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Navigating Dublin with Current Road Construction

Posted by (Atlanta, GA) on

My husband and I and our 15-year-old son will be in Dublin on Tue, July 18 and Wed, July 19th, leaving Thursday AM to other parts of Ireland. We've been reading about some nasty traffic bottlenecks going on now in Dublin due to road construction, which is causing delays for the Hop-On/Off bus tours.

Question for anyone who has recently been in Dublin - do you recommend getting around via a HOHO bus or taxi for the 3 of us (in addition to walking)? If HOHO, which one (I see 3 main companies on TripAdvisor).

We are staying at the Bushwells Hotel (near St. Stephen's Green) and would like to see the following:

  1. either Saint Patrick's or Christ Church Cathedral
  2. Kilmainham Gaol (we have 1:30 reservation Wed)
  3. Guinness Storehouse
  4. Trinity College/Book of Kells
  5. National Museum: Archaeology
  6. Brazen Heads Pub Dinner Show (we have reservation Wed evening)
  7. Temple Bar area
  8. Croke Park GAA Museum
  9. O'Connell Street area
  10. (Maybe) Dublin Castle

Greatly appreciate suggestions on the best way to get to these places!

Also - if there are any other highlights you recommend we'd see/visit during our brief stay in Dublin, please let me know.

Thank you.
Suzette
(Atlanta, GA)

Posted by
317 posts

Greetings from Dublin
The construction works (for our new tramline) are almost finished, and are being reduced day by day. So it may affect your hop on hop off bus times a bit, but unless you're in a hurry to get somewhere then it wont affect you at all.
Taking taxis to the places you mentioned will cost you a small fortune, the hop on hop off buses are the best option as the ticket you get will last you for 2 days and if you plan strategically then you will be able to see a lot of attractions in one foul swoop.
Many of those you mentioned are also walkable.
Buswells is a good selection, location is perfect. National museum across the street, nice safe area, good restaurants and walking distance to some wonderful cultural attractions.
Im not sure you'll be in awe of Dublin castle as its not really a castle, and you can just walk though the ground for free instead paying admission.
Meanwhile your son might enjoy the National Leprechaun Museum, although at the same time he may never forgive you for bringing him there! Your risk :)
Slainte/good health
Stephen McPhilemy
Rick Steves Ireland Tour-Guide
Dingle, Derry, Dublin (and everywhere else!)

Posted by
87 posts

Thanks Stephen for the great information!

I'm finding three primary HOHO buses in town - is there one you'd recommend over the other?

Thanks for the tip about Dublin Castle.

Funny on the National Leprechaun Museum note! My daughter is a university student studying abroad in Ireland now, and she and her friends did stop by there! I think my son would be more on the "never forget" stand of this! :)

We're very much looking forward to visiting Ireland for the first time!

Suzette

Posted by
107 posts

My wife were there a month ago and walked everywhere you talk about, except Croke Park area. That is north east a bit, maybe a taxi for that. We are 68 and had no problems. If you have a couple hours to spare, visiting the Immigration ship anchored along the river was very interesting, especially if you have any Irish blood. And, if you have an extra night, I suggest going to Irish Nights at Belvedere Hotel. Great time!

p.s. We chose to not see Book of Kells,, very long wait line and that was prior to peak tourism! Instead we opted for more sights at other places.

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