10 Best Breweries in Maynooth

"Guinness Storehouse – It's more than just a brewery. The Guinness Storehouse experience is part brewery tour and part museum, ending with a pint at a rooftop bar overlooking Dublin. The Guinness Storehouse is said to be the top tourist attraction in all of Ireland, and it's fun and interesting whether or not you like Guinness (though, note that my beer-loving friends all say that the Guinness in Ireland tastes WAY better than the Guinness we get in the US!). Book your ticket here."

"On calm days you may smell the Guinness brewery before you actually see it - and depending on you the thick yeasty smell might make you sick or smile. The classic view for most visitors is the entrance area to the Guinness Storehouse. If you want a better view, try the front lawn of the National Museum in Collins Barracks."

"The most popular attraction in Dublin is this multimedia homage to Guinness. An old fermentation plant in the St James's Gate Brewery has been converted into a seven-storey museum devoted to the beer, the... Top ChoiceHistoric Building in Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green"

"Porterhouse Central on Nassau Street is the 2nd Porterhouse location in Dublin. Thanks to being off Grafton Street just a little bit further from the heart of the nightlife action, it was much more chill than other pubs were on the same night I visited. I had the Celebration Stout, which had been created for the brewery’s 20th anniversary."

"Rascals in Inchicore, Dublin 8 have an expansive outdoor drinks and dining area to the front of the brewery where they brew their famous IPA beer. They’ve always had an indoor space to dine with literally some of the best looking pizzas in town, and now with the upgraded outdoor seating (and covered) it is surely going to be one of the most popular & fun spots to be this summer. Pizzas start from a very wallet friendly €12 with gluten-free, veggie, vegan & kids pizza options all possible."

"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."

"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."

"Bright and cheery Alma in Portobello is a relative newcomer on the Dublin breakfast scene. The seasonal ingredients are sourced locally but the menu has an Argentinian twist. Stop in for the bestseller, Choripan Argento, which is Argentine chorizo and a fried egg on sourdough with chimichurri, salsa criolla, caramelized onions, and a spicy hit of sriracha."

"A family-run Argentinian cafe on the South Circular Road, Alma has become well known for their signature dulce de leche pancakes. This dish is a flavour sensation - rich dulce de leche sauce, brandy and orange mascarpone and blood orange slices."

"Alma in Portobello are giving away a free coffee with every pancake order today. They're also selling a pancake set on their website here."

"Stepping into Foam Cafe is like stepping into another world, one full of flower garlands, mirrors and clashing prints over two floors. It's hidden away on Strand Street Great, just a stone's throw from the new Italian Quarter just off the quays. Setting itself apart from the usual coffee shop fare Foam Café has a broad range of things on offer but their flagship dish is the humble omelette."

"This is a local for me and place you may not encounter if you are visiting Dublin for abroad but we love it. Relaxed and laid back, they have a lovely weekend brunch catering for kids too. My two are obsessed with the blueberry pancakes and the ‘not so hot’ chocolate just for them but you have also savoury options available with brunch favourites such as scrambled eggs."

"Cocu is another Dublin spot with multiple locations, with a foodie philosophy based around “quality, creativity, simplicity”. Offering a variety of healthy dishes for all dietary needs, you’ll catch us gnawing on a yoghurt pot and some avocado for breakfast, or some pumpkin curry and harvest flatbread for lunch."

"Originally founded in 1028, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity contains one of the oldest structures in all of Great Britain. Commonly known as the Christ Church Cathedral, the property houses the famous underground crypts which have been an important pilgrimage site since medieval times. The mysterious monuments and resting places far below the surface of the foundation are still one of the most popular tourist attractions for people who love the historical, religious, and cultural aspects of Ireland."

"Centrally located and attached by bridge to Christ Church Cathedral, this is a perfect place to introduce the kids to Dublin history. There are four different areas in this interactive museum: a Viking area, a Medieval Dublin area, an archaeological area, and a medieval tower offering a medieval view of a modern city. Kids will enjoy trying on Viking clothes, examining weaponry, and exploring different artifacts."

"Christ Church Cathedral (founded c.1028) is the spiritual heart of the city, and one of the top visitor attractions in Dublin. Step inside and you can enjoy the cathedral’s beautiful interior and fascinating medieval crypt."

"While you’ll have to plan your tour around when the Dail and Seanad are not in session, it’s well worth taking a trip over to Leinster House, one of Dublin’s most historic buildings, before departing from Merrion Square. While it’s the current seat of the Oireachtas, the Irish national parliament, the building with its two facades was originally built as the Dublin city residence of the Duke of Leinster in 1745 and is reputed to be modelled on the White House in Washington, DC. Tours of Leinster House have to be pre-arranged in advance and usually at their busiest in the afternoon so try to book one in the morning for a chance at a smaller group if you would like more opportunities to ask your burning history questions."

"This building once served as the home of James Fitzgerald, the Duke of Leinster and Earl of Kildare. Today, it serves as the home of Ireland’s parliament. Public tours of the building are available when the Dáil and Seanad are not in session."

"Free tours of the official residence of the Irish president, Aras an Uachtaráin, a handsome Palladian mansion whose design inspired the architect of the White House in Washington, DC, depart from the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre every Saturday and operate on a first-come-first-served basis. Occasionally, tours might not run due to state business, so always check the website beforehand. The Irish Museum of Modern Art houses a wide collection of contemporary Irish artists © Jonathan Smith / Lonely Planet"

"Why: It’s a toss-up as to what’s more impressive about Manifesto - the beautifully presented Italian food, or the 54-page wine list!. Regardless, if you head to this upmarket spot in Dublin’s Rathmines, you can be sure that everything you try will be of the highest quality. Whether you go for an award-winning pizza or a secondi such as chargrilled venison fillet, make sure to leave space for one of Manifesto’s fantastic dolci as well.Where: 208 Rathmines Road Lower, Rathmines, D06 K466"

"Located outside the city centre, Manifesto offers a great selection of Italian dishes paired with wines from Italy. They make their own pasta, sauces, bread and desserts every day, and they also cater for coeliacs and those with other food intolerances. Try the parmigiana di melanzane, made from layers of aubergines, mozzarella and parmigiano cheese, baked and served with basil ice-cream."

"Compared to the city centre restaurants, Manifesto in Rathmines might seem a bit out of the way at first glance – but it’s well worth taking the short trip. Owner and chef Lucio Paduano was born and bred in Southern Italy and has won several gold medals at the annual “Best Pizza in the World” awards. No wonder, his pizzas are legendary."

"Why: Another Temple Bar restaurant, Pinocchio has the bonus of also offering Italian cookery classes for those who enjoy the food so much that they want to learn how to create it themselves. With wine bottles lining the walls of the snug dining room, it would be easy to think you were in a cellar restaurant in Tuscany rather than in the centre of Dublin. The food keeps up the act, with the classic menu featuring everything from Italian meatballs to spaghetti carbonara.Where: 1 Pudding Row, Essex Street West, Temple Bar, D8"

"Pinocchio is part of the Flavour of Italy Group which was founded in 2005 by two Italian entrepreneurs, Maurizio Mastrangelo and Marco Giannantonio. Their objective is to combine tradition and innovation by promoting the culture of Italian food and wine in Ireland. The success of Pinocchio comes from a constant research for quality Italian products."

"Ok, we admit it: The logo of this place was so cute we popped in just because we got curious. We can happily report we were not disappointed though. Pinocchio in Temple Bar has everything we expect from an Italian place: mouth-watering pizza and pasta, excellent wines and even an early dinner special for under €20."