Top highlights, and Budget for Dublin

Brad,

Dublin and tight budgets generally don't go together especially around the area of accomodation and food.

Having said that, with more people watching the pennies, here is a list of totally and completely free things you can do in the city which maybe of some interest to you.

GPO – The headquarters of our Patriots during our 1916 uprising, it was entirely gutted but thankfully restored during the 1920s. It is now a fully working post office (GPO, stands for General Post Office) so you are totally free to walk around. The exterior is beautiful and the imposing columns still have bullet holds from the uprising. For keen photographers, if you stand in the middle of O’ Connell Street beside the Jim Larkin statue, you can take a great portrait shot of both the GPO and The Spire (you will have to crouch down to take it), old and new together. I’ve been able to get the whole Spire in the shot, a wonderful shot esp. if you can take it in sepia. Located in the City centre in Dublin 1.

Garden of Remembrance - This beautiful garden in the heart of the city is dedicated to the memory of all those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish Freedom. The large sculpture is based on the theme of the "Children of Lir". The garden is intended as a place of quiet remembrance and reflection. Located in Dublin city centre, Dublin 1

Hugh Lane Gallery - The Hugh Lane Gallery is funded by Dublin Corporation, houses one of Ireland's foremost collections of modern and contemporary art. The original collection, donated by the Gallery's founder Sir Hugh Lane, has now grown to include almost 2000 artworks, ranging from the Impressionist masterpieces of Manet, Monet, Renoir and Degas to works by leading national and international contemporary artists. The Gallery also stages historical and retrospective exhibitions, particularly of Irish art. Located at Parnell Square North in Dublin City Centre, Dublin 1

St. Mary’s Abbey - St. Mary's Abbey is one of Dublin's best-kept secrets. It was once the wealthiest Cistercian Abbey in Ireland. Today only two rooms remain - the Chapter House and the Slype. Located in the city centre in Dublin 1

Georgian Dublin – Walk around the beautiful squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam and admire the absolutely beautiful Georgian houses around this area and shudder to think what would have replaced these if the governments of the 1950s had actually torn these down as they wanted. Still one of the wealthiest parts of Dublin the houses are now mainly offices for accountants and solicitors etc, if I won the Euro millions, it would be my ideal area of Dublin to live. If only walls could talk... I find this historical area of Dublin fascinating. There are also beautiful Georgian buildings on the north side of the city but the ones on the south side are more visited. Located on both the north and south sides on the River Liffey in Dublin 1 & 2

Merrion Square Park – Lesser known and more tranquil than it’s sister park St. Stephen’s Green. It is my favourite green area of Dublin city, always peaceful, calm and beautiful. At the corner of the park is a statue of Oscar Wilde who was born directly opposite at Merrion Square West; you will always find a number of tourists in the park at his statue. Located in the city centre in Dublin 2 just across from the National Gallery.

The Iveagh Gardens - The Iveagh Gardens are among the finest and least known of Dublin's parks and gardens. Located in the city centre in Dublin 2

Government Buildings - The imposing complex of Government Buildings on Upper Merrion Street was undertaken by the British administration in Ireland.. Fortuitously, the complex was completed in March 1922, and was available immediately to be occupied by the new Irish Free State government. Admission is free and tickets can be obtained from the National Gallery. Located in the city centre in Dublin 2

National Gallery of Ireland - The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish art and European master paintings. Although small by European standard, it is still a fascinating place to wander around and admire. Admission to the permanent collection is free. Located in the city centre in Dublin 2 just across from Merrion Square.

National (History) Museum - The National Museum of Ireland - is the national repository for all archaeological objects found in Ireland and home to over two million artefacts. As a history junkie, I love this place and it is easy to see why. The archaeological collection is the primary repository of ancient Irish artefacts and an indispensable source for researchers into the development of Irish civilization from prehistoric times until the end of the Middle Ages and beyond. The period covered by the exhibitions extends from the Mesolithic through to the end of the medieval period, and includes internationally known treasures such as the Ardagh Chalice, 'Tara' Brooch and Derrynaflan Hoard. Located in the city centre on Kildare Street in Dublin 2.

Bank of Ireland – This beautiful building directly opposite Trinity College is the old Irish Parliament that voted itself out of existence for the 1801 Act of Union. It now houses one of Ireland biggest banks. Architecturally it is very impressive both interior and exterior. Some of the interior has been altered completely, so that it couldn’t be used as a parliament after 1801 but it is still very impressive. It is free to go inside, as it is a working bank. There are also guided tours on certain days but I am not sure if they are free. Located on Dame Street / Westmorland Street opposite Trinity College in Dublin City in Dublin 2

Arbour Hill Cemetery - The military cemetery at Arbour Hill is the last resting place of 14 of the executed leaders of the insurrection of 1916. Among those buried there are Patrick Pearse, James Connolly and Major John Mc Bride. Located at the rear of the National Museum of Ireland about 1.5km from the city centre in Dublin 7

National (History) Museum - Decorative Arts & History Collins Barracks. This branch of the National Museum of Ireland displays houses fine examples of silver, ceramics, glassware, weaponry, furniture, Folklife, clothing, jewellery, coins and medals. All of these are displayed with imagination in innovative and contemporary galleries, which entice you to go further, look harder and examine more closely. Located in the city centre in Dublin 7

Aras an Uachtarain - Residence of the President of Ireland. Admission is free and ickets are issued at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre only on the day, on a first-come, first-served basis. – Located in the Phoenix Park a few km from the city centre in Dublin 8

Royal Hospital Kilmainham - The Irish Museum of Modern Art, in collaboration with the Office of Public Works, presents the magnificent 17th century Royal Hospital. Located 3km from the city centre in Dublin 8

St. Audoen’s Church - Sited in the heart of the walled medieval city, St Audoen's Church is the only remaining medieval parish church in Dublin. Located in the city centre in Dublin 8

War Memorial Gardens - These gardens are dedicated to the memory of 49,400 Irish soldiers who died in the 1914-1918 war. The names of all the soldiers are contained in the beautifully illustrated Harry Clarke manuscripts in the granite bookrooms in the gardens. Located in Islandbridge in Dublin 8

National Botanic Gardens - The National Botanic Gardens is noted for its fine plant collections holding over 15,000 plant species and cultivars from a variety of habitats from all around the world. Famous for its exquisitely restored and planted glasshouses. About 3.5km north of the city centre in Glasnevin, Dublin 9

Farmleigh - Farmleigh is an estate of 78 acres situated to the north-west of Dublin's Phoenix Park. Developed in order to provide accommodation for visiting dignitaries and guests of the nation, for high level Government meetings and for enjoyment by the public. Farmleigh remains a unique representation of its heyday, the Edwardian period. Located in the Phoenix Park a few km from the city centre in Dublin 15

When in Dublin more than likely you will stumble across Temple Bar. On week-end nights this place is crowded, it is full and pubs and clubs, there are some nice pubs in this area but I am not a fan of the area at night (it's not dangerous * just full of dunk people), it is a really nice place to stroll through during the day and have a pub lunch. There are a few "traditional pub" here but they tender to cater for tourists, I know you will be one.

Outside of Temple Bar - these are my favourite pubs

Kehoe's on South Anne's St in Dublin 2 (2nd left off Grafton street (as you are walking up it) - a main street in Dublin) is my favourite pub in Dublin. But I wouldn't recommend it on a Fri or Sat night as it is over crowded, having said that it would be a great time to meet some locals who are just starting their week-end after working in the city. My favourite time in the pub would be on a Monday or Tuesday night it is perfect. Always a great atmosphere (at any time). It is an old Victorian pub with a few snugs, a great place to be if you are in a small group.

John Mulligan's - Poolbeg St Dublin 2 (not an easy pub o find) like the above, a great atmosphere. Like Kehoe's above, it got a really old world feel about it.

Neary's (Chatham St) and Dawson Lounge (Dawson St).

All above are traditional pub

I'd stay away from the modern bars they are soulless.

Enjoy!

Er Guinness factory tour?!?!!

Oh and re expense... although I believe you can live and travel cheaply in most cities in the world (ie stay in hostels rather than hotels, eat sandwiches rather than pub lunches, make your own dinner at the hostel rather than eat out, etc) Dublin is rather expensive and more so for it's size.

It's not as bad as London as a (geographically) close example, but importantly it's not much better either... in 2008 Dublin was ranked (again) as the 16th most expensive city in the world (ranked more expensive than Sydney!) and the 8th most expensive in Europe, so you're going to have to be careful about what and where you spend money.

Thanks a lot! That helps tremendously and gives me a good idea. It seems as there will be plenty to keep me busy and looking forward to it!

Very hard to improve on the above, but I'd add that if you'd like to go out to Newgrange for the day (highly recommended), then you can get there and back on public transport very easily indeed, which helps keep the cost down.

I would only add that the Kilmainham Jail was worth the price and something different.
We stayed at the Litton Lane hostels, where there was a kitchen available to make our own meals and the grocery store was just across the river. It was very reasonable and the location was good walking distance from most places

Great list above, one thing I would add is the mummies at St Michan's on Church Street. It'll cost you, but only about a fiver.

I wouldn't bother with the Guinness factory tour. It's ludicrously overpriced and just not very nice.

If you plan to stay in PRIVATE rooms in hostels, sometimes it costs equally or even more than a B&B. So choose an area of the city, and then check carefully the accomondation and rates provided around!
Reminder: In most cases rates in a B&B include a great rich irish breakfast that can feel you all day, and you may save money by having a light snack instead of a proper lunch on noon, and then go for a full dinner at the evening, thing that may be a money saver!

go on the beer at the stags head and dame tavern (on dame lane - opposite each other). dame tav is is a good spot on Fri/Sat nights with music, sunday afternoon is good there too - full of dublin characters