Dublin----yes or no?
Jan 3rd, 2011, 07:54 AM
#4
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Will it be part of a larger trip?
I have spent a long time working in Dublin over the past two years and its not my favourite city, but I think it deserves maybe a day or two if you are including it in an Ireland trip. That way you have some context and understanding of the capital. Plus its nice to see St Stephens Green, the Guiness Brewery, Temple Bar, Grafton St, Trinity College and the Book of Kells etc.
I have spent a long time working in Dublin over the past two years and its not my favourite city, but I think it deserves maybe a day or two if you are including it in an Ireland trip. That way you have some context and understanding of the capital. Plus its nice to see St Stephens Green, the Guiness Brewery, Temple Bar, Grafton St, Trinity College and the Book of Kells etc.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 08:14 AM
#5
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Have spent ca. 5 days or so in Dublin, and there are several day's worth of good attractions to see, including a number of worthwhile churches, museums, historic houses, parks, and public sculptures, as well as a few small neighborhood regions such as Temple Bar. A look through guidebooks such as Frommer's or Fodor's will yield several good options.
There are other European cities I'd give higher priority to if you haven't been (Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vienna, Madrid), but Dublin is certainly worth a visit.
There are other European cities I'd give higher priority to if you haven't been (Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vienna, Madrid), but Dublin is certainly worth a visit.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 08:18 AM
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It was one of my least favorite European cities, and my least favorite part of Ireland. But there is nothing wrong with it. Just didn't have as much of interest as other places. IF your are going to Ireland and IF you have plenty of time I'd give it a day or two. We only had about 10 days on my first trip to Ireland and I wish I'd spent them all on the west coast. With more time I think there are other areas that are "worth" it, including Dublin. I wouldn't go to Ireland to just see Dublin.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 08:30 AM
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Hi Tpayt, I sense you are conflicted!
We have been to Ireland multiple times and usually fly in and out of Shannon because it is easier and we prefer that part of the country. We have visited Dublin and enjoy it for a day, but we go more for the scenery and small town feel than the city.
Where else will you be heading? Did you decide on a timeframe? If you are thinking about the gardens at Powerscourt, I don't think they will be flowering that much if you are going in March, April would be better. If you are thinking of heading to Kinsale and Bantry, as I saw on another post, I would skip Dublin - fly into Shannon - and head right down toward Kinsale.
We have been to Ireland multiple times and usually fly in and out of Shannon because it is easier and we prefer that part of the country. We have visited Dublin and enjoy it for a day, but we go more for the scenery and small town feel than the city.
Where else will you be heading? Did you decide on a timeframe? If you are thinking about the gardens at Powerscourt, I don't think they will be flowering that much if you are going in March, April would be better. If you are thinking of heading to Kinsale and Bantry, as I saw on another post, I would skip Dublin - fly into Shannon - and head right down toward Kinsale.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 08:55 AM
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I read your Ireland trip report. And, after watching your Ireland tripwow via tripadvisor created my own for my last visit to Paris - as much as I love TA - I did not know about that feature - so thanks.
Since its your second(?) trip I might include it – but minimize the nights as Isabel suggested– provided it didn’t throw a wrench in your itinerary to get a full picture of Ireland. However, if what you really loved about Ireland was the smaller towns and countryside, then I would feel ok about skipping it – if you are struggling with how to fit it in and the logistics. Dublin highlights for me: the pubs, pub grub at Stag’s Head, the library at Trinity College, Guinness Tour, and the Jail.
Not sure if you have Kilkenny on this itinerary– but I liked the small city of Kilkenny – the Kilkenny Design Center had nice shopping and I enjoyed walking the grounds and park around the castle and for music Andrew Ryan’s.
Since its your second(?) trip I might include it – but minimize the nights as Isabel suggested– provided it didn’t throw a wrench in your itinerary to get a full picture of Ireland. However, if what you really loved about Ireland was the smaller towns and countryside, then I would feel ok about skipping it – if you are struggling with how to fit it in and the logistics. Dublin highlights for me: the pubs, pub grub at Stag’s Head, the library at Trinity College, Guinness Tour, and the Jail.
Not sure if you have Kilkenny on this itinerary– but I liked the small city of Kilkenny – the Kilkenny Design Center had nice shopping and I enjoyed walking the grounds and park around the castle and for music Andrew Ryan’s.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 09:02 AM
#9
Thanks for the quick responses. Paris is our favorite city and we go there often Somehow in Ireland the smaller, picturesque towns seem to be to our liking.
allisonm-----You have it, we're conflicted.
We're going in May, 2011. We'll have 2 weeks.
In Sept, 2010 we did the West We loved, Westport, Dingle Penninsula, and Kenmare. We did not like at all, Killarney or the ROK---way too much traffic and tour buses. Flying into Shannon and driving to Ennis for the first night was relatively easy after our long flight.
We'd like to fly into Dublin because we can get a direct flight from Chicago(we hated changing in NY for a flight to Shannon). We could fly home from either Dublin or Shannon.
Dublin itself is iffy for us. If we could find a town relatively close and easy to drive to(jet lag sucks) that would be perfect.
We think we'd like to see if we go south:
Powerscourt Gardens http://www.ferndalehouse.com/ or Brook Cottage in Enniskerry get good reviews on Trip Advisor but that may be too far to drive on the first day
Gendalough
Maybe stay a few nights in Kilkenny
Rock of Cashel
Maybe a few nights in Kinsale
Also considering Malahide to the north, New Grange, then head west somewhere in the middle, and then south.
Another choice, west somewhere easy
http://ivyleigh.com/ in Portlaoise looks nice) then Althone, then Longford(some of MDH's relative came from there but it looks kind of dismal), then south.
We really are open to see more of Ireland. We really loved our time in the west(obviously, we're returning in less than a year).
Any comments or reccommendatios will be looked into. We have a few months to plan and I've been reading trip reports and anything I can get my hands on, but just can't come up with a good start from Dublin.
allisonm-----You have it, we're conflicted.
We're going in May, 2011. We'll have 2 weeks.
In Sept, 2010 we did the West We loved, Westport, Dingle Penninsula, and Kenmare. We did not like at all, Killarney or the ROK---way too much traffic and tour buses. Flying into Shannon and driving to Ennis for the first night was relatively easy after our long flight.
We'd like to fly into Dublin because we can get a direct flight from Chicago(we hated changing in NY for a flight to Shannon). We could fly home from either Dublin or Shannon.
Dublin itself is iffy for us. If we could find a town relatively close and easy to drive to(jet lag sucks) that would be perfect.
We think we'd like to see if we go south:
Powerscourt Gardens http://www.ferndalehouse.com/ or Brook Cottage in Enniskerry get good reviews on Trip Advisor but that may be too far to drive on the first day
Gendalough
Maybe stay a few nights in Kilkenny
Rock of Cashel
Maybe a few nights in Kinsale
Also considering Malahide to the north, New Grange, then head west somewhere in the middle, and then south.
Another choice, west somewhere easy
http://ivyleigh.com/ in Portlaoise looks nice) then Althone, then Longford(some of MDH's relative came from there but it looks kind of dismal), then south.
We really are open to see more of Ireland. We really loved our time in the west(obviously, we're returning in less than a year).
Any comments or reccommendatios will be looked into. We have a few months to plan and I've been reading trip reports and anything I can get my hands on, but just can't come up with a good start from Dublin.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 09:09 AM
#10
davispeets----I must have been posting at the same time you were. Yes we thought we'd like Kilkenny also and I'm glad you enjoyed our WOW photos. That site is sure fun. I'm going to look up your Paris WOW or maybe you could post the link.
Jan 3rd, 2011, 10:11 AM
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Although not a huge city Dublin has a lot of worthwhile sights and is a charming city - IMHO worth at least 3 or 4 days.
Trinity/Book of Kells
Dublin Castle
Several interesting museums
Visit at least one brewery
Great theater scene (try for something by an Irish playwright)
Exploring sites related to political history
Half day trip to Newgrange
Just explore a cute city
Trinity/Book of Kells
Dublin Castle
Several interesting museums
Visit at least one brewery
Great theater scene (try for something by an Irish playwright)
Exploring sites related to political history
Half day trip to Newgrange
Just explore a cute city
Jan 3rd, 2011, 10:16 AM
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Dublin is definitely not Paris - the architecture (sorry about the sp) is georgian, very plain. I think that might be part of why I dont like it very much (Paris is my favourite city as well). In saying that, its worth a day or so, as it is the political centre and has some worthy sites. Just dont go in with the expectation that its going to have that same golden glow as Paris.
It does have some very nice restaurants - but they are quite pricey, maybe even more so than London.
It does have some very nice restaurants - but they are quite pricey, maybe even more so than London.
Jan 4th, 2011, 04:09 AM
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Another area to think about outside of Dublin, but to the south, is Dun Laoghaire. We stayed in a b&b there a few years ago. It's a lovely sea-side town, very popular in the summer, but shouldn't be too busy in May. An easy DART ride into Dublin, and you would already be south of the city to make your escape when ready. The drive down the coast is lovely.
Jan 4th, 2011, 07:11 AM
#14
allisonm----how long and easy of a drive is it from the airport or could we pick up a car near there?
I don't want to sound obsessive, but since we go to Europe often enough, we know how tired we can be when we finally get there.
I don't want to sound obsessive, but since we go to Europe often enough, we know how tired we can be when we finally get there.
Jan 4th, 2011, 08:26 AM
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AA Roadwatch puts the drive at half an hour, just take the M! straight down from the airport.(You could also get a bus from the airport.) Dun Laoghaire is a ferry port, so there would be car rental agencies right there.
(If you haven't seen it, this is a handy site for travel in Ireland: www.aaroadwatch.ie)
I know how you feel about being tired the first day - my husband can handle it because he sleeps a little on the plane. By the time we get in the car, I can barely hold my head up.
If you are still considering Malahide, that would be an easier drive from the airport, but DL isn't too bad.
(If you haven't seen it, this is a handy site for travel in Ireland: www.aaroadwatch.ie)
I know how you feel about being tired the first day - my husband can handle it because he sleeps a little on the plane. By the time we get in the car, I can barely hold my head up.
If you are still considering Malahide, that would be an easier drive from the airport, but DL isn't too bad.
Jan 4th, 2011, 09:30 AM
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<<Should we see it or skip it? What has been your experience?>>
Difficult to answer the OPs questions given personal preferences, etc. We're currently planning a 2 week trip to Ireland in May as well (1st for DW, 1st since 1978 for me, so I thought I would kick in what we decided about placing Dublin on the itinerary.
We're headed to Ireland primarily for the scenery. I approached the planning process leaning against spending any time in Dublin. But our plan evolved and now we'll finish with 2 nights in Dublin preceded by 12 nights, split 2/3 in the SW and W and 1/3 in the N.
We think after 12 days of slow lane driving and small towns a couple of nights in Dublin will have some appeal. It would never even occur to us to compare it with Paris--also an old favorite. I have to admit my impression of Dublin in the late '70s (when I was in my early 20s) was not particularly pleasant--I found it grimy and depressing. So I'm looking forward to re-experiencing it a few decades later.
Not sure how or if this helps with the OPs decision, but we hope whatever is decided a delightful trip will ensue...
Cheers!
maytraveller
Difficult to answer the OPs questions given personal preferences, etc. We're currently planning a 2 week trip to Ireland in May as well (1st for DW, 1st since 1978 for me, so I thought I would kick in what we decided about placing Dublin on the itinerary.
We're headed to Ireland primarily for the scenery. I approached the planning process leaning against spending any time in Dublin. But our plan evolved and now we'll finish with 2 nights in Dublin preceded by 12 nights, split 2/3 in the SW and W and 1/3 in the N.
We think after 12 days of slow lane driving and small towns a couple of nights in Dublin will have some appeal. It would never even occur to us to compare it with Paris--also an old favorite. I have to admit my impression of Dublin in the late '70s (when I was in my early 20s) was not particularly pleasant--I found it grimy and depressing. So I'm looking forward to re-experiencing it a few decades later.
Not sure how or if this helps with the OPs decision, but we hope whatever is decided a delightful trip will ensue...
Cheers!
maytraveller
Jan 4th, 2011, 10:20 AM
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Jan 4th, 2011, 12:37 PM
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I never had any interest in visiting Dublin, but there was an incredibly cheap airfare there 2 years ago, so we went for 5 days. Much to my surprise I really liked it. Its much more international feeling then how I pictured it. We enjoyed the sights that have been mentioned above and sitting in pubs listening to music. It was a fun long weekend for us. I love Paris and it doesn't compare, but its nice in its own right.
