I'm going to be in Dublin for six days in March and don't plan to rent a car. What's a couple to do? Can you tell me the name of Tour Companies and tell me where to spend the day outside of Dublin.

Hi, George. I have a couple of ideas for you, just my opinions, of course. I have only been to Dublin once, but personally I would consider 6 days more than a gracious plenty to hit the major sites (found in any guidebook). Unless there are compelling reasons otherwise, you might want to reconsider and rent a car for a few of those days and get out into the surrounding areas (beautiful!). I particularly enjoyed the County Meath area, and Newgrange, etc. Also, the Hill of Slane area is beautiful. Ireland is such an accessible area by car, much simpler and more convenient than public transport. I do not mean to downplay the importance of seeing Dublin, but there is a lot to do rather close by. Have a great trip!

George, <BR>It really depends on when in March you will be in Dublin - do remember that 17th is St Patrick's Day and there will be a lot of events organised around that weekend (the 17th is on a Saturday so the following Monday is a Bank Holiday). <BR>So Dublin will be real busy - be sure to have booked your B&B/Hotel early. <BR> <BR>Bus Eireann and CIE (the umbrella company for public transport in Ireland) run day trips and tours out of Dublin. For further information check out www.cie.ie. At this site you will also be able to access the Dublin transport options and the the national rail network. Both Meath ie Newgrange and Tara, and the Wicklow Mts ie Glendalough are good day trips out of Dublin - either by car or with CIE/Bus Eireann. Kilkenny city is also worth a tour of out Dublin - by train is best. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps and check out www.ireland.travel.ie - the Irish Tourist Board web site. <BR> <BR>Cathy

The (national?) museum in Dublin is fascinating re the Vikings, history, could take a day or more to view - and the brewery - wow - THE college - you will be impressed - don't miss some pubs where you will always see smiles......luck

<BR> <BR>up up up for George!!!

George, if you do end up in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day, just be aware that many hotel prices in the city are more expensive then at other times of the year. We were there in '99. Dublin is a great town, in addition to all of the excellent suggestions above, for bus tours and the Castle, be sure and save yourself a good amount of time for strolling down Grafton Street and sipping Guinness in pubs while chatting to the locals.Have a grat trip.

Go to the races. You don't have to bet.

<BR>Again for you George!!

HI, <BR> <BR>I was there briefly in early June. Try to go on a guided historical tour - check out <BR> <BR>www.historicalinsights.ie <BR> <BR>for a glimpse at the one I went on - absolutely and utterly fascinating. Johnny was my guide - a grad of Trinity college (but then again I think they all may be). <BR> <BR>also, do not miss the "Literary Pub Crawl" - another history walk (crawl), with a literary bent, very very funny, and you get to drink Guinness too! <BR> <BR>If you are at all musical - check out Fodor's Rock & Roll Traveler Great Britain & Ireland - you can check out where U2 recorded many of their songs, eat lunch where Sinead used to wait tables... <BR> <BR>actually, now that I think of it - Dublin has a "Rock & Stroll" guide which you SHOULD be able to get at the TI - it was sold out when I was there so perhaps you should order it ahead of time if at all possible. You will also see plastered on various walls/sidewalks commemorative record platters denoting famous musical sites. this goes along with the guidebook - so if it is sold out, at least you may stumble into something musically noteworthy. <BR> <BR>also, if you have time, I urge you to go to Galway. It is about a 2.5 hour train ride from Dublin and it is a really pretty town, the largest on the west coast, and famous for its 'craic' (look it up!) I read that Dubliners go THERE for Saturday night entertainment - it's that much fun. Plus, you'll be really close to the Cliffs of Moher should you feel inclined to see them, Connemara if you have time, etc etc. <BR> <BR>The mileage b/w Dublin & Galway is only about 135 miles or so... so it's not so far. Closer than DC to NYC! <BR> <BR>If you are at all inclined, rent a bike too - although March does not sound like an optimal time to do that - I did it in late May/early June - and while it was sunny most days, when it rained, oh did it rain and cold too. (but that is partly cuz I was on the bike for 35 miles each day - rain or not!!) <BR> <BR>have fun, email me if you need more help - you will really love it there! <BR> <BR>Beth