Dublin Things to Do Tips by Cruefan

I knew going into my trip that Temple Bar is " tourist Dublin" and people were right. However I'm glad I went into Temple Bar because they have some cool looking pubs and some decent restaurants.

The night I went in was a Friday and it seemed that every stag and hen party in Europe was all there at the same time. The streets were filled with people in various stages of intoxication but it was fun walking around people watching and hearing all the Irish music coming from the various pubs. There were usually 3-4 Guards on every block and I saw horse patrols come through. So the police are alway in the area.

But in reality Temple Bar is set up for tourists who want to spend their money on over priced drinks and trinkets.

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Address: Temple Bar
Directions: Off Dame Street
Website: http://www.temple-bar.ie/

Grafton Street is all about shopping. It's where all the trendy shops in Dublin are located. It's also where my wife used the Mastercard the most. There are a variety of street performers that we saw and some were very good.
Even if you don't want to shop it's worth a trip to Grafton Street just for the people watching. If it's raining you can also check out the St. Stephens Green Mall which is off Grafton Street.

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Address: Grafton Street leads into St. Stephens Green
Directions: Look at a Dublin map :)

St. Stephens Green is a great place to go after a long day of walking and shopping around Dublin. there are plenty of benches to sit on and just relax between rounds of touristy like activities.

I do have a story about the park though, at one point my wife and I were approached by a women asking for money. I told her no, but she proceeded to follow us for a good way, the entire time begging and telling us that "Americans are all rich so she knew we had money". She eventually gave up on us, but I can see some people getting a little nervous.

However don't let this stop you from visiting the park, it's a oasis from the city.

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Address: Top of Grafton Street

Of course I visited the Guinness Brewery! But I really could of passed on this place and I wouldn't have missed anything. When you enter the doors your greeted by friendly employees that direct you to two places. either the Guiness store which I admit had reasonable prices, and the counter for the tour which costs 12 Euro. I opted for both and bought some pint glasses, and Guinness trinkets for co-workers and friends.

I then went on the tour which was extremely boring. It showed pieces of old machiney, large screens showing old Guinness ads and a large container of Hops that is used to make Guinness. After 3 floors of this I decided to cut to the chase and head right up to the Gravity bar and get my free pint.

When you pay for your tour you get a clear, round plastic thing with the Guinness logo and round dark circle inside that contains guinness. There is also a black tab on the back. Once you get up to the Gravity bar take the tab off the plastic disc and you get your pint.

The Gravity bar shows great views of Dublin, but the day I was there the whole room was filled with people to the point where I just wanted to drink my pint and leave. People were strewn all over the floor like refugees.

So in a nutshell I paid 12 Euro for a pint of Guinness.

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Phone: +353 1 4084804
Address: St James Gate, Dublin 8
Directions: West of City Centre.. Just follow Dame Str out of the city and you'll see the signs. All sight-seeing buses go there.
Website: http://www.guinness.com

There has been a chuch of some kind or another since 1030 and it's pretty impressive inside. I don't have any pictures of he inside because I never use a camera inside a church. Admission is 5 Euro.

They have a gift shop inside that sells religious items and books on the churches history. The bells ring on Sunday 10.00 and 14.30 and I feel sorry for the folks at Jury's Inn right across the road because I hear their pretty loud.

It's worth a visit because it's a quiet and serene place after walking the busy streets of Dublin all day.

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Phone: +353 1 677 8099
Address: Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2
Directions: Christ Church Place, Lord Edward St.
Website: http://www.cccdub.ie/

The Spire is 393 St high and is the tallest momument in Dublin by far. It was supposed to be up for the year 2000, but ended up being finished in 2003.

It does look impressive, but looks out of place among the older blocks of O'Connell Str. It has a light on top at night that will always direct you to O'Connell Str. On our sightseeing tour the driver called it the "Stilletto in the ghetto".

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Address: O'Connell St.
Directions: Accross from the GPO

Built in 1818 halfway along O'Connell Street , the GPO became a symbol of the 1916 Easter Rising. Members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army seized the building on Easter Monday (24th of April) and Patrick Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Irish republic from its steps. The rebels remained inside for almost a week, but shelling from the British eventually forced them out. Inside the building is a sculpture of the legendary Irish warrior Cuchulainn, dedicated to those who died for their part in the Easter rising

Inside there are 10 paintings that portray the event begin, occur, and the aftermath. It's also a good place to mail all those postcards because it is still today the main post office in Dublin. On the outside of the bulidings you can still see bullet holes on the colums from the 1916 battle. It's an important place in Irish history and it's worth a visit.

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Phone: +353 1 705 7000
Address: O'Connell Street
Directions: halfway up O'Connell Str.

The first day I was in Dublin my wife and I took a sight-seeing tour from Dublin Bus. I always try to do this if I'm visiting a city for the first time because it helps you get your bearings of the city.

The tour was 12.50 Euro each and it takes you to all the popular Dublin attractions. It's a hop on hop off tour and your ticket is good a full 24-hours from purchase.

You can buy your tickets from the main office of Dublin Bus on O'Connell Str (just look for the tour buses) of at any stop along the way. The only downside is that traffic in Dublin is terrible and the tour has it's slow times.

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Phone: +353 1 8734222
Address: Dublin Bus, 59 Upper O'Connell St., Dublin 1.
Directions: Right on O'Connell Str past the GPO
Website: www.dublinbus.ie

Trinity College was formed in 1592 and has been a prestigious school ever since. The college is the home of the Book of Kells which is a 9th century manuscript of the gospels. They can be viewed in the old library.

You can also visit the " Dublin experience" which is located on campus to quote:

"the Dublin Experience is a major multi-media show which relates the history of Irelands' Capital city through the most modern mediums available. A dramatic script, stunning photography and evocative music combine to give visitors and Dubliners alike an unsurpassed introduction to the city. The Dublin Experience operates from mid May until the end of September, 7 days a week with shows on the hour every hour 10a.m. to 5p.m."

And of course a walking tour of the campus given by Trinity students.. worth a visit.

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Phone: +353 1 6081000
Address: College Street, Dublin 2
Directions: Over the O'Connell Bridge towards Grafton Str.
Website: http://www.tcd.ie/

From O'Connell Str the best way to get over the liffey to spend your moneyin Temple Bar is to walk over the Ha'penny Bridge. Years ago it cost a half penny to cross hence the name.

It crosses the Liffey and takes you into the heart of Temple Bar.

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Address: The Quays
Directions: Head to Connell Street