Keeping you entertained

So much to do If you don’t feel like the short walk into town, no need! Smithfield has everything you need for a brilliant day in Dublin 7

9 fun things to do in Smithfield

To start the day, stroll from Hendrick Street to Smithfield Square. Imagine you’re in a time gone by when the square was used as a farm market or in it’s modern day urban plaza! There is plenty of things to do in Smithfield, and we will include Stoneybatter too!

People watch in a Coffee Shop

As you stumble out of bed and head into the power shower, you could pour yourself a cup of coffee and people watch in some of the best brunch spots in D7. You’re never far from a nice cafe in Smithfield, and we have our favourites.

In Third Space, hotel residents get 10% off when they show their room key. If you’re in the mood for grub with your coffee then this is the place!

Tour Smithfield Street Art

We’re pretty sure you know this, but the Hendrick is Ireland’s first street art hotel. Each floor in the hotel has a different theme, including abstract, conceptual, stencils, traditionalist and illegal.

Touring the street art in Dublin 7 start when you check into the Hendrick. As you roam around the area, you find iconic murals, like Horseboy on stirrup lane. A little further into the “second coolest neighbourhood in the world” you’ll see a different canvas, electricity boxes. Each electricity box in Dublin City was offered as a blank canvas to artists for their project. Billy in the Bowl is one work of art in this medium.

A great tour always comes to an end, and we recommend the final mural you see is on the side of a very famous pub in the Irish trad tale. Inside of this pub there is five generations of history, and the outside of the Cobblestone has a mural to tell that tale. Take a look at the Fiddler and the Flautist mural before entering the door.

Listen to trad music in The Cobblestone

While you’re here, you should pop into the iconic venue for a pint of plain and listen to the jigs and reels on display. This is a real Irish pub, and better than any inside Temple Bar or out, and it’s the best cultural attraction in Dublin.

The Cobblestone is Tom Mulligan’s pub and music venue. Inside these walls the Mulligan family have been playing Irish music, as well as teaching it for five generations. It could be longer but no one can remember back any further.

Toms laid back and friendly pub is built on family tradition – respect for music and culture. Be sure to keep an eye out for the signs when you are near the musicians, some areas are for listening, and some are for talking.

Breathe in the Phoenix Park

Just a 15 minute walk from the hotel, is the largest enclosed park in any European city. It’s packed with things to do, from checking out the President’s home, or the American ambassadors. You can see Ashdown Castle, built just at the end of the medieval times.

Dublin Zoo

In the park since 1831, Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest in the world. It’s home to over 400 animals from 100 different species. A trip to the zoo is a fantastic attraction for the family. If you visit in the winter, take a look out for Wild Lights.

Watch a classic teen movie in The Lighthouse Cinema

The Light House cinema is a modern place that breaks from the mainstream mould of cinema. Located in the heart of Smithfield village, it’s one of the genuine Smithfield establishments that offer Arthaus to classic movies.

The lighthouse cinema are constantly improving all elements of a trip to the movies, from food and drink in the café to a full bar, ambience, and an eclectic programme of films and events.

Play retro games at the Barcade in Token

Token is a retro arcade/pinball parlour with over 40 machines featuring Donkey Kong, Mario Kart GP, Mortal Kombat 2, Pac-Man, and Sega Rally. That doesn’t include the huge range of pinball machines downstairs!

Token offers an American diner inspired menu with the iconic red baskets being your plate. Their takes on loaded fries with bacon jam, hot dogs with pickles and fried chicken tossed in sticky BBQ are incredible. Topped off with some kicking cocktails from the bar, a night in Token makes you relive the 80’s in the heart of Smithfield village.

Keep an eye on their social media for special events running over your time at the Hendrick. Best yet, residents of the Hendrick get 4 free tokens when you show your room key. Now you need to figure out which game to play, you’re guaranteed an awesome time.

Relive modern history at the National Museum

Collins Barracks has been a lot of things in the past. It has a rich connection to Irish history, but it also plays host to concerts and a festival each year. The Decorative arts and history museum has a number of permanent exhibitions, namely about military history and interior design of Irish homes.

How these two share one building is quite unique. Spread over four floors, you can find the Asgard Yacht, Eileen Grey’s beautiful furniture and reconstructed rooms. These rooms offer an insight into Irish home decor over four centuries.

Discover the adventures in whiskey making at Jameson Distillery

Just five minutes away on Bow street in Smithfield square, you’ll find one of the most educational whiskey tours in Ireland. This should be on the top of the list of things to do in Smithfield for whiskey lovers.

Known for their distillery tours, cocktail-making classes, premium whiskey tasting sessions or learning how to blend your own Irish whiskey. The visitor experience is topped off with a Jameson at our centrepiece bar, straight from the proverbial source.

There aren’t many who leave this tour without a bottle of whiskey, a real treat created by John Jameson over 240 years ago.

Look out from 60 metres up in the Chimney Tower

The Skyview tower is 259 steps up into the air, in the middle of the old Jameson chimney. The top of the tower offers 360-degree views of Dublin city, and way beyond. You’ll be able to view Dublin Castle, Guiness Storehouse, and the Cultural Quarter all from this viewing platform.

The Chimney was originally built in 1895, and was part of the Bow Street distillery. When it was completed, it was the tallest structure in Dublin City, employing up to 300 people at it’s peak.