A day in Dublin with children (9 and 11) in August - what would you do?

[roisin]

We are holidaying in Ireland next summer, mostly trying to get away from it all. But dh wants to spend a day in Dublin and visit Trinity College.

Any recommendations for what we/I should best do with the children?

dublin zoo is pretty good-tho not sure if 9 and 11 year olds still like that stuff! was there this time last year. other than that all ive done there is get lost...repetitively

There's a children's exhibit space called The Ark in Temple Bar...
www.ark.ie/culture/about/about_what.html Temple Bar is a fun area for a stroll anyway, lots of shops and places to eat, and near Trinity.
The Zoo is good too, pretty big, it would take most of the day.

We took the children to see the Book of Kells this summer. Surprisingly, they loved it. Not half crowded though. Trinity is my old college though so they had to go and see it.
The Dublinia exhibition (Vikings) is also good. We also went round Dublin Castle, mainly because I have always wanted to see it and it wasn't open to the public when I lived in Dublin, but oddly enough DD1 (10) said it was the best bit of the trip.
If only one thing though, maybe Dublinia. The Ark is good too though, depending on what is on at the time.

ISawSantaKissingKerrysNorks: We are spending a week in Kerry! Plus a week touring round.

I've put a question for you here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/2410/436844?stamp=071207213840

RosaLuxMundi - that's great about the Book of Kells. Dh wants to see it and I raised my eyebrows at the idea of taking the boys, but they would probably enjoy it.

Thank you everybody for your suggestions. I don't think we'll do the zoo as we have one locally here that we visit regularly.

I'm off to look at the other options now.

Ta,
R