initial planning: Dublin, solo, February
 

Hi,

It's been 3 years(!) since my last trip report (Scotland/N. Ireland with my sister). I'm feeling the travel itch and Aer Lingus is showing a sale for winter travel.

So, I've been looking and think this will be my trip: the third week of February to Dublin, Ireland, to see the Book of Kells and anything library-themed. My other interests are aviation, the Discworld, cooking, and Fodors get-togethers (hint).

I'm a solo traveler. Recommendations for accommodations and interesting things to see/do appreciated. One thing I don't have an interest for -- alcoholic drinks. I just don't like the taste. Perhaps not a good thing to admit in Guinness-land, but 'tis the way of my taste buds, lol.

TIA.

You will love the national library. There is a wonderful W. B. Yates retrospective in the basement and even the ladies' room is interesting. I didn't check out the men's room.

You may also love the National Gallery. Has been undergoing renovation but still can see this wonderful work:

https://www.nationalgallery.ie/helle...william-burton

Named "Ireland's best loved painting."

we stayed near st stephens park
easy walk into the pedestrian area of dublin

ROFL, jaja .. national library is now a priority on the itinerary.

Since my first trip in '07, I've gradually realized that bathrooms are a fun part of traveling. I've pulled chains, lifted knobs, pushed buttons, in addition to the traditional handle I've known since childhood. Museums and tour sights are lovely, but adventures can be found when needing to use a bathroom! I had forgotten this trip aspect, so add interesting WCs/lavatories/toilets to the recommendation list, lol :-)

Thank you for the replies nyse and lanejohann. Input is great appreciated.

Oh, and don't miss the Chester Beatty Library....more like a museum but very interesting and you can lunch at the Silk Road Cafe.

A lesser-known gem: http://www.marshlibrary.ie/

I haven't been there for some years, but Dublin Castle probably still has a magnificent Victorian men's toilet.

Search Bloomsday on here, there was a great post about someone that went and last trip I tried seeing many of the stops. The literary pub tour is fun. There are plates in the sidewalks of Leopold's stops. Howth castle has cooking classes.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ry-odyssey.cfm

We got internet back!! Irma, the hurricane zapped it but here is the link.

Well, BOS > DUB is booked.

The itinerary has a number of libraries, thank you. I'm looking (and looking...) at threads about where to stay in Dublin.

And wondering if I should do a 2-base trip? It'll be February. Another city with indoor things to do a couple days? I'm a public transport only traveler, so bus or train options welcomed.

Thank you!

Here's link to scotlib's 2014 trip:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rn-ireland.cfm

Amazing to think that it's been almost 4 years since my last trip. So far, that's the only one with a co-traveler; my sister drove and I navigated. This February is another solo trip, meaning just public transport options need investigating.

Since Sept. 23rd, I've committed to a 7-night stay in Dublin, so I'll only be looking at day trips, and not knowing what the weather will be, I'll likely be making decisions while there, picking a "to do" based on the conditions on the ground.

Life is so freaking busy right now. This week in February may be my first relaxation opportunity, so a less-than-rush-rush trip will be optimum traveling, lol.