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Original poster

Short break. Why is Dublin so bad

491 replies

IfIShouldFallFromGraceWithGod · 20/10/2019 18:45

I'm looking for a city break and Dublin was on my list. It scored highly on the worst holiday thread, can anyone tell me why

OP posts:
Passthecherrycoke · 20/10/2019 19:13

I don’t like Dublin, it’s not really anything special as a city and there are just so many better places to visit in Ireland (albeit not necessarily for a weekend tbf) that I wouldn’t waste my time going to Dublin

Whomei · 20/10/2019 19:14

Art Museums, Dublin Zoo, Hop-on, hop off city tours, amazing cathedrals, great night life, very close to Wicklow (scenic hills, lakes), Phoenix Park... Oh and the rain? Completely and utterly exaggerated

TemporaryPermanent · 20/10/2019 19:15

I'm amazed by this. I love Dublin.

My favourite things to do were the Trinity College library and book of Kells, Kilmainham Jail and just book whatever's on at the Abbey Theatre and/or the Peacock. It's the only city where I would wholeheartedly recommend the hop-on/hop off bus tour. Shaw's house is great, really interesting. The national art gallery is gorgeous. The viking amphibious tour was fun with kids. Phoenix Park was lovely with lots of good stories. I was lucky enough to stay one time in a posh hotel in the centre, but have also had a good time staying cheaply in eg the Travelodge.

I have gone out on a day trip to Newgrange which is mind blowing. I've still never been to Howth or the Four Courts which I'd like to. Then you're in a city, so usual fun things like food and shopping and live music. Honestly, I think you have to work quite hard to be miserable there.

Sakura7 · 20/10/2019 19:17

Comparing it to Oslo in terms of prices is ridiculous! Some British people find it expensive but it depends where you're from. It's certainly not more expensive than London, or Brussels, or Copenhagen, or Paris, or Reykjavik, etc.

Dollymixture22 · 20/10/2019 19:20

It is a beautiful city, but as others have said quite run down. But lots to explore (not many attractions though.)

Belfast is also great. The titanic quarter is woRth a visit, lovely new hotel beside the museum and walk over the Foot bridge to the cathedral quarter for lots of Bars and restaurants.

Passthecherrycoke · 20/10/2019 19:20

I’d investigate a gorgeous hotel somewhere like Wicklow instead I think. The drive from Dublin isn’t too far

policeandthieves · 20/10/2019 19:20

You'll have more fun and spend less in Belfast

Passthecherrycoke · 20/10/2019 19:22

Oh and the Guinness factory. Jesus you know it’s bad if a factory is a tourist attraction. It’s awful. I do agree the tourist bus is one of the best though

PopcornAndWine · 20/10/2019 19:23

I guess I had my best ever holiday in Dublin 12 years ago as I met my future DH and then moved here 2 years later! Grin

I've lived here 10 years and there are always plenty of things to do when friends and family visit. Depends what you are into really - if you like history etc there are loads of museums, lots of walking tours you can do on different themes (the rebellions, Irish music, Irish literature etc), if you fancy a drink or two and some live music, just avoid Temple Bar, there is plenty more to the city than that. There are two gorgeous cathedrals. Depending on how long you are here there are some great day trips out of the city too.

New to Mumsnet so not sure if there is a private message facility but happy to make some recommendations to people!

TemporaryPermanent · 20/10/2019 19:24

The other thing I loved and hated was the Famine Monument. It's very thought-provoking.

Looking at what I like about Dublin, I'm a history buff basically.

misspiggy19 · 20/10/2019 19:26

Expensive- feels like a large town rather than a city. It's lacking in the usual kind of tourist draws that you expect from a capital city.

^This. It was quite dirty when I visited. Belfast is far nicer

emilyjeff · 20/10/2019 19:34

We had a day in Dublin whilst on a cruise, and we were very disappointed. Wasnt at all what I was expecting.
Not much to do, neither DH or I drink so not interested in Guiness factory or Temple bar etc. Not a very good atmosphere, didnt feel particularly safe while walking around. It was cold and damp weather wise which obviously didn't help.
I enjoyed Belfast a lot more.

IndianaMoleWoman · 20/10/2019 19:35

We went for an Easter weekend. Arrived Good Friday, completely unaware that it’s illegal to sell alcohol on Good Friday. We’re not exactly alcoholics but in a city famed for its booze it was a bit disappointing to say the least.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/10/2019 19:38

I liked Howth. We got the DART there, and it only cost a couple of pounds.

St Stephen's Green is nice, but not nice enough to make the rest of Dublin nice. There was a library that I liked, with a pleasant cafe. Somebody will be able to say what it's called - have forgotten. And there was a very, very old fashioned 1970s style veggie cafe, which I enjoyed as a blast from the past.

I'd certainly not rush back.

Sakura7 · 20/10/2019 19:39

Not really sure what's so much better about Belfast (other than price). It has run down areas too, and it's biggest attraction (the Titanic museum) was disappointing imo. It's greatest feature, the recreation of the staircase, can't be accessed and is only available for private functions.

WhiteDenim · 20/10/2019 19:40

Was so looking forward to visiting Dublin last year, but left quite disappointed. I live in London but found the city SO expensive (which was sort of a new feeling!) but without feeling I was getting anything particularly good for my money. I always tend to steer clear of the classic touristy areas when kn holiday, but didn't find much charm elsewhere either. Perhaps we just had a run of bad luck, but found the city quite unfriendly, unexpectedly characterless, not much to do. Met up with people who live in the city so we got to see a locals side to it, too. Wouldn't rush to go back...

MindyStClaire · 20/10/2019 19:41

Weirdly expensive

Why is it weirdly expensive? I mean, I grew up there, I know it's expensive. But what's weird about a capital city being expensive?

moanyhole · 20/10/2019 19:41

It's not illegal to sell booze anymore on good friday. They did away with that last year

Zeldasmagicwand · 20/10/2019 19:49

Come to Cork city, the original and better capital of Ireland. Grin

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/10/2019 19:50

I really like the Titanic museum in Belfast. Belfast pubs are better and cheaper than Dublin's. Belfast has the excellent botanical gardens and the museum in them is well worth a visit. The open top bus tour in Belfast was brilliant (the only city I've ever done it in, so can't compare with anywhere else).

And yes, Belfast has its run down bits, but I thought pretty much all of Dublin apart from the Trinity college bit seemed run down.

wowfudge · 20/10/2019 19:51

Eh? We went a few years ago. DP was working and I planned various things to do. I did a free walking tour, visited Kilmainham Gaol, the Natural History Museum, the Little Museum of Dublin, the castle and the barracks. Didn't go to Guinness. Enjoyed it and found out a lot about the history of the place which I hadn't known before.

dontcallmelen · 20/10/2019 19:57

Zelda you beat me to it, that was my one of my DF favourite sayings.

Sakura7 · 20/10/2019 19:59

And yes, Belfast has its run down bits, but I thought pretty much all of Dublin apart from the Trinity college bit seemed run down.

I'm not sure which areas you were in but there are lots of nice parts of Dublin. Unfortunately the area around Temple Bar and the Quays is not great, but a lot of tourists seem to end up there. The area around the Guinness storehouse isn't great either. But there are lots of places with character.

Clickncollect · 20/10/2019 20:00

@PopcornAndWine How funny! I had my best ever holiday there as I met my DH there 12 years ago but he moved from Dublin to London.
We visit regularly as all DH’s huge family are there and I’m really surprised that people don’t love it. I enjoy the fact that the city centre is fairly small so you can walk everywhere and it’s easy enough to to get the train to the seaside like Dun Laoighaire and Bray.

GetUpAgain · 20/10/2019 20:01

I was there earlier this year and visited the Guinness museum due to the people I was with. I actually really enjoyed it because I love branding and marketing. I am not interested in brewing (seen one brewery/distillery seen em all: get stuff, put in tubs, leave for ages, drink) - but if you like marketing, advertising etc then I recommend it.

Plus I love Dublins pedestrian crossings but I imagine they are like that throughout Ireland?