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Bookmark & shareThe Strollin' of the Green
Start your first day on O'Connell St. Here you'll see the juxtaposition of Dublin old and new with the Spire and the General Post Office, where the modern nation began. Walk across the Liffey, through Trinity College, up Grafton St and left along and past St Stephen's Green for an eyeful of Georgian Dublin. After an early lunch on Lower Baggot St, head to the museums around Leinster House for a quick dip into Irish culture. Spend the rest of your day soaking up the atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub, preferably Doheny & Nesbitt's.
Devote the next morning to the wonderful Chester Beatty Library. Check out the restored City Hall and wander through the grounds of Dublin Castle while you're in the neighbourhood. Cross Dame St for a treat at the Queen of Tarts cafe. Christ Church Cathedral is nearby, as is St Patrick's, if you can handle two churches in a row. You're inching closer to the Guinness Storehouse if you fancy paying homage to Dublin's finest drink and seeing a panorama of Dublin from its glassed Gravity Bar. You're also heading in the direction of the evocative Kilmainham Gaol, a must if you have any interest in Irish history.
Head to the north side on your third day, clocking the Four Courts and then wandering through Smithfield, which is a blend of historical working-class character and 21st-century pizzazz. You could stroll along the relatively new Boardwalk along the Liffey, and head up O'Connell St again, to Parnell Sq, and specifically the Dublin Writers Museum and the Hugh Lane Gallery. Head back south side to hip and happening SoDa for dinner and drinks.
A Top Day in Dublin
A copy of the Irish Times, a chat with my local shopkeeper about yesterday's game - it was pure heart, not dumb luck that the Dubs won in injury time - a bowl of porridge and a strong coffee (sounds much nicer than it is) kick off my day. I take a stroll up Grafton St and enjoy the lull before the retail storm, watching the busker put together his harpsichord for the day's playing. I amble into St Stephen's Green where I'll read the rest of the paper and then maybe have a little rest (I'm obviously not going to work on my top day!). I might pop into the National Gallery for a spell to check out my favourite Irish painter, Jack B Yeats, before circling Merrion Square to remind myself that Dublin is, in fact, a very beautiful city. I'm feeling all cultural now, so it's time to get a little meditative in my all-time favourite museum in the whole world, the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin castle. There's nothing like a collection of ancient manuscripts, Bibles, Chinese scrolls and Korans to really chill me out. I couldn't have a perfect day without a round of golf, so it's off to Portmarnock I go. I head back into town to celebrate my sub-par round (OK, my 10-over) in one of many traditional haunts before heading off for dinner in the latest restaurant that everyone simply must go to. I spend the remainder of my night talking sport and other rubbish with friends in a bar before negotiating my way home through the straggling party refugees looking for somewhere to prolong the fun. It's lads: time to go home.
Author: Fionn Davenport
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