Finally going to Ireland after a delay of almost 8 months! BUT found out going during Easter. I know that Good Friday a lot of things are closed. But having a hard time about knowing what is open during Easter Sunday... Does anyone know about that weekend - about what is open or closed; in both Northern Ireland and Dublin? Would appreciate any advise... Thank you!
Posted by
Sugarloaf, CA, USA
29 posts
Dear Ruby, I lived in Dublin for a year, some years back. Your assertion about many places of business and tourism being closed on Good Friday is correct; however, you'll want to also consider that many places will close around noon on the Thursday before Good Friday, as well as there will be a Bank Holiday on "Easter Monday". Some major sites MIGHT be open on Good Friday and on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, but everything will be shut down on Easter Sunday itself. Restaurants run by immigrants will be open; (we had, quite arguably, the best Chinese food ever in Dublin on Easter Sunday...and I live in LA.) If you can, for the long weekend (Thursday-Monday) try to stay in and around Dublin and/or Belfast,as they are the largest cities on the island. Also, if you're going to travel between the cities during the weekend, be prepared for sporadic trains. Good luck, and Happy St Patrick's Day, Peter
Posted by
Indianapolis, IN, USA
154 posts
I was checking the Book of Kells site online and noticed that they are open over the Easter weekend. In case you are interested: The Old Library and the Book of Kells Exhibition Opening Arrangements for Easter Weekend Good Friday 29 March 2013 - 12:00 to 16:30 Easter Saturday 30 March 2013 - 09:30 to 17:00 Easter Sunday 31 March 2013 - 12:00 to 16:30 Easter Monday 1 April 2013 - 12:00 to 16:30
Barbara
Posted by
Seattle, Wa, USA
449 posts
I don't want to sound like a smart ass, but is the Easter Day uprising celebrated in any way at this time? I have seen this dramatized in several video productions (e.g, film "Michael Collins", tv series: "The Young Indy Jones Chronicles") and was wondering if, in the history of the Republic of Ireland, this is considered to be a sufficiently important date to warrant a celebration. If so where does one go see this? In front of the post office?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Geor, I don't know if there is a commemoration of the event, but you certainly learn a lot about it at Kilmainham Gaol and its museum.
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
See 1916rising.com to learn about the Easter Rising walking tour, which apparently will run on Easter Monday at 1pm. I've not been to Dublin yet, but I've been planning it for years and this tour is on my wish list. What an ideal day to take the tour if you've got the time.
Posted by
Dublin, Ireland
105 posts
Good Friday is pretty much a shut down day in Ireland (even the pubs are closed). Pretty much everything else should be open over the weekend, certainly pretty much all restaurants and most attractions will be, I know Number 29 is open as normal on Saturday & Sunday. The Easter Rising isn't commemorated as it used to be backintheday, the troubles put a dampener on it. However there are still local small ceremonies held, and you can see a list of Sinn Fein's planned commemorations here
http://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/22792