Sightseeing in Dublin

Noen85 · Newbie

Sightseeing in Dublin

Michele Erdvig · Host

Clare,

Thanks so much for your lovely comments about my website. With only parts of two days I suggest that you either do Dublin or Wicklow. If you do Dublin a car is not an asset to you in the city. Traffic is gridlocked, directions are impossible, parking is expensive. You would be much better off using public transportation in the city.

Wicklow is a wonderful area in Ireland with lots of scenery and interesting things to do. However, it will not be at its best in early March. If you decide to do Wicklow, why not stay there? There is plenty to do from a base of Glendalough.

The decisions are yours to make. But that is my personal opinion.

Michele

P.S. Once you decide on whether to do Dublin or Wicklow I will be able to help with other suggestions.

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 17:03, 2006-02-27

Noen85 · Newbie

Hi Michele

Thank you for your response and oppinions, it is most appreciated.

The only problem is that our accommodation is already booked and there are cancellation penalties involved. Would it be possible to do the whole Saturday in Wicklow and then sunday in Dublin?

The reason being that after viewing a couple of Wicklow websites, I have seen how beautiful it is, I also noted that its about an hour drive from Dublin, which isn't to bad considering it usually takes over an hour to get anywhere in London. I have heard that a coastal drive down to Wicklow could be beautiful in itself.

I would also like to see a bit of Dublin on the sunday before we travel back that night.

I really do wish I had found your website before I went ahead and booked our accommodation. Thank you again!!!

Regards

Clare

Green Dragon · Guru

(GIGGLE!!!) sure, it's an hour to Wicklow -- to the county line. To the more interesting spots, it's several hours driving through little, narrow, though very scenic, mountain roads. i.e., Glendalough, Powerscourt. It's possible -- I drove my first trip south of Dublin, through the mountains, had lunch at Powerscourt Falls, explored an afternoon in Glendalough Abbey, and was back in Dun Laoghaire to watch the sun set. But that was in August, when the sun sets at 10pm.

Driving times are a wish, not a promise. I'd take Michelle's advice and concentrate on where you are staying this trip. Remember, you will always come back another time :)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Clare,

Green Dragon's advice is very accurate. I love the line "Driving times are a wish, not a promise." That sums up driving in Ireland very poetically. Since you can't change your accommodations, I would suggest concentrating on Dublin.

Michele

kathy · Veteran Member

Now I must chime in.... Michelle, please, dispense your one or two day "don't miss" list for Dublin. I am faced with the same dilemma with my family next week - except i have 7 people from age range 18 to 80!!!

I agree completely about cancelling the rental car. The DART or LUAS (or a cab) will get you into the city centre no matter how far out your hotel is.

Kathy (acting tour guide with no experience)

Maggie L · Senior Member

I'll start with a couple "must sees" and let the others add on.

Kilmainham Gaol

Christchurch

Trinity College and the Book of Kells

wander --- in other words, leave some unplanned time to just wander the streets, sit on a bench, gaze at the Liffey, "go with flow," so to speak

Dublin is an amazing city --- hope you have a great time!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Kathy,

Having to please all those people will be a challenge. Everyone will have their own interests so I will give you a generic Dublin Top 10 List (not in any particular order of importance):

1. Kilmainham Gaol

2. Book of Kells & Trinity College

3. Christ Church Cathedral

4. St. Patrick's Cathedral

5. National Museum of Ireland

6. Dublin Castle

7. Guinness Storehouse (you either hate it or love it)

8. National Gallery

9. Dublin's Parks

10. Dublin Writers Museum

This website also has a list: http://www.visitdublin.com/top10/ & http://www.visitdublin.com/historic/

Michele

Green Dragon · Guru

People watching on O'Connell street is also fun!

Brazen Head Pub (oldest pub in Dublin) is a nice stop for someone interested in history.

I think Michele got all the others :) (though 'Dublin Parks' covers quite a lot!!!)

kathy · Veteran Member

I can't help but mention that i spent some time exploring the visitdublin website - their accomodation rates are the best i have found from any website - i am quite excited to book thru it next week once i figure out what night we are going over.

normally, for last minute and one-nighters, i have had great success with priceline in big cities, but that won't help me book 3 rooms for 7 people.

wish me luck!

kathy