Explore Secret Places

10 Unique & Hidden Spots in Dublin You Must See!

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Statue of Oscar Wilde

If you are fan of literature and you love Oscar Wilde then this place is for you! The statue of Oscar Wilde is located in Merrion Square Park in central Dublin, not to far from Trinity College and St. Stephens Green.

The sculpture of Wilde was commissioned in 1997 by the Guinness Ireland Group (yes, that Guinness) to commemorate one of Ireland’s most famous writers. The place is nice and relaxing full of other statues and if lucky you can find the local artists exposing their paintings on the street all around the park! Enjoy!

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Oratory of the Sacred Heart

This mind-blowing beautiful display of Celtic Revival artwork hidden in plain sight near a playground and a parking lot in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. The small chapel was build to celebrate the ending of WW1 and honored the local Irishman killed in the battle. This stunning place will impress with magnificent  Celtic knots, spirals, animals, and crosses, all so rich with color they almost appear to glow. Definitely include in your list with things to do  when visiting Dublin! *Note before you go the access is extremely limited and visitors are only permitted during local council heritage seasons in the spring and summer. 

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Marsh’s Library

If you are drawn to old books? If yes then this place is absolute gem for you! The library is a bit hidden from the public and not many locals know about it aether. The library was founded in 1707, Marsh’s Library holds some 25,000 books and 300 manuscripts, and is the oldest public library in Ireland. The library has seen much of Dublin’s history. In some of the bookcases, there are bullet holes from the Easter Rising, when the hotel next door was occupied. A unique feature that still stands is the three wired alcoves, or “cages,” which were created in the late 18th century in response to thefts at the library. Readers would have to be locked inside to peruse the rarest books. This charming place is where Jonathan Swift spent a lot of time and where Bram Stoker actually studied. You just need to pay 2 or 3 euro (student card reliant) to visit and explore the library.

Address :  St Patrick's Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 Open Hours:  9:30-5pm except Tuesdays and Sundays

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Vintage Cocktail Club

Feeling thirsty? Check this out! The Vintage Cocktail Club is located on Crown Alley in Temple Bar, and is the ultimate secret spot for classy food and drinks lovers in the city. Part of its charm is the fact that you need to ring the bell to get in, on the door that simply has VCC on it.

Their old-style cocktails are phenomenal, and the speakeasy vibe makes you feel like you’ve just stepped back in time to the Roaring Twenties. *Note that this place is strictly for consumers over 23!

Address: 15 Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 E229

Opening Hours : 5pm - 1am

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Saint Audoen's Gate

The church steps lead down to the only remaining gatehouse of the original Dublin City Wall, one time known as the Gate of Hell.

A story related to the church is the ghost named ‘The Green Lady’. Otherwise thought to be the ghost of Darkey Kelly who lived in this locality during the 18th century, who was thought to be either an innkeeper, a prostitute, or a madam who ran her own brothel.

She came into contact with Sheriff Simon Luttrell, who himself was linked with members of the notorious Hellfire Club (a group of wealthy men interested in debauchery and the occult). Darkey, it is believed became pregnant with Luttrell and she found herself accused of killing the infant and perhaps also witchcraft.

She was sentenced to death and publicly burned at St Stephen’s Green in 1746. Apparitions of “A Green Lady” have been reportedly seen at the bottom of the forty steps that lead to this church.

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Iveagh Gardens

The Iveagh Gardens are among the finest and least known of Dublin's parks and gardens. The recently restored Cascade and exotic tree ferns all help to create a sense of wonder in the `Secret Garden'. The pre 1860s rose varieties add an extra dimension to the Victorian Rosarium. The gardens have a long and interesting history and were gifted to the state by the Guinness family. Today, it’s an oasis of tranquility with an archery field, pond, boating tower, a waterfall that flows over an immense rockery with stones from each of Ireland’s 32 counties and a maze, which is a miniature copy of London’s Hampton Court Maze. If you like some beautiful and quiet place, away from the crowds Iveagh Gardens is your way to escape.

Address:  Clonmel St, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 WD63

Open times: Every day 8-4pm except Sundays 10:30- 8:30pm

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Freemasons' Hall

Do you fancy mysterious secret societies? Yes?

Now this place is for you!

Freemasons’ Hall in Dublin houses the Grand Lodge of Ireland, the second most senior grand lodge in the world, and the oldest in continuous existence, built between 1866 and 1869. The place hold exciting history of the Masonic Fraternity in Ireland, along with information on some famous personalities in Irish masonic history and displays an exceptionally wide variety of artefacts such as items of regalia and historic documents. The place have variety of rooms  Freemasons’ Hall (Hallways windows etc) *Grand Lodge Room *Mark Room *Royal Arch Room *Knight Masons’ Council Chamber *Knight Templar Room *Princes’ Room *Museum

The rooms are all stuffed with hidden details that hint at the mysterious group the building serves and the freemasonry is no longer referred to as a “secret society” but rather a society with secrets. We will keep more details in secret so better book your tour now! Address: Grand Lodge of Ireland, Freemasons’ Hall 17-19, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

* The museum is open to the public and tours of the building are held at 2.30 p.m. each weekday during June, July, and August. The cost per head is €2 and no booking is necessary, just turn up. Outside of those months private and group tours can be arranged by contacting staff at the Hall.

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Sweny’s Pharmacy

The former 19th-century pharmacy turned bookstore and craft shop was once visited by James Joyce and is even listed as a location in his world-famous novel, Ulysses. It was originally built in 1847 as a GP’s consulting room and became a pharmacy in 1853. It’s within 100 yards of the birthplace of Oscar Wilde and in 1904, the young James Joyce called to this very store. In Ulysses, Leopold Bloom, the fictional character, visits Sweny’s pharmacy to pick up a lotion for his wife, Molly. He consults with Frederick William Sweny the pharmacist at the time. Stools are plotted around the room for visitors to sit, read and have a chat afterwards, creating a welcoming atmosphere.Unopened medicine bottles sit on shelves, ready to be curiously admired. A selection of second-hand books fill the space in the centre of the room, waiting to be browsed. Oh, and not to forget, there’s the lemon-scented soap on the counter, the very soap that made the shop famous! Today it’s a must-see for any bibliophile on a trip to the Irish Capital.

Address: 1 Lincoln Pl, Dublin 2 Working Hours: Tuesday 11a.m.–6:30p.m. Wednesday 11a.m.–5p.m. Thursday 11a.m.–6:30p.m. Friday 11a.m.–6:30p.m. Saturday 11a.m.–6:30p.m. Sunday 11a.m.–6:30p.m. Monday 11a.m.–5p.m.

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Relics of Saint Valentine

If you are big fan of Valentines Day then surely this is your place to be! St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, was executed in Rome and buried there in the 3rd century. Much later, an Irish priest was granted permission to exhume his remains, and now his skeleton lies under Whitefriar Church in Dublin. The church is popular with couples who come to pray for St. Valentine to watch over their lives together, and to celebrate the feast day of February 14th which includes the Blessings of the Rings for those about to marry or simple to make a wish for love. According to an inscription on a gold plate attached to the casket: This shrine contains the sacred body of Saint Valentinus, the Martyr, together with a small vessel tinged with his blood. Now, go ahead and get your blessings from the much favorite saint  of love! <3

Address: 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2 360° Tour

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St Michan’s Church

St. Michan's Church is an Anglican Church located in Church Street, Dublin, Ireland. Dating back to the 11th-century, St Michan’s was the first church to be built on the North side of Dublin and remains as one of the oldest active churches with intriguing history and exciting interior. Deep in its vaults lie a number of bodies that have barely decomposed because of the dry atmosphere created by the church's magnesian limestone walls. Their wooden caskets, however, have cracked open. Revealing the preserved bodies, complete with skin and strands of hair. The crypt is said to have been visited by a young Bram Stoker, inspiring a certain morbid streak that would later serve quite well for the author. We would not revile more details bout the mummies so you can visit and enjoy the history of that mystery place. Visitor Information: Visits are by guided tour only! 1 November – 16 March: Monday to Friday: 12:30pm – 3:30pm 17 March – 31 October: Monday to Friday: 10am – 12:45pm / 2pm – 4:30pm Saturday (all year round): 10am – 12:45pm. Price Adults: 5€ Children: 3,50€