12 Things to Do in Dublin in April

If you are considering a trip to Dublin in April, I have a few recommendations for you. Don't think that it all starts and ends with the Easter celebrations, because there is so much more waiting for you in the Irish capital.

One of my favourite plans is simply to make the most of the sunny days, which are becoming more and more frequent, and get to know Dublin's parks, as many of them are hosting festivals during this month. I've been doing some research so I can share with you the things you shouldn't miss - read on and take note!

Taking advantage of the arrival of the mild temperatures in April, booking a Dublin sightseeing cruise is a very original plan, as it will allow you to get to know the history and architecture of Ireland with a professional guide, but in an exciting and unique way.

In addition, while sailing on the River Liffey you can enjoy wonderful views of many of Dublin's landmarks such as the Custom House, the Docklands district or the Ha'penny Bridge. The experience lasts approximately one hour.

The month of April, when there are still not too many tourists, is ideal to book an Irish Guinness and Jameson experience in Dublin, where you will visit the facilities of this famous international beer and learn about the process of brewing beer and whiskey with a specialised local guide.

The tour, which lasts approximately four hours, includes a pint of Guinness and a pint of whisky in Ireland's oldest pub, dating back to no less than the 11th century.

And if you're on a tight schedule, don't worry, as this ticket includes skip-the-line access, so you'll be in and out in no time at all. Join us for the most Irish of Irish experiences including multi-sensory and interactive exhibits - 100% recommended!

And what better time than the arrival of spring, when the chilly temperatures are behind us, to book a bike tour of Dublin where you'll get to see the city in a fun way.

Throughout the tour, which lasts approximately two and a half hours, you'll be accompanied by a local guide who will give you the lowdown on the architecture and history of the city's most iconic landmarks, plus you'll have the chance to sample some snacks. You'll also have the chance to try some snacks.

Please note that you'll be given all the equipment: safety helmet and reflective waistcoat, so that you'll be equipped throughout the tour. Because, remember, safety is the most important thing!

April is a month when the winter showers don't quite leave Dublin, so expect to have to cancel your outdoor plans on occasion. Don't worry, there is an alternative that will keep you safe: a pub crawl. Don't know what it is? A guided tour of various pubs. It's certainly a great way to brighten up rainy days and get to know one of Dublin's most important cultural elements.

Because yes, pubs are part of the spirit of the city. Dublin' s best pubs have been frequented by such luminaries as Oscar Wilde and Bono, the lead singer of U2. Although they won't be there, you will find a great atmosphere and lots of music if you book a pub tour in Dublin, as it is very common to see traditional bands playing.

The good thing about going on a tour is that everything is more entertaining in a group, plus a guide will explain when to drink your guinness (you always have to wait until it is completely black) or if any of the pubs brew a traditional beer of their own.

Every April Dublin becomes the capital of literature. The Franco-Irish Literary Festival brings together writers, artists and literary professionals (both French and Irish) to share their experiences.

The main theme of the festival changes every year, but the idea is the same: to organise talks, interviews, meetings and book markets to bring Franco-Irish literature to the public. If you fancy buying a book, listening to famous authors like John Boyne or attending an event at one of the city's iconic venues, check the programme and buy your tickets (sometimes they are free).

Of course you can learn a lot from listening to important writers, but for me the most valuable thing is the guided tour of Dublin Castle and seeing how it has been converted into a great library. Indeed, one of the venues for the festival is there, where you can also see an exhibition, attend talks or pick up a book you want to read.

Thinking of taking a trip from Dublin? Although there are several destinations to choose from, this being April I recommend going to Galway from Dublin. Why? Because you'll be able to attend the Spring Festival, which takes place in the first days of this month, when spring has already made its presence felt. To celebrate it, the Slieve Aughty Centre organises all kinds of activities, from horse riding to picnics.

Don't think that this festival is purely for children, because enjoying the flowers just when they have just come out or going on a bike ride through the Coillte woods is a great plan, whatever age you are. It's a unique way to get in touch with nature, since, in addition to the vegetation, many wild rabbits roam freely around the centre. If you ask, they will also tell you that there are fairies in the Enchanted Forest, although I don't know if I believe it.

All in all, of all the things to see and do in Galway in April, one of the must-do's is to go to this festival; the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the magnificent forests of the city.

Do you like to combine food with the history of the cities you visit? This is something you can do in Dublin thanks to the Farmleigh House Market, which starts in April every year. It is held every Sunday for almost the whole day (from 10am to 5pm approximately).

There you can find products from local artisans, farmers and livestock farmers. All this in a historic place like Farmleigh House, located in Phoenix Park. You can't leave without buying or tasting some of the best cheeses in the country, which are sold there.

Farmleigh House is now a house museum belonging to the Irish government, although it was originally owned by the Guinness family. The market is located in the courtyard, but you can take advantage of your visit to take a tour of the interior of the building, which is surprising for its Edwardian architecture and decoration. However, this is only possible when there are no government guests staying there.

April in Dublin is also about history. On 24 April 1916, coinciding with Easter Monday, the Irish uprising against British rule took place. The insurrection was organised by a number of Irish republicans and was supposed to be national, but in the end it only took place in Dublin. Although it failed and the revolutionaries were executed, the date has great significance and events and parades are organised.

Despite the failure of the revolution and the fact that it was not widely supported, the shooting of its leaders revived the spirit of the Irish against Britain. The republican movement grew strong and continues to generate much pride, so if you are in Dublin on April 24th, you can attend the military parade and the reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic under the portico of the General Post Office.

If you want to join in the commemoration by learning more about this historic event, I recommend a visit to Kilmainham Prison, where many revolutionaries were imprisoned, including those who started the Easter Rising. This is also where they were shot. Admission costs about €8 and it is advisable to book in advance, as they tend to sell out.

Have you heard of Phoenix Park? It's Dublin's largest park and covers over 700 hectares. It would take you almost a whole day to run through it, but if you go in April you can try to do it in a quicker, more entertaining and challenging way: by signing up for the Great Ireland Run, a 10km run accessible to anyone.

In mid-April every year thousands of runners gather in Phoenix Park to take part in the Great Ireland Run. Although there is only one winner, everyone who crosses the finish line receives a commemorative medal. The biggest prize, however, is the route you run: 10 kilometres through the countryside of one of Dublin's most beautiful and famous landmarks.

Are you an experienced runner? There are actually two races, one for amateurs and one for experts, so you can choose which one to enter. Be warned, in the professional section there have been years when world marathon champions have signed up.

For a few years now, the famous characters from Lewis Carroll's fairy tale have been coming to Merrion Park. They do so to celebrate the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, an event not to be missed if you are in Dublin during the first days of April. There you will find activities for the whole family, which I especially recommend if you are travelling to Dublin with children.

The park is filled with games such as a giant chess set of people and some fairground attractions, like the one with the spinning cups. But there's nothing that can't be fixed with a picnic on the grass or at one of the wooden tables. Of course, the little ones will enjoy it most, but it's also a chance for the adults to watch a game of croquet, Ireland's number one sport.

Croquet involves hitting balls with a mallet and driving them along the ground to pass under hoops placed on the pitch. If you would like to learn more about the rules, you can do so for free at the Merrion Park event.

If you're travelling to the Irish capital in April you'll be lucky enough to see the cherry blossom, which is only possible during the last few days of the month. You may not be in Japan, where it's a tradition, but Dublin has plenty of parks where you can stroll among the trees, but the best ones are Phoenix Park and Herbert Park.

Phoenix Park is the largest urban park in Europe, so don't forget to walk the whole length of it. And if you want to see the cherry blossoms, you'll have to go to Farmleigh House, a house museum used for government meetings. However, in April, the Experience Japan Hanami Festival takes place in the vicinity of the house, where you can learn about Japanese culture through dance performances, seminars, etc.

If you don't mind going a bit further away from the centre of Dublin, I recommend you go to Herbert Park. It's a small park, especially compared to the spectacular Phoenix Park, but it has the largest number of cherry trees in the city. If you're looking for peace and quiet, go there.

Visiting a city like Dublin is always a good idea. There's so much to see and the atmosphere is unbeatable, but sometimes I like to take the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and find a more natural area. If this is the same for you, don't miss Iveagh Gardens, a paradise that in April looks spectacular thanks to the first days of spring.

Iveagh Gardens may be hard to find, as it's surrounded by buildings and not so well known, but it's well worth it. In fact, they are considered a National Historic Property, as they are part of Dublin's cultural heritage. They began as the private gardens of the first Earl of Clonmell, but were opened to the public in 1817.

After being the scene of a revolt, a grazing area and even a dumping ground, in 1865 the gardens were revived by Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, who built the Dublin Exhibition Hall there. Because it's so tucked away, it's not usually crowded, so take advantage of good weather in April to have a picnic or just relax to the sound of the cascading waterfall.

There are always things to see and do in Dublin, but as you've seen in April, the Irish weather tends to improve**, reaching highs of 13ºC, but don't be overconfident.

Of course, it won't be like going to Dublin in the winter, but at night the thermometer drops to 4ºC. My advice is to pack some clothes for colder days, especially if you travel at the beginning of the month (at the end of the month the temperatures rise a little more, reaching an average of 11ºC).

Another thing you might be worried about is the rain, well, you'll have to pack a mackintosh because the forecast is for 15 days of rain. These aren't usually big storms, but they can put a damper on your plans.

As it is not high season, prices for flights and accommodation in Dublin during April are rather low. You will find bargains, but remember to check in advance. Dublin is still a European capital and the cost of living while you're there will be somewhat high, so save money by booking flights and hotels in advance.

What you will need to consider is that if you're travelling during the Easter holidays, your budget will need to be increased. This is a time when many visitors come to Dublin, both international and from other parts of Ireland, so prices can go up and accommodation availability can go down. Dublin will welcome you with open arms during your visit in April, so have you got it all planned?