Dublin - What should we do??

We are going to be spending a week in Dublin at the end of the month. I have to plan our itinerary and am sort of at a loss. We do have access to a rental car, but I'm nervous about the whole driving on other side of the road thing, so I'm thinking that we'll opt for day trips through a company or something.

Can you make any recommendations on things to do that must not be missed?

Thanks!

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

I wish I knew, have a great time!

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Honestly- I can't imagine spending an entire week in Dublin. It's a cute city but we did it in 36 hours and that's about all that you need.

We had a rental car and went to other, smaller cities (Limerick, Sligo..all part of a package deal we got...) and saw the countryside.

The roads weren't too bad at all, DH did the driving and was fine with it.

If you have a full week in Ireland you can pretty much see the entire country, it's so small

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

I guess I can understand when visitors say that 2 or 3 days is enough in Dublin, but as a Dubliner I think that there is plenty to do over a week to fill an itinerary. I can’t agree that a week is enough to cover all of Ireland, though. You could perhaps touch on the main tourist areas but the best part is soaking in the atmosphere of the no-so-travelled towns. A colleague just returned from a 9 day trip and she felt rushed and only covered the South and Dublin. Don’t worry about hiring a car – there is a great public transportation system around the City and lots of day trips that you can do by rail or bus.

In the City itself you should visit Irish Distillers, the Guinness factory, Dublin Castle, the Dublinia Viking exhibition, Trinity College for the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Gaol and try an open top bus tour, weather permitting. Shopping is good around Grafton St. and Henry St.

There are some nice towns in the suburbs that you can get to by DART (train) which has a few stops in the City. To the North there is Malahide (Malahide Castle) and Howth and to the South there is Dun Laoghaire, Killiney, Dalkey and Bray. It is a very pleasant ride as the line travels the coastline of Dublin.

I would definitely recommend a trip to Glendalough for the monastery and lake, the town of Avoca and Powerscourt Gardens, all in Co. Wicklow and only an hour from Dublin.

My favorite town for a day trip is Kilkenny. It is approx. 2 hours by bus and is a medieval city with a gorgeous castle and grounds.

Here are some links for transportation and trips that could be helpful.

Dublin Bus

Irish rail tours

Bus Eireann

Please let me know if you have any questions at all. I pretty much know Dublin inside and out after living there for 31 years

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Thanks guys!

Any food recommendations? I'm probably the world's pickiest eater, lol

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

I lived in Dublin for a year and loved every second of it - a week is a nice amount of time to see an incredible city!!!!

My list:

1. Take the DART (the Irish version of the LIRR) to Howth - the last stop. You'll still be in Dublin, technically - but it's absolutely gorgeous. Take a cliff walk (free) in Howth for stunning views of the eye of Ireland and the Irish sea. After your walk, get a pint at the bloody stream (I know - that's the actual name) or spend a little more money and get some amazing seafood at one of the seafood restaurants that face the water.

2. Theatre - the Abbey is the old standby, but I loved the Project Arts Centre (Temple Bar). Check to see what is playing at the Gate Theatre as well. Andrews Lane is a hidden gem.

3. Food - Dublin has developed a really great food scene. For Indian - Jaipur on Upper George's Street. Indonesian (fabulous food) - Chameleon in Temple Bar. Seafood - oh god, I forgot the name - it's a place called Blue something - in Temple Bar.

The pub lunch - you will eat enough food for days - go to O'Neills (off Dame Street) and get the carvery - unless you're a vegetarian. You'll be talking about how much food they gave you all day.

Take the walking tour - Dublin writers. Very fun.

Day trips - Wicklow!!!!!!!

My favorite museum -Chester Beatty Museum at Dublin Castle.

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Thanks for all the recommendations, guys!

Any chance of getting good Italian food? lol I know, I know...

I know the weather there is chilly now. Do I bring a hoodie or a real jacket??? No shorts necessary at all, right?

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

I also wanted to add: I had no access to a car and never even missed it. Our inn in Ballsbridge was a block from the DART station so we did that everyday. I loved the Dublin Writer's Museum (but I'm a nerd like that) and the Remembrance Garden nearby. We took a bus tour I think it was the Coast & Castle tour - that was good as well. It got us out of the hustle & bustle of the city and we were able to hear some "ghost" stories and see the countryside.

Def do the hop on/off bus tour you can see the sites without stress. Go to Guinness, the view alone is worth the trip.

I whole-heartedly agree with the Pub lunch. We ate at O'Neill's as well and I couldn't even finish.

Have fun - It was my favorite trip ever.

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

Bumping

Re: Dublin - What should we do??

thanks, this is great!