Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, is awash with culture, history and cool hang-outs for the discerning traveller. It’s perfect for bookish types and boozers alike. Grab yourself a Guinness and a few local guides for a great city trip that has all the ingredients of a thoroughly cosmopolitan break. 

Some of the world’s finest paintings hang within the National Gallery of Ireland by artists like Carravaggio, Fragonardand Picasso. The imposing Trinity College houses the famed Book of Kells, as well giving props to the world’s literary greats such as Wilde and Keats. And the River Liffey offers contemporary architecture including the harp-like Samuel Beckett Bridge and the innovative National Conference Centre (with a wonky glass cylinder facade). 

Those interested in learning about Irish history would do well to check out the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, which houses a huge collection of gold artefacts, some from more than 4,000 years ago. Historical Walking Tours of Dublin, organised by history graduates from the city’s two universities, offers a more interactive and entertaining journey through Dublin’s past, from its founding by Viking settlers, through the struggles towards independence, right up to Ireland’s current economic woes. An alternative version of Ireland’s history can be explored at the National Leprechaun Museum, where enthusiastic guides will wax lyrical about the country’s fascinating, and often disturbing, mythology and folklore.

Temple Bar is Dublin’s cultural quarter, although as our tour guide pointed out, most of the culture consumed here is of the liquid variety. But the area is also a Mecca for lovers of live music, with virtually every pub and bar offering performances each night, from the formal to the informal, from traditional Irish folk to cover versions of modern day chart hits. Our advice would be to take a walk around to find a venue that suits your own musical tastes. But be prepared for a hefty bar bill, with the price of a pint of Guinness often exceeding 5 Euros.

Dublin Writers Museum
18 Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
www.writersmuseum.com
Trace the Irish literary tradition here – one of the most illustrious in the world – and follow four Noble Prize winners plus others of international note. The works of Swift and Sheridan, Shaw and Wilde, Yeats, Joyce and Beckett are just a small selection of the books, letters, portraits and personal items on display in this gorgeous Georgian building.

Guinness Storehouse
St James’s Gate, Dublin 8 
www.guinness-storehouse.com
Combine a little culture with a free pint at the Guinness Storehouse, with a healthy dose of legendary advertising thrown in the mix for good measure. Located in the heart of the St James’s Guinness brewery, home to the Guinness Company since 1759, the storehouse is the number one tourist attraction in Ireland (and yes to reiterate, you get a free pint at the end!)

The Mongolian barbecue
7 Anglesea Street, Temple bar, Dublin 2. Book in advance on 353 1670 4154 or by emailing bookings@mongolianbbq.ie
Famed for it’s unique Mongolian grill – a large heated table with even larger skewers – come here for a kooky culinary experience. You’ll gain confidence in your cooking skills as each dish is created by you from a selection of vegetables, meats, sauces and spices. Then you simply take your mix to the grill for a fry – tastes great every time no matter how useless a chef you are! Eat with a glass of wine or locally brewed Templebrau beer.

We stayed at The Gibson Hotel, The Point, North Wall, Dublin 1 tel +353 681 5000 or visit www.thegibsonhotel.ie.For more information about the places mentioned log on to VisitDublin.com 

Words: Erica Crompton & Phil Corrigan