floridapugmom

We are visiting Ireland for the third time this September but will be going to Dublin for the first time. We will fly in and out of Dublin and plan on touring the city at the end of our trip, I was wondering how many days we should plan to be in Dublin to see most of the City Center sites?
I had planned on being in Dublin for 2 full days but now I am thinking we should make that 3, what does everyone think?
Thanks for your help.

B.

nytraveler

We love Dublin and I need to see every museum, cathedral, castle and historic site - so I would want at least 3 full days. That said - your key sights may be different - and you may need time for other places.

Two things I very strongly recommend:

In Dublin do go to the theater - preferably a local playwright if possible: wilde, shaw, etc - it's a very lively scene and excellent quality generally

Unless you have claustrophobia head out to see Newgrange - an incredible, almost magical prehistoric sight not far from dublin. You must do the guided tour on site - but can take one from Dublin to travel there on your own.

bean11

Depends on what you want to see. 2 full days for us allowed us to see Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle, Guinness, Jamison, and a service at St Patrick's Cathedral. We also got 2 wonderful nights with great music in the pubs. We did not go to any museums or get to see Trinity College. The Hop on Hop off bus was helpful getting us where we wanted to go. The touristy area is very walkable if you choose not to do the bus. The Gaol is really the only spot out of the way for normal walking distances.

danon

A 2-3 days...we liked places on the Bay ( easily reached by commuter train 15-20min)
Sandycove and Howth .

Tony2phones

Two days for the City.. Then anything you want to add within reasonable travelling time..

That includes Newgrange etc north and Glendalough etc south.

It doesn't include the new hobby of polishing a coach seat all the way to the North Antrim Coast or the Ring of Kerry even the Cliffs of Moher is too much.

AlessandraZoe

We, too, were Ireland repeat visitors when we first visited Dublin. We stayed in Dublin for close to a week and enjoyed it very much, but I actually do think that you could do the HIGHLIGHTS in two days. We were there mainly to listen to trad music non-stop, and you probably won't be wanting to sit in various pubs for 6-9 hours a day, 6 days in a row, like we did.

May I suggest you make use of either one of the two HopOn/HopOff bus tours? I hate these things in most cities, but we felt Dublin was a place where those made perfect sense. Kilmainham Gaol is something I think every Dublin visitor should see, and it's just a tad on the outskirts of city center, so the buses work beautifully to include it (along with the Guinness Brewery)into the highlight mix.

The two bus companies offer two-days for one, allowing you to fit in things rather easily and almost on a whim over the period of two days.

Happy planning!
AZ

flpab

This trip we are spending four nights but doing a Wicklow day tour on of the days. I have been many times and still have not been to Collins Barracks/National Museum or the Gaol. A short train ride for lunch in Bray to see the coast is nice or north to Howth. I am hoping for tickets to Abbey theatre this trip.

Tony2phones

Why not walk Bray Head before lunch flpab?
https://fatstevewalks.wordpress.com/...ray-head-walk/

amyb

I took my sister to Dublin in December and we spent three full days there. My sister has no interest in the history angle, but rather the museums, architecture, food, shopping. She wishes she had another full day as there were things she didn't get to that she wishes she did. I on the other hand love the history angle, particularly the Rebellion of 1916, and could easily spend a week and indeed have spent long stints in Dublin over the years, I never tire of it. The Rebellion Walking Tour is fabulous, and should still be on in September. http://www.1916rising.com/ I'd also recommend going out to Newgrange as well, which I found fascinating.

floridapugmom

Thanks for all the info everyone. Amyb, I have received several
suggestions about Newgrange and I think we will stop by there either on our way to Belfast or on the way back to Dublin at the end of our trip,.

Any more thoughts or suggestions from all would be appreciated.

B

flpab

Tony, Greystones is a lovely village. I am not sure about that walk though. I would be ok except for the parts that are eroded away. The dart ride from Greystones to Dublin is beautiful. You travel through tunnels in the mountains and the views are nice so bet the walk is even better.

Tony2phones

The Bray Head path is too far for me to attempt these days but was well fenced in the past and probably maintained unlike the reopened path on Moher where the fences are inland and the drop open. At least until someone does actually fall off there!