3 Days in Dublin

Hiya

As part of our holiday next April we are spending 3 days in Dublin, we (group of 4 30ish yr old gals) are starting to plan, any suggestions on what to do and see in Dublin.

Thanks

It would help if you mentioned your interests and if you are going to be around on a weekend. It would also help if you clarified 'three days', are you arriving Friday and leaving Sunday (as some people might mean) or do you have a full 72 hours.

I am of the opinion that Dublin needs a good solid two days (one centring around the west end and sights like the modern art museum, St Michan's Church (check for tour times as a tour of the vault is a key part of the visit), the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmanhaim jail, Phoenix Park/zoo and Collin's Barracks (more likely a selection of) and a second day centrally to include the national gallery, Merrion Square, the Kildare St archaeology museum, Chester Beatty Library, Trinity College/Book of Kells, Temple Bar, Grafton St and St Stephen's Green. IMO, the Guinness factory and the Book of Kells are not worth it (particularly price wise) but visitors seem to come away satisfied from visits to both. Christchurch and St Patrick's Cathedral can be done on either day as they are on the border of the two areas.

CB Library, St Michan's Church and the archaeology museum are three of my fave places. They might be yours.

Dublin is not too tricky to get around on foot but Dublin buses are good (buy a ten trip adult tkt, it'll also get you from the airport on Bus 16A really cheap) and while it is expensive a hop-on hop-off bus would get you around the city in a fast and convenient way.

If you have time get a train or bus out to Howth, in good weather it is gorgeous, in wet and rain it is a bit more of a burden. If you have a day with good weather and time head to Howth, move your plans accordingly - there is little worse than schlepping from gallery to gallery in good weather only to find your outdoor day wet. If you are planning to be in Dublin on a Monday do check various opening times if planning to go to museums/galleries.

In terms of pubs and live music Cobblestones in Smithfield has some good trad bands but you may need to pay, the Temple Bar pub in Temple Bar does a good Saturday afternoon session sometimes, McNeills in Capel St often does a good Saturday night session, and O'Donoghues Bar in Merrion Row near St Stephen's Green does a cracking Sunday afternoon session.

In terms of other places to drink try Dawson's Lounge in Kildare St, Cafe en Seine in the same street is expensive but go there out of its busy hours because it is a dramatic interior, The Porterhouse in Parliament St has some different brews like their own and Galway Hooker, and there are lots of others like The International, Bankers, The Quays and etc which you might like (but I don't necessarily care for).

Edited by: markfawkner

Hi, here's a list of the main attractions in Dublin: Dublin Castle, the Museums, Dundrum Shopping Centre (the biggest shopping centre in Ireland), The Temple Bar (area with all the main pubs), Grafton Street and Henry Street (for shopping), the Spire, Croagh Park, Dublin Zoo, Viking Splash tours, Kilmanhaim Jail, the Guiness Factory and if you want to find out more visit: www.visitdublin.com
Getting around Dublin isn't as easy as other European countries. The best way around is the LUAS (tram) or the dart(train), but it won't get you to most destinations. Bus is by far the easiest way to get around Dublin as taxis are very expensive!

Correction to #1, Dawson's lounge is in Dawson St, as is Cafe en Seine.

Thanks for all your help! All your suggestions are greatly appreciated! At this stage we haven't booked flights so don't know what days we will be in Dublin.

I know Mark doesn't agree, but we really liked both the Book of Kells and the Guinness brewery tour. At Trinity College we got a package on the spot that included a little tour plus the Book of Kells. It isn't just the few pages of the book that you see, but the whole display, which provides good information about the politics, religion, writing technology, and social organization of the period. Similarly, at the Guinness storehouse (cheaper if you book online) we learned about the ingredients and process of beermaking, but also about tasting, advertising, and history. But we also thought Kilmainham Gaol was interesting and the modern art museum too. The Asia gallery of the Chester Beatty gallery was closed. But we had a great lunch there, and the religion gallery was open.

Lots to do in 3 days - obviously it depends on what you like. I'd advise getting accommodation as close to the center as possible as public transport isn't as good as it can be. Attractions like the Guinness Brewery and Jamesons etc., are popular, but also quite expensive if you go to them all the time - the main museums are free and excellent as an alternative, especially the new Treasury exhibition in the main National Museum. I'd strongly recommend getting a Dublin bike ticket (2 euro for 3 days, a bargain!) as using them makes getting around the city much more fun and efficient. I'd suggest keeping one day for fresh air - there are wonderful walks around Howth (the complete walk from Sutton X Dart Station to Howth village is about 4 hours and is really awesome on a good day), but also great walks south from Dun Laoighaire or up in the Wicklow Mountains.

Dublin, I mean, the city, is nice, but what I liked the most was Howth, a little city near Dublin. Of course, it depends on the period you'll be there, cause I can't imagine to spend a day in Howth while it rains.
Also Wicklow mountains seemed to be quite an interesting place, but if you want to travel alone, and not with an organized tour, you will have to plan it before you book the hostel, cause it is virtually impossible to visit the place without sleeping there in the night!

Heya! I will be in Dublin with my mother, 25 & 55.... We are spending 4 nights there wednesday evening to sunday morning in the month of July... We enjoy cultural things such as museums and markets as well as shopping and we love cafes... We really eant to get a flavkr for ireland....

All that being said, we wood love some suggestions for things to do, entertainment, restaurants as well as some daytrips....

Thanks a lot!

gali, start a new thread.

Also read this thread (there is a list of museums and etc), buy a guide book or search the web for a list of museums, and search TT for similar questions.

Additionally, Dublin will not give you a flavour for Ireland, just Dublin. And when?