Dublin in a day.

Tout Seul

Tout Seul

Senior Jockey
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May 2, 2003
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My son is playing rugby in Dublin at the weekend and will be watching the big game. He has has decided to postpone his return for a day in order to see something of the city and will be flying home late on Monday evening.

Apart from quick there and back business meetings it is almost 40 years since I spent time in Dublin therefore I am not qualified to draw up an itinerary. I would welcome some suggestions that I can put to him. He's 23 and a big second row build and would be using public transport.

Your help would be appreciated!
 
Last week I was in Dublin for the first time in a couple of years.
I pains me to say it, but the city has gone downhill.
The street-begging is seriously bad, really at a stage now where the authorities need to do something pro-active about it.
Gangs of Roma and junkies congregating in the vicinity of ATM's and outside shops. I really felt it intimidating. As soon as I got off the train in Euston I was tapped-up by some addict. Walking down Henry Street, I was panhandled for loose change four times.

I thought it a pity Dublin has become like this; but maybe I was there on a particularly bad day. :(
 
My last visit to Dublin was the first time I went into the city centre; my previous jaunts having been restricted to the vicinity of Raheny - plus Fairyhouse and Punchestown races.

I know I visited Grafton Street, and College Green and St Stephens doo-dah, and all this-and-that......but I don't recall seeing too many beggars. *

* This may be due to the combined after-effects of my visit to Naas races the previous day (with a rather nice slap-up plonk-fest in the restaurant), and the imbibement of several sweet-sherries in The Cheds the same evening.
 
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Drop into the Hugh Lane gallery on Parnell Square for half an hour on Sunday morning, making sure to see the Harry Clarke panels and Francis Bacon's studio (truly awesome, believe it or not). I say Sunday, because it's closed on Monday. Then take ten minutes to see the Garden of Remembrance across the road, famously visited by the Queen in her green coat.

On Monday start in the General Post Office, then head across the river. Step into the Bank of Ireland branch on College Green and view the main banking hall. Cross the road to Trinity College, go through the front square, turn right and exit through the arts block onto Nassau Street. He might want to check out some of the shops along the way towards Merrion Square, the grandest bit of Georgian Dublin. It's worth going into the park for the views out of it. Leave the square on the southern side, going past Government Buildings. He will find several good pubs on Merrion Row, it might be difficult to go any further, and why should he.
 
I grew up in Dublin, but it's living abroad that has allowed me to appreciate the place properly.

Why do you ask?
 
There is a tour bus that you can jump and off-did it once really liked it.Kilmainham jail was very interesting.
 
Take the Wicklow Tour bus. 4 hours through the South of the City seeing where the nicer people* live and then spectacular scenery all the way to Glendalough. I presume he will be hungover so this is the path of least resistance.

* Grey knows this but was too polite to mention it.
 
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Went on the tour bus once, remember seeing the site of the old Phoenix Park racecourse:ninja: Think the Pope went there didn't he ?

Can remember Bono's house by the River Liffy, the Molly Malone statue and some famous cake shop.


How random is all that :rolleyes:
 
I think it might be more accurate to rephrase that "from a culchie's mouth". Most of them have nothing good to say about Dublin.
 
Diamond Geezer said:
Went on the tour bus once, remember seeing the site of the old Phoenix Park racecourse:ninja: Think the Pope went there didn't he ?

Can remember Bono's house by the River Liffy, the Molly Malone statue and some famous cake shop.


How random is all that :rolleyes:
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The Pope never went racing in the Park as far as I know. He was suspected of hiding his pointy hat and popping over to Cagnes Sur Mer during his holiday at Castel Gandalfo from time to time. A right hoor for the combination trifecta apparently.
 
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icebreaker said:
Last week I was in Dublin for the first time in a couple of years.
I pains me to say it, but the city has gone downhill.
The street-begging is seriously bad, really at a stage now where the authorities need to do something pro-active about it.
Gangs of Roma and junkies congregating in the vicinity of ATM's and outside shops. I really felt it intimidating. As soon as I got off the train in Euston I was tapped-up by some addict. Walking down Henry Street, I was panhandled for loose change four times.

I thought it a pity Dublin has become like this; but maybe I was there on a particularly bad day. :(
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Thank the recession, Minister Shatter and his 'modern' (small, demoralised) Police force.
 
Grey said:
I think it might be more accurate to rephrase that "from a culchie's mouth". Most of them have nothing good to say about Dublin.
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Not necessarily Grey, I like Dublin and I'm as culchie as you could find. We'd go to Dublin for a weekend most years.

Trinity College, Arbour Hill, Collins Barracks and The Garden of Rememberence are all worth a visit. I also found Glasneven Cemetry very interesting.

I thought that the Guinness Brewery though was over rated and a waste of time.

Mind you, personally Croke Park on St Patrick's Day for the club finals is as good as it gets.
 
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Thanks for the input, some ideas that he may well take up. That is if he is not too worn out by rugby- watching and playing, drinking, singing and women in no particular order.

I'm as jealous as hell.
 
I'm often asked for advice from colleagues who are going to Dublin. Most of them are very complimentary about it too. They don't come back talking about the buildings and museums, although they like them well enough, so much as the general feel of the place. They notice that the population is a good bit younger than in most European cities and that it's a buzzy sort of place.
 
I wish I had your enthusiasm for my native city, Grey.

If I am being perfectly honest, I think the place is a sh1tbox. I love it though, because of the people, particularly in the north and west of the city. My family, my friends and most people who shaped me as a human being live in the city.

1 Kilmainham Gaol coupled with a trip to the Guinness Store House
2 Glasnevin Cemetry couple with a pint in the Gravediggers aka Kavanaghs. You are also very close to the National Botanic Gardens there, which is a nice spot for a walk round some flowers and a spot of lunch.
3 If his hangover isn't bad, I have heard nice things about the Wheenlin Groovy bicylce tour
4 Even southsiders and Brits would be interested in a trip to Croke Park for the Croke Park Stadium Tour. I brought a Rosbif there a few years ago, and he found it very interesting to learn about Irish sporting heritage.
5 And finally, a trip to Collins Barracks is advised if he wants to learn about Irish military history (and its links with the British Army) and the 1916 Rising. He can stretch his legs west for a pint in Ryan's on Parkgate Street or east for a pint in the Cobblestone.
 
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granger said:
I'm living in Dublin 8 years and haven't done most things on grey's list.
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I'm the same and I've lived in Dublin for three years.

I did the Glasnevin cemetery tour and would recommend it. Gives a nice perspective on Irish history. A trip to the Gravediggers after is essential of course.
 
trackside528 said:
I'm the same and I've lived in Dublin for three years.

I did the Glasnevin cemetery tour and would recommend it. Gives a nice perspective on Irish history. A trip to the Gravediggers after is essential of course.
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I'm here 4 years total. I got lost last time I was in the city centre...
 
trackside528 said:
I'm the same and I've lived in Dublin for three years.

I did the Glasnevin cemetery tour and would recommend it. Gives a nice perspective on Irish history. A trip to the Gravediggers after is essential of course.
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Usually spend some time in the Gravediggers before a visit to Croke Park.
 
My son reports that the weekend was "awesome". They lost by one point in a close game whereas in the past it has been a stroll for their hosts. Their hosts were generous in deed and spirit with the result that there will be many tales to be told in future events. As one would expect he enjoyed the International game and he was hugely impressed by the sporting nature of the many Irishmen he met touring the bars of the City centre.

He and another included Grey's suggestions with some from their hosts and had an enjoyable alcohol fueled day in the city on the Monday.

Thanks for the contributions!
 
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