Dublin | Perfect Planet

Submitted by maria on Thu, 21/01/2021 - 14:42

Dublin, the Irish capital is the perfect destination for a short break. Known for its brewing tradition Dublin has a lot to offer. Culture and fun are guaranteed.

Guinness

How to get to Dublin

By plane. Air travel is the most convenient and economical way to get to Dublin. Several low cost airlines operate from various cities in Spain such as Madrid or Barcelona. In our case we flew with Ryanair from Madrid. (Flight price 70€/pax approx).

Ha´penny Bridge

How to get to Dublin from the airport

There are several options, the cheapest of which is by bus.

On the one hand there are direct buses such as Aircoach (very fast option as it only makes three stops on the route: Drumcondra, O'Connell Street and Grafton Street (next to Trinity College) 24 hours a day for around €12 return; or Airlink 747 and 757 which cost around €10 with a shorter timetable.

Views from plane

City buses

There are three city bus routes that take you to/from Dublin Airport to the city (16, 41 and 102) but they make more stops than the direct buses, are slower and don't allow you to carry much luggage. It is important to carry the exact amount of the ticket in coins as the driver will not give you change. You can also buy a voucher for ten journeys at the tourist office at the airport if you are staying for several days.

More info here.

Christ Church Cathedral

Taxi

The cost of a taxi from the airport to Dublin city centre is around 40€, depending on the time of day and traffic. (30 minutes to an hour).

Dublin

Getting around

Dublin is a small city so you can walk to the main points of interest, however there are several bus routes connecting the different areas.

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation in Dublin, we recommend Abigayl's Hostel. Budget accommodation centrally located in the city centre very close to The Temple Bar. Kitchen and common rooms. Close to a supermarket. Accommodation and breakfast included.

Phil Lynott in Abigail´s

Gastronomy

If the Irish capital is known for anything, it is for its brewing tradition, apart from Guinness (symbol of the country) there are many others that you should also try. The great brewers may accuse us of being lazy, but we recommend Killkeny (to alternate), O'Hara's (more artisanal) or Murphy's (another Irish icon).

Ireland also offers other drinks such as tea (Lyons or Barry), Irish Coffee, punch (which of course includes Irish whiskey), cider or the famous Baileys (Irish pomace cream usually drunk after meals, especially at Christmas time).

Guinness Store House

Among the best-known typical dishes are Guinness Irish Stew (the usual St. Patrick's Day beef stew cooked with Guinness beer), Colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage and butter) or Coddle (sausage stew with potatoes and onions). As you can see, it's a hearty meal to face the cold Dublin weather.

What to see and do in two days in Dublin , a must:

1. Visit the Guinness Store House Brewery
2. Photograph Molly Malone
3. Say hello to Phil Lynott
4. Crossing Millennium Bridge
5. Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral
6. Enter The Trinity College and visit its famous Old Library
7. Visit Christ Church Cathedral
8. Stroll along O'Conell Avenue and see the Spire Spire
9. Visit the Town Hall
10. Experience Dublin's nightlife

1. Visit the Guinness Store House Brewery

A journey through the history of Arthur Guinness to learn about the brewing process of one of the most consumed and famous beers in the world. (basic ticket €18,50/pax)

St. James´s Gate

Whether you're a beer lover or not, it's worth a visit. This Irish icon has been brewed for over two hundred years and has become one of the world's most international lagers.

We start our tour of the St. James's Gate brewery. The building is impressive, with several rooms dedicated to explaining the brewing process, which began with the combination of just five ingredients.

Guinness Store House

In the Guinness Academy room you can take a course to learn how to pour Guinness, it's not as easy as it looks.

In the Tasting Room you can taste different types of beer.

The tour ends with a good Guinness and food tasting on the top floor, a beer garden with 360 degree views of the city, the Gravity Bar.

Views from Gravity Bar

2. Photography Molly Malone

On Grafton Street (now Suffolk Street) you can't miss this statue that has become a national icon.

Molly Malone is an Irish folk song that tells the story of a young fisherwoman who would go through the streets pushing her cart selling seafood and shouting "Cockles and Mussels". This song, written in 1880, has become an anthem for all Irish people.

Molly Malone

3. Say hello to Phil Lynott

The great bassist and vocalist of the band Thin Lizzy (along with Gary Moore, Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson) has a sculpture in his honour in the very small Harry Street in Grafton Street. He was one of the first blacks to lead an all-white band in the 1970s.

Phil Lynott

4. Crossing Millennium Bridge

Spanning the River Liffey, this bridge is located near The Temple Bar and is one of Dublin's most modern bridges.

5. Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral

Erected in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, it was built next to the well where St Patrick baptised converts in the 5th century. As well as being the largest, it is one of the most important churches in the city. (admission 8€pax).

Cemetery at Catedral de San Patricio

6. Enter The Trinity College and its famous Old Library

Trinity College is Ireland's oldest university, located in the centre of Dublin and home to the famous Old Library which has the largest collection of Irish books and manuscripts.

The Trinity College

In the Long Room you can find more than two hundred thousand of the oldest books sorted by size and handwriting. The most famous copy is known as the Book of Kells written by Celtic monks with the Latin text of the four gospels. (admission 16€/pax)

A stroll around the campus is a luxury and it's free.

The Trinity College

7. Visit Christ Church Cathedral

The city's oldest cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral is also known as Holy Trinity Cathedral. It dates back to the 11th-12th century but was fully restored in the 19th century.

It houses a 12th century crypt which is considered to be the oldest structure in Dublin that can be visited today. (admission 7,50€/pax)

Christ Church Cathedral

8. Stroll along O'Conell Avenue and see the Spire Needle

O'Conell Avenue has become the nerve centre of Dublin, being one of the main commercial areas of the city.

The Spire

Highlights include The Spire, a huge spire rising almost 120 metres and the Central Post Office, the landmark building where the Republic of Ireland was proclaimed in 1916.

Dublin

9. Visit Town Hall

Dublin City Hall was originally established as the seat of the Chamber of Commerce. It houses a circular room known as the Rotunda with a large dome. It is free to visit.

10. Experience Dublin's nightlife

Pubs with live music! Dublin's nightlife has to be experienced, but if you don't have enough time, at least a visit to the following pubs is a must.

The Temple Bar

The Temple Bar. This iconic Dublin pub offers great live music, but what it's really famous for is having the largest collection of whisky in Ireland. The only problem is that it tends to get very crowded and it's hard to find a seat.

This is the most atmospheric area of the city so any of the pubs and restaurants in the area will be of interest to you, including: Riot, Bad Bobs Temple Bar or St.John Gogarty's pub.

Interior of The Church

Riot. Live music, good atmosphere and cheap pizzas.

Bad Bobs Temple Bar. Again live music, great atmosphere and good beer. The toilets are downstairs and you have to go down quite a few stairs but they're cool.

St. John Gogarty's pub. Good food, good music and good pints. What more could you ask for?

The Brazen Head. Located in Bridge Street, this 12th century pub, the oldest in Ireland, stands out for its beauty. Divided into several rooms, it looks like you are actually in an old Irish house, well in fact the building was built as an inn. Don't miss it.

The Brazen Head

Murray's. Typical Irish pub with live music and dancing. Located in O'Conell, it also offers traditional Irish dishes and a great selection of beers.

The Church. One of the most curious pubs in Dublin is The Church. Built inside a 17th century church (St Mary's Church), this legendary Irish café is a must-visit in the city, ideal for a quiet coffee or a good beer.