Help me get excited about Dublin.

[Bottomplasters]

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!

The DART sounds ideal for you OP. What hotel are you going to be in?
My recommendation is for Dalkey, although Greystones nice too. You get a lovely trip along the coast. Dalkey is a small village that is one of the most expensive areas to live in. It’s very pretty, good shops for eating and browsing. You can walk up to Vico Road and see the most amazing views across the bay, and walk in Killiney Hill Park too. If you want a chilled day away from the city I highly recommend it.
I’m from Dublin but live in Belfast. It is 2 hrs 10 mins on the bus, and nearer 2 hrs 20/30 mins on train to Belfast. I’d stay in Dublin if you’re only there for a weekend.
I like the National Art Gallery.

Second Dun Laoghaire. Visited last year and stayed in the big old hotel, it was lovely :) Dalkey is a short walk from Dun Laoghaire I think, visited the James Joyce martello tower which is amazing. There is a swimming spot called the 40 foot, people swim there at all times of year.
The museums in Dublin look good, I'm really interested in visiting the Hugh Lane Gallery there is amazing stained glass work there. Unfortunately it has been closed any time I've been there. Bewleys cafe on Westmoreland St (I think) is an institution, really beautiful and near Trinity college. I was recommended a lovely restaurant called The Winding Stair, above a beautiful independent book shop which is filled with great books about Dublin. Phoenix Park has deer (!) and there is a beautiful memorial war garden attached.
There are some great Edwardian pubs that have a chilled vibe too. Dublin has a certain charm, it's a case of finding it :)

I love Dublin! We got the Dublin pass while we were there which included bus transfer from airport and hop on/off bus and entrance to loads of attractions and we went to see loads of stuff we wouldn't have bothered with without it

I second Howth on the train.

Definitely hop on the Dart at Tara Street station on the quays or Pearse Street station near Grafton Street and head off (Southbound) to Dun Laoighaire or Greystones. The view of the coast during the journey on the Dart is fabulous as you pass Killiney coast from a height and many say it looks like the Bay of Naples. Then Dun Laoighaire has a lovely long pier to walk and some great cafes etc and a shopping centre. Greystones is a cute little town but not as much to do. Have fun! BTW the Dart journey will only take about 20 mins to Dun Laoighaire...

There’s so much more to Dublin than boozing. Just avoid Temple Bar. The art galleries are fantastic. Also the museum of emigration is fascinating. It’s easy to get around on the Luas (trams). For a day trip go to Howth! Also you can pick up a day trip to go see the ancient east, but a weekend might be too short a time for that.

Whereabouts are you staying ?

Thanks so much guys. I definitely feel happier about it.

Was thinking of doing bus tour or duck tour on the Saturday, walk round. Food and maybe lights at the zoo or a ghost walk.

Sunday Wander round and dart to the coast

Thanks so much

The National Botanic Gardens are lovely but I've never been mid-winter. The National Museum is very interesting and you can see all the good stuff pretty quickly. I think both are free.

Definitely do a ghost walk. The south side one is better than the Northside one. If you like that kind of thing, you might like to do the tour of St. Michan’s church - you get to go down into the crypt, it’s very good. You could also do the tour of Glasnevin cemetery, it’s very interesting.
Moving away from that type of thing, if you enjoy shopping, get the Luas (tram) and spend the day in dundrum shopping centre, it has an excellent range of shops.
Plenty of lovely hotels for afternoon tea too such as the shelbourne, the westin, the westbury, the mention hotel.
If you are there on a Sunday morning take a walk round Marion square to see the art vendors work. If you like art, you could go to the cheater beatty library in Dublin castle.
The Viking splash tour is good fun too, if a little expensive (duck boat).

We are staying in Hilton garden place

The Custom House one ? You’re right next to the emigration museum ! Do call in and have a look. Also it’s nice to walk along the river from there, you get a great sense of the city. And you’re right by the Luas which will be really useful for getting around.

i wouldn't bother travelling to Belfast. They are equal in 'goodness'

Plus if your experience of Dublin is goodness and drink itll be a different exeperience this time. It's entirely possible to avoid the rowdy and drinking in Dublin. (Avoid Temple Bar when you go to eat in the evening.)

JennyHolzersGhost's recommendation of the immigration museum is a top one. It's very good.

Can recommend other sights such as St Patrick's cathedral or Christchurch (Though I've done them with a tour guide from the place and I'm not sure if that's the norm as I went on Culture Night. The guide makes both places very interesting.) There's Marsh's library just around the corner from St Pat's too. I've not been, but want too as I've heard decent things about it.

The tour of Dublin Castle is very good too.

Botanical Gardens are fab. Even in winter.

what about checking out what's on in the Gaiety when your over? A nice in the theatre is a great way to spend your time, plus it'll take you out of the Dublin is for drinking idea. (There's lots of other theatres too, if the Gaiety's offering isn't your taste.)

Dun laoighre pier is my favourite place to visit in Dublin.

*Plus if your experience of Dublin is rowdiness and drink it'll be a different experience this time.

Phone autocorrect rowdiness to goodness!!

My memory of Dublin - apart from the amazing pubs - is that it was full of good performers. Lovely music nights and really good comedy in upstairs rooms in pubs. Do you fancy either of those?

Pretty walks along the river, then cosy cafes. If you like literature at all, there's all the houses of famous writers to visit too. Or go to the Abbey theatre.

If you want a good lunch i would reccamend Mexico To Rome it is in Temple Bar.But the lunch for a tenner is well worth it.2 courses and a glass of wine.

Just dont drink in any of the pubs in Temple Bar,otherwise you might blow your budget on one drink.

Don't go to Belfast on this trip (as others have said public transport will eat into your time too much) but do go to Belfast another time. Dublin is grubbier than Belfast and the coastline around Belfast is far superior.

Dublin in full of great places to eat. You'll be spoilt for choice. (Though oddly Mexico to Rome wouldn't anywhere near the top of my list, sorry dustarr73 .)

just to note Milanos is Pizza Express. though it's fairly obvious when you see it. differently only in name!!

I’d advise you to stay well away from temple bar. It’s like a theme park for UK stag/hens parties,

If you’re looking for restaurants there’s loads that do an early bird or set menu. So usually expensive restaurants become very reasonable. Places like the winding stair opposite the happeny bridge. If you can get a table overlooking the Liffey it’s even better. The cliff house oN st Stephens green is also very special. Lots of pubs also do great food, The Bank oN Dame Street is lovely in the afternoon.

Marshs library, kilmainham gaol, Chester Beatty library in Dublin castle.

Thank you all so much

I’m really looking forward to it now!