Hey Kiwi. One of the things I’d definitely do if you’re a drinker is head over the the Guinness factory. It had totally escaped my mind when I was walking around Dublin that it was the Guinness HQ. Look around and you’ll see the Guinness logo everywhere…supporting local sports teams, in restaurants and buses. Even if you’re not a drinker, it’s still interesting to see a beer distillery that not just takes 2 city blocks, but also is one of the tallest structures in Dublin. You can go to the top, have a Guinness and meet people from all over the world. As far as other drinks, you can always get an Irish coffee, which I like to say I’ve had. There’s also a very rare manuscript (The Book of Kells)located in the Trinity College if you’re religious. For food though, they’ve got some interesting fair. I’d never had a deep fried, breaded sausage before. It was…fattening. Just don’t get a tuna sandwich or anything…the bread is very lackluster and the condiments were non-existent. Most of their food is very very filling though. Shepards pie was amazing, and their continental breakfast, even in the airport was packed with protein. Their bovine pack in a lot of rye and wheats that ours in the States don’t, so don’t be surprised if the steaks are a bit more gamey than you’re used to.

You must try boxty at the boxty house in Temple Bar (http://is.gd/1HWGo). It’s a sort of pancake thing made from potatoes & stuffed with all manner of yummy stuffings. Also, my cousin has a Thai restaurant also in Temple Bar, but their website seems to be down so I won’t link it here.

I second Deconiv’s suggestion on the Guinness HQ. Another highlight of our trip was a Celtic Day tour (http://bit.ly/224OfM). Small bus and a great guide who took us into the countryside. He brought to life many of the Irish folklore.

Well, you can kill two birds with one stone by going to the Guinness Brewery and having a pint of the most delicious substance ever created by man.

If you can go see a concert at The Tripod – do it! It’s not only a lovely venue, the area is beeeaautiful!

And if you’re willing to venture out of Dublin City itself…go to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

Have fun!

yes, guinness HQ worth the trip and a bus tour round the city centre. Both good suggestions. Take the DART commuter train to Howth and have lunch near the pier. If you have time, take a round trip and go the opposite way out to Bray and back. Get off at Dalkey and walk up the hill out towards Bono’s house.
There is also a DART to Malahide, a lovely seaside town with lots of restaurants and a nice beach front. Trinity is also a good suggestion and the Book of Kells in the old library. Christ Church Cathedral or St Patricks down the road are also worth a visit. Burdocks chipper is a Dublin institution near christ Church and you can order a heart stopping dose of Cholestrol there (fish and chips also called a 1 and 1) but take care up that area as there are sometimes bag snatchers operating on the unwary.

and outside Dublin …. I hope you are planning to go to either Kerry (Killarney or Dingle penninsula) or West to Connemara. Really beautiful scenery.
If you dont make it that far then at least to go Glendalough near Dublin. The Wicklow hills beside Dublin are also very beautiful.

You have to get a Guinness! And then maybe eat some Guinness Beef Stew.