year is to always have an umbrella or mackintosh handy and look for alternative indoor plans such as visits to museums, sightseeing buses, indoor tours such as the Guinness Storehouse or a bite to eat in one of the many pubs.

If you come to Dublin in October, you're guaranteed to have a great time and discover the city in a special, bucolic way, which is one of its most famous faces. However, if you could choose any date in the calendar, I would recommend that you look for slightly warmer dates. Especially in order to avoid the rainy season, which can spoil more than one of your plans or excursions.

My recommendation is to go to Dublin in summer, especially in the months of June or September, as the temperatures will be warm, never dropping below 10 degrees, with hardly any rain and, nevertheless, escaping the tourist crowds that usually occur in the high season months such as July or August.

However, if you like the cold and want a different experience, you could also opt for a sword in late December to experience Christmas in true Irish style- it's up to you!

Ireland is a country full of panoramas and dreamy landscapes that are capable of surprising you at any time of the year. If you have decided to travel to its capital during October, I assure you that the experience will not leave you indifferent, Dublin always has something prepared to make your trip unforgettable.