Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
like a British colony than a partner. The tension culminated in the Easter Uprising of 1916,
soon followed by a successful guerilla war of independence against Britain and Ireland's
tragic civil war. With many of its grand streets left in ruins, Dublin emerged as the capital
of the British Empire's only former colony in Europe.
While bullet-pocked buildings and dramatic statues keep memories of Ireland's
struggleforindependencealive,thecityislookingaheadtoabrighterfuture.Dublinersare
energetic and helpful, while visitors enjoy a big-town cultural scene wrapped in a small-
town smile.
On all but the shortest trips, Dublin deserves three nights and two days. Be aware that
some important sights close on Mondays. Consider this ambitious sightseeing plan:
Day 1
10:15 Take the Trinity College guided walk.
11:00 Visit the Book of Kells and Old Library ahead of midday crowds.
12:00 Browse Grafton Street, have lunch there or picnic on St. Stephen's Green.
13:30 Head to the National Museum: Archaeology branch (closed Mon).
15:00 See Number Twenty-Nine Georgian House (reserve guided tour ahead of time, closed Sun-Mon).
17:00 Return to hotel, rest, have dinner—eat well for less during early-bird specials.
19:30 Go for an evening guided pub tour (musical or literary).
22:00 Drop in on Irish music in the Temple Bar area.
Day 2
10:00 Take the Dublin Castle tour.
11:30 Hop on one of the hop-on, hop-off buses, jumping off to see the Guinness Storehouse and Kilmain-
ham Gaol (bring a sandwich to munch in transit on the open-top bus, or stop off to picnic in one of
Dublin's green squares).
15:00 Leave the bus at Parnell Square, visit the Garden of Remembrance, and stroll down to O'Connell
Bridge, sightseeing and shopping as you like along the way.
Evening Catch a play or concert—or try the storytelling dinner at The Brazen Head.
With More Time:
Dublin, while relatively small, can keep you busily sightseeing for
days without even leaving the center of town. And with all its music, theater, and after-
hours tours—not to mention the lively pub scene—evenings are just as fun.
