Tips for spending a long weekend in Dublin

By Lori Derauf

​Where to stay:  
A well-located hotel is a must.  I prefer the Temple Bar/Fleet Street area which is close to the river Liffey and within walking distance of all the major sights. 

​Things to do:  
There is no shortage of places to experience a pint or glass of whiskey.  To avoid lines, make reservations in advance for the Guinness Storehouse and the Old Jameson Distillery.  If you would like to learn more about whiskey, stop in at the Irish Whiskey Museum for a tour and a taste.  The tour moved along through different rooms of the museum and ended with a taste of 5 whiskeys. 

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Take a guided tour of Trinity College which includes the Book of Kells and the Old Library Exhibition to learn more about its 400 year history. ​

Visit museums – most are free and have wonderful gift shops and cafes. 
Take a day a day trip to the west coast to visit Galway and the Cliffs of Moher. We had pre-arranged this and it was a nice break from the city in the middle of our trip. 

Stroll

• Through St Stephen’s Green – a beautiful park with plenty of benches to sit and relax. 
• Along the river Liffey – make sure to cross the Ha’penny bridge, built in 1816. 
• Down Temple Bar and Fleet Street – especially entertaining in the evening! ​​

Places to grab a bite: 

• Temple Bar/Fleet Street Area 
• Queen of Tarts – Tea room and cafe – great little breakfast stop 
• Turks Head – great for a pint and a sandwich 
• DiFontaine’s Pizzeria – just right after a night out in the pubs 
• Near Guinness 
• Arthur’s – in business as a pub for over 200 years, closest pint to the Guinness Storehouse 
• Near the Old Jameson Distillery 
• Oscar’s on Smithfield Square – mix of trendy and pub – great food with big portions 
• Near Trinity College 
• The Bank on College Green – originally a bank dating back to 1892, it was voted “Best Pub for Food 2017.” 

Favorite place to end the day: 
The Palace Bar on Fleet Street – A Victorian bar with timeless ambiance and warm, friendly service. ​

Please share your thoughts on what made your trip to Dublin memorable!