DUBLIN — Ireland has more to offer than really good Guinness and content for joke books. The Emerald Isle has produced a lot of creative talent over centuries and generations, from literary geniuses (think Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw) to musicians (U2, The Chieftains, Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, The Corrs, The Cranberries and Thin Lizzy, among others). And yes, even boy bands (Boyzone, anyone?)

That’s why, if you’re a big fan of music, a trip to Dublin, the country’s capital, is a must. It’s where the streets resonate with Ireland’s musical heritage. If you ask anybody who has been to this city, they’ll tell you that a must-do is to take a stroll down Grafton Street, the main shopping strip, where you can see a myriad of street performers, all of them captivating in their own unique way.

One option to see Dublin’s rock and roll side is to go on a walking tour. Dublin Differently (www.dublindifferently.com), organises several walking tours that focus on Irish music, such as the Dublin Music Tour, which lets you in on the stories and inspirations behind unforgettable songs and see the venues that are part of some of Ireland’s most famous musical exports’ history.

It takes about three to four hours and your personal tour guide will point out significant events and milestones in the city as well as walk you through historical landmarks, such as the famous Temple Bar, which tips a nod to Irish rock band U2; Phil Lynott, the frontman for Irish rock band Thin Lizzy; and probably one of Ireland’s biggest singer-songwriters, Van Morrison, among others.

Of course, the biggest musical export out of Dublin — and Ireland, it seems — has got to be U2. If you’re a big fan of Bono and Co, then you’ll want to take the U2 Tour. Like the Dublin Music Tour, this walking tour also lasts about three to four hours, and it’s solely dedicated to the four guys who first met in a kitchen after reading a “band members wanted” notice in their school, Mount Temple Comprehensive School.

During your walk, you’ll see where Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr recorded some of their most famous songs; as well as the U2 Wall in Windmill Lane, the fan-graffiti wall where many have inked their devotion to the band. There are also stops at several locations where U2 filmed their music videos such as The Sweetest Thing, Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own and Pride (In The Name Of Love). You’ll also see other things U2-related such as the Trabant cars painted by artist Catherine Owens (used in the Zoo TV Tour) and the 3 Arena (formerly The Point Depot), where U2 performed their now-famous New Year’s Eve concert with BB King in 1989. Oh, you’ll also receive a U2 gift as a token of the tour.

If you don’t have enough time for a walking tour — or if you’re just not the walking type — make a trip to the Irish Rock n’ Roll Museum Experience. Located at Curved Street, just minutes away from Trinity College Dublin, it’s where you’ll get access to behind-the-scenes lives of some of Ireland’s most famous rock stars. Thin Lizzy, for example, were the original Irish rock stars and the boys are back in town with an exhibition dedicated to the band. You’ll get to see memorabilia such as Lynott’s guitars, his outlandish costumes, the band’s setlists as well as their gold and platinum albums.

The Temple Lane Recording Studios has been at the centre of Irish music since 1984 and the Irish pop band The Script is one of many who have recorded here. Other international singers such as Rihanna and Paolo Nutini have also used it. Explore this studio for yourself and check out the recording equipment that have been used by these iconic stars.

There’s also a mock stage, where you get feel what it’s like to be a rock star; and if you’re a guitar geek, you’ll love the collection of vintage instruments and equipment from the likes of Gibson, Fender, Marshall and Vox. Before you leave, don’t forget to get your photo taken in front of the Wall of Fame, where you’ll find images of Irish music royalty.

And how does one end a rock ‘n’ roll tour? Well, perhaps the Dublin Music Tour has the perfect finale: It recommends ending off with a “trad session” — listening to live music and having a pint in a Dublin pub on Grafton Street. Trust us, there’s nothing quite like it.

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Explore these other fun Dublin attractions, too

NATIONAL LEPRECHAUN MUSEUM (www.leprechaunmuseum.ie). This is the first attraction ever dedicated to Irish mythology and you’ll have a bit of fun while learning about Irish folklore. Follow the guided tour where your tour guide tells you enchanting stories about leprechauns, from the first ever sighting in the eighth century, to modern-day representations of them in movies and popular culture. You’ll find yourself in a charming, leprechaun-sized world as you journey through various myths and legends. Is there really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Go here to find out for yourself.

GUINNESS STOREHOUSE (www.guinness-storehouse.com). No visit to Dublin would be complete without taking a look at its most popular export. Ireland is the home of Guinness and this site has been home to the Guinness Brewery since 1759. It’s a must-visit if you’re a fan of ‘the black stuff’. Spread over seven floors, you’ll find out what goes into the making of each pint of Guinness and learn about the history of the brand that stretches over 250 years. Finish your tour while sipping your complimentary pint and enjoying the panoramic view of Dublin city from the Gravity Bar, right at the top.

DUBLIN WRITERS MUSEUM (www.writersmuseum.com). One for the literary folk, this museum houses a history and celebration of literary Dublin. Delve into the lives, works and personal items of Dublin’s most famous literary personalities over the past 300 years. Among them are Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and James Joyce. There are also exhibitions, lunchtime theatre and readings at this museum.