We will be traveling to London for our sons wedding in August then going to Ireland for about 10 days. Our first stop will be in Dublin and we should arrive at 12:45. I'm allowing two hours travel to our hotel so I hope to visit a couple of spots that afternoon. But what would you recommend for our first night? We are not drinkers so the Temple Bar area is one we would probably avoid for our first evening in Dublin.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6501 posts
After spending the afternoon walking around your hotel's neighborhood, any nearby parks, or any nearby outdoor sights, I suggest an early dinner. There are lots of pubs and restaurants away from Temple Bar, and alcohol is optional even in the pubs. Then an early bedtime and hopefully sleep through the night to tackle your first full day.
The Rick Steves walk through central Dublin is a good introduction to the city. It's divided in two parts, north and south of the Liffey River. You could take on all or part of that if your hotel is reasonably close.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Since you will just be coming from London, and presumably will be over your jet lag by then (and hopefully you won't still be suffering from wedding reception lag either...), most of the usual advice for your arrival day/night doesn't really apply here.
Bigger question: What are your plans for your "about 10 days" in Ireland after landing in Dublin? Where are you planning to go, how will you be getting around, what are your interests, what happens after your time in Ireland (flying home? From where?), etc. That would be helpful to know before offering guidance.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Ireland has a strong tradition for theater—I always look at what's on the stages when I go to Dublin and have seen some great plays.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6531 posts
I too would probably just walk around getting a feel for where things are. If I knew in advance of a place I wanted to see, I may try to see it.
Posted by
OP
Tuscaloosa, AL
86 posts
David has asked for our plans thus far for our trip. these are our hopes for Dublin
Monday arrive at 12:45
Transfer to Hotel. (We have transfer service already booked)
3:30 City Hall
Christ Church 4:45-5:30
then??????
Tuesday
8:30-9:30 Book of Kells
Tour Dublin Castle for 1.5 hour
Lunch 12:00-1:00
St. Patricks Cathedral Tour 1:30-2:30
Tour Kilmainham Gaol 3:00-4:30
Wednesday we travel by train to Cork and will stay three nights. We have not finalized our plans for these days. We hope to do a sheep herding farm and demonstration, the Titanic Museum, and St. Coleman's Cathedral.
Saturday we travel by train to Killarney for three nights. Will visit National Park on horse and carriage tour on Saturday.
Sunday Ring of Kerry Tour (already booked)
Monday Dingle Peninsula tour all day
Tuesday we travel to Dromoland Castle with a Cliffs of Moher tour (already booked) en route. We will stay one night in the castle
Wednesday we return to Dublin via train for one night
Flight back to US on September 1
Please feel free to made recommendations or suggest changes.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
852 posts
I am also not a drinker, but I did a musical pub tour one evening in the Temple Bar area, and it was quite fun.
Posted by
1365 posts
After Christ Church you could stroll down Grafton Street and window shop. Frequently there are street performers. Then find a place to eat. Slightly to the west of Grafton Street is an upscale mall, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, where there are more cafes. And in between the two are lots of restaurants. You could also walk around St. Stephen's Green or head further south to Iveagh Gardens.