Dublin Tourism
If you are visiting Dublin for the first time and you only have a couple of days, you most likely want to stick to the most famous attractions and buildings. Most guys I know want to head straight for the Guinness Storehouse, while the girls are more likely to be heading towards Grafton Street or the fabulous Avoca store
where you can get amazing lunches and teas and a wonderful range of clothes and homewares. If you have a little longer you might want to explore Dublin at leisure. It is a good idea to split the city into sections and spend some time in each.
The river Liffey divides Dublin into two halves and there is great rivalry between the 'Southsiders' and the 'Northsiders'. Partisans on both side of the river extol the virtues of their own camp to the exclusion of the other. Many Southsiders claim that they never go north of the Liffey unless they are travelling to the airport. Northsiders often claim that they avoid the South side because it is so easy to get lost there. Take both claims with a pinch of salt. The South City Centre does have an air of stylishness - here you can enjoy the museums, galleries and libraries. You can stroll in St Stephen's Green and call into the fine hotels and restaurants that surround it. On the South Side you will also find the magnificent Trinity College, where you should definitely go and see the Book of Kells. If culture and history don't interest you, head straight to Grafton Street and the little side streets for some wonderful shopping.
When your feet are sore from too much shopping, go to Bewleys on Grafton Street for afternoon tea and savour some of the wonderful cakes.
In the evening you might want to explore Temple Bar with its many pubs and restaurants. There is often live music in the pubs and you are assured of a great evening out. Again, if you like to shop, here you will find some great second hand and retro shops, as well as some interesting galleries.
If you gp down to the Quays you will come to Ha'penny Bridge which will take you across to the North Side. Although the South Side has the fine shops and galleries, the North Side has two of Dublin's most famous Theatres, the Abbey and the Gate, as well as the Dublin Writers' Museum and the General Post Office on O'Connell Street.
|