Dublin with young teens

[MarthaDunstable]

We’re visiting Dublin for non-tourist reasons: staying in an apartment right in the centre, about 5 mins west of Temple Bar (closer than I’d ideally like but choice was limited) and we’ll have a day or two to kill.

What’s good to do with a thirteen year old and a fifteen year old? No alcohol-based activities obvs, and while we’re interested in history generally we’re not of Irish descent so not necessarily keen on the stuff aimed at Diaspora Americans.

Or would a day/half day trip out be good? I gather Belfast involves a rail replacement bus service at the moment which puts me off rather, but Kilkenny looks nice?

Also what’s the best shop to get self catering provisions (given the exchange rate we’re not going to be eating out a lot)? And is there anything we should try while we’re shopping (I’ve got as far as Tayto crisps but presumably there’s more ).

TIA

Definitely do the St. Michan’s crypt tour, so creepy!
Also, there are Dublin ghost tour walks that are very enjoyable.
To see the coast, get the dart train out to Bray - beautiful views. Get off the train at Dalkey - it’s very pretty (and v rich) but plenty of places for a nice lunch.
I second the Viking Splash tour.
Choral music in st. Patrick’s cathedral at the 5.30pm service every evening if you like that kind of thing.
Check out Chapters bookshop on the northside (Parnell St) if you like reading, it’s a readers paradise.
Get a zaytoon meal in Temple Bar, they do renowned kebabs, really yum.
See an arty film in the Lighthouse Cinema in Temple Bar. Or a regular film in Cineworld or the Savoy (old fashioned style cinema on O’Connell St).
Be posh and get afternoon tea in the Shelbourne or the Merrion (hotels).

If you want craggy coast, Howth to the north is lovely. The southside is craggy for longer stretches though. DunLaoghaire to Killiney is a lovely stretch, and you could climb Killiney Hill for great views of Dublin Bay and the city as well as out to the mountains south and west. (There are paths so you won't be scrambling through brambles and gorse, and an obelisk at the top; if you saw 'Once' you may recall scenes shot there).

If you go on to Bray, there is a cliff walk all the way to Greystones. 7km, takes about 2 hours.

Glendalough is amazing (bring fleece and sandwiches). Several buses will take you there and the trip itself is lovely.

If you go to DunLaoghaire, be sure to get an ice cream at Teddy's.
teddys.ie/

In Dublin the Tenement Museum is interesting. (Aka 14 Henrietta Street).
€9 for adults and €6 for children over six.

theculturetrip.com/europe/ireland/articles/the-top-museums-in-dublin-to-visit/
Some more ideas here.

The Long Library at Trinity (upstairs from the Book of Kells and on the same ticket) is the inspiration for the Jedi Library in Star Wars (might be of interest to teenage boys).
Taking the Dart south is more scenic than north because it runs along the coast.
Dunnes Stores is the Irish supermarket. There’s one downstairs in the Stephen’s Green shopping centre. Irish biscuits and soft drinks (called minerals) might be worth trying. Cidona is an Apple lemonade, Club Orange is orangier than Fanta.
There are Parkruns around Dublin if any of you are sporty. Croke Park is worth a visit and if you’re there for a weekend try catching some GAA matches.