Pops’ Ireland Travel Guide, Dublin

I have been to Dublin many times for both work and for vacations. Some of my observations would be that Dublin is old, beautiful, fun, friendly, and spread out. You can walk and see a lot in the city center but there are sites that you would want to have transportation to see. For that reason I would suggest if you are seeing Dublin for the first time I would take the hop-on/hop-off bus and ride the entire circuit without getting off the first time. Take note of what you would like to see and then on the second circuit get off at those sites. Some of those would be the Guinness Storehouse, Christ Church and St Patrick’s. You can see Temple Bar, Grafton Street, Trinity College, and Stephens Green on foot on another day. Everyone should go to the Guinness Storehouse when in Dublin to at least go to the top for the view. At the top is a circular, glass tasting room with a 360 degree view of Dublin and the surrounding area. This is also where you will get the best tasting Guinness in the world. The Christ Church has a museum in the basement that is worth the trip. Trinity College has the Book of Kells on campus that you need to see when there. The Book of Kells is an illustrated manuscript of the Bible created by Celtic monks around the year 800. Grafton Street is a long pedestrian street lined with stores and places to eat. You can walk from Temple Bar to Stephens Green, which is a famous park, by taking Grafton Street.

 

Temple Bar is a must for having a fun time. It is lined with pubs and restaurants. My son and I have a favorite restaurant in Temple Bar, The Boxty House. A boxty is like a crepe only it is filled with meat, potatoes, vegies, and has gravy over it. At night the pubs are all alive with music, drinks, and people having a great time. One fun thing to do is to watch the “Hen Parties” go from pub to pub. A “Hen Party” is their version of a bachelorette party. They all seem to have a theme and the women dress up in that theme. I have met the friendliest people in my life in some of those pubs. You don’t have to be young to enjoy Temple Bar. You’ll find young and old are all there all having fun together. If you like traditional Irish music then a pub is the place to be.

Cross the Liffey (River) and you’ll find shopping malls and more to explore. Also there you will find the Jameson Distillery for tours and tastings.

So when you are in Dublin explore the city and have fun. Fun is the best way to describe Dublin.