I recently went to Dublin for the day on my way to a festival in Southern Ireland and was pleased to see that the city has as much character as they say. Although the capital city is a bit pricey (think London prices), there’s a lot to see that’s worth doing and achievable within 24 hours! Public transport in the city is good but when you’ve only got a day, I’d say walking is the best option to get a real feel for the city, and the people are super friendly so you won’t need to worry about getting lost. I’ve put together a rough guide of how we spent our 24 hours in Dublin, including recommendations on food, drink, accommodation and attractions to guarantee good craic on your visit!
Abbey Court Hostel is perfect for anyone spending 24 hours in Dublin, with a more than ideal location in the city centre and affordable prices starting at 13.50 euros. The staff are super friendly and store you’re luggage free of charge before check in and after check out. The free breakfast was a real bonus and extremely popular among those staying in the hostel. It may only have consisted of fruit, toast, cereal and coffee but it went a long way in a generally pricey city like Dublin!
Located in South Dublin, Grove Road Cafe offer a delicious brunch menu featuring all our favourite usual suspects, including eggs, avocado, and, of course, toasted sourdough. We had the poached eggs on sourdough toast with sundried tomato pesto and parmesan shavings – sublime! They even do mimosas! Why not? You’re on holiday after all…
The River Liffey divides the Northside of Dublin from the Southside and is lined with 21 bridges. All though there aren’t many of Dublin’s main attractions on the riverside (besides Temple Bar), the river offers a scenic walk lined with hip bars and restaurants, especially starting from the city centre on O’Connell Street all the way down towards the Guinness Brewery (which brings us onto our next stop…).
Yes, it’s a cliché to go to Dublin and drink Guinness, but it is an absolute must-do if you’ve only got 24 hours in Ireland! General tickets are 25 euros or 20 for students (Dublin’s not cheap, I told you), but with this you do get a free pint of Guinness and can even get the chance to pour your own. The modern design of the Guinness Storehouse offers an insight into the history of the famous dark beer, with everything from production to old advertising campaigns. Get a great 360 degree view of the city from the impressive Gravity Bar on the top floor of the Storehouse where you can enjoy an ice cold pint of the dark stuff (there are other options too for non-Guinness drinkers).
So I was foolish enough to think that Temple Bar was just one bar, when it is in fact a busy riverside neighbourhood in the centre of Dublin full of pubs, restaurants and craft boutiques. The Temple Bar is located among the hustle and bustle of this popular area, and we decided to pop in for one drink, as had been told that it should be experienced, but not spent all night in. The place was so packed we could barely move and simply rammed with tourists, therefore not offering a very authentic experience. When we finally found a spot at the bar, the staff were rude and then revealed that it would be 17 euros for two pints. Verdict: not worth it, Dublin has much more to offer!
Situated not far from The Temple Bar, we found ourselves in The Workman’s Club, a multi-floor venue offering everything from live music to comedy, welcoming performers of all flavours. We sat upstairs and enjoyed the vintage old-style décor of worn chairs and draping chandeliers to the sound of an alternative playlist containing the likes of Arcade Fire and Mac DeMarco. Next door to this room you’ll find an open air space where you can sample gourmet fast food which seemed to be really popular among the locals! A really nice chilled out spot to enjoy a few pints and listen to some good music after a day of walking around Dublin.
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