Dublin, Ireland — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Dublin
With such attractions as the Guinness Storehouse, the Old Jameson Distillery and St Patrick's Cathedral, lovers of all things Irish may have problems finding time to see all the world-class sights in this magnificent city. Enjoy a voyage of discovery from the Arctic to the Plains of Africa via Indian Rainforest in the city's most popular attraction, the Dublin Zoo or take a walk down to Phoenix Park, the largest urban park in Europe, to take time out from the buzz of the city.
Visitors to Dublin who are interested in spending a day exploring the sights should buy a Dublin Pass, available from any of Dublin's tourist offices, the arrivals hall at Dublin Airport and at www.europeancitycards.com, which entitles visitors to free entry into 27 of Dublin's favorite attractions. The pass allows bearers to be VIPs and skip queues, as well as gain access to many special offers and discounts at some of Dublin's best shops, restaurants, cafés, theaters, entertainment venues and tours. The pass is available for a duration of either 1, 2, 3 or 6 days for both adults and children.
Shopping in Dublin
Dublin may be small, with its two main shopping districts located no more than a 20 minute walk away from each other, but it has some wonderful opportunities for shopping sprees in some of the world's top shops and brand names.
The largest of Dublin's shopping centers, the Jervis Shopping Center, is located on the north side of the River Liffey and offers 2 floors of shopping decadence while the top floor is a food hall where shoppers can stop to refuel. The Blanchardstown Center is the largest shopping center in Ireland, spanning two floors, four wings and a plethora of shops and boutiques selling just about everything.
On the south side of the river is Grafton Street, where some of Dublin's most expensive shops can be found, such as Weirs, an up-market jewelry shop offering wonderful Celtic souvenirs in silver and white gold. Popular with tourists is the Blackrock Market, touting locally produced arts, crafts and food; the Temple Bar district also has several markets for books and locally-produced foodstuffs. The House of Ireland on Nassau Street is the place to go to buy some of the finest quality souvenirs Ireland has to offer, from crystal to knitwear and Irish linen, which is still regarded as some of the best in the world. Other popular Dublin souvenirs are the cheap tinwhistles found in many shops.
Most shops in Dublin are open from 9am to 6pm or 7pm from Monday to Saturday, while they're only open from 12pm to 6pm on Sundays. Value added tax (VAT) of 21% is levied on most goods and services but non-European visitors can apply for a tax refund on any goods bought that are being exported. Not all Dublin shops participate in Tax-Free Shopping program, so tourists are advised to look out for the logo displayed in shops windows.
Dublin Nightlife
One of the most vibrant and youthful cities in Europe, Dublin has a bustling nightlife that has survived the ages. Known for their love of all things drinking, the Irish take their pubs and pints very seriously and it's little wonder traditional old pubs and bars dominate the nightlife scene.
The Temple Bar district is the by far the most popular place to start and the hub of Dublin's nightlife scene with around 24 bars and 73 cafes and restaurants to choose from. Most evenings finds Temple Bar buzzing with trendy restaurants, pubs, musicians, hotels and shops creating a stir. Many of the trendier clubs have a cover charge.
The Grafton Street side of things provides a much quieter and relaxed alternative to the chaos of Temple Bar, attracting a different type of crowd. Wine bars are also becoming a popular addition to the entertainment scene, providing patrons with a wine list and reasonably priced meals. The gay scene in Dublin is taking off too and there are many gay clubs and bars springing up everywhere. Most pubs and bars close early, around 11pm, but some have official permission to stay open late, including the Capitol on Aungier Street, and Major Tom's in South King Street.
On just about every night there is something happening and rock, jazz, blues and traditional Irish folk concerts can be found at theaters, sports stadiums, churches, clubs and castles. If you're in the mood for a show, head down to Dublin's Northside and see what's on.
Attractions for Kids
This beautiful, historic and very green city offers plenty of outdoor activities and attractions for children on vacation in Dublin. With breathtaking scenery, a Viking history and a number of interesting old buildings, castles and cathedrals to explore, Dublin is a sightseeing paradise for children and visitors of all ages.
On a sunny day, why not pack a picnic basket and the Frisbee and head down to Phoenix Park for a relaxing day in Europe's largest urban park. St. Stephen's Green is also a great spot to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air and features playgrounds, gardens and even some resident ducks that love to be fed. For very sunny days, you can take the DART to the pebble beach at Killiney, or the National Sea Life Center in Bray a bit further on.
Enjoy farm animals and the smell of hay at one of the petting zoos or children's farms, or for something a bit more diverse and exciting, why not jump on board one of Dublin's hop on hop off big, red, double-decker sightseeing buses and take in all that this magical city has to offer.
When the sun hides behind the clouds and kids activities out doors are no longer an option, consider taking your kids to one of the many indoor playgrounds or museums, or even to watch a puppet show at Ireland's only puppet theater.
