Unique Things to Do in Dublin with these Experiences at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel

Here, where the Grand Canal runs alongside Misery Hill, there are stories in every direction – tales that bring the fair city to life. To stay at Anantara The Marker is to step into these stories and be immersed in the multifaceted essence of Ireland.

Pull up to the distinctive hotel building and you’ll be struck by the juxtaposition of fascinating history and dazzling modernism. Misery Hill, named for its past as a leper colony, leads you past the Daniel Liebeskind-designed Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with its glassy angles and iconic red poles, overlooking the quay.

Once a crucial trade route between Shannon and Dublin (bringing, amongst other precious cargo, Guinness), Dublin’s iconic canals have more recently been dubbed the Silicon Docks as they’ve become the European home to tech giants, including Google and TikTok.

Among the unique things to do in Dublin, head south to find the Lir Academy, where Paul Mescal – star of the upcoming blockbuster movie Gladiator – learnt his craft. Across the bridge is Windmill Lane Studio, where U2 recorded their first nine albums. Further into Ringsend, you'll find the Aviva Stadium – the site of the oldest rugby stadium in the world.

To the north, across the Liffey River, is moored the Jeanie Johnston – a replica of the 19th-century famine ship that took Irish emigrants to North America. Also on the river, the Custom House is surrounded by water. The seemingly floating building was conceived by Thomas Hoban, who also designed the White House in Washington DC.

A landmark in itself, Anantara The Marker was designed by Portuguese architect Aires Mateus, inspired by Ireland’s iconic landscapes, including The Giant’s Causeway, The Burren and The Cliffs of Moher. Named for the cast iron markers that acted as milestones for canal travellers in years gone by, the hotel stands at the site of the final marker, which indicated that adventurers had reached their journey’s end. But for guests at Anantara The Marker, the journey to discover Ireland, its history, flavours and charms, is just beginning as they step inside.

A good place to start is at Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins, where the menu overflows with truly Irish dishes. This is a unique thing to do in Dublin, —savouring the culinary delights crafted by Gareth Chef, a true Dubliner who works directly with Ireland’s finest artisans and producers and serves up irresistible creations crafted with super-local ingredients.

You can savour Irish grass-fed beef from Johnstone and oysters from Flaggy Shore. Or fully immerse in the art of Irish cuisine with Executive Chef Gareth's Spice Spoons experience. A private boat trip around Ireland's Eye is followed by an exclusive visit to Kish Fish to learn the art of smoking fresh salmon. Armed with this knowledge, you return to the hotel for a quintessentially Irish cooking class with Chef.

For further experiences in Dublin through flavour, the Poetry & Places Afternoon Tea is an exquisitely elegant combination of the country’s literature and landscapes. As you take your seat in The Marker Bar & Lounge, you’re presented with a selection of dainty and delicious delicacies inspired by settings and stanzas of the Emerald Isle.

Among the places to be explored is The Wild Atlantic Way. The world’s longest coastal drive, which takes in charming villages and steep cliffs, is represented in an opera cake flavoured with chocolate, rye and dillisk. The legendary Kilkenny Castle inspires a cake flavoured with apples, treacle and balsamic vinegar from the orchards that surround the historic stronghold.

Ever tasted a poem? Here’s your chance. One unique thing to do in Dublin is to immerse yourself in the creations of Ireland’s most beloved wordsmiths, where their lyrical phrases are immortalised in delicious morsels. Enjoy a tart infused with Wicklow blackberry wine and topped with a clove meringue inspired by “Blackberry Picking” by Seamus Heaney. There’s a violet macaroon filled with Berriolette curd and adorned with dried flowers that takes its cues from “Lilac” by award-winning poet Martina Dalton. Savour them all – with charming illustrations and extracts of the poems in your menu – paired with premium Ronnefeldt teas served in traditional Wedgewood china.

For guests looking to connect with Ireland’s more rugged side, there’s wild swimming. Guided by experts, you can plunge into the Irish Sea from White Rock Beach for an exhilarating, breathtaking and uniquely Irish adventure that will secure you the respect of local Dubliners who swim these invigorating waters all year round, give you the chance to see the coastline from a new perspective and allow the possibility of encountering wild seals or dolphins.

After that refreshing dip, you have a couple of unique things to do in Dublin. Warm up with a typical tipple in The Marker Bar & Lounge as you learn how to craft your own Irish coffee – blending your brew with local whiskey – or spend a little more time with the sea at Anantara Spa. Using products made with seaweed from the west of Ireland by SEABODY – a small female-owned Irish business – therapists at Anantara Spa massage your whole body using wave-like techniques to boost circulation and encourage relaxation.