Explore the UK
Dublin
Undoubtedly one of Europe’s thrilling capitals, Dublin has so much to offer the weekend visitor looking for a city break. With low cost flights from London and most regional airports in the UK Dublin offers all you could want from a city with history, culture and more pubs than you’ll know what to do with. The sights of Dublin do not have to be expensive; money can be saved by buying a Dublin Pass allowing you to see over 30 attractions and that includes free transport from the airport to Dublin centre.
Renowned for its legendary pubs, these are at the heart of Dublin’s social life. Go on a literary pub crawl to find out where the writers hang out and for that authentic taste of Dublin’s pub life head for the Stag’s Head, Grogan’s, Castle Lounge, Mulligan’s, Neary’s Kehoe’s, to name but a few of the many offering lively entertainment and good lunches. Dining in Dublin has to be amongst some of the best in the world, whether this is café culture fine restaurant dining, casual, or luxury hideaways, Dublin has it all.
You will not be lost for culture in Dublin which boasts numerous museums and art galleries and halls devoted to some of its many writers. Theatre is well represented with the Internationally renowned Abbey Theatre which dates back over 90 years, the Abbey is Ireland’s national theatre and stages works by esteemed Irish playwrights including Yeats, Synge, O'Casey, Beckett, Behan, and Tony Award-winner Hugh Leonard.
Wandering the streets of Dublin you will witness some of the best architecture in Europe with a wealth of unspoilt Georgian terraces and squares and vibrant street life. A visit to Trinity College, and Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares are examples of some of the finest and show immense quality, as does the National Gallery of Ireland along with the National Museum of Ireland.
If your itinerary permits, two places to be added to your visit should be Dublin Castle where guided tours are available, the Guinness Storehouse which you will be guided to by its distinct smell of hops and where you will taste the end product, and a visit to the famous Ha’penny Bridge which arcs across the Liffey and until the year 2000 was the only pedestrian bridge across the river.
Dublin and its surrounding district have a wealth of hotels and guest houses, numerous B&B’s all across a wide price range. The City provides all that could be required for the weekend visitor and is a wonderful base for exploring the surrounding countryside, with guided tours or by using one of the many carhire facilities that are available.
