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Spend a weekend in Dublin
Lively, atmospheric pubs, literary landmarks and a
warm welcome await you in the Irish capital.
With its
literary connections, café culture and universities, Dublin exudes youth
and vitality. You’ll have two days to explore this lively, compact city,
visiting atmospheric pubs, trendy shops and restaurants, and fascinating
museums, enjoying a warm Irish welcome wherever you go.
During
your visit, you’ll stay at the five-star Shelbourne, one of Dublin’s
finest hotels. In addition to your elegant room, you’ll have access to a
sumptuous lounge, the fine No. 27 restaurant, and two popular bars. The
superbly equipped Shelbourne Club offers everything from gym equipment to
massage and saunas, and an indoor pool.
The
Shelbourne has a prime position overlooking St Stephen’s Green, close to
Trinity College and only a short walk from Grafton Street. Pedestrianised
Grafton Street and Henry Street are Dublin’s main shopping areas, and you
may like to spend a few hours here wandering among trendy stores and boutiques.
For something a little different, you can head to Mother Redcap’s Market
near Christchurch Cathedral to browse for books, antiques, clothes, pastries
and cakes.
To
see the best of Dublin’s cultural sights, you can follow the excellent
Heritage Trail from Trinity College, where Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde
studied, to the Parliament and Dublin Castle. The National Museum and National
Gallery offer fascinating insights into Irish history and culture – as
does the slightly less cerebral Irish Whiskey Corner museum! A scenic DART
train ride out along the beautiful coastline or nearby fishing villages makes a
pleasant afternoon’s excursion outside the city.
At
night-time, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Of course, no visit to Dublin is
complete without sampling Guinness. Many pubs have live traditional music,
including O’Donoghues and Temple Bar’s splendidly atmospheric Oliver
St John Gogarty’s. You’ll also find a cosmopolitan range of modern
restaurants and clubs in this bohemian district.
