Turning 21... In Dublin?

Hi all!

I've travelled alot and have always wanted to go to Ireland. In November, I'll be turning 21 and as I'm not a fan of my usual boring school/uni/work orientated, rainy, cold UK birthdays, I thought I might leave the country and have a cold, rainy Irish birthday instead (flights are only £20 all in return to Dublin with ryanair see). I would grab my oldest friend and we'd spend 2 nights (and it seems, lots of money!)

Is this a good idea? I love museums, sport, walks, drinking (lots) and eating. And making friends with everyone...

Better than staying at home I suppose.

Have a good time.

You don't mention what two days/nights amounts to (what time do you get in, what time do you leave? have you booked your flights?). There are some great small museums/galleries in Dublin and the drinking culture runs strong. However, Temple Bar can be a bit debauched (in a bad way) but if you can get away from there (for example The International is a good pub not in Temple but still lively with locals and tourists) it is a good drinking town.

Some helpful stuff - Gallagher's Boxty House in Temple Bar has good Irish food; get a public transport bus from the airport rather than the dedicated express service, EUR4-5 cheaper and only about 10-15 mins longer); the National Gallery has some great work by Jack Yeats; the Kells at Trinity College is not worth it, it is badly laid out and confusing; if going to the Guinness factory pre-buy tickets or join the long long queue; it can cost as much as EUR5-6 for a pint of Guinness in Dublin; Dublin is a good city for walking, however avoid Grafton St (there is nothing worthwhile there) but the parallel Dawson St is great, be sure to drop into Cafe en Seine in Dawson street for the breathtaking interior (Guinness at EUR5.20).

If you haven't got passports, budget for them too (currently £72 a head - going up in October).

The Irish don't want them - Ryanair do.

#2: the dedicated bus service is far, far more comfortable and is totally worth the extra few euro. I really don't understand people who go on holiday and pennypinch like that. Leave the local bus to people who work at the airport. They are the same buses that drive all over Dublin and aren't designed for 50 people and their luggage.

Edited by: vodkajihad

#4, it depends. I would imagine that for two nights the OP is not going to have a huge amount of luggage. It is not penny pinching, it is a fiver each way which is half a night's accomm. They are not the same buses which drive all over Dublin as they have a dedicated luggage rack area (or at least the 16a does).They are not designed for 50 and their luggage but they are designed for some and their luggage (as is obvious form the luggage area) and if there is too much luggage the driver will stop people with luggage getting on. My experience with the bus (six or seven return trips) is that it is not the workers who use it but travellers and tourists and even when used at peak times it is never full.

The dedicated service is more comfortable but whether it is worth it is a matter of opinion.

Honestly, Dublin is a complete ripoff and very overrated. I went to Trinity there so I should know. Go to Belfast or Galway.

#6, it is over priced but it is all horses for courses. There is an appeal to Dub (IMO) that certainly Belfast doesn't have and I htink that ties into looking for a huge night out with a swag of Euros burning a hole in your pocket. I live in Dub so I should know (that's an attempt at humour by the way rather than a cheap shot!).

At 4.50 euros a pint, it's madness. Also the place is completely depressed by the economic collapse. I would go to Galway definitely. Far more fun to be had. Also, girls are orange and ugly.

I think it's a great idea, it's exactly what I did on my last birthday and I had an ace time. I took a backpack with tiny toiletries so didn't have to pay Ryanscare more for checked-in luggage, stayed in a cheap-ass dorm (Barnacles if you're interested) and drank/ate away from Temple Bar so the entire 2-night stay cost well under £100.

Personally, I'd advise you to go to St Michans church and see the mummies, eat at this place during their early bird special hours (cheap, tasty, free wi-fi, nice atmosphere) Havana, avoid the Book of Kells (queues & pricey) and have a good walk round the city, stopping at the infinite number of nice pubs.

Have fun, and happy birthday in advance.

Oh yeah, EUR5.20 in places, Galway would be as good a choice, what is it with fake tan (but ugly is a bit harsh); however, depressed, nah (IMO), I was at a EUR150 for two restaurant on Saturday night, about half full for the first sitting and plunging towards full when I left as the second sitting began to roll in. EUR10 each comedy club was very busy as well.

Another good early bird is Saba but there are lots of these so keep your eyes open.

i don't know, there seems to be a lot of hatred here towards dublin. i rather enjoyed drinking there. than again, i am from the states, and so i wouldn't know the particular ins and outs and culture of the region so much as the others here.

seriously though, i had an awesome time there, and there was plenty of culture and plenty of boozing. if you're worried about spending too much money there, here is a list of FREE places in dublin to see/visit/pass out on the sidewalk in.

luckily you mentioned that you like museums.... it is good to meet someone else who likes a mixture of the binge drinking, the sports, and the museums. they don't usually go hand in hand. so congrats, and enjoy your 21st!

jon