tracer42

I am tagging along with my husband as he takes a business trip to Dublin. I will be free to explore on my own during the weekdays. Any suggestions of some interesting, safe things to see on my own during the day? We will be staying at the Drury Court Hotel on Lower Stephen Street. Does anyone have any information on that hotel and what I might be able to expect? Would also love information on great places to get coffee or eat near the hotel. Thanks!

Rubicund

Their website has some interesting info about the hotel and the area.

http://www.drurycourthotel.ie/

nytraveler

I'm sure there are some areas of Dublin that are less safe than others - but any part is going to be safer than large cities in the US. And I'm not aware of any tourist sites that are in unsafe areas. I've spent a couple of days along there twice (after business trips) and walked all over to major sights - and never encountered anything even remotely unsafe.

Can't help with your hotel or what is in the immediate vicinity.

Southam

You are staying a little bit south of the main party area, Temple Bar. People do drink beer in Ireland but it remains a pretty amiable place and probably safer than your home town. There are two jump-on jump-off bus services that are worth taking your first day to orient yourself (they are too slow for general transporation, however, so don't buy the all-day ticket.) You can use Gooogle Maps to get an idea for your neighbourhood. The city's official tourism sites will give you plenty of info. One controversial site is the famous Guinness brewery, which is worth visiting on a sunny day for its views across the city but otherwise is an expensive way to get a pint (if you go, take the small course in how to pour a perfect glass.)

flpab

http://www.shelbournedining.ie/afternoon-tea-dublin
I have always wanted to do that. Bewleys on Grafton is also nice for a relaxing tea or coffee.

I love St Stephen's Green and it is safe but the hookers do come out at night in that area. You are close to Grafton St and so many nice shops there. You have museums in that area and Trinity college.

flpab

http://www.viator.com/tours/Dublin/W.../d503-3703WICK

A half day tour. I would do Newgrange but it is eight hours and know you want to be with your husband after his work day. Suffolk St has a tourist office. It was a big church and has great info, café and gifts from all over Ireland. Go in there and you will get great info on things to do. I saw the price of tea at the Shelbourne, maybe just check it out. Beautifully renovated.

di2315

My suggestion would be a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol; as well as seeing the interior you get a potted history of life in Dublin at that time.
Also take the Dart train up and/or down its coastal route - beautiful scenery, and you can hop off at interesting towns along the way. Malahide to the north has an interesting castle and shopping precinct, and Bray to the south is a typical summer seaside resort area.
If you can possibly get to Newgrange it is quite out of this world!
Di

tracer42

Thanks so much everyone! All of these ideas and suggestions really help!! I can't wait. I leave Saturday!

flpab

http://historicaltours.ie/ We did this one time with a student from Trinity. It was very interesting. She exposed the seedier side of Dublin in History and the horrible treatment of women. I never look at Molly Malone the same. There are literary tours and others to pick from also.

Glasnevin cemetery is a history lesson in itself.
St Michan's for the mummies, Christ Church and St Patrick's are all walkable. Butler's Irish chocolate, stop in one of their stores. Their chocolate bars are great gifts.

nytraveler

Newgrange is fantastic as long as you aren't afraid of the dark and don't have claustrophobia. There was a woman in my group who freaked out and started screaming - and since space is very tight in the passage (they must have been TINY people) a lot of us had to turn around and go back out since she couldn't get past us - ad just kept screaming until she was outdoors.

(The guide was very clear about the dark and close quarters - don't know if she wasn't listening - or what. In the main room it wasn't that crowded - the Broadway local is a lot worse at rush hour - but the passage is just wide enough for a quite large person in a couple of places.)

littlejane

Your hotel is really central and in a great location for mooching around boutiques (on South William Street), checking out Powerscourt Townhouse (an old mansion house now converted into a chic shopping centre with some nice cafes) and checking out George's street market. Tons of nice cafes around that whole area so just see what takes your fancy.

You are also very close to Dublin Castle, where the Chester Beatty Library has a lovely collection of oriental curiosities collected by Chester Beatty on his travels. It also has a nice middle eastern cafe if you fancy lunch afterwards.

The hop-on hop-off bus is probably a good idea, the Viking Splash is a fun tour also which leaves either from st stephens green or st patricks cathedral, both an easy stroll from your hotel. Walking tours are a great idea and there are a few different ones depending on your interest. All of those would be fine and perfectly safe. I would have no qualms walking around that part of town at any time (I live in Dublin).

Hope you enjoy your stay

di2315

I forgot to mention one other very moving thing: Take a look at the sculptures outside Custom House . . . I won't try to describe them, but they really brought home the plight of the Irish famine to me.

I also took a short cruise on the river that was very informative. It's always interesting to see a city from the water; gives a different perspective entirely to being on the land. Di

jaja

There's the Jeanie Johnson famine ship in the Liffey anchored at Custom House Quay. I agree with visiting the Chester Beatty Library, Kilmainham Gaol, The National Library, the Natural History Museum. Glasnevin Cemetery is still on my to-do list but not sure I will ever get back to Dublin.