Dublin

[clvrlad]

Hi i'm going to dublin in december this year,
just wondere if anyone has been before and what would you suggest i go see

and any tips on how to save money while there

[gill216]

Yes! Book yourself into Gogarty's youth hostel, we had a wonderful few days there- but research it first as its about 10 years since we stayed there. Very,very clean. We had a double room and it came with an en suite Breakfast was included and consisted of tea, juice toast cereal jams etc. Its also right above Gogarty's pub which at the time had live music throughout the day and evening . Its also not far from the airport and very central so bus or taxi are both reasonable options. You'd be very central and the other pub that most people recommend everyone goes to for live music too is about 50 yards down the street. I've forgotten its name.

We took a trip to Galway while we were there and stayed overnight in a hostel there too. My grandson's other grandfather hails from Dublin, although he lives in Cork. His family are all still Dublin based so if you want to do anything specific I'll ask him for you.

Edit: Link to the hostel http://www.gogartys.ie/hostel/

Edit again: You might also like to check out the "Dublin pass" - free entry to lots of places, discounted travel and a free airport transfer into the centre.

[clvrlad]

sounds good im thinking train and ferry

checked the date im thinking of going and its silly prices to fly

my cousin from New Zealand is planning to on getting married on the 29th of December...

[Wulfruna]

Dublin is fabulous..... I just loved it when we had a couple of days there some years ago. It is full of quirky stuff ( well this is Ireland.... ) like statues {Molly Malone, the reclining nude known as 'the Floozie in the Jacuzzi', the two gossiping women known as 'the Hags with the Bags', James Joyce ('the Prick with the Stick'), Oscar Wilde (in Merrion Square Park)}, some gorgeous buildings - and of course Guinness. A visit to the Guinness Brewery is a must, not only is it fascinating, but the admission price includes a pint of the real stuff, which you claim in the bar at the end of the tour. Unfortunately, it broke my heart to see how many rejected pints were passed back when visitors who had come out of curiosity discovered that they didn't really like the stuff after all..... . It is well known that in fact Guinness doesn't travel very well, so the best place to buy it is close to a brewery - and what could be better than this. It is truly like drinking liquid velvet.... . However, I have to say that even so, the very best pint I enjoyed in Dublin was not there, but in a pub a short distance away - nothing special (I can't even remember the name) but just the most perfect Guinness ever
As for Gogarty's - yes it is fantastic, but hopelessly overpriced (they make all their money from the tourists and you won't find many natives in there!) . One of the theories is that the price goes up on the hour every hour - so make sure you order your drinks at 5 minutes to....... This tends to apply to any venues offering 'authentic' Irish music, however, so try shopping around.
The other 'must' in Dublin is the Book of Kells at Trinity College, well worth seeing. In December you are not likely to come against the queues that build up in the height of the season, which will give you time to look at it properly. There are a lot of other interesting things on view there as well.

As always, I totally recommend the "Rough Guide" for advice on practicalities as well as what to visit. We have found it worthwhile to try borrowing this from a library if you don't want to buy it outright - although the investment gives you a nice souvenir to remind you of your visit.

I should perhaps declare an interest, as I have long had a fascination with Ireland because my birthday is on St Patrick's Day. I am ashamed that I have only managed one visit to the Republic (a fantastic week, including these two days in Dublin) and one to the North (several days in Belfast, with wonderful trips to the Mourne Mountains and up the unforgettable Antrim Coast.

Hope you have a great time.

[Redfraggle]

Hiyah Clvrlad - we were in Dublin last weekend - it's a 2.5hr drive from Belfast. Go on to the site booking.com and search for a cheap hotel. We loved the Ripley Court Hotel and it's cheap on booking.com. It's also just down the street from O'Connell Street. There's lots of little pubs along the way. Go see the statues and the Book of Kells - very impressive! I dont like Guiness no matter where it's served. But there's a pub right at the bridge at O'Connell street and they brew their own beer. They sell one that looks like Guiness but tastes like oranges. It was lovely.

[clvrlad]

They sell one that looks like Guiness but tastes like oranges. It was lovely.

and im thinking of booking something of airbnb
http://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/237465


sounds good since i dont actually like Guinness

Unfortunately, it broke my heart to see how many rejected pints were passed back when visitors who had come out of curiosity discovered that they didn't really like the stuff after all.....

sorry :-p

[clvrlad]

think it was the xbox that swung it ( joking)