Ireland

Dublin

St Stephen's Green

St Stephen’s Green

Fusiliers' Arch

Unveiled during Dublin's 1988 Millennium celebrations, the bronze statue of Molly Malone depicts the legendary fishmonger from the famous ballad, pushing her wheelbarrow through the streets of the city. Created by artist Jeanne Rynhart, the statue was commissioned by Lord Mayor Ben Briscoe to celebrate the song that has become Dublin's unofficial anthem.

The reception was not entirely warm. The director of the Arts Council wrote to express "universal depreciation," calling the statue "entirely deficient in artistic point and merit." Dubliners, however, embraced it with characteristic humor, giving it nicknames like "The Tart with the Cart" and "The Trollop with the Scallops."

In July 2014, the statue was relocated from its original Grafton Street spot to Suffolk Street to make way for Luas tram construction. Before the move, a practice had developed of tourists rubbing the statue's chest for good luck, a custom that drew growing criticism. In recent years, flowerbeds have been placed around the base to discourage the practice.

Whether Molly Malone was a real person remains debated. The song itself dates to at least the 1880s, but no historical records confirm the existence of a fishmonger by that name. That has not stopped Dublin from claiming her as its own, declaring June 13 as Molly Malone Day.

Real or fictional, Molly has become inseparable from Dublin's identity. A Questo quest through the city center leads you past her statue with stories and challenges that connect the legend to the streets she supposedly walked.

Molly Malone Statue

The Little Museum of Dublin

Irish Whiskey Museum

Kildare St

Dublin Castle

The National Museum of Ireland spreads across multiple sites in Dublin, each telling a different chapter of the island's story. Best of all, admission to every branch is completely free, making Ireland's cultural heritage accessible to all.

The Archaeology branch on Kildare Street is the crown jewel. Built in Victorian Palladian style with a magnificent rotunda and domed roof, it opened in 1890 and holds artifacts spanning from around 7000 BC to the medieval period. The collection includes stunning Bronze and Iron Age objects, bog bodies remarkably preserved by Ireland's peatlands, and the world's largest collection of post-Roman Irish medieval art.

The Natural History branch on Merrion Street, affectionately known by Dubliners as the "Dead Zoo," has changed remarkably little since it opened in 1856. Over 10,000 exhibits display creatures from tiny insects to massive mammals in a setting that feels like stepping into a Victorian naturalist's cabinet of curiosities.

The Decorative Arts and History branch at Collins Barracks occupies a building constructed in 1702, the oldest military barracks in these islands. Since 1997, it has housed exhibitions on Irish clothing, silver, ceramics, and military history, particularly the fight for independence and the formation of the Irish Free State.

Together, the branches offer a comprehensive journey through Irish civilization, from prehistoric farmers to medieval monks to modern revolutionaries. A Questo quest through Dublin can connect these museums with the streets and landmarks that bring their collections to life.

National Museum of Ireland

Oscar Wilde's childhood home at 1 Merrion Square is where one of literature's greatest wits spent his formative years. Born at 21 Westland Row in 1854, his family moved to this prestigious address the following year, and for two decades it was the cultural epicenter of Dublin.

The driving force of the household was Oscar's mother, Lady Jane Wilde, a poet, writer, and translator who ran a wildly popular weekly salon on the first floor. Artists, musicians, poets, politicians, and philosophers packed the drawing room to share ideas and entertain each other. Young Oscar grew up surrounded by the kind of wit, intellect, and creative energy that would define his own career.

The building now houses American College Dublin, which offers courses in performing arts and creative writing. Tours are available with expert guides who share details about Wilde's remarkable life, from his Dublin childhood through his Oxford education and on to the triumphs and tragedies of his London years.

On the northwest corner of Merrion Square, just across from the house, a colorful statue of Oscar Wilde sprawls on a quartz boulder. His long legs stretch down the side of the rock, and his face wears the knowing, slightly amused expression that defined his public persona. The statue is made from three different types of stone, each a different color, creating a visual effect as flamboyant as its subject.

A Questo quest through literary Dublin connects Wilde's house to other landmarks of Irish writing, turning the city into a living anthology.

Oscar Wilde House

The Oscar Wilde Monument

Millennium Child

St Patrick's Cathedral

 St Patrick’s Park

Merrion Square Park 

St. Audoen's Park

Teeling Whiskey Distillery

St. Patrick's Tower 

Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery

<h2>Grafton Street in Dublin: The Beating Heart of the City</h2><h2>Introduction</h2>Few places capture the soul of Dublin quite like Grafton Street. Stretching between St Stephen’s Green and College Green, this lively pedestrianised street is a symphony of sights, sounds, and stories. It’s where elegant shopfronts meet soulful buskers, and where both locals and tourists wander beneath the Georgian façades and modern boutiques.Famed for its vibrant street performers, luxury shopping, and buzzing atmosphere, Grafton Street has been a cultural landmark for centuries. From international brands to Irish-owned stores, cosy cafés to historic pubs, it’s a place where Dublin life unfolds in real time.But Grafton Street isn’t just about shopping—it’s about experience. You might hear a violinist playing classical music on one corner, while a folk singer strums a guitar on another. You’ll pass flower sellers, fashionistas, and families all weaving through the crowd. It’s a street that celebrates Dublin’s spirit of creativity, community, and charm.Whether you’re here to shop, people-watch, or soak up the atmosphere, Grafton Street in Dublin promises an unforgettable visit.<h2>What is Grafton Street in Dublin famous for?</h2>Grafton Street is famous for being Dublin’s premier shopping street, lined with international brands and Irish retailers. It’s equally renowned for its buskers and street performers, who give the street its unique energy and cultural flavour.<h2>Why should you visit Grafton Street?</h2>You should visit Grafton Street if you want to:Experience Dublin’s lively street culture.Browse both high-end shops and quirky Irish boutiques.Hear some of the city’s best street musicians and performers.Soak up the atmosphere in a central hub close to Dublin’s top attractions.<h2>What are the opening hours and best times to visit Grafton Street?</h2>Grafton Street is always open to walk through, day or night. Shops typically open from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, with later hours on Thursdays.The best time to visit is during the afternoon, when buskers fill the street with music and shops are buzzing with activity. For a quieter stroll, go in the morning. At Christmas, the street transforms into a twinkling wonderland, making it a magical time to visit.<h2>How much does it cost to visit Grafton Street?</h2>Walking along Grafton Street is completely free. Of course, shopping, dining, or grabbing a coffee will cost you, but the street’s atmosphere and performances can be enjoyed without spending a cent.<h2>What can you see or do at Grafton Street?</h2>Shop at international brands like Brown Thomas, as well as local Irish boutiques.Enjoy performances from world-class buskers—many famous musicians, like Damien Rice and Glen Hansard, started here.Sip coffee in a stylish café and people-watch.Buy flowers from the traditional street stalls.Explore nearby attractions like Trinity College or St Stephen’s Green.<h2>What is the history behind Grafton Street?</h2>Grafton Street dates back to the 1700s, named after Henry FitzRoy, the Duke of Grafton. Originally a residential street, it gradually transformed into a commercial hub as Dublin expanded. By the 19th century, it had become the city’s most fashionable shopping district.Over the years, Grafton Street has kept its reputation as a cultural hotspot. From famous Irish poets and writers who strolled its paths to the modern-day buskers who carry on its artistic tradition, the street remains at the heart of Dublin’s story.<h2>Where is Grafton Street located and how do you get there?</h2>📍 Location: Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.🚇 How to Get There:By Luas (tram): Dawson or St Stephen’s Green stops (Green Line) are right nearby.By Bus: Many Dublin Bus routes stop at College Green or Nassau Street.On Foot: It’s a short walk from Trinity College and Temple Bar.<h2>Insider Tips for Visiting Grafton Street</h2>🎶 Stay a while to enjoy the buskers—some of them are future stars.🛍️ Visit Brown Thomas, Dublin’s iconic luxury department store.📷 Come at Christmas for magical lights and festive atmosphere.<h2>Nearby Attractions to Grafton Street</h2>St Stephen’s Green – A peaceful Victorian park at the top of the street.Trinity College Dublin – Home to the Book of Kells and the Long Room library.National Gallery of Ireland – Showcasing European and Irish masterpieces.Molly Malone Statue – A short walk away, celebrating Dublin’s famous folk heroine.Temple Bar – Dublin’s cultural and nightlife hub.<h2>Discover Grafton Street with Questo</h2>Grafton Street isn’t just a shopping street—it’s a stage for Dublin’s creativity and culture. From music to history, boutiques to cafés, it’s where the city’s heart beats loudest.With Questo, you can turn your walk down Grafton Street into an interactive adventure, solving clues and unlocking stories as you go.👉 Download the Questo app and discover Grafton Street in Dublin in a whole new way!

Grafton Street, Dublin — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

About Grafton Street

Plan Your Visit

Explore Grafton Street with a Questo quest

Romantic Dublin: Cupid’s Quest Walking Tour & Escape Game

1916 Rising History, Dublin

Ghost Hunt in Dublin

Self-guided cocktail tour of Dublin

Ghosts of Dublin: Haunting Stories Walking Tour & Escape Game

Nearby Attractions

St Stephen's Green

St Stephen’s Green

Fusiliers' Arch

Molly Malone Statue

Molly Malone Statue

Fusiliers' Arch

Explore More in Dublin

Dublin