2 weeks in Dublin
 

My boyfriend is moving to Ireland and I am going to go visit at the end of the year for 2 weeks. His apartment is in the center of Dublin. I am wondering if anyone can suggest some things I must do while I am there? He will most likely need to work most of the weekdays, so it will mostly just be me playing the tourist.

When is the visit. The rain falls mainly in Ireland to paraphrase so this will help. Lots to do. Do you have particular interests, art, food, hurling etc?

I will be there from 12/28 to 1/12. I love museums, food, cooking, hiking, any other physical activities... pretty much anything and everything! :-)

There are a ton of things to do while in town, and two weeks gives you time to spread them out. I would think about some of these:
1: rent a car or take a tour out to Glendalough for the day. It's beautiful and so different that Dublin city and has great hiking.
2: Read James Joyce while you're there--either Portrait of the Artist or Dubliners, and then do a DIY Joyce walking tour. Be sure to go to the Joyce Center on George St. and the Martello Tower out in Sandy Cove.
3. They often have an ice skating rink open out in Ballsbridge this time of the year. Go out and skate with the locals.
4. Go to the Guinness factory and do the tour.
5. See the book of Kells and Trinity.
6. Take the tour of the crypt at St. Michans.
7. Consider a day trip via Ryan Air to Edinburgh or London.
8. Take the DART out to Bray for an afternoon.
These are just a few ideas, but there's more than enough to keep you playing tourist for the two weeks.

I'd add the National Art Gallery which is free and also has a nice cafe.

Kilmainham Jail is interesting, read some Irish history first to better understand what you are seeing.

Go to Christ Church cathedral and St. Patricks cathedral

The Dublin Zoo - giraffes !

Shopping on Grafton Street

Have tea at the Shelbourne Hotel

Walking around Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Street

Take the DART to Killiney or Dalkey or Dun Laoghaire

Walk around Ballsbridge - check out the embassies and the big houses

There is no shortage of things to keep you occupied in Dublin.

I will add to Padraig's website: http://www.visitdublin.com/

This is a good listing of day tours: http://www.irelandexpert.com/dublin-...king-tours.htm

http://www.irelandexpert.com/dublin-...ountryside.htm

zeppo2 and SiofraB gave some great suggestions. Add to their suggestions these possibilities:

-take DART north to Howth (best in good weather).
-Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery.
-Dublin Writers Museum.
-Number 29 (historic house w/tour).
-Dublin Castle.
-Marsh's Library (rare books on display).
-National Museum (historical artifacts).
-parks: St. Stephen's Green, Phoenix Park.

I was less taken with some other attractions, such as the James Joyce House, Dublinia, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art, but with 2 weeks time you could explore these if you wish.

Thank you all so much! It looks like I will have quite a lot to keep me busy while I am there!!

Another day trip option: National Stud (horse farm), St. Brigid's well next door, Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra's Garden. All bunched up nicely in one package :)

Another day trip would be north to Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, Hill of Tara, and all the Boyne valley neolithic sites. Daylight is short, so start very early!

Powerscourt Falls and Gardens are a good thing to combine with a trip to Glendalough.