Plan A Long Weekend in Dublin
Dublin has literary connections -- from Yeats, Shaw and Joyce to Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) and Seamus Heaney, Georgian Squares, great shopping, museums full of legendary treasures and, of course, Guiness. Most attractions are within a small central area making Dublin particularly easy to visit and senior friendly.Founded by Vikings and rich in history, today Dublin is a hip, modern city, full of energy and confidence, with more than enough to do to fill a weekend and leave you wanting more. Plan your Dublin Ireland Getaway with the resources below.
Will You Like It?
- See for yourself with A Walking Tour of Dublin in Pictures
- Loads of seniors do. Dublin is one of Europe's fastest growing destinations, according to the statistics from the Irish Tourist Board, Fáilte Ireland. At least 38% of all visitors in 2004 were over 45 and 44% of North American visitors were in that older age bracket.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
For some strange reason, most people seem to visit Dublin during the winter months, between December and March, when it is coldest and wettest and the days are shortest. The year-round climate is temperate and both spring and fall are terrific times to see Dublin and the surrounding countryside. Plan a bit more rain than you may be used to, least some of the time, no matter when you go.Getting There
- Flying? Dublin International Airport is Ireland's busiest, with scheduled flights from Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto, as well as all over Europe.
- Sailing? It can be reached from the UK by ferry from either Liverpool or Holyhead in Wales.
Where to stay
Check out our recommended hotels and guest houses
The Best Coffee - and Breakfast - in Dublin
Bewley's Oriental Cafés is a historic Grafton Street landmark recently given a new lease of life. Behind the ornate, tiled facade Bewley's own coffee, roasted on the premises, is served with sticky buns as it has been since 1927. Breakfast at Bewley's is served in a grand dining hall, under six, historic stained glass windows commissioned from Arts and Crafts movement artist, Harry Clark.
And Fine Dining in Dublin
Out for a splurge? Check out these recommended Dublin restaurants.Two Must-Visit Dublin Pubs
Even if you don't touch alcohol, a visit to a genuine Irish pub in Dublin is a great way to experience the personality of the city. If you like Guinness, there is no better place than Dublin to taste this unique, black brew. But if you'd rather an orange juice, cola or coffee, no one will even notice. Go for the "craic" (pronounced "crack) an Irish expression for wit, good chat an fun. And go to experience the places where Dublin's historic literary and political figures shaped the city. These two are among the best:Annual Events You Should Know About
Dublin's St. Patrick's Festival is the biggest annual event in Ireland. It brings together music, theatre, family carnivals, comedy, street arts, visual arts, dance, a treasure hunt, symposium, cavalcades of vintage cars and more for five days of celebration and free performances. At least 4000 performers and more than a million and a half spectators join in. In 2007, the festival runs from March 15 to 19.Tips
Give the sightseeing buses a miss -- the commentary that you pay extra for is really very hit or miss -- and buy a Dublin Bus Rambler ticket instead. The Rambler tickets, are for one, three or five days of unlimited cash-free travel so you can hop on and off any bus wherever you see the distinctive Dublin Bus logo on a bus stop. A 5Euro one day Rambler ticket is a much better buy than the 11Euro, 24-hour Dublin Bus City Tour.Five Cool Things to Do in Dublin
- Follow some literary heroes around Dublin. Get some ideas at the Dublin Writer's Museum, then visit the Yeats Exhibition at the National Library, the James Joyce Center, The Shaw Birthplace and The Oscar Wilde House (June -August only).
- Quench your thirst Find out all about stout at the Guinness Storehouse. Later, see whiskey making at The Old Jameson Distillery, built in 1780. Sample at both, of course. Then get a taste for Dublin pub life with a traditional Dublin Musical Pub Crawl.
Absorb some history Visit the Book of Kells, see the oldest Irish Harp and one of the few remaining copies of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic at The Library of Trinity College London.Learn about Ireland's Viking past and see the finest collection of ancient gold in Europe at the National Museum of Ireland. Then have a sobering confrontation with the origins of the Irish Republic with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol. Scare yourself silly Did you know that Bram Stoker, creator of Dracula, was a Dubliner. Visit The Bram Stoker Dracula Experience to chill your blood. Buy yourself a present The Irish make wonderful linens, Waterford Crystal, lovely Aran and Innishmean sweaters. Look for modern fashions along Grafton Street, rare books on Duke Street, and traditional Irish handicrafts on Nassau Street at Blarney Woolen Mills and Kilkenny.
