Day before tour in Dublin

The Temple Bar area is fun.

We loved the HOHO bus , the driver was hilarious and dropped us off right at the Guinness Factory.

I'll have about three days before mine starts. Haven't decided yet, and don't have to for months, but the finalists are the Archaeology Museum, the National Gallery, Dublin Castle, evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral, and Bru Na Boinne (a day trip). And I'm sure there will be a certain amount of aimless walking around. But I wouldn't presume to call these "should not miss" for anyone else.

I'm assuming you are taking the Rick Steves tour which includes Kilmainham Gaol. It may be the only thing I would call a "must see". So if your tour doesn't include it go there one your own. I have also enjoyed the Archaeology Museum, Dublin Castle and the Chester Beaty Library, https://chesterbeatty.ie. Somewhat off the beaten path is 14 Henrietta Street, https://14henriettastreet.ie, a Georgian townhouse that has been restored to show how its fortunes mirrored the ups and downs of Dublin. For more history you could consider the GPO, where the Easter Rising was centered, and the EPIC Museum, which traces Irish emigration.

Since you are not taken there. I agree that a trip to Bru Na Boinne is a must.

You can probably find a day tour to take you.

If you want to stay in Dublin, then you have been given some good suggestions. It depends on your interests.

Here's the RS-recommended Dublin-based tour company for Bru Na Boinne. Looks like a good day for a good price.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and the links. It’s very much appreciated!

A lovely place to stretch your legs after a long international flight is St. Stephen’s Green, my favorite urban park. I also really enjoyed the archeology museum, it’s not huge but it has some impressive items. I used the guide in the Rick Steve’s book when I visited.

Sorry, Mary Pat, the 8-day tour stops at Bru na Boinne, the 14-day tour doesn't. But I agree that it might not be a good choice if there's only one pre-tour day available in Dublin. Plenty to fill that time in Dublin itself.

the 8-day tour stops at Bru na Boinne, the 14-day tour doesn't.

Thanks for the clarification, I deleted my second post.