Need help with Dublin
 

I am planning a trip to Ireland for next month and would like some recomendations in Dublin, as far as a good area to stay, food, pubs and shopping. Please help.

Shelley, <BR>My husband and I spent 10 days in Dublin last Sept.and are returning this Oct.Are u travelling alone,what are your interests,are u 20 or 50?These ?,s <BR>would help me better advise u. <BR>Sandy

Sandy, <BR>I am traveling with my husband, we are both 30. We are mostly looking for NICE pubs. Possibly taking a pub tour. Also, looking for good, but not so expensive restaurants. Maybe even a few themed places like a hard rock or planet hollywood. (Typical tourist, I know) <BR>Thank you for any help you can offer.

Shelly, <BR> <BR>Dublin Tourism can offer you information on a pub crawl tour of the capital's most popular and historial. Despite living in the city I took that tour several years ago with some visiting friends and founf it most worthwhile. You can find info' re it at the Dublin Tourism Office or via the Tourist Board. Web site is www.visitdublin.com for dublin Tourism and www.ireland.travel.ie for the Tourist Board for info'on all of Ireland. <BR> <BR>For music etc see www.comhaltas.com - it has a centre outside the city centre where there are ceili's etc. <BR> <BR>Shoppingwise Grafton Street is the main and most expensive shopping street. You should also try Henry street off O'Connell Street - it is cheaper. Brown Thomas on Grafton Street, Arnotts on Henry Street and Clerys on O'Connell Street are the top department stores. Also look around Temple Bar and on the streets leading off Grafton Street. <BR> <BR>Temple Bar is full of pubs, shops and B&Bs/Hotels designed for tourists. Try and get away from there as it is a toursit trap with high drink prices. <BR> <BR>RE places to stay - well Jurys Inn at Christchurch offers a great location and a per room rate. Alternatively Drumcondra is on the route to and from the airport while Ballsbridge is southside and is an afluent area. see ww.cie.ie for links to Dublin Bus timetables and DART (Local train) timetables. Get a rambler ticket is you are staying outside the city centre, otherwise just walk. <BR> <BR>As an introduction to the city take a Hop On Hop Off bus tour from O'Connell St. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps and enjoy yourself <BR> <BR> <BR>Cathy

We stayed at Trinity Lodge, which was near Trinity College (home of the Book of Kells). It's very close to Grafton Street, and was fairly reasonably priced. You can find info about it at the aa.com site (like the US AAA).

These are two recommended walking tours: <BR> <BR>Jameson Literary Pub Crawl - 2.5 hours - meets every night at 19:30 in the Duke Pub off Grafton on Duke St. Tel: 01/670-5602 - call for winter hours as this may not be every night. Lead by a couple of character actors. <BR> <BR>Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl - 2.5 hours, meets nightly at 19:30 at Oliver St. John Gogarty's Pub in Temple Bar area. Similar to above but more emphasis on music and without the actors. Tel: 01/478-0191

Thank you to all that have responded. <BR>Does anyone know the average age of the pub crawls?

Shelly, <BR>The walks are designed for tourists and as such the age varies from young to middle aged. You should also try the Trinity Students Historial Walks. It is an excellent way of getting to know the city from a walking point of view and very informative. <BR> <BR>Cathy

Shelley, we stayed at Stauntons on the Green on the south side of St. Stephen's Green, walking distance to shopping pubs and museums... lovely rooms and great staff! Have Fun

Hi There <BR> <BR>For "Dublin from an American Point-Of-View," check out www.dfaguide.com. <BR> <BR>I've chucked a bunch of recommendations, etc etc up there. <BR> <BR>All the best, <BR> <BR>Mick

We were just in Dublin over the weekend. We stayed at The Westbury which was a good location right on Grafton st. It was a very short walk to St. Stephen's Green and perhaps a half mile to Temple Bar. We got a good deal using expedia. Pubs in Dublin are a lot of fun. We spent about an hour each night at the Oliver St. John Gogarty in Temple bar which has live Irish music nightly from about 5 pm to 1 am(on the 2nd floor) We also ate there on Friday night and enjoyed the traditional Irish fare. A pub that we particularly enjoyed was Stag's Head at 1 Dame Court off Dame's Lane. It doesn't look like much from the outside - but a fantastic place. Have a great trip.

I am going to be in Ireland(dublin) in September, HAs anyone heard of Merrion Square Mannor? It is a guesthouse w/22 rooms & near Trinity Colg, I am not able to reach them via e-MAil. I do not know much of what we are going to do but I heard they have a bus tour that is good? ANy comments thank you <BR>

Shelley-my husband, sister, and I did the musical pub crawl a few years ago. We were all in our late 20s then, and the ages range from 20 somethings to about 60. The only thing was that we were expecting to have different musicians at each pub, but instead followed the same musicians from pub to pub. They were very good, though. <BR> <BR>The only mistake we made was to leave the last stop on the crawl to check out other pubs. We couldn't get in anywhere. Dublin is hugely popular these days, so once you land in a good pub, particularly on a Friday or Saturday night, stay there! <BR> <BR>I like the Gresham Hotel--great location, and you can get some good deals (call them up, and ask if they have any deals on). Also, the staff is very responsive. <BR> <BR>Try Mulligan's. It's rumored to be the first stop on the Guiness delivery trucks route. Regardless, the Guiness is terrific there.