Christmas in Dublin

[mawi]

We are thinking about spending Christmas in Dublin this year. Has anyone any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, accommodation etc. I know I want to spend Christmas eve just wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere if the weather permits but I have no idea of whether to book a hotel and do the whole hotel package thing or rent an apartment and just winging it for the few days. Santa is not a problem as my youngest is now 11 so don't have to worry about that side of things and my eldest has moved to Dublin this year so would like to go spend it with him if he can't get off work.

For hotels what is your budget.
3 star
4 star
5 star ?

Our budget is probably more 3 star than 5. We are planning to spend approx €1200. This is to include everything travel wise though, Petrol, parking, public transport etc for the duration.

There's a Travelodge at the back of the St Stephens Green Shopping Centre.
It's very central and there is parking nearby.
A few hotels have just opened up in the Dublin 2 area. Some areas can be a bit dodgy so take care.
A couple of kilometres out of town are The Sandymount Hotel, The Clayton Hotel and The Ballsbridge Hotel. All with easy access to the city.
I have no idea of the rates but they are not 5 star hotels.

I'd stay somewhere like this if I was going with that age of kids. It's in a handy part of the city too.

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dubal-aloft-dublin-city/

Or one of the aparthotels

Dublin is absolutely magic on Christmas Eve. The one thing I'd say to you is plan your Christmas day carefully as an awful lot of stuff is shut on the day itself. But if you find a nice hotel for Christmas lunch that would be a great start.

Laurie do you live in Dublin ?

Good advice re places closed on Christmas Day.

Oh Thank you. I am going to start checking these out right now. DC have decided that if we are going to be not at home that they want to have a Chinese for Xmas dinner.

Laurie do you live in Dublin ?

Yep

DC have decided that if we are going to be not at home that they want to have a Chinese for Xmas dinner.

Good call

I would say that almost everything is closed Christmas day e.g 100% Of pubs, shops, cafes, and many hotels. And lots of pubs stay closed for days after.

Dublin is lovely at Christmas time (do U2 still ‘busk’ on Grafton St on Christmas Eve?). The city centre is really atmospheric, and there are lovely carol services if you’re into that kind of thing (I’m not religious but I love the music).

All shops and most restaurants will close on Christmas Day, but the big hotels will all do Christmas lunch, you could splurge on that and stay somewhere more budget. Or there are lots of good Chinese restaurants (but do check in advance if they’ll be open). I do think it’ll be important to plan your Christmas Day carefully as there really won’t be anything open entertainment-wise - so best if you’re staying somewhere that’s cosy and comfortable. And make the meal a big part of your day. A really nice AirBnB could be a good option?

Many shops start their sales on Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) and it’s a popular night for going out for a drink so most pubs will be open again.

If you fancy it, the Christmas morning services at Christ Church / St Patrick’s are lovely (choirs/trumpets/whole shebang) so that would be a nice thing to do on the day.

Plus a walk is always nice. Phoenix park is open on the 25th I see. Are you hiring a car btw?

Or if you’re brave you could join in the proud Irish tradition of the Christmas Day swim at the 40 foot in sandycove.

Or just go and watch. It’s a proper event, loads of people turn up for it.

If you are planning to eat out, you will need to book now for Christmas Day and also Christmas Eve - the restaurants close at about 3pm so you will need to book a place if you want to go in later.

There is a new Maldron Hotel almost at Christchurch (at Kevin Street) - very central and good price. There is also a Radisson in the centre of Dublin which is open for Christmas and is in a great location for Grafton Street and for Christchurch. Or there is a new Clayton Hotel at the Canal - again, close to the centre.

If you can afford it, I would actually try to book the Radisson St Helens which is in Stillorgan - about 3km from the centre and direct bus outside the hotel - as it has an amazing lobby with massive log fires and huge Christmas trees, is close to the sea so you can walk off Christmas lunch and has its own extensive grounds even though it is so close to the city.

I'm originally from Dublin and go 'home' regularly.
Whilst Christmas is amazing in Ireland if you are going home to family and friends, Dublin City is pretty much a ghost town on Christmas Day itself. If you are hoping for Christmas Day lunch, even a Chinese one, you need to book now, this week!

Irish people are really friendly and you will be looked after. It can be expensive like any big city if you are in the 'tourist areas'.

People do have Christmas lunch ‘out’ in Dublin. It’s not an impossibility. But you’ll have to plan it well in advance and it probably won’t be a cheap option.

If you get an Airbnb you can cater at home.

I have booked an apartment in the city for €650 for 4 nights and having looked at the cost of dinner on Christmas day I will be cooking. Just have to decide what and make a shopping list that I can cater for without my usual kitchen supplies and gadgets.

Thank you everyone for the help. Now can anyone tell me where I can park for 4 days that won't cost the earth. I can get somewhere outside the city that has parking but as my DS lives in the city and public transport won't be running and we would all like to have a drink and relax I want somewhere where he can walk to us.

Sorry for all the questions but as my DS has only moved there in June we still don't know what the locals know.

Sounds great. If you want to pm me whereabouts in the city I might have some suggestions on parking.

If I were you I’d buy dinner bits from M&S or Fallon & Byrne for ease on the day. Both are on/off Grafton street so very handy.

Laurie thank you so much. That is a brilliant idea for dinner. Just buy and bung in an oven and no need for all the fussing. I will bring the DC for a Chinese one of the days to keep them happy.

I am away to look up my booking and will PM you the area. Thank you so much.

My favourite Chinese restaurant is China Sichuan which is across the road from the Stillorgan Luas stop. And I mean my favourite in the world (lived in London a long time, married to a Malaysian so eaten out there a lot too). They usually have a specials menu with 5 or 6 dishes that change all the time, I particularly like it when they have Wicklow venison on it.

Hi Laurie. So have just looked up my booking properly and it provides parking and it's free, woohoo!

I have looked at so many different apartments and hotels I got them all mixed up. We are staying in Ballsbridge and DS can reach us in 15 mins on his bike or 45 mins walking, it's not ideal but we will make it work.

I live in Dublin and I'm having family to stay over Christmas. I've been booking activities and restaurants for the Christmas period since August.

Things get booked up really quickly so bear that in mind.

Just looked that BlackAmericano. Looks like a great menu and not expensive so will add it to my list. Thank you

You'll need to book mawi as it's hugely popular (not surprisingly).

You could also order a Christmas dinner for 4 prepared to go into the oven by Donnybrook Fair online and collect on Christmas Eve or on the day before.

Your Christmas plans sound lovely, mawi! Ballsbridge is a great spot to stay in, it’s quite ‘upmarket’ and you’ll be able to stroll into town from there. Maybe book somewhere nice for lunch in the city centre on Christmas Eve, there’s always a lovely Christmassy atmosphere around the Grafton St area.

I am so excited to go now. I have never being away for Christmas before. Thank you all for all the recommendations. We are thinking of maybe Dun Laoighre on the day itself after breakfast for a nice stroll and maybe a flask of hot chocolate.