Tell Me About Dublin?

If you're even a little bit Irish and you have a chance to go to Dublin, you have to go. Since you live in South Carolina it might be hard, but if you can go to your library and see if they have any of Ricks cd's. If you're at all interested in Irish History there's The GPO and Kilmainham Gaol. Trinity College, Grafton Street and of course the Guinness Hop House. Not for everyone, but for me Guinness is a food group. Great music, good food and lovely, friendly people. My daughter, who soul is Irish, says if you have to be talked into it, don't go. We love it. Take the Hop on Hop off around once then get of at the places you want to see more of.

Dublin seems like a big hop from Firenze for a weekend, but if the timing works, go for it. Dublin could easily be done in a weekend. I would second the recommendations for Kilmainham Gaol and Trinity College. I wouldn't waste the time or money on the Guinness Storehouse.

Grafton Street is fun to walk down, and at almost any point in the year you will see buskers (street musicians) there. You might also enjoy a tour of 29 Georgian House near Merrion Square. The hop-on, hop-off bus is a great introductory tour of the city. The ticket is good for 24 hours, so you could take the whole tour late in the afternoon, and have the ticket to use as transportation the next day once you determine what you'd like to stop and see closer.

JB, As much as I love Dublin and Ireland if I only had a weekend I would look at someplace on the Adriatic Coast,Split,Zadar,Dubrovnik or maybe take a look at Slovenia.

Dublin is expensive--I agree, Slovenia would be a great second choice.

JB Dublin is much more worthy of your time than just a weekend. Try to find at least 10 days, before you die, to spend in this most wonderful country.

Like most cities, Dublin has a lot to see. Personally I think the best of Ireland is in it's smaller towns. The people, pubs and traditional music are the real attraction. In the city, people act like people in any other city. In a small town, it's like visiting your relatives.

I went to the Temple Bar area and was disappointed with the bars in the area. They reminded me of the mega-bar/discos you could find in any city. I was ready to call it a night at 10:30 then met a couple of local gentlemen. They paraded me through a series of great pubs "on the way" back to my hotel(I made it back to my hotel at 3:00 am). I'm not sure how you would find them, I wouldn't have known they were there without a guide.

To me, Dublin is secondary to west coast of Ireland, though it's a nice city and can (easily) be seen in a weekend. The key question to ask is this: "What are the chances that you go on a separte vacation to Ireland, with Dublin included in a longer itinerary?" If you think the chances of that happening are decent, go spend your weekend somewhere where you are less likely to visit in the future(Slovenia, Croatia, Prague, Budapest, Stockholm).

Temple Bar survives off of tourists, hen and stag parties and some fairly good but overpriced restaurants. If you want to find a decent pub avoid any mentioned in the travel books.

Dublin is full of history, music and interesting people.
One of the most interesting spots for me was the National Museum. The display of early gold is astounding. The bog bodies are interesting, as is the viking display.
If you like art, the National Gallery and the Hugh Lane Gallery are well worth a visit. Woman writing a Letter by Vermeer and Caravaggio's Taking of Christ are worth the trip alone.
The history of the 1916 Rebellion that eventually brought about Ireland's freedom is well represented in Dublin. There is a 1916 walk.
The Book of Kells in Trinity Library is amazing. The lead up to seeing the book is very informational and interesting.
There is a music walk, a city walk, and the hop on hop off tour gives you a good overall view of the city.
I think there is plenty to see and do in Dublin, but if your mindset is to go kicking and screaming, you will not enjoy it.

I agree with those that have posted about western Ireland. Having spent a couple of weeks there in March 2008, I would recommend (if you're looking towards Ireland) would be to fly into Shannon and heading for Dingle, or other town in the West.

I think travelers talk it up becuz it is a city that parties alot. Drinking, eating, playing & seeing sports and the University.Friendly folks. But I was disappointed as a tourist with interest in sightseeing, culture, architecture, antiquities etc. Let us know your interest then maybe this board can suggest a wkend getaway from Florence.