must see /do in Dublin
 

ok we (3couples from 58-65)
have a day and a half to experience dublin.our adventurous off spring who have been to dublin say we must do the guinness tour-what else is highly recommended. we have some serious shoppers amongst us and some who tire easily of museums.we will have a half day (arrival day ) and a full day and night before we leave for our next destination.many thanks

Depends on what you prefer. If you like cathedrals, Christ Church and St. Patrick's are excellent. For museums, the National Museum (archaeological) and National Gallery of Ireland (visual art) would be the best bets. Dublin Castle was good as well.

For wandering and shopping, the Temple Bar area and Grafton Street are decent possibilities.

Or if you want to make your Guinness into a boilermaker, you could take a tour of the Old Jameson Distillery as well (haven't done this, but it's another option).

You must not miss Trinity College (the Book of Kells is incredible) nor Dublin Castle.

If you have a chance to a theatrical production in the evening - esp if you can get something by an Irish author.

Take the commuter train (DART )
to Howth and Sadycove ( or other spots on Dublin Bay).
takes only 10 - 20 minutes.
We found those places much lovelier than Dublin proper

Kilmainham Gaol.

Walk up O'Connell Street and soak up the history.

Start with the hop-on-hop-off tour bus and see what appeals, then go back there.

gotta go with jaja on this. Kilmainham would be at the top of my list history wise. More moving than just about any tour you can take in Ireland. The hop on hop offs are a good idea as they take you past most of the major sites. It's a 24 hour ticket so you could get it when you arrive and still use it in the morning of the next day.

The Guinness tour will not show any beer being brewed. It's really a Guinness museum. The view from the top is impressive though. Once upon a time you could get advance tickets on the web that will save you a few $.

I didn't find the Jameson's tour that interesting. Again, you'll see no whisky being made as they have long since ceased distillation at this site. Also, the only whiskey you get to taste is the low end version which isn't particularly good. At Bushmills there were several choices.

I found the bulk of the Temple Bar music options a bit too "made for tourism". Although I have heard some people suggest that the Brazen Head was too touristy, the session I heard there was excellent. It was on a Monday night though. The Cobblestone pub which is a bit further afield in Smithfield (a couple of LUAS stops up from O'Connell St) has some great sessions.

Hope this helps.

Bill

You have GOT to hire bikes in the Phoenix Park!!! Five minutes from the Guinness factory and one of the best, (certainly the best value) things you can do while in Dublin.