Fun Things to do in Ireland?
 

I will be traveling to Dublin, Ireland in May. I have no idea of what to see or do...I am mainly going there because of family ties.....

Has anyone been there and if so, what are some fun things to see and do?

try www.visitdublin.com
www.temple-bar.ie

Grayson Street and the Temple Bar area were the best in my opinion.

What do you like doing? What age (Appx) are you? DO you like clubs, history, shopping, people-watching, zoos? Give us some interests, we'll tell you what to go see :)

I like to do things a bit off the beaten path....I like to see how the locals live,.....I love coffee and tea and walking, in general. I am not much into clubs and such since I will be alone. But I do want to go and have a pint in a pub.....I just feel a little awkward going to pubs by myself.

I am on a budget, so fun and cheap touristy things can be cool.

Here's a decent thread on the subject:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34656627

There are LOTS more. There are even a handful on/about single women in Dublin! Do a text search on DUBLIN on this site.
Bob

Dublin is a pretty safe city for a female alone. I went there for three days about 10 years ago, and felt fine. I, too, felt awkward at first, but you get over that. Pubs in Ireland aren't the 'meat-market' things bars are here... everyone is not out to meet someone. They are there to unwind, relax, get in some good 'craic' (atmosphere/talk/fun). Music, too!

I recall a great old used book store on O'Connell street, three stories tall, I spent a couple hours in.

I'd recommend a hopon/hopoff bus ride the first day, it gives you a good overview of the city, the layout, and places you may want to stop at later. There is a crypt in Christ Church Cathedral that is very cool to those that like history :)
http://www.irish-architecture.com/bu...e/christin.htm

http://www.visitdublin.com/ has a lot of the major, normal stuff to do.

Other off-beat things... you might enjoy one of the Walks, such as the Literary Pub walk (a great way to familiarize yourself with pubs, too!)

If you have time, rent a car and ride thru some of the most beautiful countryside the world has to offer. I often say if you just point your camera any-old-where, you'll end up with award-winning photos!

Temple Bar was a good time - and of course, there's always St. James Gate! I really liked Grafton Street too - nice for shopping and having tea at Bewley's. If you go down side streets there you can probably find a quaint local pub for a pint or two.

You could always walk around St. Stephen's Green and the campus of Trinity College too - the Book of Kells is there.

FREE Visitor Attractions

Bram Stoker Dracula Museum
The Chimney Viewing Tower
Christ Church Cathedral
Dublin Castle
Dublin Zoo
Dublin's City Hall
GAA Museum
Guinness Storehouse
Irish Museum of Modern Art
The James Joyce Museum
Kilmainham Gaol
National Gallery of Ireland
National Museum of Natural History
National Wax Museum
Old Jameson Distillery

Have a look at this link for the pub scene.
http://www.dublinpubscene.com/

Or
http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/loc/11-2/pt/11.htm

For tours
http://www.visitdublin.com/tours/

>But I do want to go and have a pint in a pub.....I just feel a little awkward going to pubs by myself.<

You will meet people while traveling and I say hit the pub with them. Use it as your social lubricant and offer up the suggestion. Something like "have you had a pint yet? Let's do that."

I don't like to perpetuate stereotypes, but my friend Ciaran (from Cork) said that if you leave Ireland without getting riproaring drunk then you never actually got there in the first place.

Claire