I had a 23 hour layover in Dublin that is now 72 hours (luck of the Irish?) and am looking for suggestions on what to do with my time. This will be my first time to Ireland. I was considering taking a day trip/bus tour to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher one day but I’m open to suggestions.
Posted by
Land of La
8638 posts
Glendalough or Newgrange.
Train or bus to Belfast: Titanic Museum, seafood chowder at Mournes near Kelly Cellars.
Posted by
Louisiana
106 posts
dont miss the Trinity library in Dublin. Also, find a pub and enjoy the live music.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6486 posts
You are indeed lucky, especially if the change doesn't mess up other parts of your trip. The simplest thing would be to just take the airport bus into Dublin and spend your time there. If you'd rather see the west coast, there's direct bus service from DUB to Galway, where you could get a tour to the Cliffs or into Connemara. With just 72 hours I wouldn't try to combine these plans. Pick one or the other. A lot depends on whether the layover begins in the morning, evening, or whatever, i.e. how much of it involves sleeping vs. sightseeing. .
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1189 posts
Hi,
72 hours. Is not 72 hours of touring. So I would recommend staying in Dublin or at least close by. Kilmainham Gaol and Grand Post Office are two sites worth visiting if you are familiar with Irish History. A slow walk from St. Stephen's Green to the top of O'Connell Street where you find the Garden of Remembrance would gobble a lot of time and has many places to visit within a block or two of a straight line path between the Green and the Garden.
The National Museum, the Parliament Building, any number of fine pubs.
Dinner at the Gravedigger's Pub. It really isn't all that far from central Dublin but a taxi or bus would save your feet. The cemetery next door is worth a visit, once again if you know the people of Irish history. This pub is far enough away from the main tourism district that you might find yourself surrounded by Irish instead of Americans on holiday.
wayne inwi
Posted by
Freedonia
14936 posts
It would be easy to stick to Dublin and the surrounding areas with plenty to see.
If you decide to do this, and want to visit the Kilmainham Gaol, book a slot ahead of time as they fill up. It's worth the visit.
A partial day trip to New Grange is also recommended.
If you really want to take a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, although I personally suggest waiting until you have more time to explore the west coast, be aware this tour lasts more than 12 hours. It can be very tiring. And there is a lot of bus time.
Posted by
Chicago
493 posts
I've been to Dublin four times and Ireland overall five times.
Some Dublin ideas: See the Irish Writer's Museum. The James Joyce Museum, only a couple blocks away, is a good visit.
See a play at either the Gate Theater or the Abbey Theater. The second best of the 150 plays in life I have see was a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Gate Theater.
See the Book of Cells at Trinity College. Visit the breathtaking library.
Tour either the Jameson distillery or Guinness brewery.
Add onto that by taking a pub crawl.
Attend service at either Christchurch or St. Patrick's cathedral. I once went to an evening song performance at Christchurch, and I still remember it.
Eat dinner and lunch in the Temple Bar, a neighborhood everyone knows. Smithfield and Stoneybatter are less well known but more authentic.
The National Museum of Ireland has a great permanent exhibit on Irish. It's stunning how much great art came out of Ireland, but few outside the country know about it.