Follow up to "Should we go?"
 

Hi Everyone,
First, thanks so much to all of you who replied to my post in late June. Fueled by all of your enthusiastic urgings, we did decide to book the trip to Ireland with my folks (still surprising then by tapping them on the shoulder in Dublin against some of your advice!). We are so excited! Now I have a follow up question... my husband and I decided to go in a day early to spend some time together in Dublin before the tour begins. We are actually staying in a hostel in Temple Bar. My question is - what would you do and absolutely not miss if you had just 24 hours in Dublin? Thanks again so much for your great advice in response to my original post, and this one as well! I know we made the right decision. :)

Explore the Temple Bar area and the riverside, see the Dublin Writer's Museum, the University and Book of Kells and the National Galery.

Temple Bar.

I'm only kind of kidding - it's a really good bar! I'm so glad you've decided to go. I like your idea of surprising them but don’t be offended if it takes her several long blinks to recognize you. I can’t help much because I spent very little time there. But I’d say some obvious things like The Guinness Brewery and Trinity College.

I’m the one with the morbid dying story by the way :)

NY2005

If you have any interest in Ireland's history, the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare St. is a must. The pre-historic gold collection is one of the best in Europe. Going there will put you near many other great destinations. Easy walk from Temple Bar, and good things along the way.

Ditto on the National Museum of Ireland, the Book of Kells and also Dublin Castle.

The hop-on-hop-off bus gives you a way to get around the city, see some city sights passively, then "hop off" when it passes a location you want to explore -- or when you need refreshment to hold off the jet lag. It is a reasonable rate, lasts all day, and has an on-board guide (usually amusing as well as informative). Pick up a brochure when you arrive to see if it suits your interests.

NY2005 - I totally understand your excitement over surprising your family in Dublin. Being as certain as you are that they will be thrilled to have you along, what more fabulous surprise could they have! I think the sort of "adjustment" they'll have to make to knowing that probably two of their favorite people in the world will be sharing this experience with them is one they'll welcome. I'm hearing a lot of "I can't believe you're actually here!" accompanied by broad smiles and head shaking. I wish I were there to see it!

Best of luck - we leave 2 weeks from today.

Kilmainham Jail. It's a must see in my book. The Guinness Brewery (and I enjoy Guinness), not so much, though it's ok. It's really a museum to Guinness and you never get to see the operations. If you're a beer fan, try some of the local micro brews at the Porterhouse, McGuires and the Cobblestone if you can get over to it.

Bill

Ahh, but the view from the Brewery as you sip your Guinness is fantastic. And it would probably be your first and definitely not your last. (although I prefer the Smithwick's)