3 days ago
Why Dublin should be on your list of weekend getaways from London
I went to Dublin for a short weekend break and it's the perfect mix of history, sights and a lot of fun.
Known for its historic Trinity College, its 13th century castle and vibrant Temple Bar serving pints of Guinness around every corner, Dublin is a worthy candidate for a short weekend break out of London.
In the same time you could catch a train to places like Canterbury, Brighton or the coast, you could easily bag yourself a plane ticket to Dublin, Ireland for as little as £35 if you book in advance.
After many years of wanting to visit, I finally got the chance this May to explore this vibrant city and I'll attest I had a great time.
Dublin is a worthy candidate for a short weekend break out of London. (Image: Emily Davison)
Beginning with where I stayed, I spent two nights at The Chancery Hotel – a modern and sophisticated hotel just a stone's throw from Dublin Castle and within a 10-minute walk of Temple Bar.
Here you'll find rooms ranging from standard double rooms up to suites, and we stayed in one of their Deluxe King Rooms offering views of Dublin Castle, with incredibly comfortable mattresses.
We stayed in one of the hotel's Deluxe King Rooms offering views of Dublin Castle, with incredibly comfortable mattresses. (Image: Emily Davison)
Although I will admit I did feel like I had stepped into the set of a sci-fi film, with curtains and doors that opened and closed with the push of a button.
The hotel also offers a basement Wellness Suite where you can have treatments and use the facilities, including the steam room, sauna and plunge pool, which is open to guests between 8am and 6pm if you feel like recharging after a day walking around the city.
The hotel offers a basement Wellness Suite where you can have treatments and use the facilities, including the steam room, sauna and plunge pool. (Image: Emily Davison)
If you feel like eating in the hotel, the Fawn Restaurant offers a menu of seasonally changing options along with crafted cocktails inspired by Irish folklore.
This is also where you'll be served a buffet breakfast with a broad range of continental and cooked options like pastries, a full English, fruit and cheeses.
I really loved the hotel's modern vibe, along with its warm reception from staff and close proximity to Temple Bar, whilst still feeling quiet and peaceful during the evening hours.
I really loved the hotel's modern vibe, along with its warm reception from staff and close proximity to Temple Bar (Image: Emily Davison)
One thing Dublin is well known for is its food and drink scene, with an Irish pub around every corner vying for your attention and a whole plethora of cuisines to choose from.
Temple Bar is of course one of Dublin's most popular spots, and whilst many locals consider it the more touristy side of Dublin's pub scene it's still worth a visit just for the atmosphere alone.
Temple Bar is of course one of Dublin's most popular spots. (Image: Emily Davison)
I visited one of the district's nearby pubs – The Wild Duck – which had a really eclectic interior with old-fashioned dolls, photos and memorabilia, along with a menu of Irish pub staples and cocktails.
But equally if you're looking for a traditional Irish pub, then spots like Grogan's, The Haul and Gravediggers came highly recommended by locals.
Dublin has an Irish pub around every corner vying for your attention and a whole plethora of cuisines to choose from. (Image: Emily Davison)
Dublin has plenty to offer for things to see and do, whether you want to explore its links with Guinness and whiskey, or whether you want to learn about its past.
Dublin has plenty to offer for things to see and do, whether you want to explore its links with Guinness and whiskey, or whether you want to learn about its past. (Image: Ei Travel Group)
One of Dublin's must-do attractions is of course a visit to the Guinness Storehouse in St. James's Gate, this fun and immersive experience takes you through the process of making Guinness and showcases the history of the drink that has become so synonymous with Ireland.
You could easily spend a few hours here, with plenty to see and do, and you can also have additional experiences like The Guinness Academy, where you get to learn how to pull the perfect pint.
This was my first time trying Guinness and I do agree with what the Irish say, in that it is 'an acquired taste', but even if you're not a big Guinness drinker this is still an experience I'd highly recommend if you have the time.
Another of Dublin's boozy attractions was a visit to The Whiskey Museum, where you're taken on an interactive tour with a guide, highlighting Ireland's history with whiskey and how it was actually discovered (through pure chance and a little forgetfulness).
At the Whiskey Museum you're taken on an interactive tour with a guide, highlighting Ireland's history with whiskey (Image: Ei Travel Group)
The experience, lasting an hour, ends with a tasting, where you get to try three iconic Irish whiskies, which were quite unlike any I've tried before.
But if you fancy it, you can also tack on extras like a masterclass in how to make the perfect Irish coffee.
The experience ends with a tasting, where you get to try three iconic Irish whiskies. (Image: Ei Travel Group)
Dublin is quite a vast city, so if you feel like seeing as much of it as possible I'd recommend a tour aboard the Dublin City Sightseeing Bus.
During the bus tour you can hop on and off to see some of the city's main attractions like Trinity College, Ha'Penny Bridge and Marsh's Library, with tickets priced at £27.41 for adults and £12.85 for children for a 24-hour ticket.
If you feel like seeing as much of the city as possible I'd recommend a tour aboard the Dublin City Sightseeing Bus. (Image: Ei Travel Group)
Dublin also has a number of historic buildings like St Patrick's Cathedral and its historic castle, with a history dating back to 1204.
One of Dublin's most-do historic attractions is a tour of Trinity College and The Book of Kells.
Trinity College was first commissioned by Elizabeth I in 1592 and over the years it has played host to many famous academics, writers and scientists like Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and George Berkeley.
Trinity College has played host to many famous academics, writers and scientists over the years. (Image: Trinity College Dublin)
We booked for the 45-minute tour led by one of the university's students, followed by a visit to The Book of Kells and Iconic Trinity Library.
On the tour you'll learn about the university's past and its role in Dublin today, and have a chance to see The Book of Kells – a famous manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin, which was created in around 800 AD by Celtic monks.
On the tour you'll learn about the university's past and its role in Dublin today, and have a chance to see The Book of Kells. (Image: Trinity College Dublin)
Finally, no visit to Dublin would be complete without visiting Dublin Castle, with a history dating back over 800 years.
If you book on one of the daily guided tours, you'll get to see the Medieval remains of the castle as well as its historic chapel built in 1814.
To this day Dublin Castle plays a prominent role in Ireland's parliamentary life, hosting state visits, inaugurations and ceremonies, and the tour led by our guide Daisy really brought the stories of the castle to life.
Dublin Castle has a history dating back over 800 years. (Image: Emily Davison)
Dublin is well known for its vibrant shops, from the Brown Thomas department store on Grafton Street to its many independent shops in streets like St George's Arcade and O'Connell Street.
In Dublin you can be sure to find anything from antiques and vintage clothes to unusual pieces, making it a really great place to shop – just be sure not to overdo it if you have a stringent luggage allowance.
With such a diverse mix of things to do in Dublin, this popular city is well worth a visit if you're looking for a fun weekend trip away.
