If you were a tourist, how would rate Dublin?

Oops69

LirW wrote: »

Come on, Howth is connected to the Dart, everything that's connected to it is pretty much Dublin, will ya stop that post code snobbery jesus.

ok , so Swords isn't Dublin then? , I'm not from Howth , Try to see the point in a post .

Cienciano

As long as research is done, Dublin is a great place. Comparing it to places like Venice is fairly ridiculous.
You need to do research, I've met people who didn't leave temple bar for a weekend. It. Doesn't have any wow world famous landmarks, but the South city centre is a great place to wander around. Unfortunately I'd tell most tourists that are here for 2 nights to not bother going to the North city centre.

One thing Dublin has going for it that a lot of cities lack is decent nightlife 7 days a week if you want pubs. You can go into the city on a Tuesday night and have a 50 pubs in a 10 minute radius of walking with a bit of life in them.

LirW

For me Dublin starts before Bray and ends somewhere after Malahide, like Swords is absolutely Dublin to me, but then again I'm not Irish and regularly get lectured from my MIL that Ballymun starts after the Glasnevin Avenue junction and everything before that is Glasnevin (it's very important to her to draw that line).

John_Rambo

I'm involved in a festival in Dublin that attracts a lot of tourists and they love the city. I usually end hosting a couple of pro-sportsmen or women staying with me for the weekend and they really like it.

They're particularly impressed with the amount of free stuff that are pretty expensive in other capitals in Europe. Other things that come up are the coastline, the people (in particular), the atmosphere, the safeness, the weather and the proximity to the mountains and sea.

But, as others have expressed here, it's not enough to just do Dublin. In a short week you can take in the some of the Wild Atlantic Way and get a better experience of the island. Dublin is a fantastic enjoyable springboard to the rest of the country.

Franz Von Peppercorn

Oops69 wrote: »

Howth isn't Dublin , its a village outside of Dublin , i don't think the people you' re 'telling' would take much notice of ignorant advice .

Dublin doesn’t have a unified city authority now, when it did howth was part of the city not the county. It’s got a Dublin (city) post code.

John_Rambo

LirW wrote: »

Come on, Howth is connected to the Dart, everything that's connected to it is pretty much Dublin, will ya stop that post code snobbery jesus.

Yeah, Howth is a very done thing for a Dublin city break, very accessible and a traditional part of the Dublin city break.. The DART is packed with tourists throughout the whole year.

The_Valeyard

From what tourists tell me, they really enjoy Dublin.

Id says its on the expensive side of things. But they enjoy the attractions, night life and all the rest. But its the people, the average person, who will chat with you, and have a conversation that can really sell the place it seems.

LirW

I actually remember that one very well, when I started coming here I was perfectly fine with walking anywhere. After living here for a while you notice so many people being obsessed with postcodes and what's a good area and what's not. They literally drive you paranoid with that attitude. Take a few newspaper articles into account and it turns you into an anxious nut.
Where I come from we wouldn't have house alarms at all and if you'd have one you have a very good reason (usually break-in paranoia, not kidding) and was amused by the obsession with house alarms. Now I'm saving for one.

But generally for tourists I agree that it's a quite safe city to get around, it's safer than a few other capitals, you really wouldn't notice the junkies and rough sleepers and thugs that much.

One eyed Jack

As a tourist I'd be looking at anywhere from a cultural and historical perspective, and Dublin is absolutely steeped in culture and history. There's so much to see and do as a tourist. It's not the easiest city to get around, but that's due to it's orbital layout as opposed to say somewhere like New York which is all blocks. For someone with no sense of direction it can be a bit like wandering around a layout from Inception.

rizzles

5/10

meeeeh

The_Valeyard wrote: »

But its the people, the average person, who will chat with you, and have a conversation that can really sell the place it seems.

I think that is actually the main selling point. Before I first time saw Dublin, I've already been to quite a few French, Dutch, Belgian, German and Austrian and Italian cities. I've been to Prague, Budapest, Copenhagen and when I saw Dublin it didn't stand out. Some things were better some worse, there is plenty of history but so is in any European town or city. It's probably the most hospitable city I've been to though.

andekwarhola

One other point is that complaining about the alcohol and pub culture in Dublin misses the point that a lot of tourists come here, and not just the stag parties, for that.

Doltanian

Dublin is the skidmark on the underpants of Ireland. It is over-priced on everything and has very ineffective frustrating public transport, there is a huge lack of middle class affordable hotels and it is nigh on impossible to find anywhere nice and decent for under €100 per night. Dublin badly needs at least 10 or 15 travel-lodge and Premier Inn's to come and cut the hotel cartel prices down.

Over-priced Taxis and the lack of Uber is another problem where regulators block Uber but allow Drug Dealing Brazilian illegal immigrants to drive rickshaws wherever they want, what a stupid joke.

Spanish Eyes

Stay Southside is my view. Merrion Square, the architecture around there is great, as are places like o'donoughues on Merrion Row (no stags, hens etc will venture there)

Take the DART to Howth, climb the hill from the Summit back to the village, and have a bite to eat. Lots of places. (OK not Southside but it is one of the places Northside to be admired, along with Portmarnock and Malahide). DART to Greystones, walk back the path to Bray.

Killiney Hill Park, or the walk from Killiney to Dalkey.

See the mummies in St. Michans, walk around and enjoy.

We need to see our city as visitors do. Haven't done it all yet, but I'm working on it, apart from Temple Bar that is.

jetsonx

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

. Merrion Square, the architecture around there is great, as are places like o'donoughues on Merrion Row (no stags, hens etc will venture there)

OP here.

So any more places like this in Dublin City Centre that have character?

Spanish Eyes

jetsonx wrote: »

OP here.

So any more places like this in Dublin City Centre that have character?

Fitwilliam Square area, even Old Mount Street and the Pepper Canister church, and then further on into Northumberland Road and beyond.

The old stomping ground of the British back in the day. They brought a lot of good architecture to this city and we should be grateful for that.

Northside there is Parnell Square, and Mountjoy Square. Similar Georgian styles but allowed to rot because of a Northside address I think.

I love wandering around Dublin, North and South to see all this.

AlekSmart

LirW wrote: »

For me Dublin starts before Bray and ends somewhere after Malahide, like Swords is absolutely Dublin to me, but then again I'm not Irish and regularly get lectured from my MIL that Ballymun starts after the Glasnevin Avenue junction and everything before that is Glasnevin (it's very important to her to draw that line).

You could,if you were in combative mode,remind your MIL,that REAL Northsiders contine to refer to it as BALLYMUN Avenue,Dublin 11....Real Glasnevin,as in Dublin 9, being quite a distance away...(and yes,you could also remind MIL,that there is no such place in reality as,Glasnevin NORTH :eek:) Pffft !!!!!

corner of hells

Doltanian wrote: »

Dublin is the skidmark on the underpants of Ireland. It is over-priced on everything and has very ineffective frustrating public transport, there is a huge lack of middle class affordable hotels and it is nigh on impossible to find anywhere nice and decent for under €100 per night. Dublin badly needs at least 10 or 15 travel-lodge and Premier Inn's to come and cut the hotel cartel prices down.

Over-priced Taxis and the lack of Uber is another problem where regulators block Uber but allow Drug Dealing Brazilian illegal immigrants to drive rickshaws wherever they want, what a stupid joke.

You're a bit unlucky having a skidmark for capital city.

Spanish Eyes

Remind me of the plus points for the Northside, ok there is Glasnevin cemetery tour, Howth, Malahide

But there is a lot to be said for the Southside, including the pot planter divide lol.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Too expensive.

Madagascan

Poor 2nd to Belfast.
Better Bar's and shopping there.

seachto7

Probably good after 10 pints . Over rated and over priced otherwise.
If I were a continental I’d give out about the lack of squares/plazas/piazzas to sit in.
I’d also give out about the ugly Celtic tiger era eyesores all over the place.

Kermit.de.frog

Dublin could be so much more if we did away with the Nimbyism and a stupid inferiority complex.

Northsider interviewed on RTE about Clerys redevelopment:

"This is not Dubai"


Says it all really...

namloc1980

Dublin has a weird vibe about it especially in the evening. Menacing atmosphere that something is about to kick off. Can't put my finger on it but it's something I would sense when there. Also O'Connell Street is a complete dump. Wall to wall burger joints and casino slot machine places. Also expensive accommodation in particular, but if you're into boozing then you'll probably like it alright.

John_Rambo

seachto7 wrote: »

Probably good after 10 pints . Over rated and over priced otherwise.
If I were a continental I’d give out about the lack of squares/plazas/piazzas to sit in.
I’d also give out about the ugly Celtic tiger era eyesores all over the place.

If you were a continental you wouldn't need 10 pints to enjoy the city and you'd know about the squares and plazas in the city and you'd appreciate the architecture.

St. Stephen’s Green.
Opened in 1880, St. Stephen’s Green is perhaps Dublin’s most well-known Georgian square.

Mounty Square.
Planned and developed in the late 18th century by Luke Gardiner, the 1st Viscount Mountjoy, Mountjoy Square was once Dublin’s most prestigious Georgian square.

Parnell Square.
Perched at the end of O’ Connell Street, Dublin’s main thoroughfare, Parnell Square is the oldest Georgian square in the city.

Merrion Square.
One of the best surviving Georgian Squares in Dublin, Merrion Square’s architecture has remained unchanged for 200 years. Most notably the west side of the square has the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and Leinster House.

Fitzwilliam Square.
Only a stone's throw south of Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square is the smallest and the last of the last of the five Dublin Georgian squares to be completed.

Temple Bar Square.
The heart and soul of Dublin’s historical and cultural activities, Temple Bar Square is a spot popular with tourists. The area is a historical hodgepodge as it was once a medieval suburb that was redeveloped in the 1600’s for British families and then again in the late 20th century to become the vibrant spot in the city filled with pubs and restaurants.

Meeting House Square
Just around the corner from Temple Bar Square hidden down a small walkway is the much more contemporary Meeting House Square. It is Dublin’s newest square, only opening in 2011.

Mayor Square.
Located in the IFSC, Ireland’s financial epicentre, Mayor Square is another square that shows off a more cutting-edge side to the city. Surrounded by Dublin’s modern architectural additions including the Samuel Beckett Bridge, IFSC House and the Convention Centre

Grand Canal Dock.
Nicknamed Silicon Docks, Grand Canal Dock is fast becoming one of the trendiest squares in Dublin. Home to tech companies such as Facebook, Google and Airbnb.

Smithfield Square.
Cafés, Restaurants, Bars and Entertainment in the heart of Dublin 7.

There's a good few more along with the parks and beaches. Head over to the Dublin City forum and have a look, educate yourself about your own city and country.

Dev84

Dublins grand if you want to go out on the beer. Feck all decent to do with family and kids thats not boring or a rip off.

Dev84

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Dublin could be so much more if we did away with the Nimbyism and a stupid inferiority complex.

Northsider interviewed on RTE about Clerys redevelopment:

"This is not Dubai"


Says it all really...

Whats nimbyism?

Mickiemcfist

Rumpy Pumpy wrote: »

Dublin really isn’t that expensive, even around Temple Bar. Try London, Paris, Venice etc and see what expensive is. Loads of free attractions as well.

I used to live in a very nice part of London & Dublin is (on average) significantly more expensive. You can find plenty of pubs in London where pints are 2-3 pounds. The cheapest you'll find in Dublin outside of a student night is 5 euro. Having said that you can also spend £9 a pint in London if you're in the wrong bar.

Dev84

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

I used to live in a very nice part of London & Dublin is (on average) significantly more expensive. You can find plenty of pubs in London where pints are 2-3 pounds. The cheapest you'll find in Dublin outside of a student night is 5 euro. Having said that you can also spend £9 a pint in London if you're in the wrong bar.

Plenty to do in London though to be fair for families etc. Nothing in Dublin.

boombang

I've often felt like spending an hour on a summer Saturday handing out flyers showing a price computation between Templebar and the rest of the city centre. However, the tourist do lap it up: there's always loads snapping photos of the Templebar pub when I walk by.

John_Rambo

Dev84 wrote: »

Dublins grand if you want to go out on the beer. Feck all decent to do with family and kids thats not boring or a rip off.

That's a joke. There's so many family friendly tours, restaurants and events in the city that are reasonably priced. The hop-on hop-off tours are great value, you usually get a few free tickets to other venues with them. Most of the museums and galleries are free.

_Dara_

whoopsadoodles wrote: »

It is mega expensive....but.....it's great fun for tourists.

And tbh, of all the places I've been in the past year it's on par with a few and certainly not the dearest of the bunch.

There are ritzy places in the city that are certainly more expensive but across the different types of establishments, I find Temple Bar consistently more expensive than anywhere else in the city.

I’d advise any tourist who asked me to head to the Camden Street or Baggot Street areas. As much craic and, outside the fancier places, they’re cheaper with decent eateries in the vicinity.

Dev84

John_Rambo wrote: »

That's a joke. There's so many family friendly tours, restaurants and events in the city that are reasonably priced. The hop-on hop-off tours are great value, you usually get a few free tickets to other venues with them. Most of the museums and galleries are free.

Yeh and the majority of them are brutal. Its quality not quantity.

Take a hop on hop off tour and see how many junkies you spot shooting up.

Dev84

boombang wrote: »

I've often felt like spending an hour on a summer Saturday handing out flyers showing a price computation between Templebar and the rest of the city centre. However, the tourist do lap it up: there's always loads snapping photos of the Templebar pub when I walk by.

Because the tourists go in and sit over a glass of guiness between them for 3 hours. The price of a pint doesnt really affect them.

_Dara_

Aglomerado wrote: »

+1. Try going on the batter in Oslo or Reykjavik and it'll hurt you in the wallet. I did find €5 pints in Dublin last week ... Underdog on Dame Street!

I found some very nice and reasonable drinking establishments in Reykjavík. Prices were on a par with some mediocre spots in Templebar. If you drink local drinks in the Nordic countries, they tend to be cheaper. It’s the imports that are insane prices. And the local stuff is often nicer. Couple that with the breathtaking scenery and whatever extra you DO pay in Reykjavík is worth it.

Mickiemcfist

Dev84 wrote: »

Plenty to do in London though to be fair for families etc. Nothing in Dublin.

Well obviously there's more to do in London, it's many times larger. However in Dublin there's a tonne of historical & art museums, the leprechaun museum, the beaches, walks at Dalkey, Dun L or Howth, the Dublin mountains a short drive away, activities on the liffey/Grand canal dock where you can waterski, go karting, zip lining, nice architecture in certain parts, much friendlier people than London.

The negatives really are the junkies & the cost. I was often asked in London if Ireland had any social housing as they'd seen so many homeless junkies, it's unsettling when it becomes the major talking point for businesspeople & tourists.

Dev84

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Well obviously there's more to do in London, it's many times larger. However in Dublin there's a tonne of historical & art museums, the leprechaun museum, the beaches, walks at Dalkey, Dun L or Howth, the Dublin mountains a short drive away, activities on the liffey/Grand canal dock where you can waterski, go karting, zip lining, nice architecture in certain parts, much friendlier people than London.



The negatives really are the junkies & the cost. I was often asked in London if Ireland had any social housing as they'd seen so many homeless junkies, it's unsettling when it becomes the major talking point for businesspeople & tourists.

I suppose my argument centres on the quality of the attractions.

John_Rambo

Dev84 wrote: »

Yeh and the majority of them are brutal. Its quality not quantity.

Dublin museums, beaches, parks and tours are top quality. You're simply wrong here.

Have you brought your family to the Science museum in Trinity? It's amazing, aimed specifically at kids and families? It's free too.

Of course you haven't.

Nettle Soup

namloc1980 wrote: »

Dublin has a weird vibe about it especially in the evening. Menacing atmosphere that something is about to kick off. Can't put my finger on it but it's something I would sense when there. Also O'Connell Street is a complete dump. Wall to wall burger joints and casino slot machine places. Also expensive accommodation in particular, but if you're into boozing then you'll probably like it alright.

Agree with this. O'Connell St is not a very nice place especially after dark.

Dublin is fine for a night out but there is very little to do in Dublin that is in any way interesting or exciting. It's a frustrating city to travel around too.

As I said before, a day in Dublin is a day wasted by tourists because you could be on the Wild Atlantic Way which is infinitely better in all aspects.

John_Rambo

Nettle Soup wrote: »

Agree with this. O'Connell St is not a very nice place especially after dark.

Dublin is fine for a night out but there is very little to do in Dublin that is in any way interesting or exciting. It's a frustrating city to travel around too.

As I said before, a day in Dublin is a day wasted by tourists because you could be on the Wild Atlantic Way which is infinitely better in all aspects.

But tourists love Dublin! It's a top destination that's well rated! They come over and do interesting and exciting things. Unlike you!

Nettle Soup

John_Rambo wrote: »

But tourists love Dublin! It's a top destination that's well rated! They come over and do interesting and exciting things. Unlike you!

Boozing tourists love Dublin. Normal tourists cannot. They miss out on the best of Ireland if they stay in Dublin.
The museums, beaches, galleries and squares are shít and you know it.

Tom Mann Centuria

Dev84 wrote: »

Whats nimbyism?

Not in my backyard ism

Example: god yeah, love windpower, all for it. Turbine in view from my window? Er, no thanks.


On topic I quite like Dublin, there's plenty to do and transport is first world compared to most of Ireland. I don't think people are any less polite, they're just in a bigger hurry.

There are a lot of beggars, more noticeable than London, due to respective size I imagine, but my home town in the UK has just as many visible in shop doorways, modern capitalism, or something.

Dev84

John_Rambo wrote: »

Dublin museums, beaches, parks and tours are top quality. You're simply wrong here.

Have you brought your family to the Science museum in Trinity? It's amazing, aimed specifically at kids and families? It's free too.

Of course you haven't.

I have indeed. I much prefer pay for something and get quality in return though.

John_Rambo

Nettle Soup wrote: »

Boozing tourists love Dublin. Normal tourists cannot. They miss out on the best of Ireland if they stay in Dublin.
The museums, beaches, galleries and squares are shít and you know it.

They do. Normal tourists pour in to the capital everyday and they love it. It's the countries cultural centre.

The Museums, galleries, beaches and squares are world class. You're obviously unaware of them and haven't visited them. The national gallery architecturally is stunning, the exhibits are fascinating. The Hugh lane gallery is world renowned.

You should visit them.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Lived in Dublin for 13 years and moved home to Cork two years ago. I still miss Dublin to be honest - I think it is my favourite city in the world.

I never, ever understood people who thought it was a kip and felt they never really gave the place a chance. You choose what you want to see in many respects.

The Dublin I will always remember is the Phoenix Park in the summer, the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, watching the boats racing on the Liffey, the Strawberry Beds, Chapelizod, getting the Dart to Bray or Howth, jumping off for a swim in Seapoint or the 40 Foot, walking the cliffs around Howth, admiring the majesty of Dublin Bay from Dollymount, hiking from Bray to Greystones, getting the 16 to Marlay Park and hiking up the mountains into Wicklow, driving the windy roads of the Wicklow and Sally Gaps, stopping off at Johnny Foxes for a pint, drinking in the Snug in the Swan or Bowes, wandering around empty Georgian Dublin at the weekend, cycling the canal all the way out the paths into rural Kildare, going to Croker for matches in the summer, the buzz on a warm summer's evening, the buzz seven nights a week around George's Street area.

I almost never think of junkies or dirt or the **** other people associate Dublin with. I think you get out of Dublin what you are willing to put into it - and some tourists are good at getting out of Temple Bar and finding the good stuff all around Dublin.

John_Rambo

Dev84 wrote: »

I have indeed. I much prefer pay for something and get quality in return though.

So, first you say there's nothing for families to do that's not a rip off.

You're then told about a free family venue that gets four and five star rave reviews on most review sites. People from all over the world love it and rate it as excellent.

Then you claim to have been there and it's not good? :pac:

Pull the other one.

whisky_galore

Klinkhammer wrote: »

We have the Guinness Storehouse which is great if you like paying money to look at a few old ads with a couple of thousand other people and have a pint at the end for lots of money. I can see why the tourists flock there.

Pointless. It's not even a proper brewery tour.

johnnyskeleton

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

There's a few good attractions for tourists, but nothing to detain a person in the city any longer than 48 hours.

Guinness Tour

Glasnevin Cemetery

Dublin Zoo

Trinity College

Apart from that, Dublin tourist life is centred on pubs.

Howth and Dun Laoghaire are nice options also

A friend of mine came over for six weeks recently and we did none of those things (apart from a quick spin through TCD) but still saw a lot of dublin. My recommendations:

Hugh lane
National gallery
Rising walking tour/gpo
Freemasons lodge
Marino casino
Hellfire club & montpellier hill walk
Howth hill wall
Newmarket sunday market and teeling distillery
Chester beatty & dunlin castle
Dail Eireann
National Library
Science Gallery Trinity
RHA
Four Courts
Merriron Square and statue of Oscar Wilde
Statues of O'Connell Street

All of the above are free or fsirly cheap. Other places we intended to go to but didnt:

Jameson distillery
Emigration museum
Jeanie Johnson
Christchurch
Customs House
Royal Hospital Kilmaonham
Kilmainham Jail
Museum of Modern Art
Botanic Gardens
Yes, i suppose guinnesses
Joyce House Ushers Island (no longer open to the public)
Tenament Museum Henrietta Street
Trinity Book of Kellys/Long Library
Killiney hill
Farmleigh and Phoenix park
The Aras
City Hall
Kings Inns park
Pro cathedral
The Oratory Dun Laoghaire (absolutely amazing but only open one month a year)
The old special criminal court
Lephrecaun museum maybe?
Tours of Georgian squares Merrion/fitzwilliam etc

And of course these are just things. The main thing about Dublin are the pubs, wandering around, chatting to people etc. There are also lots of small eccentric places e.g. the cat cafe, lilliput stores etc

Dev84

John_Rambo wrote: »

They do. Normal tourists pour in to the capital everyday and they love it. It's the countries cultural centre.

The Museums, galleries, beaches and squares are world class. You're obviously unaware of them and haven't visited them. The national gallery architecturally is stunning, the exhibits are fascinating. The Hugh lane gallery is world renowned.

You should visit them.

LOL.

Yeh trinity , Christ church and and spire are right up there with The louvre, notre dame and the eifell tower. Sure the champs elysee doesnt have a patch on oconnell street. And the seine is more like the grand canal than the liffey.

Behave.