Dublin - positives please

[Needadviceagain]

I'm already all booked for me, dh and 3 teens aged between 12-15 to have a few days in Dublin in August. Thought I'd have a search through mn for recommendations for good places to eat, must visits whilst there, etc and everything I've read has been a case of don't go, it's bad in some way!

I've already booked! Apartment refundable, flights not! So, can I hear some positive stories of recent visits to Dublin? We're staying in an apartment in The Liberties. Had planned to visit Dublinia, the Immigration Museum EPIC, maybe the zoo, maybe the castle. Thought about a river boat sightseeing thing on the Liffey. And some general mooching around Phoenix Park and similar. Kids weren't interested in the Natural History Museum as I've already dragged them to the majority of natural history museums in UK.

All I have heard lately is that there's a huge drug/homeless/begging problem and you're better off going to Belfast or Edinburgh. Both of which we've visited.

My MIL arranged for the whole clan to go on the Dublin Ghost Tour via bus last week.

It was very campy but an entertaining way to spend an evening.

You've had great suggestions. These may also have been suggested, not sure:

• National Art Gallery. Free, with some paid exhibitions. The extension is lovely to visit just in itself.

• Collins Barracks. Great exhibitions (though depends on your level of interest in Irish history / art / culture! Nice tearoom.

• train out to Killiney, climb Killiney Hill (not challenging, path all the way), afterwards have lunch / coffee in Dalkey

• I rarely eat out; someone took me to Peploes (Stephen's Green) recently & it was so lovely with great service. Not cheap, but not wildly expensive & really worth it.

Dublin is great, you will have a great time! I would love to go back.

Howth is lovely and so easy to to get to on the DART. The Cliffwalk is really nice. The Dog House is great for lunch or some cake, they did a lovely brownie that I would really recommend if they still have it.

Have a lovely trip, you won't regret going!

Dart to Bray, climb Bray head, have chips and ice cream. The fairground is usually there in August though kids might be slightly too old.
If you have nice weather a trip out to Ireland's Eye or Dalkey island is nice.
Pop in to see the Bog Bodies in the National museum (free). They are suitably grim and fascinating for teens!
Eat in Eddie Rockets, Irish 50s diner. Loads of them around. Have a red lemonade in a city centre pub. Allegedly banned in every country besides Ireland, it's a must have for my teens.
The aquatic centre is great if you are interested in wave machines, water parks etc. There's a Go Ape style climbing place in the Dublin mountains, you might need a car to get there. Dublin mountains are lovely.
If you fancy a day out, bus to Glendalough is nice.
Dublin is a fabulous place, but you have to work to find the great things, they are not all there on a plate.

True Blue Dub here, the area directly outside is gentrified to a degree, however the Luas (tram) red line is best avoided after dark as there is plenty of anti social behaviour.

Area wise, it probably is fine but I always felt a bit intimidated as here would be loads of UK stags and hens "enjoying themselves" but this was pre Covid so not sure if this element has returned. The noise used to be atrocious and regular fights etc.

Vicar Street is a venue very close to your accommodation and depending on the events on it will dictate the crowds around you.

I love Dublin but wouldn't be a fan of staying in the city - get out on the Dart and see real Dublin - the coastline is gorgeous.

If you are not wedded to your accommodation in city centre, you could consider basing yourself in Dun Laoghaire. I would move there in a heartbeat.

Dublin is great! Sure it has the usual drawbacks of a city but it’s a fantastic place.

Take the dart out to Howth and go for a walk along the cliffs and then have some gorgeous seafood afterwards! The scenery is beautiful.

Stephens Green park is lovely for potter and has lots of different memorials to look at and learn about the history. You can still see bullet holes in the archway following the Easter rising in 1916.

get the LUAS out to Ranelagh for some lovely pubs and restaurants (we’ve tried lots and food was lovely in all!)

the Viking splash tour is good fun too but not been for years!

it’s a lovely place, have a great time :)

Lots do do and see in Dublin! You will be walking distance from lots of tourist attractions. The Luas tram is also great way to get about.

I’ve never understood the long-standing hysteria about the red line. I lived there 10 years ago and was advised not to use it. I used it day and night without issue. Things may have changed.

Like in any city, you will stand out as a tourist, so just be mindful about your safety and possessions on any public transport and when out and about. Saying that, I’ve always felt safer in Dublin than London, Paris or Barcelona.

I personally think the red line was commented on unfairly because it serves more working class areas than the green line. There is a lot of snobbery in Dublin, so that’s a downside.

One tip- The Guinness Storehouse is a museum, not a factory. It’s great and really worth a visit, but don’t go if what you actually want to see is the Guinness being made!