DUBLIN is perfect for a post-lockdown city-break – from walks along the Liffey River to strolls through the infamous Guinness Storehouse – Ireland’s capital has lots to offer.
Writer Helen Ochyra’s guide to the best spots in Dublin leaves no stone unturned in “the home of good craic”.
Few cities are better for a big night out – but there’s far more to the Irish capital than just its pubs, says writer Helen.
Get in the spirit
As the home of good craic, there are bars aplenty lining the city’s narrow streets.
It might be touristy, but the Temple Bar area is a must-do. For a traditional vibe, take a seat at Victorian boozer The Stag’s Head and order a local whiskey, such as Teeling (Stagshead.ie).
Or for speakeasy style and cracking cocktails, try Vintage Cocktail Club (Vintagecocktailclub.com).
Prefer to stay on the softies? Head to the Virgin Mary for no-alcohol beers and mocktails (Thevirginmarybar.com).
6
Soak up the culture
Dublin runs on pints of the black stuff, so tour the Guinness Storehouse to learn how the world-famous stout is made, before hitting the rooftop bar for city views, drink in hand.
Entry costs £16.80, including a pint (Guinness-storehouse.com).
Next, take a quick spin around the oak-panelled Long Room of Trinity College library, then head over to leafy St Stephen’s Green to discover why the Irish are the world’s best storytellers by viewing the original copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses at the Museum of Literature Ireland.
Entry costs £7 (Moli.ie).
6
Eat Irish
Allta Wine Bar champions sustainable Irish ingredients, such as scallops and home-made charcuterie, washed down with well-chosen wines. Mains cost from £9.50 (Allta.ie).
It’s worth making the 35-minute drive to Howth, a fishing village in the suburbs, for super-fresh seafood at Aqua – it’s at the end of the West Pier, with views over the harbour where the lobsters are caught. Mains cost around £25 (Aqua.ie).
For something completely different, check out Doolally, where clay-oven cooked Irish meats become mouthwatering posh kebabs, from £9 (Doolally.ie).
6
Blow away the cobwebs
Morning after the night before? Stroll along the Liffey River, which runs through central Dublin, then hop on the Old Liffey Ferry, £1.60 – it’s carried people across the waters for hundreds of years.
Or head to Phoenix Park, thought to be Europe’s largest enclosed urban park, with its resident herd of fallow deer.
Perhaps Dublin’s best walk, though, is the loop up on to the Nose of Howth, for amazing views out across the Irish Sea.
6
Shop for jewels
Watch chic geometric jewellery being made and shop for original pieces at the Irish Design Shop (Irishdesignshop.com).
The Jam Art Factory is an independent gallery that showcases and sells funky prints, street art, ceramics and textiles (Jamartfactory.com), while fab Coco Boutique has everything for your next night out on the town, from bold print dresses to metallic heels (Cocoboutique.ie).
Kip on the river bank
Boutique hotel The Mayson stands on the bank of the river in the city’s burgeoning Docklands. Its rooftop restaurant Ryleigh’s serves delicious wood-grilled Irish steaks in a New-York-style setting.
There may not be room to swing a guitar in the compact bedrooms, but these crash pads are super-hip, right down to their Dyson hairdryers, Smeg fridges and premium spirits for in-room cocktails.
Double rooms cost from £112 a night (Themayson.ie).
6
FYI
More than 3 million pints of Guinness are produced every day at Guinness’ St James’s Gate Brewery.
Plan your trip at Visitdublin.com. Return flights from the UK cost from £35 return (Ryanair.com).
Photography: Alamy, Facebook/Aqua, AWL, Getty Images