Dublin is Ireland’s largest city, with a population of 1.5 million. Though the River Liffey divides Dublin into north and south (the sides are connected by a series of iconic bridges), it’s extremely compact and easy to navigate. The birthplace of many of the world’s great writers (James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker), Dublin is rich in culture and history—and with more than 1,000 pubs, it’s also big on fun.
The best ways to see Dublin are by foot and by bus—get acquainted with the city by hiring a private guide for a downtown walking tour. Besides recounting Dublin’s history, your guide will also point out the must-dos, which include: visiting Trinity College and its amazing library, home to the medieval treasure the Book of Kells and the National Gallery of Ireland, which hosts an extensive collection of Western European art; strolling St. Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square parks; and retail detail in the city’s key shopping areas—Grafton Street and O’Connell Street.
For places outside downtown, take a City Tour sightseeing bus, which makes stops at all the essentials, such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Writers Museum and the Guinness Storehouse. You’ll work up an appetite with all this touring and there is no shortage of places to nosh in Dublin. Wander the cobbles of Temple Bar, and you’ll find plenty of places to grab a bite. For a fab lunch graze at Elephant & Castle (elephantandcastle.ie)—the omelettes, frites and homemade bread here are amazing. For a prime steak, dine at FXB Temple Bar (fxb.ie). All meat served here is free-range, imported straight from FXB’s own farm in County Offaly. Lastly, for a taste of Italy, try Il Posto Restaurant (ilpostorestaurant.com), a cozy nook serving traditional Italian fare—the Caprese salad and spicy Ravioli Ricotta e Spinaci are divine!
Where to Stay
• The Clarence Hotel. The city’s lively Temple Bar is home to The Clarence (theclarence.ie) owned by two of Dublin’s most famous native sons—U2’s Bono and The Edge. The musical duo transformed The Clarence, built in 1852, into a boutique hotel in 1996. There are 48 individually designed bedrooms and suites here, including the ultra-luxe penthouse suite, complete with an outdoor hot tub and panoramic rooftop terrace. Two Clarence musts: a meal in The Tea Room restaurant, and a pint in The Octagon Bar—Bono’s stomping grounds when in town.
• The Merrion. For traditional luxury, the place is The Merrion Dublin (merrionhotel.com). Housed in four 18th-century Georgian townhouses (with a contemporary Garden Wing built around two private gardens), The Merrion opened in 1997 and has 122 exquisite rooms and 20 suites. For a real treat dine at the in-house restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin’s most acclaimed eatery.
• The Morrison. Opened in 1999, the Morrison (morrisonhotel.ie) is located in the heart of Dublin’s city centre and was designed by John Rocha, the celebrated fashion designer renowned for his eclectic techniques, silhouettes and embellishments. The hotel’s interior is ultra-mod and boasts a neutral colour palette punctuated with brightly coloured accent pieces—art, furnishings and fabrics. The hotel’s 138 rooms and suites feature a spacious layout, stocked with all the mod cons: an LCD TV, iPod dock and iMac.
For even more help planning your Dublin honeymoon, log on to visitdublin.com.
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