a couple of hours in Dublin

[theDudesmummy]

Hi, I will be driving to Dublin just before Christmas to fetch DD who is flying in for the holidays. I will be bringing DS (age 12) with me. We will get there around 2.30pm and the flight only lands at 7.30. I have never been to Dublin, any ideas of something we can do for those few hours? (I have no idea about traffic there, how long it takes to get around, what parking is like etc)

[quote MrsMaiselsRedCoat]Thinking about somewhere nice to go close to the airport, Malahide is a very pretty village and there's an Avoca at Malahide Castle. They seem to have Christmas events which you could book.

www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/?campaignid=13837705333&adgroupid=121445914261&network=g&matchtype=e&keyword=malahide%20castle&gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5leJ9qbpZgWIbfv9hoNEIe76SRWAPUfxvsWVhb7cz2r9YKfGmYKNFHxoCZDgQAvD_BwE[/quote]
I wouldn't for an afternoon. The traffic around Malahide is horrendous. It's not close to the airport either. It's a good 20 mins more from the M50 turn for the airport, so it's quite a way back & traffic c5 pm would be mad.

I love Malahide but it's tricky to get around if you're not used to it.

I think OP a wander around the shops & Grafton St area sounds like what you'd like. Either driving in or parking & Luas / bus in

Agree with PP that Dublin is tiny compared to London so you won't find it big I promise.

For some nice shops, off Grafton St there is Chatham St/South William St & Exchequer St. They are all small windy streets with interesting shops.

Also, just off Grafton St is the Powerscourt centre. Lots of shops, cafes, in a lovely building. It'll be lovely in December with decorations.

Honestly I'd wait until January if you are dropping your DD back to the airport to go into Dublin city.
It is going to be uncomfortably busy. I
I would recommend Castletown House for a walk around the grounds, you are only 40 minutes from the airport there so can relax knowing the journey is nearly done.
There is a lovely cafe in the house and if that's closed there are a few in Celbridge Main street which you just walk down from Castletown House entrance.
Few little shops to have a look including a good shop for ground coffee at the end of the street if you would be interested in that.
Now it's getting colder a lot of people just leave their masks on when moving between shops etc so you wouldn't be noticable wearing one all the time.

Castletown is lovely. Great idea.

If I was going into the city centre and then to the airport, I think I’d drive in along the quays and park in Jervis St shopping centre car park. To see more or the city, I’d walk along the quays and cross the river at O’Connell Bridge so you can can’t a glimpse of the Xmas lights on o’Connell street. Then continue around by Trinity College - could take a detour into it to. And then up Grafton St to see the lights and bigger shops. You could go into St Stephen’s Green park at the top. On your way back down you could walk along one of the streets parallel with Grafton St where there are some independent shops. Then through George’s St market (small enough walkway) and then back to the car park through Temple Bar. If you were back to the car you’d be at the airport in 1hr.

And yes to the Powercourt Centre on that route!

But it will be busy!

Malahide and Howth are nice coastal villages near the airport if you just want a wander around.

If you’re used to London traffic and you’re used to Galway traffic then you’ll have no problem in Dublin.

Shopping centres will be madness before Christmas, definitely avoid, city centre is so much nicer. Likewise parking remotely and travelling in, so much extra work.

Agree with pps that powercourt, grafton street area is what you’re after. There are plenty of car parks around there.

Stephen’s Green if you need a bit of breathing space.

Second the Fallon & Byrne recommendation. Also like Bewleys on grafton st for a bit of tradition and it’s quite spacious as well.

OP as you are coming up from Galway
M50 /Liffey valley to Grafton street is 45min to 1hr
Christmas week even with prebooking there could be ques to get into road the car parks are on let alone into a space, a lot of on street parking was removed due to covid plus likely an exit que too.
1.5 to 2 hrs out to the Airport
If you have time listen (5-7) to
www.dublincityfm.ie/ drive time, they have good live timing on the main routes.
Ps the ice rinks are beside not in the the shopping centres

Thanks again for all the ideas. I will have a think, and of course it may depend on the good Irish weather to an extent. But I will obviously go to Dublin again some time, so all the ideas are welcome, if not for now then for later!