10 Best Breweries in Ashbourne

"The headquarters of Ireland's most famous beer adds a bit of culture and history to your vacation drinking, giving you some depth beyond throwing back a pint in a pub (not that there's anything wrong with that). Three bars, three restaurants (all with bars), classes, and tastings all are on offer here, and although the public can't tour the brewery itself, this is the closest Guinness enthusiasts can get to the makings of the dark beer. The Storehouse's restaurants serve fresh food designed to pair with Guinness."

"Ranging over four floors on the western edge of Temple Bar, this pub began flying the microbrewery flag over 10 years ago, and today it's still going strong. Come here for a range of excellent in-house Irish brews: from dark, velvety porters (try the Oyster Stout made, yes, with fresh oysters) to red ales (try the fruity Porterhouse Red). This place can be touristy and very packed: but still, well worth a visit."

"Producing the very best lager in the world, it’s no surprise you can’t get moved here on a weekend. Welcoming stag and hen parties with open arms, the award winning Porterhouse Central is a multi-level gem in the Temple Bar. Opening its doors in 1996, this is Dublin’s first pub brewery, and has continued to grow in popularity since the very day it opened."

"Emma Devlin and Cathal O’Donoghue founded Rascals Brewing in 2014. It’s a bit of a journey out past Kilmainham Gaol, but Rascals Brewing Company is one of the most innovative breweries in Dublin. Going beyond the standard styles found at every other brewery, Rascals has unique beers such as Chardonnay Saisons, Mint Chocolate Stouts, & Strawberry Vanilla Milkshake IPAs."

"Rascals have a pretty healthy-sized outdoor area, but part of it is covered over with massive covers and canopies. Stillgarden Distillery situated beside Rascals also have a big marquee set up for those looking for cocktails. You can find Rascals in Inchicore off the Tyrconnell Road, visit their website for booking information."

"This brewing gem opened the doors of its first branch in 1989 and hasn't looked back since. Sourcing some of the best beers from the continent as well as brewing their own, The Porterhouse now boasts five premises in Dublin, London and New York and their Plain Porter won the gold medal at the world brewing industry's most prestigious award last year. They brew an excellent stout in house, but offer a wide range of ales, lagers and seasonal beers to whet your appetite as well."

"Porterhouse opened as a brew pub in 1996 and was the first craft beer pub in Dublin by many years. They used to brew their beer on site, and parts of the brewing equipment can still be seen in the pub today. Porterhouse is the best craft beer pub to bring visitors to."

"There are a couple of Porterhouse brewpubs in the Dublin city centre. Their original Temple Bar location has been in operation since 1996. As is the case with most Temple Bar pubs, the’ve got live music every night of the week."

"The buses will take you past the major sights and, depending on which tour you choose (grab some leaflets the evening before or do some research on the internet), even far-flung attractions like the Guinness Brewery, Kilmainham Gaol, and Phoenix Park will be seen. The main thing to remember here: get a good seat on top, enjoy the view, listen to the commentary, and snap away... but do not get off the bus. This is your city tour."

"The last item on our list is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of modern architecture in the city. The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre was designed by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind in 2010, and its contemporary, angular style ties in perfectly with its home in the ultra modern Grand Canal area. The design ties into its theatrical theme with a striking composition of a ‘red carpet’ with bright resin-glass paving extending from the theatre, covered with distinctive red glowing angled light sticks."

"Designed by Studio Libeskind in 2010, the Grand Canal Square formed an important milestone for the redevelopment of the Dublin Docklands area. The 2000-seat theater is based on the concept of stages: the stage of the theater, the stage of the piazza, the stage of the multiple lever lobby above the piazza."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kanakari used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Bord Gais Energy Theatre is a performing arts venue located in the Docklands. It is the city’s biggest fixed-seat theater and was designed by Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority."

"Again, you will have done your homework and booked something in advance, we hope (though there always is a chance to get late tickets even for the Abbey Theatre, with a bit of luck). If you are set on enjoying an Irish night out, a large number of pubs offer their services and many also provide entertainment (free or for a small fee in most cases). Just follow the crowds, which will, more than likely, bring you to the Temple Bar area."

"Brother Hubbard is easily one of the best cafés in Dublin, with both venues offering delicious fresh food. The brunch menu Brother Hubbard South is particularly gorgeous, featuring Moroccan-style semolina pancakes with Turkish delight, roasted white chocolate mascarpone, dark chocolate ganache and vanilla strawberries. Perfect for brunch, these are easily some of the best pancakes in Dublin."

"Little sister of big Brother Hubbard, Sister Sadie is favourite for us for breakfast or meetings. We guarantee you'll leave feeling like you're ready to take on the world. You'll find it hard to fault the place."

"Although Greenhouse was considered to be the best in the city I hadn’t brought anything more than jeans and tights. Not wanting to feel dressed inadequately for fine dining I opted for his sandwich recommendation at Oxmantown. At Oxmantown I met Connor who leads a kitchen with incredibly hearty sandwiches that are ridiculously low priced for Dublin standards."

"Climb aboard The Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship and experience a remarkable voyage of despair, hope, endurance and triumph against all odds. You’ll hear the tales of Irish emigrants who embarked on the treacherous journey across the Atlantic in the hopes of starting a new life. During the Great Famine, roughly 1.5 million Irish people left for North America."

"Just across the road from the Irish Emigration Museum is the Jeanie Johnston tallship. This is an accurate replica of the original Jeanie Johnston – a three masted ship that was originally built to carry cargo between Ireland and North America."

"Dublin's 'Dead Zoo' – officially the city's Natural History establishment – has been preserved as a classic Victorian mausoleum-of-a-museum. Inside, you'll find a building filled to the rafters with all manner of stuffed animals large and small, preserved insects and spiders – in short, every species under the sun. It's unendingly fascinating, in a horrifying sort of way."

"Another amazing attraction just 10 minutes’ walk from Maldron Pearse Street. Known affectionately by Dubliners as “the dead zoo”, a visit to the Natural History Museum is a must for all families but make sure to allow plenty of time to enjoy this great attraction."

"Collins Barracks as it's popularly known is a very child friendly museum. The huge central square in the barracks is a massive hit and is frequently as popular as anything inside. The Museum is rich with artefacts and is a treasure trove of past centuries."