Dublin

The Capital

5 Days to Explore the City of Dublin!

County Dublin is in the province of Leinster. Dublin is the regional capital and the capital city of Ireland. Dublin is also the largest city of Ireland. Dublin is located on Ireland’s east coast and at the mouth of the River Liffey. The river was previously named An Ruirthech, meaning “fast or strong runner”. The word Liphe (or Life).

Places of Interest

Guinness Storehouse
Jameson Distillery
Kilmainham Gaol
Christ Church Cathedral. Founded 1030. A Gothic nave and beautiful stained glass. The cathedral crypt is the oldest surviving structure in Dublin and is one of the largest medieval crypts in Europe. Admission to the cathedral includes entry to the crypt. Guided tours of the cathedral and belfry are available.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Founded in 1191. The writer and satirist John Swift was Dean of Saint Patrick’s from 1713 to 1745. The only cathedral to sing two services everyday. The cathedral offers a permanent exhibition called the Living Stones.
The National Museum of Ireland.
The National Gallery of Ireland.
Grafton Street.
The Temple Bar area.
Merrion Square. Great walking park and green space. Check out the Oscar Wilde Sculpture.
Howth – outer suburb of Dublin by train.

Guinness Storehouse

Housed in an old fermentation plant. The seven- story visitor experience tells the story of this world famous drink. The tour is self-guided. The tour ends in the Gravity Bar where visitors receive a complimentary pint of Guinness.

Jameson Distillery

Guided tours and learning about Irish Whiskey making. The journey begins with an audio visual presentation followed by a walk through the recreated distillery. The tour ends in the Jameson Discovery Bar with a complimentary glass of Jameson.

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol (or Jail) is remarkable for being the biggest unoccupied goal. The goal gives visitors a dramatic and realistic insight into what it was like to have been confined in one of these forbidding bastions of punishment and correction between 1796 and 1924. There is a guided tour and exhibition.

Ways To Tour The City

The Dublin Pass

The Hop On, Hop Off Bus Pass

We used the Dublin Pass and the Hop On, Hop Off Bus Pass the 1st 2 days in Dublin to see:

Kilmainham Gaol
Guinness Storehouse
Jameson Distillery
Christ Church Cathedral
St. Patrick’s Cathedral

I still enjoy getting out and exploring by foot, however; the Hop On, Hop Off Bus is a great way to tour the City of Dublin, especially on the top deck of the bus.

The Heritage Card

The Heritage Card covers the following regions in Ireland.

Dublin
North-West
West
Shannon Region
South-West
South-East
Midlands & East Coast

Places We Ate

The Porterhouse for lunch; Chili Pie and Porterhouse Red Ale
The Woolshed Baa & Grill to watch American football.
Fade Street Social for dinner; Tomahawk Steak, Spuds and Micro Greens and a bottle of Spanish Rioja red wine.
The Porterhouse for dinner; Bacon & Cabbage and Poached Chicken and Porterhouse Red Ale and Porterhouse Oyster Stout.
Davey Byrnes for dinner; Fish & Chips and Cottage Pie and Pinot Grigio and Guinness.
The Porterhouse for lunch; Scampi & Chips and Chicken Wings and Porterhouse Red Ale and Porterhouse Stout.
Pasta Fresca for dinner; Risotto and Gnocchi and a bottle of Italian Barbera red wine.
Kennedy’s Bar & Restaurant for dinner; Chicken and Beef Stew and O’Hara’s Stout and Guinness.
The Gingerman Pub; great pre-dinner and post-dinner atmosphere and great craft beers selection.