One day in Dublin - what are top things I should see/do??
 

I have 1 day in Dublin (port for a Cruise) in late August. What are the things I should do and see? Do you have a local tour Co. to recommend?

You must see:

Book of Kells in Trinity
Dublin Castle
History Museum
Drinks or dinner at Temple Bar

Don;t know what else you will have time for. No need for a tour - Dublin is a small city and the historic center area is tiny -you can easily walk places in a few minutes.

We spent a day in Dublin in April and two of the highlights of our day there were the Historical Walking Tour and the museum and tour of Kilmainham Gaol.

I would hop on a tour bus, they leave from stephens green. I would check out the Book of kells in Trinity College library, and on one of the hop on off tours, I would check out the Guinness storehouse museum. Skip the museum, and take the lift straight up to the bar, for a pint of guinness and an amazing view of the city.

Use the hop on/hop off bus as transportation but do walk a lot. I agree with cork about the Guinness museum. We did the tour -- didn't hate it but didn't love it either, but the bar at the top is great. So is the gift shop. I still have my Guinneess 'ticket' right here in my office -- a little clear plastic bauble with a drop of Guinness in it!

Ditto on the bus tours. Dublin is tiny and outside of the historic area, it's just like any other city.

Highlights were the attractions mentioned above, as well as just enjoying the nightlife. My favorite part was the Guiness. Definitely tastes better than it does back in the states.

Hi RR -

The Dublin Writer's Museum is worth a visit.

I liked the hop on hop off bus tour personally. I will agree that it is not necessary - you can walk most places (although the brewery and the gaol are a little far) but I found the bus tour pretty interesting in learning about all the sites, especially when you don't have a lot of time.

Besides the tour, my vote is for the Kilmainham Gaol. I found it very interesting.

Check out the City Tour hop-on hop-off www.dublinbus.ie
This tour has a very good informative and entertaining live commentary. There are options to get off at the main attractions. I would recommend:
Dublin Castle (if you are interested in a very broad overview of Irish history ranging from the Viking background to the castle and the city of Dublin to the current day).

Guinness - tour is very good and the view from the Gravity Bar on the top floor is amazing if you get a clear day.

Kilmainham Jail if you are interested in more recent Irish history mainly on 1916 Rising.

Apart from that, I would take a walk along Grafton Street;
Drop into a Dublin pub - Nearys in Chatham Street, off Grafton Street, Keoghs Anne Street (off Grafton Street) or Mulligans, Poolbeg Street (close to O'Connell Bridge).