Table of Contents Show
When you picture a classic New England town, Dublin, NH, may be what you have in mind. Picturesque farmhouses dot the hilly terrain surrounding a historic town square.
Drive a few minutes outside of town, and you’ll discover the incredibly scenic countryside.
Are you ready to discover this little Dublin in New Hampshire? Let’s go!
Where Is Dublin, NH?
This small town of 1,500 people is in Cheshire County in southwestern New Hampshire. It’s directly on State Route 101, about 13 miles east of Keene and 7 miles west of Peterborough.
Dublin, NH, is about 45 miles from Manchester and approximately 90 miles from Providence, RI. A drive to Boston takes a couple of hours.
About Dublin, NH
Dublin began as a farming community with a textile mill. These days, it’s also the home of the Dublin School and the Yankee Publishing Company. Yankee Publishing produces Yankee Magazine and the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Many Dublin residents work in nearby communities, so some treasure it as a laid-back bedroom community. There are many outdoor opportunities along various waterways and the mountains to the north.
Another Dublin tradition involves showing off antique tractors and other vintage vehicles. Since 1972, enthusiasts have gathered annually at Cricket Hill Farm for the Dublin Gas Engine Meet.
Did the Irish Settle in Dublin, NH?
As you may have guessed, Dublin has Irish heritage. Many of its early colonists were Protestants from the Ulster province, primarily in Northern Ireland.
John Mason, a British merchant, founded the colony in 1749 under Monadnock No. 3, but it wasn’t a settlement immediately. However, by the 1760s, colonists had migrated from the nearby town of Peterborough. One of them was Henry Strongman, originally from Dublin, Ireland.
You can get a good idea of Dublin’s appearance in its earlier days. The Dublin Village Historic District has many surviving buildings from the late 1700s through the 1800s. There’s a mix of classic architectural styles, including Federal, Colonial, and Georgian.
Things to Do in Dublin, NH
You can grab a bite or two to eat while you’re there, but first, you should head out into the great outdoors. You won’t have to travel far to appreciate Dublin’s gorgeous natural beauty.
Hike the Trails at Monadnock State Park
Standing 3,165 feet high, Monadnock Mountain is the area’s most prominent natural landmark. At this state park, you can explore a thousand acres starting at three different trailheads.
This location is extremely trendy, especially when the weather is nice. It’s best to make a reservation to ensure you have a place to park. Enjoy a short, relaxing hike or plan for three to four hours for the rugged trip to the summit and back. Sorry, there is a no pets policy.
See the Beauty of Eliza Adams Gorge
Another southern New Hampshire jewel is the 48-mile Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. Part of it overlooks the magnificent Eliza Adams Gorge, a few miles from Dublin toward Harrisburg.
A 3.5-mile out-and-back trail leads you to the gorge, and your dogs can join if they’re on a leash. The trail goes past a waterfall next to a concrete dam separating two reservoirs. This is a favorite quick getaway for locals and a hotspot for birders.
Grab a Deli Sandwich at the Dublin General Store
A unique place to get a satisfying meal is in the town center. The Dublin General Store, which dates to 1842, is a small grocery with all the basics plus a fresh food counter.
Their many loyal customers say their array of fresh deli sandwiches may be the best in the area. Others swear by their breakfast sandwiches, lunch specials, and sweet treats. “Great, friendly staff (and) the food is excellent,” says a Google reviewer named Josh. “Awesome homemade cookies, too!”
Savor a Homemade Italian Pasta Dish From Del Rossi’s Trattoria
While the recipes return to Italy, the setting is classic Dublin, NH. This inviting, family-owned eatery is inside a spacious farmhouse from 1789. Locals know it as the old Appleton place, and the owners lovingly restored it into a charming and elegant Italian restaurant.
Enjoy traditional pasta dishes made from scratch and a vast and varied selection of wines, beers, and liquors. Many diners describe it as a unique and romantic experience.
Visit the Animals at the Friendly Farm
This is another example of how Dublin’s historic places have found new, creative uses. This one is a petting farm on a historic farm property. Friendly Farm aptly describes the owners, workers, and animals.
It’s a hands-on place where you can cuddle with and even help feed a menagerie of well-behaved critters. Typical livestock like cows, horses, goats, and sheep coexist with bunnies, peacocks, ducks, geese, and llamas.
Keep in Mind: Are you an animal lover? If so, you need to visit the Wolf Sanctuary in PA!
Places to Stay Near Dublin, NH
Staying overnight in Dublin means more time to enjoy the outdoors. Here are three options for you, all an easy distance from the historic downtown district.
Gilson Pond Campground
Developed in 2010, this is the newest of several campgrounds within Monadnock State Park. It’s for tents and smaller RV trailers only.
Address: 585 Dublin Rd, Jaffrey, NH 03452
About: Gilson Pond Campground has 35 sites, and most are primitive though a few have electricity. It is not for big rigs, as the largest sites can accommodate travel trailers up to about 20 feet.
Here you can start a mountain hike from your doorstep and enjoy kayaking and canoeing nearby. Amenities include fire rings, drinking water, vault toilets, and showers. They do not allow pets.
Cost: $25 for dry camping, $35 with partial hookups.
Spacious Skies Campgrounds — Seven Maples
A more luxurious but remote experience awaits several miles north of Dublin near the town of Hancock. This family-friendly campground is on property that was farmland for generations.
Address: 24 Longview Rd, Hancock, NH 03449
About: Seven Maples has around 130 sites for tents and RVs with full or partial hookups, and they can handle larger rigs. There are trails for hiking and biking, and you can rent a kayak to float down Moose Brook into Norway Pond.
For those seeking more comfort, they have cabins for rent and a heated swimming pool. There is a camp store on the property and a log cabin-style recreation center. More pluses are clean showers, bathrooms, and attentive staff. They allow pets with restrictions.
Cost: $50 and up
Keep in Mind: One thing you need to add to your itinerary is visiting one of these New Hampshire Waterfalls!
Woodmore Family Campground and RV Park
This family-friendly, pet-friendly campground is approximately 15 miles south of Dublin along State Route 137. It’s on scenic Lake Contoocook.
Address: 21 Woodmore Drive, P.O. Box 830, Rindge, NH 03461
About: Woodmore has 162 sites, many either lakeside or with a gorgeous view of the lake. Basic sites have water and electricity, while Deluxe and Premium upgrades give sewer service and Cable TV access.
At this campsite you can also find a dump station, swimming pool, basketball court, and a tournament-size wiffle ball field. They have a boat dock so that you can do some boating or fishing on the lake. It’s also convenient to a Rails-to-Trails hiking and biking path.
Cost: $54 and up
Is a Visit to Dublin, NH, Worth It?
Tiny Dublin, NH, is one of those towns that’s not very famous, so it doesn’t draw many tourists. That makes it a terrific place to get away from the crowds.
That’s what many people from surrounding cities do occasionally. They can stretch their legs on a hike and visit a handful of businesses that welcome them with open arms.
There’s no doubt that the familiar Irish name draws some curious visitors. Those who visit Dublin, NH, are rewarded with a classic and endearing New England charm.
You can also enjoy the incredible natural beauty that must have attracted those early colonists nearly three centuries ago.
What are your favorite places to visit in New Hampshire? Tell us in the comments!
