Edinburgh or Dublin?
Nov 27th, 2008, 08:36 PM
#1
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Edinburgh or Dublin?
We are thinking about a trip in March or April, taking my 14 year old son to see a Manchester United game. Since we'll have 10 days, we'd like to add on another location, possibly Edinburgh or Dublin.
We've been to London lots of times, also Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury, so don't want to go back there. Definitely do NOT want a car on this trip, so has to be accessible by public transportation.
Thank you for any suggestions!
We've been to London lots of times, also Bath, Stonehenge and Salisbury, so don't want to go back there. Definitely do NOT want a car on this trip, so has to be accessible by public transportation.
Thank you for any suggestions!
Nov 27th, 2008, 11:43 PM
#3
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Regretfully (being a dubliner!) i'd have to agree - Edinburgh would be my choice too. Compact, lots to see and do in a small area and much more striking visually than Dublin.
There's a science museum there designed for kids that we really enjoyed (we were about 30 at the time!). I think they have something for all age groups so it may be worth investigating if your son would be into that kind of thing.
There's a science museum there designed for kids that we really enjoyed (we were about 30 at the time!). I think they have something for all age groups so it may be worth investigating if your son would be into that kind of thing.
Nov 28th, 2008, 02:08 AM
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Edinburgh, absolutely.
Much as i love Ireland, Dublin was one of the most disappointing cities I've visited. Great people, great pubs & bars in Temple Bar area, but much more to do & see in Edinburgh. (mind you, I'm a little biased i suppose, as i loved Edinburgh so much, i moved here to live!!)
If you go to www.edinburgh.org.uk ,there's plenty of information, plus a great little video of the city.
Much as i love Ireland, Dublin was one of the most disappointing cities I've visited. Great people, great pubs & bars in Temple Bar area, but much more to do & see in Edinburgh. (mind you, I'm a little biased i suppose, as i loved Edinburgh so much, i moved here to live!!)
If you go to www.edinburgh.org.uk ,there's plenty of information, plus a great little video of the city.
Nov 29th, 2008, 06:30 AM
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Wow, the vote is unanimous! Can't say I've ever seen that on Fodors!
Thanks so much for your advice. Edinburgh sounds like a lovely place. I'll look into it some more (and check that website, liverbird). Littlejane - the science museum sounds like something we'd both like.
Thanks so much for your advice. Edinburgh sounds like a lovely place. I'll look into it some more (and check that website, liverbird). Littlejane - the science museum sounds like something we'd both like.
Nov 29th, 2008, 03:00 PM
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Yeah, this is a total no-brainer. Edinburgh in a walk. Your boy will love the fantastic castle and be sure to take a ghost tour at night with him.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland -- it's functional.
Edinburgh is a tourist's wonderland, and the capital of Scotland (although the Scots may be suitably embarrassed about their parliament building). It's great. Just remember, all the hills in Edinburgh go the same direction: UP.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland -- it's functional.
Edinburgh is a tourist's wonderland, and the capital of Scotland (although the Scots may be suitably embarrassed about their parliament building). It's great. Just remember, all the hills in Edinburgh go the same direction: UP.
Nov 29th, 2008, 04:36 PM
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Well, I haven't been to Dublin, but I vote for Edinburgh, where I have been. Chock a block full of history and good hiking outside of town. I had the best chocolate chip shortbread ever from the Marks and Spencer on Princes Street. Been trying to recreate it ever since without success.
Nov 29th, 2008, 06:46 PM
#14
Since you are going to be in Manchester and want "public transportation"...then of course Edinburgh is your best bet.
To get to Dublin, you have to cross the Irish Sea!( as I am sure you know)
In Edinburgh:
1. The Grassmarket area below The famous Castle is a nice place to just walk about and look.
2. Of course there is the famous Castle ,which you will no doubt do and expereince the views from some of the balconies.
3. In March and April , the lovely Princess Gardens may not totally be in full bloom.
4. Princess Street is a street you will walk down and shop and and see sites such as The Scott Monument... a Scottish fellow is always standing here playing the bagpipes.!
Your 14 year old can stand beside him and have his picture taken.!
Princess Street leads you to Calton Hill and if you walk here,the views back toward the City Centre are terrific.!
5. The famous Royal Mile with it's many historic building...this starts from the Edinburgh Castle and culminates at Holyrood Palace.
Now Holyrood Palace is the residence of the Queen when she is in Edinburgh.
If she IS in Edinburgh during your visit there ...then there will be a flag flying on top of the Palace flagpole.
She was there when I was there and No, I was not invited in for Tea !
Dublin:
Dublin is certainly not short of it's tourist attractions.
1. There is O'Connell Street which has monuments scattered along the way.
Along here you will see the statue of James Joyce ,who was born in Dublin.
Also along this street , the Post Office is a must see due to it's 1916 historic event.
2. At the end of O'Connell Street is O'Connell Bridge... you cross this bridge to get to the famous Trinity College.....
The College is a must see place when you are in Dublin.
Here you can walk the grounds...have an outside lunch and then line up to get a ticket to see the "Book of Kells".
Then you just HAVE to see the very long room ( over 200 feet)which houses the Library and the Busts of many famous literary and scientific figures.
For example ,there is a bust of Jonathan Swift here.
He was born in Dublin and of course wrote the famous Gulliver's Travels.
The Custom House is a delightful building to see....and it is best to see it from across the street (which means from opposite the River Liffey).
The Custom House is lit up very nicely at night.
Dublin Castle....this is a lovely place to see ,but it certainly is not as imposing as the Edinburgh Castle ,which towers on a high hill over the city of Edinburgh.
Temple Bar is the famous night spot ,although others are in the same area.
Phoenix Park.... I would go here and see the cross on the hill which marks the places where Pope John II gave a sermon to over a million people in 1979.
And of course even if you are not a beer drinker,(and your 14 years is not !!?
but a tour of the Guiness Storehouse is very informative ....Psst !! free beer sampling at the end of the tour.
To get to Dublin, you have to cross the Irish Sea!( as I am sure you know)
In Edinburgh:
1. The Grassmarket area below The famous Castle is a nice place to just walk about and look.
2. Of course there is the famous Castle ,which you will no doubt do and expereince the views from some of the balconies.
3. In March and April , the lovely Princess Gardens may not totally be in full bloom.
4. Princess Street is a street you will walk down and shop and and see sites such as The Scott Monument... a Scottish fellow is always standing here playing the bagpipes.!
Your 14 year old can stand beside him and have his picture taken.!
Princess Street leads you to Calton Hill and if you walk here,the views back toward the City Centre are terrific.!
5. The famous Royal Mile with it's many historic building...this starts from the Edinburgh Castle and culminates at Holyrood Palace.
Now Holyrood Palace is the residence of the Queen when she is in Edinburgh.
If she IS in Edinburgh during your visit there ...then there will be a flag flying on top of the Palace flagpole.
She was there when I was there and No, I was not invited in for Tea !
Dublin:
Dublin is certainly not short of it's tourist attractions.
1. There is O'Connell Street which has monuments scattered along the way.
Along here you will see the statue of James Joyce ,who was born in Dublin.
Also along this street , the Post Office is a must see due to it's 1916 historic event.
2. At the end of O'Connell Street is O'Connell Bridge... you cross this bridge to get to the famous Trinity College.....
The College is a must see place when you are in Dublin.
Here you can walk the grounds...have an outside lunch and then line up to get a ticket to see the "Book of Kells".
Then you just HAVE to see the very long room ( over 200 feet)which houses the Library and the Busts of many famous literary and scientific figures.
For example ,there is a bust of Jonathan Swift here.
He was born in Dublin and of course wrote the famous Gulliver's Travels.
The Custom House is a delightful building to see....and it is best to see it from across the street (which means from opposite the River Liffey).
The Custom House is lit up very nicely at night.
Dublin Castle....this is a lovely place to see ,but it certainly is not as imposing as the Edinburgh Castle ,which towers on a high hill over the city of Edinburgh.
Temple Bar is the famous night spot ,although others are in the same area.
Phoenix Park.... I would go here and see the cross on the hill which marks the places where Pope John II gave a sermon to over a million people in 1979.
And of course even if you are not a beer drinker,(and your 14 years is not !!?
but a tour of the Guiness Storehouse is very informative ....Psst !! free beer sampling at the end of the tour.
Nov 29th, 2008, 08:42 PM
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You guys are awesome. Percy, you make me want to go both places, but sadly we only have time for one, so we'll have to choose. Thanks for laying out activities in both cities for me.
Nov 30th, 2008, 07:58 AM
#17
travelgirl2
I like both places (as you can tell)
and I could have easily listed five more places and things to do in each place.
Robert Louis Stevenson's grave site is in Edinburgh ,well not gravesite but his Memorial in the western part of the Princes Street Gardens.
It is interesting to be told by a knowledgeable local of how he came to write Treasure Island !
Dublin ...is not short of it's authors also.
Also ,there is the statue of Molly Malone....she is along the sidewalk on a curve of the street ,a block or so from Trinity College.
Do you remeber the song about her.!?
here are some of the opening lines:
In Dublin's fair city,
where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"
Your husband will enjoy the statue of Molly Malone !!
I think you wil like Edinburgh or Dublin,since you have been to neither place ...you have
no
comparison to make.
have a good time.
I like both places (as you can tell)
and I could have easily listed five more places and things to do in each place.
Robert Louis Stevenson's grave site is in Edinburgh ,well not gravesite but his Memorial in the western part of the Princes Street Gardens.
It is interesting to be told by a knowledgeable local of how he came to write Treasure Island !
Dublin ...is not short of it's authors also.
Also ,there is the statue of Molly Malone....she is along the sidewalk on a curve of the street ,a block or so from Trinity College.
Do you remeber the song about her.!?
here are some of the opening lines:
In Dublin's fair city,
where the girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,
Through streets broad and narrow,
Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"
Your husband will enjoy the statue of Molly Malone !!
I think you wil like Edinburgh or Dublin,since you have been to neither place ...you have
no
comparison to make.
have a good time.
Nov 30th, 2008, 10:26 AM
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I've been to both and MUCH preferred Edinburgh.
You say you are going to a game in Manchester. Anything else you plan to do there? If not then you'll probably have about 8 days and that might be a bit much for just Edinburgh. There are some day trips available by public transportation although not super easy. There are numerous "day tours" that get you out into the countryside. I was in Edinburgh for 6 days and did one day tour to Sterling and Loch Lomand which was ok even though I generally don't like "tours". Another suggestion would be to do York on your way up to Scotland. A couple of nights would be sufficient to see it. Amazing cathedral and really nice town walls.
Even if you want something other than just Edinburgh and Manchester I would not do Dublin on the same trip. Ireland is wonderful, and on a visit of a week or two, Dublin is a good couple of days, but to go to Ireland and Just do Dublin seems like a waste of time. It was my least favorite part of Ireland.
Here are links to my photos of Edinburgh (www.pbase.com/annforcier/edinburgh_scotland) and also of York (www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/56411913)
You say you are going to a game in Manchester. Anything else you plan to do there? If not then you'll probably have about 8 days and that might be a bit much for just Edinburgh. There are some day trips available by public transportation although not super easy. There are numerous "day tours" that get you out into the countryside. I was in Edinburgh for 6 days and did one day tour to Sterling and Loch Lomand which was ok even though I generally don't like "tours". Another suggestion would be to do York on your way up to Scotland. A couple of nights would be sufficient to see it. Amazing cathedral and really nice town walls.
Even if you want something other than just Edinburgh and Manchester I would not do Dublin on the same trip. Ireland is wonderful, and on a visit of a week or two, Dublin is a good couple of days, but to go to Ireland and Just do Dublin seems like a waste of time. It was my least favorite part of Ireland.
Here are links to my photos of Edinburgh (www.pbase.com/annforcier/edinburgh_scotland) and also of York (www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/56411913)
