elisgriffiths

I loved Dublin so much and didn't want to leave. The Irish people are fantastic and Dublin as a city has so much character. I was even treated to a sunny sky!

Here is my trip report:

http://www.adventuresofelis.com/2016...of-smiles.html

Definitely want to go back and see more of Ireland!

Elis

Ozarksbill

Yes indeed, Dublin is a great city to visit, Irish or not. We were there with friends a few years back, staying at the Charles Stewart on Parnell Sq. (not far from Writer's Museum).

Glad you highlighted Kilmainham Jail where the patriots were killed. Not much of a touristy stop but a slice of history. Lunch across the street at Patriots Pub. Did you see the post office paintings of the 1916 rebellion and maybe Moore St. market?

Oh I do love Irish music and of course Temple Bar area touristy but fun. Funny thing...I was wearing a green County Kerry cap and as their team lost a football match I got many sad nods. Of course you must stroll down Grafton St. and must see Book of Kells at Trinity. Evensong at Christ Church. Enjoyable theater productions at Abbey and Gate Theaters.

Did you get to the West country or north Newgrange or south to Glendalough?

dfourh

I am heartened to see how Dublin can so delight and inspire my bretheren here at the Fodors forum, as I experience it as scruffy and barren and dull. Temple Bar is about on par with Epcot Center in it's style and authenticity. The city as a whole is just a step up from Milton Keynes, but way inferior to any city in Scotland for character and genuine heart. Most everybody who works there is from Eastern Europe, and the prices are absurd. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

tower

...on my four visits to Ireland( 1980,'87, '96, '04...driving the entire perimeter three times)...starting and ending with Dublin each time...I found the country (including the north) that permanently moved to top of my list...and having been to 85, I suppose that says something. Both my lovely late wives agreed with me. When I'm often asked.."Why Ireland?" I have a short answer: "The People"!

justineparis

Wow.. well we loved Dublin.. and while the Temple Bar area was not a highlight for us.. nor did we bother touring the beer or whisky factories etc.. we loved the HISTORY and the MUSEUMS..seeing the bog bodies, the Cashel gold, learning about the uprisings at Collins Barracks.

Dublin is a wonderful little city and I am glad I let my hubby talk me into to going 2 years ago.. ( I was not convinced I needed to visit Ireland at all.. seems its topography/cliamte is not too unsimilar to where I live so seeing craggy coasts and green fields was not top of my list for places to sightsee) because I was WRONG ,, Ireland was wonderful and we look forward to our next visit to Dublin .. arriving this May!!

Ps Also second those visiting Dublin use it as a nice place to daytrip to see Newgrange, Hill of Tara and Howth( do the cliff walk and then enjoy the best mussels on the docks) ..
all places we enjoyed easily from Dublin.

As for prices being absurd.. I suppose if one buys a beer at the Temple Bar one may get a nasty shock.. however. .we have been to many cities in Europe and while not as cheap as Greece or parts of southern Spain.. we did not find it any more expensive then most other cities like France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain , etc etc.. I doubt the touristy bars in Scotland are much cheaper either. One has to go off the tourist track anywhere to get the best deals.

As for the nationality of the workers.. really.. who cares.. its the Europeon UNION.. get it, we met many lovely girls from other coutnries working waitressing jobs and they were every bit as friendly as the locals. Scotland .. now that where the gruff people are apparently from.. lol