Bank Holiday Weekend in Dublin: How to Make the Most of It

The October bank holiday lands on Monday, 27 October 2025, giving you a proper long weekend to get away. Whether you’re a Dublin local looking to make the most of the time off or planning a quick trip to the city, there’s plenty to do. The trouble is that most shops and businesses close on bank holidays in Ireland, so you need a proper plan to dodge disappointment.

Here’s how to make your bank holiday weekend in Dublin count, with ideas that don’t rely on everything being open.

Get Out of the City for Autumn Walks

October’s the perfect month for getting outdoors. The weather’s cooler, the summer crowds are gone, and the parks are gorgeous. If you’ve got family or just need a breather from the city, head to the Wicklow Mountains for a proper hike. It’s only 45 minutes south of Dublin and the autumn colours are stunning at this time of year. You’ll find trails ranging from easy walks to proper challenging hikes, and the scenery is genuinely spectacular.

Glendalough is particularly brilliant in October. The valley is surrounded by mountains, there’s a monastic site with real history, and the walks vary from gentle valley strolls to challenging mountain climbs. It’s genuinely peaceful and genuinely beautiful. You can spend a full day there without seeing many other people, which on a bank holiday is a genuine treat.

Closer to home, try the Royal Canal Way for a flat, scenic walk through Dublin 6 and 7, or head to the Phoenix Park early in the morning before it gets busy. You’ll spot red squirrels and get real peace and quiet. On a good October day, it’s one of the nicest things Dublin has going for it. The park’s 1,750 acres means you can easily spend a full day walking without ever feeling crowded, even during a bank holiday.

If you’re near the coast, Howth cliff path is brilliant for a walk with views over Dublin Bay. You can grab lunch at one of the seafood spots in Howth village afterwards. The walk itself is free and takes about an hour. On a clear October day the views across Dublin Bay are genuinely special.

Take Advantage of Open Restaurants and Bars

Here’s the good news: restaurants and bars stay open on bank holidays in Dublin, even if the shops are shut. This is your chance to try that place you’ve been meaning to visit without rushing through lunch.

Head to Temple Bar for the obvious choice. Yes, it’s touristy, but on a bank holiday there’s a genuine atmosphere with live music spilling out onto the cobblestones. Pubs like The Temple Bar itself serve solid food, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll run into locals celebrating the day off. The energy is genuinely good because everyone’s in the same headspace: time off, time to relax, time to enjoy Dublin.

If Temple Bar feels too much like a stag do, which it often is, try Leeson Street or Camden Street instead. Both have proper bars with less stage-managed energy. Whealan’s on Wexford Street does food, live music, and real craic without the Temple Bar vibe. Expect to queue, but it moves fast. This area attracts actual Dublin music fans and locals, so there’s proper character and conversation.

For dinner, Dublin 2 around Baggot Street has quiet, proper restaurants that’ll be open. Book ahead where you can. If you’re heading toward Dublin 4, the Docklands area has modern restaurants and cocktail bars with good energy on bank holidays. It’s less hectic than Temple Bar and feels more like where Dubliners actually go. You’ll find everything from casual to upscale, depending on your mood and budget.

Visit Museums and Cultural Attractions

Bank holidays are actually ideal for this. Most museums stay open, and you’ll find fewer crowds than on a regular weekend. The Guinness Storehouse can be absolutely rammed on normal days, but if you go early on bank holiday morning you can beat the rush. Allow two hours, climb to the Gravity Bar on the 7th floor, and enjoy a pint with 360-degree views of Dublin. Entry is around 25 euros per person, and your drink’s included. The views really are the best panorama of the city you’ll get.

For something quieter, the Book of Kells at Trinity College is always worth an hour. The Old Library is genuinely impressive, and you get the whole Trinity campus to yourself if you arrive early. Budget about 90 minutes and entry’s roughly 15 euros. The ancient manuscript is genuinely awe-inspiring up close. Trinity’s grounds are also worth exploring while you’re there.

EPIC Emigration Museum is a bit off the beaten track in the Docklands, which means fewer tourists and a much better experience. It tells the story of Irish emigration through interactive exhibits and it’s genuinely moving. Perfect for a bank holiday afternoon when you want something thoughtful. Entry’s around 18 euros. You’ll learn actual Irish history here, not just tourism branding. It’s the kind of place where you leave feeling like you understand Ireland better.

Get a Packed Picnic and Settle in St Stephen’s Green

If the weather holds, this might be the easiest bank holiday win in Dublin. St Stephen’s Green is beautiful in autumn, and there’s usually a cafe or two open or you can grab supplies from a local shop and settle on a bench.

Pick up sandwiches from Poppies Bakery on Wicklow Street, some cheese from the deli, a drink from a nearby cafe, and you’re sorted for a proper old-school picnic. It costs almost nothing, it’s genuinely lovely, and you’ll see actual Dublin life happening around you. Families do the same thing, locals with their kids, couples. It’s the real Dublin, not the tourist version. You’ll spend maybe 15 euros total for the food and you’ll have an afternoon of genuine peace and contentment.

Plan a Day Trip

Bank holiday weekend means you can do something properly ambitious without rushing. Dun Laoghaire is only 30 minutes by train from city centre and has brilliant seaside walks, good restaurants, and seafront pubs. The pier’s great for a walk, and if the weather’s decent you can spend a full day there without spending much money. The entire seaside experience costs almost nothing and feels genuinely like an escape from the city.

Howth’s similar. It’s at the end of the DART line, the walk around the headland is stunning, and there’s fresh seafood at King Sitric or Aqua. Both are proper restaurants that do anniversary-worthy meals if you’re marking something, but they’re also casual enough for a bank holiday day out. You get the seaside village experience without leaving Dublin county.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Glendalough in Wicklow is a monastery set in a valley with mountain walks and ancient history. It’s about an hour’s drive and worth a day trip if you’ve got transport or fancy an organised tour. The valley itself is one of Ireland’s most beautiful spots and genuinely worth the journey.

Honest Tip About October Bank Holiday Closures

Check ahead before you go anywhere. Not everywhere’s open, and it’s frustrating to arrive at a restaurant only to find it’s shut. Dublin pubs and restaurants will be open, but some retail attractions might have limited hours. Ring ahead or check websites before you commit to anything.

The banks are closed, post offices might be shut, and some tourist attractions operate on reduced hours. It’s worth planning your priorities before the holiday hits so you’re not disappointed. Make calls, check websites, confirm opening hours. It takes 10 minutes and saves frustration.

Make the Most of Your Long Weekend

The October bank holiday gives you breathing room in the middle of autumn. You don’t need to do anything complicated. A long walk, a proper meal somewhere decent, a museum or two, and some time with your mates or family is actually a proper break by Dublin standards.

Book restaurants now if you’re planning anything specific. The good spots fill up quickly. Everything else you can play by ear. The best bank holidays are the ones where you’re not rushing, so give yourself permission to be a bit lazy. You’ve earned it.

For more long weekend ideas in Dublin, check out our full guide to things to do this weekend, or if you’re planning something special, read our 3 days in Dublin itinerary for inspiration. You can also check our romantic anniversary guide if you’re celebrating something special.