# What to see or do in Dublin? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 10, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122 "2011-01-10T18:55:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/1 "2011-01-10T18:55:51Z")
I am thinking of going to London or Dublin for a week. I know there is plenty to do in London, but what about Dublin? Do they have a lot of museums and other indoor places - I will likely be going in Feb or March so outdoor stuff is probably not a good idea that time of year. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/2 "2011-01-10T19:26:05Z")
Go to Trinity College and see the Book of Kells (and the exhibit that leads up to it) Visit your favorite Irish author’s home. George Bernard Shaw grew up in Dublin. Shop on Grafton Street See the River ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/3 "2011-01-10T21:35:12Z")
Both St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral are worth a look. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/4 "2011-01-10T21:43:09Z")
Go to Coppers!!! ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/5 "2011-01-10T23:02:07Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Go to Coppers!!! We want tourists to leave Ireland with a good impression, not scratching their heads wondering how an STD can be airborne… ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/6 "2011-01-10T23:08:27Z")
[http://www.museum.ie/en/list/visit-us-natural-history.aspx](http://www.museum.ie/en/list/visit-us-natural-history.aspx) Natural History Museum is great - one of my first memories is staring up at the 11,000 year-old giant deer skeleton. The museum is pretty much as it was back in the 1800’s, a real old-style museum. Can’t remember where it is (think Kildare Street), but the bog bodies are worth seeing too. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/7 "2011-01-11T00:11:37Z")
The crypts under St. Michan’s church. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/8 "2011-01-11T00:37:11Z")
If it’s a choice you have between London and Dublin, then seriously you need to go to London. Dublin’s OK, but it is (was?) far too expensive for a small city with little charm. There are many places in Ireland that are far better, but in the rest of the British Isles there’s nowhere like London, and few places like it in the world. Maximum city ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/9 "2011-01-11T00:38:40Z")
There’s a [writer museum](http://www.writersmuseum.com/) that is perfect to geek out over, if you’re into Irish literature. And don’t forget to visit the hideously ugly statue of Oscar Wilde. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/10 "2011-01-11T12:52:34Z")
Both the Guinness brewery and Jameson distillery have visitor’s centres. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/11 "2011-01-11T13:21:48Z")
It would help if we knew your interests but for my fuppence worth I recommend: [**The National Museum At Collins Barracks**](http://www.museum.ie/en/intro/arts-and-history.aspx) and second what KSO said, the **Crypt of St. Michan’s** is great if you’re into mummies. **The Cobblestone Pub** or **Hughes** of Chancery St. for traditional music. \*\*Grogan’s Pub \*\* is an intimate spot with a diverse and friendly crowd. The cheese toasties are world famous too. Not indoors but if you have an interest in Irish history at all **Glasnevin Cemetery** , a short bus ride from Dublin City Centre is worth a gander, as it is the final resting place of plenty of our national heroes and villains such as Michael Collins and Eamon DeValera. I think they have an interpretive centre there too now. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/12 "2011-01-11T13:25:00Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > If it’s a choice you have between London and Dublin, then seriously you need to go to London. Dublin’s OK, but it is (was?) far too expensive for a small city with little charm. There are many places in Ireland that are far better, but in the rest of the British Isles there’s nowhere like London, and few places like it in the world. Maximum city I’m a born and bred Dub and **Baron Greenback** speaks the truth. Dublin has decent stuff to do but if it’s a simple choice of Dublin or London then go to London. There are so many great museums, galleries, markets etc. that a week would be very full. Prices are also better than Dublin which is stunningly expensive to most tourists. If you do go for Dublin then I’d highly recommend the following. [National Museum](http://www.museum.ie/en/homepage.aspx) which has the Natural History and National Art Gallery just around the corner, all free. [Kilmainham Gaol](http://www.dublintourist.com/details/kilmainham_gaol.shtml). A place that is radioactive with Irish history. A very good audio video show going through 100’s of years of Irish history up to and including the 1916 Rising. ---
**Author:** ![Hrududu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Hrududu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hrududu)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/13 "2011-01-11T13:26:38Z")
There are lots of things to do in Dublin. But if its a choice between it and London then its London hands down. And I live in Dublin so I’m not being biased. There is just so much more to see and do in London. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/14 "2011-01-11T13:43:22Z")
Lads, we need all the cash we can get our hands on, now shush with that London nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/15 "2011-01-11T19:17:39Z")
I like history related places. I know London is way better, I will go there too in the near future. I am 1/2 Irish so that’s why I would like to see Ireland, it is probably better to see places beyond Dublin too. My grandparents were born in Ireland so I could get Irish citizenship if I wanted to , a friend of mine did it. (I’m in the US) ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/16 "2011-01-11T20:38:10Z")
Work it out by areas. Trinity Grafton St National Gallery/National Museum/ Museum of Natural History Tea in the Shelbourne Hotel or Bewley’s Dublin Castle Christ Church Kilmainham Gaol Irish Museum of Modern Art Guinness Storehouse Jamesons St Michans Despite what it may look like from the maps, Kilmainham Gaol is only a brisk 45mins walk from Trinity, but there are also plenty of buses. My favourite pubs from back in the days were the type of pubs I used to go to with my dad. The Stag’s Head M.J O’Neill’s Ryan’s of Parkgate St The Royal Oak I have a soft spot for Captain America’s and Johnny Fox’s, but I wouldn’t exactly _recommend_ them. I can’t believe Slapper Faced Jacks is still on the go…some things never change! See something in one of the theatres. If you want some fresh air and green spaces head out to Phoenix Park- think a less central Central Park- that is also where you’ll find Dublin Zoo. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/17 "2011-01-12T03:42:46Z")
all these fine folk beat me to it, except for one little thing: don’t drive into dublin. 😃 even our B&B hostess recommended we take the train in. she said she wouldn’t drive into town on a dare and told us to buy the one-day bus pass. thank the gods we did, because dublin traffic, bless it, is utterly terrifying. i thought i knew traffic, having lived in chicago and new york? piffle. :rolleyes: i knew nothing about traffic! i remember watching our bus driver/tour guide busily holding forth about the wonders of his city - all the while zipping along without really watching the road in front of him AND there are cars zooming along less than six inches from the sides of the bus and in front. i know. i looked! another vote to go see trinity college, the national museum, christ church cathedral, and try to make the guinness brewery if you can. very cool, but check and see if it will be closed on the day you want to go to dublin. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/18 "2011-01-12T09:15:17Z")
Use public transport. It’s very good but you need to know where you’re going and the Dublin Bus website is not exactly user friendly. The Luas will get you to Collins Barracks from Jervis, and you could walk to Guinness or Kilmainham from the St James’s Hospital stop if you wished. From memory- the 78A and 51C buses will get you from Aston Quay and Hawkins St respectively (both near Trinity) up James’ St, past the Guinness Storehouse, and on to Kilmainham. The 123 will get you from Dame St to Guinness and as far as St James’s Hospital. You’ll wait max 20mins for a bus during the day. There are also the hop on/ hop off type Tourist buses if you prefer- not as frequent, quite expensive, but you get a guide and they go from point of interest to point of interest. Check out the famous statues- Molly Malone, Oscar Wilde, the Spire, Phil Lynnott etc. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/19 "2011-01-12T12:10:01Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > I like history related places. I know London is way better, I will go there too in the near future. I am 1/2 Irish so that’s why I would like to see Ireland, it is probably better to see places beyond Dublin too. My grandparents were born in Ireland so I could get Irish citizenship if I wanted to , a friend of mine did it. (I’m in the US) If you’re driving there are tonnes of places a short drive (60-90 minutes) from Dubin City that are worth seeing. If you weren’t driving there are day tours you can do to places like Newgrange, Glendalough etc. There’s also the Ghost Bus which is expensive but a bit of a laugh and a novel way to see lots of the city. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122/20 "2011-01-12T12:13:57Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > [http://www.museum.ie/en/list/visit-us-natural-history.aspx](http://www.museum.ie/en/list/visit-us-natural-history.aspx) > > Natural History Museum is great - one of my first memories is staring up at the 11,000 year-old giant deer skeleton. > > The museum is pretty much as it was back in the 1800’s, a real old-style museum. > . I totally want to see this. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-see-or-do-in-dublin/567122.md?page=2)