Visiting Dublin

Having very few courses at university allowed me to make most of my year traveling. In November, my friend Emma and I decided to go to Dublin, Ireland for 4 days. What we decided was that Ireland was a neighbouring country to Scotland. The flights to Dublin from Glasgow were very cheap and very fast (about 40min). 

If like us, you plan to spend a few days in Dublin, you can find in this article what I recommend you to see. 

But before you start planning your weekend in Dublin, you need to plan how to get there! 

STEP 1 : REACH DUBLIN CITY CENTER

If you're flying, you certainly are with Ryanair. Whichever airline you travel with, getting from Dublin Airport to the centre of Dublin is very easy with AirLink. It stops at the main bus station before going to one of the main train stations via O'Connell Street.

If you have a limited budget, you can take Dublin bus number 16 which departs from Terminal 1 and drops you off at several locations in the city centre. It costs €3.30 one way. If you have taken the ferry, Dublin Port is not far away either; you can take bus number 53.

STEP 2 : DISCOVER DUBLIN CITY

Once in the heart of Dublin, here's what I advise you to put at the top of your to do list... 

DOWNTOWN WALK

This first idea seems obvious, and it is, but I really enjoyed walking around the city of Dublin. It's a human-sized city where it's easy to get around on foot (at least if you stay in the city centre). No set route, I just enjoyed walking around the city, admiring its facades, signs and buildings.

TRINITY COLLEGE - BOOK OF SKELLS

Trinity college is the famous university of Dublin. It is possible to freely enter its premises and thus admire its buildings. It is also possible to visit the former library of Trinity College. There is a charge for admission (about 15 euros) but the visit is well worth it. The library is superb, long, entirely wooded and has 200,000 books on its shelves! It is also possible to admire the Book of Kells, a major work of medieval Christian art that demonstrates the calligraphy and illumination techniques of the 9th century.

TEMPLE BAR 

It's a tourist spot you can't miss. This old part of Dublin is full of pubs where live music is played. All you have to do is walk down the street, listen and enter the pub that attracts you. Atmosphere guaranteed inside (and outside if you don't want to be tempted by the pub experience)!

ST STEPHEN's GREEN PARK 

For a little stroll in the green while staying in the heart of the city centre, go to St Stephen's Green. You can take a leisurely stroll in the park, picnic, feed the ducks... A pleasant and restful place!

KILMAINHAM PRISON

One of my favourite activities in Dublin was visiting the former Kilmainham Prison, which mainly housed political prisoners. You learn about the history of Ireland's independence through an exhibition as well as a one-hour guided tour. A quest that it is very interesting to discover. You come away with clearer ideas about this important period in the country's history, and therefore with some additional knowledge to understand Irish culture. The activity is paying (about ten euros) but it's really worth it!

HOWTH VILLAGE

To get away from the city and discover Ireland from the sea, I recommend you to spend a day in Howth which has a fishing port and impressive cliffs. At less than 30 minutes by train from the center of Dublin, it would be wrong to deprive yourself of such a beautiful escapade!

I hope you will enjoy Dublin and its people as much as I did! Tell me in comments if you have ever been to Dublin.

I wish you an excellent trip. 😁