Tourist kiosk available in lobby. Reception 24hr.
KELLY’S HOTEL
36 South Great George’s St.
HOTEL
01 648 0010 www.kellysdublin.com
If you’re into white walls and minimalist furniture you’ll be quite at home in this ultra-chic, ultra-modern hotel. The rooms are comfortable, with big beds and modern bathrooms. The doubles are a little on the small side, however. Free breakfast available at Le Gueulenton next door. Both Kelly’s hotel and Grafton Guesthouse get noisy at night from the bars below, so make sure to request a quiet room.
Turn right off of Grafton St. and continue until you reach South Great George’s St. Rates change daily. Check website for more information. Reception 24hr.
GRAFTON GUESTHOUSE
26-27 South Great George’s St.
HOTEL
01 648 0010 www.kellysdublin.com
A more traditional version of what is to be found over at Kelly’s Hotel, the Grafton Guesthouse offers comfortable, not-white ensuite rooms. The creaking wooden stairs and high ceilings of the hotel will only serve to remind you that you’re residing in one of the oldest parts of Dublin.
Just down the street from Kelly’s Hotel. Reception in Kelly’s Hotel. Prices change daily, so check the website for more information. Reception in Kelly’s hotel, 24hr.
ALBANY HOUSE
84 Harcourt St.
BED AND BREAKFAST
01 475 1092 www.albanyhousedublin.com
Okay, this one’s a bit on the steep-side, pricewise, but it’s worth it. The Albany House is located in a wonderful Georgian home, with more elaborate molding than month-old bread. Rooms are large with very modern bathrooms. All rooms ensuite.
From the top of Grafton St. continue straight the length of St. Stephen’s Green and continue on to Harcourt St. It will be on the left. Continental breakfast included. Wi-Fi available in lobby. Check website for rates.
Gardiner Street and Customs House
Gardiner Street might as well be called Hostel Row. There are tons of hostels, hotels, guesthouses, lodges, and B and Bs all the way down the street. If it’s a place where people stay, chances are it’s located here. It’s a quick walk down to the city center and Temple Bar, though if you’re coming back late from a night out you’ll want to be careful. A taxi might be the best bet.
HOLYHEAD B AND B
42 Lower Gardiner St.
BED AND BREAKFAST
01 873 5889
A bed and breakfast with a real, classic feel to it, Holyhead has winding stairways take you up to beautitul window landings where you can sit and enjoy the morning sun. The rooms themselves are nice (although some of them sport a paint job that is radically different than the classic decor of the interior).
Breakfast and Wi-Fi available. Rooms range from €30-60 during the week, with an increase on the weekends.
GLOBETROTTERS HOSTEL
47-48 Lower Gardiner St.
HOSTEL
01 873 5893 www.globetrottersdublin.com
There’s a reason “Hostelworld” has ranked Globetrotters as one of the best more than once—it lives up to its self-styled high standards. With comfortable dorms and incredibly swanky singles and doubles, all the rooms here are ensuite and come with a full Irish breakfast. Hidden perk: if you’re staying in single or double rooms, dial 0 on your phone to order a drink from the bar to be delivered up to your room.
Kitchen and Wi-Fi available. Dorms M-F €18, Sa-Su €20. Singles ensuite €60-70; doubles €40-45 per person.
ABBOTT LODGE
87-88 Lower Gardiner St.
HOTEL
01 836 5548 www.abbottlodge.com
A beautiful lodge, where, if you book at the right time, you can get a room at a decent price. Book in advance to secure the best rates. Breakfast is included—full Irish from 8:30-10am, with continental available before that.
Breakfast included. Singles from around €30; doubles €50.
ABRAHAM HOUSE
82-83 Lower Gardiner St.
HOSTEL
01 855 0600 www.abraham-house.ie
One of the good bargain options on Lower Gardiner St. There are no lockers—just a luggage storage room, so bring along your own lock or pay for one. The dorm rooms are small but clean. Meet other travelers over breakfast.
Breakfast included. Sheets included. Safety deposit boxes are €1 per night+€10 deposit. Free Wi-Fi in the lobby, as well as a TV and DVD rental in the sitting room. All rooms ensuite. Beds from €9. Expect a raise in prices for weekend and holiday stays. Reception 24hr.
HAZEL BROOK GUEST HOUSE
85-86 Lower Gardiner St.
BED AND BREAKFAST
01 836 5003 www.hazelbrookhouse.ie
A well-furnished and comfortable Gardiner St. option, Hazel Brook offers free Wi-Fi in all rooms, as well as a full Irish or contitnental breakfast from 8-10am. Another high-ceilinged Georgian option, this one differs from the others in that you won’t have bunk beds or lockers in the rooms.
Breakfast and Wi-Fi available. Coffee and TV available in all rooms. €40-100+ depending on the day, so check the website for rates.
Dorset Street and Drumcondra
Dorset Street and Drumcondra both lie on the outskirts of Dublin city center, so you’re looking at a long walk or bus ride into town. That being said, it can be a nice escape. However, you should always be careful about how you find your way home late at night. Walking is not a good idea, and the buses stop running at 11:30pm, so if you plan on staying out later than that, make sure to set aside some of your cash for a taxi.
ASHLING HOUSE/AZALEA LODGE
168 Upper Drumcondra Rd./67 Upper Drumcondra Rd.
BED AND BREAKFAST
01 837 5432/01 837 0300
Owned by the same couple, these two B and Bs might just be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or, perhaps, scones, which you’ll receive upon entering the door of the Azalea Lodge. Breakfast at the Ashling is continental, and the prices slightly cheaper because of it. But if you’re willing to splurge, everything in the full Irish at Azalea is fresh and cooked to order. Amazing.
All rooms ensuite. Rooms €70-80 per night.
THE DUBLIN CENTRAL HOSTEL
5 Blessington St., Dublin 7
HOSTEL
01 086 385 3832
Having just been recently renovated, this hostel is spotless but unfortunately lacks flavor. Hopefully things pick up with time, but meanwhile you can enjoy kitchen use, a pool table, and free TV inside its freshly painted walls.
From the top of Parnell Sq., cross Dorset St. and on to Blesington. Lockers free for those staying under 1 week. All rooms ensuite. Credit cards will be accepted soon. 4-bed dorm M-F €12, Sa-Su €16; 8-bed €10/14; private room €40/50.
TINODE HOUSE
170 Upper Drumcondra Rd.
GUESTHOUSE
01 837 2277 tinodehouse.com; [email protected]
A spotless, cozy option up drumcondra, this B and B features a glass covered sitting area (complete with board games!) as well as a outside patio. The dining room will make you feel like you’re back at home.
All rooms with cable TV. €40-45 per person.
SIGHTS
Temple Bar and the Quays
The good thing about sightseeing in Temple Bar is that everything’s so close together. And the Quays? Hit the river and run in either direction.
JAMESON DISTILLERY TOUR
Bow St., Smithfield Dublin 7
WHISKEY DISTILLERY TOUR
01 807 2355 www.jamesonwhiskey.com
Hooray! Another tour that rewards you by offering free drinks! It’s common knowledge now, but if you volunteer at the end of a short video that introduces the tour, you’ll get to participate in a whiskey tasting at the end of the walk through Jameson Distillery. If your hand isn’t called upon, you’ll still get that complimentary whiskey at the end, but those who are chosen will receive a certificate denoting them as Jameson “official whiskey tast
ers.” Whatever that means. The tour lasts around 1hr. 15min. and showcases the process of whiskey distillation from start to finish. Restaurant and gift shop in the lobby.
Walk on the north side of the Liffey down to Arran quay, turn right and follow the signs to the Jameson distillery. Tour: €13.50, student €11, senior €10, child €8, family (2-4) €30. Open M-Sa 9am-5:15pm, Su 10am-5:15pm (last tour 5:15pm).
IRISH FILM INSTITUTE
#6 Eustace St.
CINEMA
01 679 5744 www.irishfilm.ie
Walking down a long hallway paved in movie reels and plastered with classic movie posters, this refurbished Quaker building is a movie junkie’s dream-come-true. Skylights let the natural light filter in as you can enjoy a drink in the bars, a bite to eat from the restaurant, or check out the in-house DVD store. Then hit up the cinema, checking out indie and Irish flicks. Look for the monthly director’s retrospectives; if the director’s Irish, you might just get to attend a Q and A session.
Movie tickets €7.75 until 6pm, afterwards €9.20. Film institute open M-F 10am-6pm; cinema open M-F 10am-9:30pm.
NATIONAL WAX MUSEUM PLUS
Foster Pl., Dublin 2
MUSEUM
01 671 8873 www.waxmuseumplus.ie
This is how wax museums should be: get your educational quota done early (you start with the “Writers’ Room” and “History Vaults”) and then move on into the fun stuff (Hannibal horror rooms and waxen celebrities). Get closer to Pierce Brosnan’s ruggedly strong chin than you ever thought possible.
Across from the Trinity College entrance near Grafton street. Parental advisory for 16 and under for Horror room. €10, students and seniors €9, children €7, family €30. Open daily 10am-7pm.
DUBLIN GRAPHIC STUDIO GALLERY
“Through the arch” off Cope St.
ART GALLERY
01 679 8021 [email protected]
An artist-owned gallery where 99% percent of the works on display are up for sale, any purchase you make will help fund artist workshops and give awards to local art students. But even if you’re not buying, the gallery is a great stop.
Prices vary. Open M-F 10am-5:30pm, Sa 11am-5pm.
GALLERY OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Meeting House Sq., Temple bar
PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY
01 671 4654 www.galleryofphotography.ie
A photo gallery that showcases both graduate student and professional work two stories of winding exhibit space makes for a wonderful—and free, free is always good—wander. Check out their large selection of photography books and pick up a postcard in the lobby.
At the back of the square. Free. Open Tu-Sa 11am-6pm, Su 1-6pm.
Grafton Street
TRINITY COLLEGE
Trinity College, College Green
UNIVERSITY TOUR
www.tcd.ie
Tours given by Trinity students describe a history of the college that is full of fun and quirky historical facts. Ghosts, deadly student feuds and more await you, stories told with all the college sarcasm money can buy. The climax of the tour is at the Old Library, where participants are led into the room that showcases the famous Book of Kells. The book itself is housed in a dark and crowded room, so you have to squint and jostle to get a good look. More easily enjoyed is the Long Room, a wonderful, wood-paneled room that stretches the length of the building and houses (in shelves upon shelves) some of the university’s oldest and rarest books. A rotating themed exhibition of some of them is available for perusal in the glass display cases that run the length of the room.
Crossing O’Connell Brige onto Westmoreland St., walk 5min. It will be on your left. Tour plus admission to the Old Library and Book of Kells €10, tour without admission to library €5. Admission to library without tour €9. Tours M-Sa 10:15, 10:40, 11:05am, 11:35am, 12:10, 12:45, 2:15, 3, 3:40pm.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND
7 Kildare street
LIBRARY
01 603 0200 www.nli.ie
The main show, so to speak, is the exhibition detailing the life and works of William Butler Yeats. A circular space with a bench allows you to listen to recordings of Yeats’s poetry accompanied by associative images projected on the screens. Several items from Yeats’s life are on display as well, including his ring, collections of his poetry, and even a lock of his hair.
Follow Nassau St. along Trinity College, and turn right on Kildare. Free. Open M-W 9:30am-9pm, Th-F 9:30am-5pm, Sa 9:30am-1pm. Guided tours led through the exhibit daily at 3:30pm.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Merrion St., Dublin 2
MUSEUM
01 677 7444 www.museum.ie
The ground floor of this museum houses fauna from all over the island, including skeletons of the Ancient Irish Elk (it’s like Bambi from hell), as well as tons of other birds and bugs and fish. When you’ve finished with that, head upstairs to the world exhibit, where you can get your fix for rhinos, hippos and giraffes.
Follow Nassau St. (it turns into Clare St.) and then turn Merrion Sq. west. Free. Open T-Sa 10am-5pm, Su 2pm-5pm.
DUBLIN CASTLE
Dublin Castle, State Apartments, Dame St.
CASTLE/GOVERNMENT BUILDING
01 677 7129 www.dublincastle.ie
Built by the English in the 13th century, the original “Dublin Castle” burned down in an accidental fire. Whoops. The castle was rebuilt in the 18th century, and was the headquarters of British rule in Ireland until the Irish revolution in 1920. Now it’s a series of governmental buildings. The tour will take you through several impressive state rooms, including the blue carpeted “ballroom,” where the President of Ireland is now inaugurated. The tour ends in the bowels of one of the castle’s original towers. You can see the darkly colored waters that once formed a pool in the castle gardens, giving the city its name—the Irish “Dubh” (black), and “Linn” (pool).
Walk over the O’Connell Bridge past Temple Bar and turn right onto Dame St. Follow Dame St. for 10min. and Dublin Castle will be on the left. €4.50, seniors and students €3.50, under 12 €2. Open M-F 10am-4:45pm, Sa-Su and public holidays 2pm-4:45pm.
West of Temple Bar
Okay, so some of the places out here require a bit of a hike, but you’re up for it, right? No? Don’t feel like walking for 45min. during your vacation? Not a problem. Take the Dublin sightseeing bus tours—part of their circuit involves stops at all of the places listed below.
GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
St. James’ Gate
BEER TOUR
01 471 4668 www.guinness-storehouse.com
The Guinness storehouse is a 5-story exhibit centered entirely around...just kidding. How’s this? It’s a tour of an old beer factory. At the Guinness storehouse you get to spend time examining old Guinness ads, learning how to properly drink a pint (free samples!), and, at the top of the building, have a free pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar, a circular glass bar that looks out over all of Dublin. Here’s what you need to know: great tour, great views, free beer. Sound good? You bet.
Follow Dame street as it turns into: High, Cornmarket, and Thomas St., and then turn left on Crane St. The Dublin hop-on, hop-off tour buses are also a good way to go. Tour brochures available in mulitple languages. Huge selection of Guinness merchandise for sale. €15, seniors and students €11, students under 18 €9, children 6-12 €5. Open daily Sept-June 9:30am-5pm; July-Aug 9:30am-7pm.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS AND HISTORY
Collins Barracks, Benburb St.
MUSEUM
01 677 7444
Fitting: that an old military barracks should now house a military history museum. Not so fitting: that the same barracks should house a decorative arts museum. Admittedly, it’s a weird combination—exhibits of Ireland’s tumultuous history side by side with cabinets housing oriental plates, but it’s something you shouldn’t miss. Check out the interactive features of the “barracks life” exhibit in particular.
Walk inland on the nort
h side of the Liffey for approx. 30min. No photos of the exhibits allowed. Free. Open T-Sa 10am-5pm, Su 2pm-5pm.
IRELAND MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (IMMA)
Royal Hospital, Military road, Kilmainham
MUSEUM
01 612 9900 www.imma.ie
Located in an old military hospital, the rooms here are so white and blank you’ll have trouble figuring out whether they’re part of the exhibition or not. Usually housing three or four separate exhibits, the long halls and quiet atmosphere of the IMMA are perfect for contemplating whether the artist you’re seeing was actually influenced by Jackson Pollock, or just spilled some extra paint on the canvas.
Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide Page 117