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Original poster

Help me get excited about Dublin.

48 replies

Bottomplasters · 30/12/2018 22:20

I sound really ungrateful but DH surprised me with a city break to Dublin next weekend. It will be lovely and lovely in laws have kids so be great to have a night on our own.

Just a bit disappointed as really wanted to go to Belfast, I have done Dublin a few times but it was always rowdy and drinking. 18 weeks pregnant. Anything quirky or quiet we could do.

Everyone keeps telling me how expensive it is!

First world problem!

OP posts:
CranberryBucksFizz · 30/12/2018 22:29

Belfast is not a patch on Dublin, seriously.

Original poster
Bottomplasters · 30/12/2018 22:31

Ah really. In what way?

OP posts:
groundcontroltomontydon · 30/12/2018 23:37

The hop on hop off bus is great for seeing the sights (and resting your feet). The Little Museum of Dublin is worth a visit (as is 14 Henrietta St). It's a grand city - you'll have a lovely timeSmile

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smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 30/12/2018 23:39

We went to Dublin last year and I'm not a big drinker, we did the hop on hop off and we had a really lovely meal at the bank on the green I think it's called. It just had a really good vibe. We also went to a slightly crap wax works museum that was a lot of fun.

Original poster
Bottomplasters · 30/12/2018 23:39

Is it possible to go on a day trip to the coast?

OP posts:
Littlelambpeep · 30/12/2018 23:39

Dublin is so much nicer !! Fantastic great but love Dublin. Try Avoca for coffee. Go to Brown Thomas for a treat. Go and see a show somewhere

swimminggala52 · 30/12/2018 23:49

You could go up to belfast for the day. How long are you there for? The train is just over an hour?

selkiesolstice · 30/12/2018 23:53

the Georgian Town House Museum this is lovely OP

groundcontroltomontydon · 30/12/2018 23:57

You could take the train to somewhere like Greystones - it's a lovely journey. Might be a bit much if you're just in Dublin for a day or two though? Or take a run out to Malahide/Portmarnock?

selkiesolstice · 30/12/2018 23:57

viking exhibition, I seem to remember enjoying this one years ago

But OP, the aircoach between Dublin airport and Belfast is very comfortable and reliable and you could be in Belfast in under three hours and go and stay in my favourite hotel that I've ever stayed in The Culloden, and then get a taxi in to Centre of Belfast.

flossietoot · 30/12/2018 23:59

Disagree that Belfast isn’t as good as Dublin! loads to do in both and Belfast great for eating out. Some gorgeous hotels now too.

HannahnotAgnes · 30/12/2018 23:59

Dublin is fun & you can easily get to the coast. The Viking duck boat tour is good & lots of history if you're interested. Plus the Guinness brewery is fantastic, even if you're not drinking.

That said, I adore Belfast & it's easy to get to Belfast via train if that's where you'd prefer to go. The Titanic museum is world class, as is the Crumlin Road Gaol & can easily do both in a day, so could have 1 day in Belfast & 1 day in Dublin during the weekend.

flossietoot · 31/12/2018 00:01

Lot of hassle for a weekend! Just go to Dublin and relax, eat out and look around Brown Thomas.

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 31/12/2018 00:21

I'm from Belfast but lived in Dublin for a few years recently- Belfast is much more compact and has excellent shopping and things to do for a city of its size. Dublin is a dear hole quite expensive thanks to the exchange rate.

I still wouldn't mess about using public transport up to Belfast though- the bus and train both take nearly three hours, which just isn't worth the time when you're only there on a mini break.

There's very cheap flights to Belfast atm and its imo more buggy friendly than Dublin, so would be worth looking at it as a family trip if you're still keen to visit once baby is here.

Foonababoonalagoona · 31/12/2018 00:26

Theres a train called the Dart in Dublin so mega easy to get to the coast . From city centre go south bound and you can hop of at dun laoghaire (takes 30 mins max) you can walk down the lovely pier, you can hop on and off Bray is nice to get off at too

TalkingOrmer · 31/12/2018 00:44

Sorry Foona I must disagree. Bray has become a right dump in the past year or so.

Dun Laoghaire is lovely though.

Original poster
Bottomplasters · 31/12/2018 00:57

ThNks do much so get the dart to dun laoghaire?

OP posts:
Original poster
Bottomplasters · 31/12/2018 00:59

Is train an hour to Belfast from Dublin?

I can only see one that’s three hours?

OP posts:
nicslackey · 31/12/2018 01:05

I live in Belfast, no way is the train an hour from Dublin.

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 31/12/2018 01:07

OP- 3 hours is correct for the train.

There are parts where it feels like sheep in fields bordering the tracks are overtaking you, it's so slow.

EarringsandLipstick · 31/12/2018 01:10

For the coast, I’d say Greystones or Dun Laoghaire too. Agree - avoid Bray

Greystones is a longer trip out but is really pretty & nice to walk around. Eat at The Happy Pear, or just get coffees / cakes from there.

EarringsandLipstick · 31/12/2018 01:12

If you like books Hodges Figgis (Dawson Street, opposite Trinity College) is great, lovely to browse.

RavenWings · 31/12/2018 01:13

Dublin is way nicer than Belfast. Belfast is very grubby I think. I can see why you'd be wanting to go to Belfast if you've been to Dublin a few times though, but there are a lot of things in Dublin you probably wouldn't have done.

If you can get them, tickets to Wild Lights in the zoo would be lovely. Also go to Kilmainham Gaol if you've never been, or the Japanese stud if the weather is nice. Both good options for something quiet. If the Jeanie Johnson (replica Famine ship) is around that might be fun too. You could also look at booking a spa treat for you both. The Old Library in Trinity is stunning, and if you havent seen the book of Kells look in there too. The National Museum is incredible as well, definitely see the bog bodies.

Foonababoonalagoona · 31/12/2018 08:04

Yes get the dart from city centre , very easy to use it goes northbound or southbound!

Tiredemma · 31/12/2018 08:13

DP stays in a coastal town called Malahide when he has to work in Dublin. There is a castle there. Pretty apparently.

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