Could an American ask for help here to plan a trip to Dublin?

[Deb in IA]

Hello to the UK DIS'ers!


We will be in Dublin for 3 days this summer, on our way back home after our Disney Eastbound Transatlantic cruise.

We will be there June 1 - 4, 2014, and are really looking forward to it!

Our family consists of me and DH, both in mid-50's, our DD Jennifer, who will be 23, and our DS Mark, who turns 19 on the cruise.

This trip is to celebrate Jennifer's graduation from college, and she really wants to visit Ireland. Several of her friends have been there.

I have our flights booked, but was wanted some recommendations for:

1. Places to stay (hotel)
2. Places to eat
3. Things to do

We would like a combination of stuff on our own and a guided tour or two.

Can anyone give me some recommendations?


THANKS so much!

 

[Deb in IA]

Oh, I just saw the UK Community Board.

Maybe this is better asked there.

I'll go and paste this thead over there.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Hi,

This website might help you - Visit Dublin - full of useful information like places to stay, how to get around, and things to see and do.

It's a really good website.

Enjoy planning your trip, it's a great city!

http://www.visitdublin.com

 

[Deb in IA]

Thanks!

 

[Clare D]

We visited Dublin in 2004 for a long weekend and my SIL has family that lives there now.
Dublin isn't cheap. Since moving to the Euro it has become very expensive. Dublin is a small city and it is easy to walk around. They have an open bus tour, think red London bus without the roof, which you can hop on and off and the tour guide will give you lots of info as you pass tourist spots.

You must visit the St. James Street brewery which is the Guiness brewery. You also get a free Guiness from the top and as you only have to be 18 to drink your son can have one too.

U2 have a hotel on the banks of the Liffey and we had a very good meal here. I'm not sure what it is like now though.

St.Stephen's Green area has the more upmarket hotels. John Rocha who is a fashion designer in the UK also has a hotel here.

Even though you are visiting during the summer you may also need to pack light jumpers as the weather in the UK and Ireland can be very temperamental and wet.

Enjoy the Craic in Dublin

 

[Woodview]

Hello Deb in IA


There are Irish people on this site.

Just to let you know that June 1st Sunday & Monday 2nd ARE

Bank Holidays .... so most shops will be closed AS WILL ALL BANKS.

Till the 3rd Tuesday ( Opening at 10 am )

ATM machines will / are open .... SO bring some EURO notes before you leave home And Maker sure you have a Mastercard or Visa Credit Card

I will give more info shortly but must go and watch Nightly News

with Brian Williams right now

 

[Woodview]

There are the usual Hotel Chains as you will find all over the world.

Clarion , Marriott , etc.

BUT The Best Western has 2 hotels in O'Connell St Dublin which is the city center.

One is beside the Bus Information Office & NEXT to THE General Post Office

Which is the Focal Point of Dublin .

The Other BW. is 300 yards away.

ALL Main Attractions of Dublin Are within 2 miles of The GPO.

Trinity Collage ( The Book of Kells ) is 10 min walk .


Here is what I would do in the few days.

( A ) Take a Guided Bus tour to Avoca South of Dublin on road to Arklow

This takes in Glendalough Monastery

( B ) Take a Guided Bus Tour to Newgrange ,.. North of Dublin

Between Slane & Drogheda

This is An Ancient Monument & How Man lived

Also on this tour you will learn of Irelands Political history


The Tours are operated By Bus Eirenn ..the State Bus Co.


Hope this Helps If more info needed come back & ask.

 

[Woodview]

While I do not live in Dublin ...... I live in Cork 160 miles south I do travel

to Dublin many times a year .

 

[irisheyes123]

Hello Deb in IA


There are Irish people on this site.

Just to let you know that June 1st Sunday & Monday 2nd ARE

Bank Holidays .... so most shops will be closed AS WILL ALL BANKS.

Till the 3rd Tuesday ( Opening at 10 am )

ATM machines will / are open .... SO bring some EURO notes before you leave home And Maker sure you have a Mastercard or Visa Credit Card

I will give more info shortly but must go and watch Nightly News

with Brian Williams right now

Most shops in dublin would be open on the bank holiday Monday and the Sunday. The shops open around 11am-12pm those days .

 

[Deb in IA]

We visited Dublin in 2004 for a long weekend and my SIL has family that lives there now.
Dublin isn't cheap. Since moving to the Euro it has become very expensive. Dublin is a small city and it is easy to walk around. They have an open bus tour, think red London bus without the roof, which you can hop on and off and the tour guide will give you lots of info as you pass tourist spots.

You must visit the St. James Street brewery which is the Guiness brewery. You also get a free Guiness from the top and as you only have to be 18 to drink your son can have one too.

U2 have a hotel on the banks of the Liffey and we had a very good meal here. I'm not sure what it is like now though.

St.Stephen's Green area has the more upmarket hotels. John Rocha who is a fashion designer in the UK also has a hotel here.

Even though you are visiting during the summer you may also need to pack light jumpers as the weather in the UK and Ireland can be very temperamental and wet.

Enjoy the Craic in Dublin

There are the usual Hotel Chains as you will find all over the world.

Clarion , Marriott , etc.

BUT The Best Western has 2 hotels in O'Connell St Dublin which is the city center.

One is beside the Bus Information Office & NEXT to THE General Post Office

Which is the Focal Point of Dublin .

The Other BW. is 300 yards away.

ALL Main Attractions of Dublin Are within 2 miles of The GPO.

Trinity Collage ( The Book of Kells ) is 10 min walk .


Here is what I would do in the few days.

( A ) Take a Guided Bus tour to Avoca South of Dublin on road to Arklow

This takes in Glendalough Monastery

( B ) Take a Guided Bus Tour to Newgrange ,.. North of Dublin

Between Slane & Drogheda

This is An Ancient Monument & How Man lived

Also on this tour you will learn of Irelands Political history


The Tours are operated By Bus Eirenn ..the State Bus Co.


Hope this Helps If more info needed come back & ask.

Thanks so much!!!

This is great, and exactly the kind of "insider" information I was hoping for!

I'll go and check out some of these recommendations!

 

[Deb in IA]

Hi! I'm back!

Well, to this thread - not from our trip yet!


Is the Dublin Pass a good deal?
They ae offering a 15% off deal when you order online in April for the 2-, 3-, or 6-day passes.

We would do the 3 day pass and it would be for 4 adults - regular price 71 euros, 15% off would be 60 euros.

 

[Woodview]

I have replied to your other Thread posted today.

You take the Green Double decker 747 bus to O'Connell Street

Cost € 10 per person Return .

The Hop on Hop Off ticket would be a good price IF it is for the

4 adults .

I think ALL THESE Tickets Can be bought at the Airport Entrance / Exit.

at Kerbside .

( I just take the Green 747 Bus to Heuston Station )

 

[WiganTony]

We visited last weekend (just for one night) - three men, so the emphasis was more on the beer available!!!

However, we booked the City Sightseeing Bus Tour for £14 each for 48 hours, and the Guinness Storehouse tour.

We used the bus to get to the Guinness storehouse, for which we booked through Expedia which meant we could bypass the extremely long lines outside and exchange our vouchers quickly.

As mentioned above, eating/drinking can be quite expensive. Generally, beer was 5 euros a pint, and meals around 12 euros in a pub. For variety of beer, the Porterhouse Central around the corner from Trinity College had an excellent selection.

 

[PrincessEire]

My Suggestions would be

Visit the Phoenix park its about 5 mins outside the city centre and is one of the biggest parks in Europe, there is a herd of deer that roam the park and you can get pretty close to get some good photos. The zoo is also here, although i would give that a miss, it is a bit expensive and there is nothing exceptional in it. At the entrance of the park (parkgate street entrance) you can rent bikes, i would recommend this. I love the park and spend alot of time there, there are some magnificent views over Dublin from high points. http://www.phoenixpark.ie

Another thing that i have never tried but i do be quite envious of the tourists on it as it looks like alot of laughs is the viking splash boat. http://www.vikingsplash.com

As for restaurants and places to eat, i know i biased because i live here, but you will not be short of places to eat, the city centre is choc full of great places to eat. I will recommend one above others though. The Church (jervis street) it is right in the heart of the north side shopping district so a great place to stop into to grab a bite. I have eaten here a few times and always had great food and the atmosphere is great too. Definitely take a look at the link, you have to see this place. http://www.thechurch.ie

 

[Deb in IA]

My Suggestions would be

Visit the Phoenix park its about 5 mins outside the city centre and is one of the biggest parks in Europe, there is a herd of deer that roam the park and you can get pretty close to get some good photos. The zoo is also here, although i would give that a miss, it is a bit expensive and there is nothing exceptional in it. At the entrance of the park (parkgate street entrance) you can rent bikes, i would recommend this. I love the park and spend alot of time there, there are some magnificent views over Dublin from high points. http://www.phoenixpark.ie

Another thing that i have never tried but i do be quite envious of the tourists on it as it looks like alot of laughs is the viking splash boat. http://www.vikingsplash.com

As for restaurants and places to eat, i know i biased because i live here, but you will not be short of places to eat, the city centre is choc full of great places to eat. I will recommend one above others though. The Church (jervis street) it is right in the heart of the north side shopping district so a great place to stop into to grab a bite. I have eaten here a few times and always had great food and the atmosphere is great too. Definitely take a look at the link, you have to see this place. http://www.thechurch.ie

Thanks so much for the recommendations, PrincessEire!

We did not get to Phoenix Park until Tuesday, because we were using the Hop On Hop Off busses,and they skipped the Park on Sunday and Monday because of the Bloom Festival. We did drive into it on Tuesday, but were running short on time and did not get off there.

The Church was also highly recommended by the hotel staff at the Best Western, and we were ready to go there for dinner on Tuesday night, but the downpour started just as we were heading out, so we ended up just eating at the hotel instead.

We LOVED Dublin, though, and we will definitely be back!

 

[Woodview]

Hi Deb in 1A

It is good to know that Advice given is used AND Appreciated

And was of benefit .

Great to know you had a good time & enjoyed

The Guinness & Whiskey .... ( I hope NO " Ice Cubes " added )

 

[Deb in IA]

Hi Deb in 1A

It is good to know that Advice given is used AND Appreciated

And was of benefit .

Great to know you had a good time & enjoyed

The Guinness & Whiskey .... ( I hope NO " Ice Cubes " added )

None in the Guinness, but I must confess - I was a wimp and took my Jameson with ginger ale and lime, and more than a few ice cubes.

The rest of the family took theirs straight up.