daprophecy

Hey guys,

My friends and I are going to Dublin for about 5 days in the middle of August. First time for all us so I was just wondering if you guys had any suggestions.

Places - We love castles and historical sites so I'm looking up information on that right now but any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Food - All 3 of us are vegetarians (no fish either) - are there any places that we can go. Huge huge huge pizza fanatics so a pizza place or two would be great.

Drinks - Def going to Jameson distillery and Guinness Brewery. Any other pubs/bars to check out?

I looked over this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...nd-dublin.html) and got some ideas but wanted some more recommendations.

We will be staying at the 4 seasons or the Merrion for one night and hostel for the rest of the time. This trip is just to drink, eat, and be merry

Thanks!

zkzkz

I suggest you take the "free" (i.e. for tips) walking tour from Sandemans that starts at Dublin Castle (which isn't a castle). That's the one with the red shirts. Don't take the free "viking" tour from the guides in the green shirts.

There are organized bus tours to all sorts of places outside Dublin with Norman history that have various ruins. Not so much huge castles, more monastic strongholds but still interesting. Otherwise most of the historical sites tend to be prehistoric celtic sites.
The food in Ireland is pretty good actually imho but you might find the vegetarian selection a bit dire here.

The best pizza I've found yet is at
http://manifestorestaurant.ie/

There's decent pizza at a number of places
http://www.juniors.ie/paulies-pizza.php
https://plus.sandbox.google.com/114751058111038630864
http://www.yelp.ie/biz/caf%C3%A9-topolis-dublin-2

The Guinness Storehouse is a bit underwhelming. The best thing about it is the bar at the top. Sandemans does a guided tour of Guinness landmarks that includes a tour inside the Storehouse but the combined ticket is kind of pricey. I haven't done it so I don't know if it's worth it. Personally if I'm going to overspend I would at least appreciate getting a guided tour.

The Jameson distillery has a guided tour and I've heard it's good.

Yes, there are a few other pubs/bars in Dublin.

lwildernorva

A starting point for information on pubs: http://www.dublinpubs.com/. To get a very narrow feel for the street scene in Temple Bar (south side of the Liffey, extremely touristy, but hey, you guys are tourists!), take a look at this web cam: http://www.earthcam.com/world/ireland/dublin/.

I enjoyed both the Guinness and Jameson's tours but actually preferred the former because there's no tour guide so you can go at your own pace--meaning you can rush through if time is tight or go slow if you have a specific interest in the brewing process (one of the guys in my group is a brew pub owner). The bar at the top is circular and provides an almost 360-degree view of Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains beyond.

Dublin is a very walkable city. For those who have never been there before and especially for those who have never done right-side drive before, I'd avoid a vehicle and simply use your feet or public transportation. Again, this is touristy, but I've found using the hop-on, hop-off tour buses will get you oriented to the city.

Daringdoo

It's been decades since I was in Dublin but I do remember going to see the 'Book of Kells' at Trinity University. They're quite elaborate and very beautiful - Google Book of Kells for images to get an idea. Also, here are a couple of links (I hope I did the hyperlink correctly):


http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/book-of-kells/


https://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-...w&ved=0CDsQtQM


I also remember doing a simple walking tour on my own using a small leaflet I probably picked up at an information centre or a hostel. It was great. There are lots of neighbourhoods and sites to explore. Be sure to stop in at the info centres. They may have self-guided walking tours maps/info that might work well for you.

The most memorable thing about Ireland was how very, very kind the people were! As a young, single traveller, I was often taken care of by locals as I went along my way; more-so outside the bigger cities but never-the-less those experiences left me with a great fondness for Ireland and it's people.

Enjoy your trip!

DD

daprophecy

Thanks for the Tip!

Cool I'll google some tours and see what I come up with. Yea all three of us very much into history so even its just some sites it will be nice.

You are awesome! I figured it would be a little hard to find vegetarian food but I think we can live on the pizza pasta diet for a few days. I mapped it from the four seasons and its about a 30 minute walk. Is it easier to walk there or take public transport? From what I heard taking taxis will really just slow you down because of the traffic

Thank You! Will def check out the site and the webcam is pretty fricken' cool

I think we might do the tour buses. Any company you would recommend? Is the public transport fairly easy to figure out?

Very cool indeed. Will def have to check it out

That's a great idea. Can't wait to meet the locals!

Thanks everyone! You guys helped big time. I really appreciate everything!!

P.S. Sorry about the crazy multi quote post

TheMadBrewer

For Irish Beer brewed by Irish Breweries...

The Porterhouse, Temple Bar (Parliament St) also one by Trinity College.
Farringtons, Temple Bar

L.Mulligan Grocer, Stonybatter
W.J. Kavanagh's, Dorset Street

These are sister pubs and have interesting food, often made with local beers. Though at Kavanagh's you might find some English Cask Ales (not a bad thing, in my book)

Other places worth visiting for beer (if you have time)

Bull & Castle, near the Castle. They have become more restaurant but if their beer garden is open it is worth a stop.

The Palace Bar, Fleet Street. Not a great selection (but some good Irish beers) but a great old bar.

O'Neils, Suffolk Street. Decent selection and they are open mornings

Against the Grain, The Black Sheep, The Brew Dock -- all outlets of the Galway based Bay Brewing. Their own beers are OK but they usually have great guest beers.

Messers Maguire on the Liffey -- a "traditional" brewpub that has gone downhill in recent years and may actually no longer brew.

Breweries to watch for: Porterhouse, Dungarvan, Trouble Brewing, 8 Degrees, Metalman Brewing, O'Hara's and I'm sure some more since I was there in Feburary

For some beer trip reports, see my blog

measures

[QUOTE=daprophecy;20964778]Thanks for the Tip!


You are awesome! I figured it would be a little hard to find vegetarian food but I think we can live on the pizza pasta diet for a few days. I mapped it from the four seasons and its about a 30 minute walk. Is it easier to walk there or take public transport? From what I heard taking taxis will really just slow you down because of the traffic

Taxis use the bus lanes, so they are as quick as the bus. Lots of buses from 4Seasons. I find it intriguing that you would opt for this hotel and/or the Merrion for 1 night, but sink from the top to the bottom by staying in hostels after that

daprophecy

We were originally going to stay at a hostel for the whole trip but my cousin got a good deal so we decided to do one night there. We are actually in hostels till the last night - just relax right before our flight back.

daprophecy

Thanks for the blog! I liked it - I will def try out the bars in Temple Bar!