Week in Dublin
Jun 26th, 2006, 04:37 AM
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Week in Dublin
My husband and I are planning a week in Dublin in late Oct and early Nov (we never travel at peak times). I have been to Dublin once about 15 years ago and he has never been. So we plan to spend much of the time in Dublin and areas close by.
Any suggestions - where to stay in Dublin? Prefer not to slum it but we don't have to stay at the Ritz either. Should we rent a car? Good day trips or 1-2 day trips from Dublin? I know Ireland is not huge but I don't want to be in a car the entire trip. Any suggestions are appreciated. And I know there are some great restaurants in Dublin. Can anyone suggest some good dining tips as well?
Any suggestions - where to stay in Dublin? Prefer not to slum it but we don't have to stay at the Ritz either. Should we rent a car? Good day trips or 1-2 day trips from Dublin? I know Ireland is not huge but I don't want to be in a car the entire trip. Any suggestions are appreciated. And I know there are some great restaurants in Dublin. Can anyone suggest some good dining tips as well?
Jun 26th, 2006, 05:04 AM
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Hi
We are going to Dublin in July for 3 days before we fly to Bologna. We were in Dublin a few years ago with a tour for about 4 hours so are excited to go back.
I think the transportation...busses and trains...are excellent and no need for a car. Check out www.visitdublin.com for information.
I bought a dublin pass for 2 days for the price of 3...It says on the website the offer is only good to June 23 but they extended it to June 27 (even if it doesn't say it on the website.) With this pass you do not have to stand in line. The DART also takes you north or south of the city to some interesting day trips to Howth or Malahide castle.
We are staying at the Schoolhouse Hotel a little away from the City Center but within walking distance. Has excellent reviews.
Have fun planning.
We are going to Dublin in July for 3 days before we fly to Bologna. We were in Dublin a few years ago with a tour for about 4 hours so are excited to go back.
I think the transportation...busses and trains...are excellent and no need for a car. Check out www.visitdublin.com for information.
I bought a dublin pass for 2 days for the price of 3...It says on the website the offer is only good to June 23 but they extended it to June 27 (even if it doesn't say it on the website.) With this pass you do not have to stand in line. The DART also takes you north or south of the city to some interesting day trips to Howth or Malahide castle.
We are staying at the Schoolhouse Hotel a little away from the City Center but within walking distance. Has excellent reviews.
Have fun planning.
Jun 29th, 2006, 12:46 PM
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I was in Dublin last July 25-27th and had the time of my life in Dublin. In fact I was in Ireland for 11 days total and saw Doolin, Kildare, Dublin, Cashel, Cahir, Kilkenny, Cork City, Kinsale, Cobh, and Killarney not to mention places we drove through and I loved Dublin the best of all.
In Dublin we stayed at the Burlington Hotel which was about a 15-20 minute nice walk to St. Stevens Green and 20-25 minute walk to Temple Bar. The Dart bus and Dublin City tour bus stops right outside the hotel. I would recommened the Burlington and we got a good rate of 99 Euro per night not including taxes which came to about 110-115 I think.
We rented a car as we were on a driving trip but if your are flying into Dublin I say screw the car its a pain in the ass. If you decided to go to Glendouglh Monstatery in the Wicklow Mountains or Kilkenny for the day there are bus trips from Dublin which will allow you to do that at a reasonable price. Most hotels offer this information at their front desk.
In Dublin we stayed at the Burlington Hotel which was about a 15-20 minute nice walk to St. Stevens Green and 20-25 minute walk to Temple Bar. The Dart bus and Dublin City tour bus stops right outside the hotel. I would recommened the Burlington and we got a good rate of 99 Euro per night not including taxes which came to about 110-115 I think.
We rented a car as we were on a driving trip but if your are flying into Dublin I say screw the car its a pain in the ass. If you decided to go to Glendouglh Monstatery in the Wicklow Mountains or Kilkenny for the day there are bus trips from Dublin which will allow you to do that at a reasonable price. Most hotels offer this information at their front desk.
Jun 29th, 2006, 01:40 PM
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Just got back from Dublin - stayed at the Royal Dublin, a Best Western hotel, and at the Adams Trinity. Both were about 80 euro for a single. The BW site showed Royal Dublin's rate at almost twice what I booked it for through the Royal's own site; following advice on TripAdvisor I made sure I got a renovated room and it was very nice. It's located at the northern end of O'Connell street, quite central - a block from the post office. The Adams Trinity has an amazing location, 2 blocks from Trinity College, 2 blocks from Dublin Castle, and 2 blocks from ha'penny bridge and Temple Bar. My room was larger than I expected and the staff were friendly. Both hotels were very close to Aircoach stops to/from the airport.
I have also stayed at the Burlington and while it had the best rooms of the three hotels I have stayed at, that walk into town got old real fast. The Burlington's area is more residential, thus quieter but with fewer options for eating and drinking.
If you are not used to driving on the other side of the road and only have a week anyway, do your daytripping by train or bus. The tourist office, or as Survfan points out, your hotel, can help you make the arrangements.
I have also stayed at the Burlington and while it had the best rooms of the three hotels I have stayed at, that walk into town got old real fast. The Burlington's area is more residential, thus quieter but with fewer options for eating and drinking.
If you are not used to driving on the other side of the road and only have a week anyway, do your daytripping by train or bus. The tourist office, or as Survfan points out, your hotel, can help you make the arrangements.
Jun 30th, 2006, 04:31 AM
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Just returned from Ireland, including 5 nights in Dublin. We stayed at the O'Callaghan Davenport Hotel (check their website, there are 4 O'Callaghan hotels - all nice - within close proximity to each other and within walking distance to many things.)
The Davenport is very nice with a sort of nice Marriott feel to the rooms if you like that. We had to stay there with my husband's conference, and while it was nice, I would have maybe prefered something a little more quaint, but do check them out.
By the way 2 other O'Callaghan hotels were literally across the street (a 30-60 sec. walk from the Davenport.) We were able to walk from our hotel to Graften Street in about 10 min. at a good clip (3 children in tow ranging from 10-6.) 15 min. walk to Temple Bar or St. Stephen's Green. 5 min. walk to Trinity College (book of Kells, library grand hall), and a 2-3 min. walk to the closest stop on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus tour which I would highly recommend. I would highly recommend a visit to all of the aforementioned places. And I really would recommend walking if you can. I think it added to the overall city experience.
I would also recommend visiting the Christ Church Cathedral which we didn't get to tour, but did see it close up on our way to adjacent Dublinia and walked thru a small portion of it on our way out - looked fabulous - sorry we missed it.
Have a wonderful time!
The Davenport is very nice with a sort of nice Marriott feel to the rooms if you like that. We had to stay there with my husband's conference, and while it was nice, I would have maybe prefered something a little more quaint, but do check them out.
By the way 2 other O'Callaghan hotels were literally across the street (a 30-60 sec. walk from the Davenport.) We were able to walk from our hotel to Graften Street in about 10 min. at a good clip (3 children in tow ranging from 10-6.) 15 min. walk to Temple Bar or St. Stephen's Green. 5 min. walk to Trinity College (book of Kells, library grand hall), and a 2-3 min. walk to the closest stop on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus tour which I would highly recommend. I would highly recommend a visit to all of the aforementioned places. And I really would recommend walking if you can. I think it added to the overall city experience.
I would also recommend visiting the Christ Church Cathedral which we didn't get to tour, but did see it close up on our way to adjacent Dublinia and walked thru a small portion of it on our way out - looked fabulous - sorry we missed it.
Have a wonderful time!
Jun 30th, 2006, 04:52 AM
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Hi,
we just went to Ireland june 9-17, it was fabulous
We stayed in Dublin 2 night, we did a hostel to afford a castle later in the trip. We did a historic walking tour, we really enjoyed, but our favorite thing to do was the musical pub tour. We love music, hubby & kids all play, we learned a lot about Irish music, heard wonderful music, and had such a great time. Near the end they asked for volunteers and hubby got to play guitar and sing in an Irish pub, he was thrilled!
We parked our car while in town and mostly walked everywhere. We drove all over the country. Close to Dublin we toured Powerscout, went to Rock of Cashel, Cahir, Kildare, and Clonmacnoise. Everything was great, even the weather was great, only rained one day for about an hour, of course it was while we were at the cliffs of Moher.
Have a great trip!
Marlene
we just went to Ireland june 9-17, it was fabulous
We stayed in Dublin 2 night, we did a hostel to afford a castle later in the trip. We did a historic walking tour, we really enjoyed, but our favorite thing to do was the musical pub tour. We love music, hubby & kids all play, we learned a lot about Irish music, heard wonderful music, and had such a great time. Near the end they asked for volunteers and hubby got to play guitar and sing in an Irish pub, he was thrilled!
We parked our car while in town and mostly walked everywhere. We drove all over the country. Close to Dublin we toured Powerscout, went to Rock of Cashel, Cahir, Kildare, and Clonmacnoise. Everything was great, even the weather was great, only rained one day for about an hour, of course it was while we were at the cliffs of Moher.
Have a great trip!
Marlene
Jul 2nd, 2006, 11:25 AM
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OK some good reccommendations. I live in Dublin and would not even reccommend a car. You will not need it and can do 1-2 day trips with a tour. Its a tough city to drive in if you do not know your way around. Too many one 3way streets these days!
Trinity Lodge is a nice hotel nnear the college on S frederick street. The f=davenport as mentioned are lovely. I am not a fan of the Royal Dublin on O'Connell as it looks a biit run down and further out than the rest. Ok maybe the burlington is further but it has great rates lately and you can walk or get a bus 5 minutes to the centre outside. What is the hotewl price range you are looking for and I can work with that. Also check out www.laterooms.com.
Trinity Lodge is a nice hotel nnear the college on S frederick street. The f=davenport as mentioned are lovely. I am not a fan of the Royal Dublin on O'Connell as it looks a biit run down and further out than the rest. Ok maybe the burlington is further but it has great rates lately and you can walk or get a bus 5 minutes to the centre outside. What is the hotewl price range you are looking for and I can work with that. Also check out www.laterooms.com.
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Jul 2nd, 2006, 11:42 AM
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Yea Siobhan is right. (I'm Irish too). The traffic around Dublin is crazy, but perhaps you could rent a car for a couple of days and try to get to Glendalough (lakes, historic remains, monastic ruins, woods, mountains - beautiful place). Its about an hour or less from Dublin but you can get a bus there if necessary. See Trinity Collge (Right in the city). Go to Howth on the DART (electric train - about 30 mins from the city) - its a lovely seaside suburb with marina/cliff walks/views of the city. The tourist offices will recommend plenty of sights to see around the city. Stroll in Stephen's Green and shop in Grafton Street. Cant help with accommodation or dining tips, - sorry. Hope you enjoy your visit.
Jul 4th, 2006, 07:12 AM
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While we are on the subjuect of Dublin, I am considering a one night stay to recover from our 6 am arrival before we go off to explore the southwest. Does anyone have any ideas about a comfortable 1 night stay within walking distance of a few attractions and ease of exiting the city and renting a car on the second day.
Jul 4th, 2006, 07:24 AM
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I agree with Siobhan, I wouldnt bother with the Royal Dublin, infact i'd keep away from O'Connell St, it might be our main street in the Capital, but in my opinion its most unsavoury. The Davenport is very nice, and any hotels around St Stephens Green/Grafton Street. I wouldnt bother with the car hire, its a nightmare driving in Dublin City centre, or even outside it by times, most of the time there is gridlock, and road works just seem to spring up out of nowhere! Use the train for day trips, or take the Bus Eireann trips. Glendalough is really lovely and very doable in a day, Enniskerry is also lovely, you could even travel to Co Wexford for a day, New Grange, or even Belfast, all these places can be reached by Train or Provincial bus.
Jul 6th, 2006, 07:16 AM
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Hi..I'm new to this forum. We will be in Dublin in mid Sept. and have reservations at the Harcourt Hotel. I heard it's noisy there,but we really don't care because we plan to investigate the nightlife. Does anyone know anything else about this place? Is it within walking distance of Grafton Street, Temple Bar and other sights such as the National Art Gallery? I appreciate anyone' comments. Thank you.
Jul 6th, 2006, 07:19 AM
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I would not rent a car. The traffic in Dublin is horrible, and the public transportation is great. The city is very compact, so you can walk to most places.
There are several good tour companies that offer day trips outside the city. My husband and I really loved our tour to the Wicklow mountains and Glendalough.
There are several good tour companies that offer day trips outside the city. My husband and I really loved our tour to the Wicklow mountains and Glendalough.
Jul 11th, 2006, 08:46 AM
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What about a really quaint, old hotel, right in the middle of Dublin? We really like to get into the character of an area when we travel. Price is not a huge obstacle. Don't mind paying for a nice place. Prefer to stay away from the more generic types of hotels. Would like to be able to walk around in the area of the hotel, so something right in Dublin would be nice. Any suggestions??
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:02 AM
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Tyhere are a few georgian houses in Ballsbridge that are renovated as more upmarket B&B's. There is nothing off the top of my head in the city centre. ACtually STauntons on the green is a renovated Georgina B&B as well as Brownes on the Green which is quaint and old fashioned. I would try here. I had lunch here last week and its a lovely old georgian house with a good if not expensive restaurant (special occasion or business lunch when someone else pays place!).http://www.brownesdublin.com/the_hotel.php
Jul 13th, 2006, 07:27 AM
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crazeecat
You are slap bang in the middle of everything in Harcourt St, its a great area and all the places you mentioned are with a few minutes walk, the hotel is noisy, ( or so i've heard from friends who stayed there),but if the noise doesnt bother you, then you on the pigs back ( as we say in Dublin)!!
You are slap bang in the middle of everything in Harcourt St, its a great area and all the places you mentioned are with a few minutes walk, the hotel is noisy, ( or so i've heard from friends who stayed there),but if the noise doesnt bother you, then you on the pigs back ( as we say in Dublin)!!
