GiuliaPiraino

Is 5 days enough to get a nice overview of Dublin? I'm planning a trip for my husband and his cousins and I wanted to tack on Ireland to an Italy trip but I can only spare 6 days including travel, so really 5 full days and 6 nights. Any thoughts?

irishface

I would think you could get a good taste in five days. Might even get in a day trip to the south (Glendalough) or to the north (Newgrange). But definitely stop in Dublin! Read the posts and trip reports here, tell us what interests you, and then ask some questions. Lots of fodorites will be glad to help!

bachslunch

Yes, you can see a lot of what Dublin has to offer in five days. In four days time and depending on your interests, you can likely take in several of the primary attractions, choosing from among such options as Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, National Museum, National Gallery of Ireland, Hugh Lane Art Gallery, and Guinness Storehouse -- as well as walk around Grafton Street and Temple Bar and in the evening visit a couple pubs.

Use at least one of those days by taking the DART out on a suburban day trip. I've been up north to Howth, which was really nice. Though apparently some southern suburbs such as Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey, and Killiney are worth a visit, as is Malahide to the north (none of which I've been to).

Would recommend that you get hold of a good guidebook and check out their suggested itineraries as a basis.

travelchat

Five days is plenty of time to do a leisurely overview of Dublin and maybe even take in a day trip to Wicklow to see a bit of the countryside.

Our family spent five days in an Irish Heritage house in Temple Bar (way too noisy but fun) and saw Trinity University/The Book of Kells, the Dublin Castle area, The Irish History Museum, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, Grafton Street, St. Stephens Park, took the "Duck" tour (hilarious), the Guiness facility, the James Joyce House and the Hugh Lane Gallery.

We even fit in a half day train trip to Mullingar, where my great grandmother lived before immigrating to Canada.

Enjoy Dublin!

nytraveler

Dublin is a cute city and has quite a bit to see- but is really very small. I would think 4 days is enough to cover major sights - and you can do at least one day trip into the countryside.

GiuliaPiraino

Now we're down to 3.5 days! It looks like that might be sufficient anyway from the posts! I personally wouldn't go all the way to Ireland for that short of a jaunt, but it's not my trip, I'm just the planner!

desmccarthy

Yep five days is more than enough

SiobhanP

I live here and 3.5 days is fine and you can pack a lot in. What are your interests? A few of us live here in Dublin on the board and can help!

GiuliaPiraino

SiobhanH: Thank you I would greatly appreciate some advice. I am looking for a charming B&B that serves a full traditional breakfast in a great location. Any ideas? I'm well versed on Italy but entirely green on the UK! I'd like to find something really special even if it costs a bit more.

janisj

In your OP you ask about Dublin but then say you wanted to tack on Ireland. Dublin is a nice city - but there is a LOT more to Ireland than just Dublin.

Is it actually <u>Dublin</u> you want to see, or is it some of the scenic bits of Ireland in general?

Because if you want to see Ireland - you don't necessarily have to go to Dublin at all. For instance, you can fly from Rome to Cork in the scenic SW of Ireland.

danon

Dublin is not big or very interesting.

2-3 days is more than enough.
You may wish to take DART ( fast train) to a few places on Dublin Bay like Sandycove, Howth ( only 15-20 minutes away)- very nice and classy spots.
Or a day trip somewhere.

Padraig

danon wrote: &quot;Dublin is not big or very interesting.&quot;

What that means is that you were not very interested. It's not an objective fact: many people like Dublin.

danon

sorry Padraig,
we stayed in Dublin more than 10 days because we WERE interested ( before
going there). I found it less charming , cultural, beautiful etc. than most other European capitals.

Except for Aran , most of Ireland was not to memorable either.

danon

it is :too memorable.

and yes - it is subjective ( like all opinions.)!

nytraveler

While I agree that Dublin isnt very big I found it fascinating.

I don;t get people who go to Ireland and just look at a lot of countryside and avoid the capitol - which has a tremendously historic (and not ruined) castle, some great museums, Trinity College/Book of Kells (IMHO it's a crime to go to Ireland and not see it), some very cute neighborhoods, a lot of historic spots and great theater. Try to see someone local if you can - Shaw or Wilde - as well as some great night life.

GiuliaPiraino

Ok, I guess I meant &quot;tack on Ireland&quot; just meaning that Dublin is in Ireland and the main trip is in Italy. With such limited time, I think just Dublin will probably do it. I figure they will need a day to get normalized from jet lag. So if there is enough lovely sightsing to do in Dublin to fill a few days I'm sure they will be happy. I know that my husband, who's travelling with them, would be satisfied wandering around the neighborhoods, sitting in pubs and taking in some live music somewhere. Overall, I think they are a good group because they are all very easy going. I want them to have a huge traditional breakfast so they can stuff themselves and maybe skip lunch, which is whay hubby and I did in Scotland. Not because the food isn't great, but because the dollar is so week if they can skip a meal or have a very light lunch it would be ideal. The times that we didn't have a nice big free breakfast in the UK, it significantly added to the trips expense when the dollar is 2 to 1!

Any tips on a B&amp;B?

SiobhanP

Whats the price range? D4 hotels does a great rate and is located in a leafy Ballsbridge suburb. http://www.d4hotels.com/

Here are a few places this is a bit pricier
http://www.pembroketownhouse.ie/contact-us.html

A few more listings in Ballsbridge
http://www.look4lodging.com/225/view_houseinfo.html

Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge
http://www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbr...tel_dublin.asp