Two Nights In Dublin in December, 2008 - Looking for tips and advice
 

Hello Fodorites,

I am spending two nights in downtown Dublin the weekend of December 12th. I will be solo traveling from sunny Phoenix, AZ (USA) and staying at the Conrad Hilton (on Hhonors points).

I realize two days is a very short amount of time to see all that Ireland can offer, but it's all the time I have. I just want to concentrate on the Dublin area. Can anyone share their short list of "must do's" in the Dublin area? I am also looking for any other tips or advice for a solo traveler to Dublin. I arrive very early on Friday, Dec. 12 and leave the morning of Sunday, Dec. 14.

Thanks in advance!

Anima

Anima,
I spent 4 days with my DH in Dublin for Thanksgiving weekend last year. Some of our favorite time was spent walking around with our cameras. Guiness brewery would be on my list for the 360 degree view alone! I'd put the Book of Kells and library at Trinity on the top of my list. We missed the gaol but are going back to see it this December. Dublin castle was an interesting tour, IMO.
When you are ready to eat be sure to visit the PORTERHOUSE and order an oyster stout with raw oysters- it is one of the reasons I'm being called to return a year later! I'd also included St. Patrick's and Christchurch Cathedral, St. Stephen's Green (check out the artists selling their work along one of the side streets- Peter Hogan was my favorite, and his painting of St. Pats is my favorite purchase from the trip), Temple Bar (Gogharty's Pub for traditional Irish music- the only session we encountered), and of course the Ha' Penny Bridge. The museums will provide great choices according to your interests. We especially enjoyed the historical and design exhibits.
On this trip, I'm visiting the Jameson's Distillery. DH and I are convinced that the Jamesons tasted so much better in Ireland. You hear that about the Guiness but it stood out more in the whiskey.
If you invest in the Dublin Pass you get a ride to the city center included and admission to many of these recommendations. The associated hop on and off bus is an easy way to get around. Just don't waste your time with the Brahm Stoker exhibit in the Dublin Pass book. What an awful waste of time!
Check out shopping on Grafton Street and don't miss the famous Molly Mallone sculpture, known by locals as the tart with a cart and the dish with the fish. Have fun!

we went to a lovely irish dancing show with dinner outside of town. your hotel can recommend one.. i found it VERY entertaining.

I was in Dublin just last month, and I highly recommend the tour at Kilmainham Gaol. A real history lesson that helps you understand the whole irish "issue," and appreciate their hard-fought independence from England.

I found Guinness Storehouse much too crowded and very noisy! They don't brew any beer there any more, it's a museum. Yes, the view is pretty good, if it's not raining!

I second the suggestion to see The Book of Kells and the Long Room at Trinity College.

Be sure to visit a pub . . . preferably one where there's live music! Get a recommendation from a local, to avoid the tourist traps. The Irish people are so friendly, they will make you feel right at home.

Athena39 wrote: "A real history lesson that helps you understand the whole irish "issue," and appreciate their hard-fought independence from England."

You were not paying full attention. Part of Ireland seceded from (it is fair enough to say won independence from) the the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, forcing the rump state to rename itself the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Nobody understands the whole Irish issue. Some people misunderstand it less than others.

Padraig,

Sorry. I didn't mean to offend. I did get it that that was what the civil war was about, that only half of Ireland won independence. And I know that these feelings run very deep. Will it ever be over? Do you think it's possible that we will see a unified Ireland in our lifetime?

Don't worry Athena39; I was not offended. I simply wished to clarify things a bit.

Like that of most countries, the history of Ireland is not simple, and there are many so-called explanations that take a complex story and simplify it to the extent that it becomes a distortion rather than an easy-to-grasp summary. When I wrote that nobody understands the whole Irish issue, I include myself.

To answer your questions:
- No, I don't think it will ever be over if by "it" you mean the contest between unionist and nationalist traditions. I think major violent conflict might be over, but that sporadic violence will occur from time to time, but between small random groups, and not between large organised groups.
- No, I don't think we will see a unified Ireland in the lifetime of anybody now living, or for long after, if ever. The political objective now is good relations between all parties rather than "settling the constitutional question".

Thank you ArtGirl, Linca and Athena for your suggestions! I am looking forward to my trip. And Padraig I promise not to assume that I know even the slightest bit about Irish History. I remember how I felt as an "Italian-American" after spending a month in Italy. I came home and told an Italian friend that I left the U.S. feeling 100% Italian and returned feeling 1/100th of a percent Italian. I am always humbled by the beauty and depth of culture in the cities and the wit and wisdom of the people when I travel to Europe.

Thanks all for taking the time to post your replies to my query. :-) Anima