48 hours in the Emerald Isle should only be spent in one place: Dublin. The city is versatile enough to be perfect for a romantic getaway or a trip with your friends. Either way, Dublin is a place that cannot be overlooked.
Getting There
Flights to Dublin are both frequent and inexpensive, with prices starting at around £20 in May. Another bonus is that it only takes 45 minutes to fly there from Bristol Airport, so only a small amount of time is taken up actually travelling. The Irish use the Euro, so scrounge around for any spare money from your trips to Central Europe and you’ll be on your way. The Euro is also performing incredibly poorly at the moment, so your quick hop to Dublin should hopefully be relatively cheap – despite the fact pints of lager generally tend to start from €5.50.
Getting Around
Most of Dublin can be explored on foot, but if you plan on visiting the Guinness Storehouse or Phoenix Park, then there is a tram that runs through the city. Tickets are available from each platform on the network, and start from only €1.90.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation, Dublin really has a lot to offer. Abbey Court hostel is right in the thick of things on the bank of the Liffey (the river that runs through Dublin), with some rooms having a view over the river itself. Sharing rooms start at about £13 a night, and the hostel also offers private rooms for those who fancy a bit more comfort. In both cases, an extensive breakfast platter is included.
Things to Do
Dublin’s pubs
No trip to Dublin would be complete without a (short) visit to Temple Bar. Although pints are relatively expensive there (starting from about €7), it is one of the historical centres of Dublin, and there’s plenty to do. There are regular comedy shows held in the upstairs area of the Ha’penny Bridge Inn, which are hilariously funny and reasonably priced. Dublin is home to 751 pubs, ranging from the very large to the very old. The Brazen Head is one not to be missed, as it is claimed to be Ireland’s oldest pub, established in 1198. To get a feel for the city and learn something along the way, the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl is a delight for only €10. The guide will usher you through sights including Trinity College, and tell you about their literary significance. There’s even a chance to win a T-shirt at the end of the evening in an informal quiz.
Phoenix park
Phoenix Park is one of the largest city parks in Europe, covering over 1,500 acres. Due to its sheer size, a great way to travel around the park is by bike. Bikes are available to rent for only €5 for the whole day from a kiosk on the edge of the park. Be sure to check out the free-roaming deer and the obelisk dedicated to Wellington.
The Guinness Storehouse
Perhaps Dublin’s most well known attraction, the Guinness Storehouse is the place to experience how Ireland’s most famous drink is made. While the storehouse is slightly out of the centre of Dublin, it’s easy enough to get to on the tram. Tickets are relatively expensive at €16 for a student ticket, but a pint of Guinness (supposedly the best you’ll ever drink) is included.