Photo: Unknown · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Dublin
Free national museums, old pubs with music and a walkable Georgian centre.
Ireland's capital on the River Liffey: Georgian squares, a medieval cathedral quarter, free national museums, Trinity College's old library and pubs with music most nights. Compact enough to walk; beds and pints are dear, so the free museums and parks do a lot of work on a budget.
Places to see
Trinity College and the Book of KellsMuseum · Cobbled squares and old stone buildings in the middle of the city, then a small dark room…≈ A$44
National Museum of Ireland – ArchaeologyMuseum · Prehistoric gold collars and brooches, the Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch, Viking finds…Free
Chester BeattyMuseum · Calm, dim galleries of beautiful books and objects from across the world: Qur'ans, early…Free
When to go
- Jan8° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Feb9° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Mar10° / 4°Some rainBusy
- Apr13° / 5°Some rainBusy
- May15° / 7°Some rainBusy
- Jun18° / 10°Some rainVery busy
- Jul20° / 12°Some rainVery busy
- Aug19° / 12°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Temple Bar and the old city. The castle, the two cathedrals, the river and Temple Bar's pubs. Central with several hostels; loud late at night near Temple Bar.
North of the Liffey. O'Connell Street, Connolly station and the bus station: plainer streets but many of the city's cheapest hostels, a short walk from everything.
Flying in
Dublin Airport (DUB): Dublin Bus into the city centre, about 45 min, ≈ A$4. City buses are the cheapest, with a Leap card; express coaches are quicker, usually about €8–10 (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Dublin; check times and fares before you fly.
By ferry
Dublin is reached by ferry from Holyhead. From Britain: the train to Holyhead in Wales, then the ferry to Dublin Port, about 3–3.5 h at sea, with a bus into town. Most visitors fly into Dublin Airport instead (check)
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The centre is walkable. Buses, the Luas tram and the DART coastal train cover the rest; a Leap card is cheaper than cash. Phoenix Park and Kilmainham are a long walk or a short bus west.
Leap Visitor Card (72 hours) (≈ A$28, 72 hours): Unlimited buses, Luas trams and DART trains, and the airport bus; worth it with the airport run and a few rides a day (check).
