What to Do in Dublin?
I’ll be making a mileage run to Dublin in the coming weeks and have started looking into my site-seeing options for the one day I’m there. I’ve been to Ireland before, but never Dublin. Most of the recommendations I’ve heard is for museums and the top floor bar of the Guinness Factory, but surely there’s more!
My site-seeing taste spans from ghost tours to architecture and history to great food. What do readers recommend?
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I did the Jameson factory tour while I was there. It was pretty good, included free whiskey. Definitely volunteer to do the blind tasting thing at the end. They have a preference for picking Americans and you get bonus whiskey. I did a historic pub bus tour which I booked through the visitors center. Finally, if you go to the north of the city a bit, there’s a train that takes you to a little town about 25 minutes out and has a Brilliant cliff walk. Can go anywhere from 2-7 miles and is just absolutely lovely. Can look up specifics if either of those interest you.
Trinity Library and the Book of Kells is what I recommend.
So I actually just got back from a mileage run to Dublin this weekend. I took the Aircoach from the airport to downtown (12 EUR cash at the airport or purchase online beforehand), took about 25 minutes there and dropped me off right outside Trinity College (or get off on O’Connell at the General Post Office) which was great to see. Walk down Grafton Street to St Stephen’s Green. Walk back and up Dame Street to the Dublin Castle and further to Christ Church and further to the Church of Guinness (Guinness Storehouse). Across the river is the Old Jameson Distillery. There’s also a bunch of museums between St Stephen’s Green and Trinity College, along with the Irish Parliament. If you’re there on a Sunday be aware that things open late. Aircoach back to the airport, where every airline agent is paranoid about how long it takes to go through PreClearance (assuming you’re flying directly back to the USA and not connecting elsewhere in Europe), however there are Global Entry machines that make US immigration easy (although there’s a short secondary security screening before truly entering the PreClearance gates which has the bare minimum of food and amenities (no lounges).
We loved Dublin! In addition to the above suggestions go to one of the Arlington hotels (there are 2). they both offer free live music and dancing every night and the food in the pubs is good too. It’s a great time and you’ll definitely feel like you’re in Ireland. Have a wonderful time.
All of the recommendations above are perfect, especially for a one day stay. For a meal, I suggest any pub. My favorite restaurant is Gallaghers Boxty House in the Temple Bar area. http://boxtyhouse.ie/ I still salivate thinking about the chicken/bacon boxty to this day.
After you’ve done Kilmainham Gaol and a walking tour,
spend every available moment at O’Donoghues Bar.
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/kilmainhamgaol/
http://www.odonoghues.ie/bar.htm
I really enjoyed the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour. http://www.1916rising.com/ I’ve done several walking tours in the UK and Ireland and this one really stood out.
Have not been to Dublin YET but love the suggestion for music and dancing every night!
Live music at Temple Bar.
Trinity College library.
Guinness Brewhouse tour, expect to spend several hours there, and if you arrive an hour or two before sunset, you can make it to the top by sunset and see all of Dublin.
Have been to Dublin many times and have seen a lot including a U2 concert as well as a visit to the ER (try to avoid). Highly recommend Dublin Castle, parts of it date from the 1200s and they have some gorgeous Waterford chandeliers. Lots of history here. Avoca is a shop where I love to eat at the cafe as well as shop. Two restaurants I enjoy are The Winding Stair and The Pig’s Ear. You could also try afternoon tea as a splurge at the Shelbourne. I hear it’s delightful!
I did the Jameson tour and enjoyed it, but would probably forego it unless you have time to spare as the distelery is no longer operational.
My favorite thing was really just walking around. Dublin is incredibly accessible by foot. Younger scene located near the Temple Bar area, very lively but completely my bag.
If you want to get out of the city I recommend taking the commuter train to Howth, about 30 min. north of Dublin proper. It is a small fishing village that is walkable. Had a great time there.
Since you like ghost tours, you might like the crypts at St. Michan’s. There are mummies.
http://www.stmichans.com/index.php/the-crypts/visiting