Fodor's To Europe!

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Days 8-9
Next stop: Cork Previous stop: Bath Return to full itinerary »

Ireland's capital is one of Europe's most charming cities and is filled with lively pubs, restaurants, and beautiful architecture. It is also delightfully compact and walkable, so you can take in many sights in a short time. Toast Dublin's literary heritage, admire the elegant Georgian architecture, and enjoy the sophisticated dining scene.
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  • Nightlife
  • Architecture
  • History

Experiences

  • Raise a glass to Dublin's most famous son, James Joyce, in a pub, or visit the James Joyce Centre.
  • Head to Trinity College to see the stunning Long Room in the Old Library. It is also home to the medieval, illuminated Book of Kells.
  • Start at Merrion Square and walk around the city's Georgian district before ending your day in one of the city's stylish restaurants for a taste of new Irish cuisine.

Festivals

  • The week around St. Patrick's Day (March 17) is a nonstop festival of parades and events.
  • Celebrate Bloomsday on June 16, the day in 1904 on which James Joyce's novel Ulysses takes place.

Side Trips

  • Marino Casino, 3 mi/4 km north of Dublin, is an exquisite Palladian-style Greek temple built in the 18th century.
  • Have a moment of calm at the National Botanic Gardens (3 mi/5 km north of Dublin), which has more than 20,000 varieties of plants, flowers, and trees.

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