Dublin in the Spring

by **sun, sea and sand** on Tue Nov 06, 2007 19:24 pm

I've never been to Dublin before and normally book package deals to the med for my hols. So, what I'm really after is some advice about hotels you recommend. We want to be right in the action, near bars and restaurants in the spring. Two thirtysomethings who want to see all the attractions and sample the famous hospitality. thanks in advance.

by **uncle spud** on Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:39 am

Have visited Dublin many times i would recommend the Arlington Hotel i have written review on HW in the Dublin Hotels page as have others re this hotel or you could check their own web site out.
The hotel is central to the city on the banks of the Liffey with Temple bar area just over the bridge,the open top bus tour of city stops just round corner,Guiness and Jameson museums are a 10 min stroll and the shops of o,connel st just round the corner,it has its own caberet night and night club in the basement.Dublin for the first time i would also recommend you get taxi from airport rather than can catch one of many buses as taxi ride is 20-30 mins and drops you of at the door step as opposed to the bus journey of 1hour+
also the Jurys doyle chain of hotels are good value the Christchurch and the Custom House ones are central to all amenities.

by **Honey Bunny** on Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:54 am

I went to Dublin for a hen weekend a few year ago, I thought the place was really over rated. To me it was just a boring built up city with lots of shops and bars. The place was over run with Stag and hen parties , which Im sure the locals hate. Mind you I went with a group of women who wasnt interested in doing anything but drinking and shopping (yawn) We even went on a roof top bus , but the group wouldnt get off to go see anything and i wanted to , but because we shared a room and I didnt have the keys I had to stay with them all. I may have thought more of the place if they had actually took in the sites and tours.
Another thing I found disturbing and conflicting was outside the Trinity?
College? There was anti abortion protestors with gross pictures etc then a few yards down the street near the bridge their was a young girl with a baby begging? I dont get it , not allowed abortions but then they get no help when they have babies.Seemed a bit weird to me.
I didnt give her money in case she was a druggie or something but I bought them food and drinks.
Sorry Uncle Spud but its just my perception of the place.

by **uncle spud** on Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:45 pm

Hi honey
Sorry to hear you didnt enjoy the craic in Dublin but its a bit hypocritical of you to visit on a hen party weekend and then complain about "the place being over run with stag and hen parties"and your group not doing anything but drink ?????
Dublin is best visited on a mid week break monday to thursday the airfares and hotels are cheaper and the ****** on stag/hen parties have gone home so the sites and cultures can be enjoyed for what they are.

by **Honey Bunny** on Wed Nov 07, 2007 13:08 pm

Yes but I was forced to go as it was the sister in laws hen party! , and I didnt have one drink, due to medication. Even when I can drink I dont really.
Stag and hen parties just make places tacky just like blackpool.
We looked the same as everyone else and blended in, but the majority of them were dressed up as cowgirls, bunnies you name it.

by **Honey Bunny** on Wed Nov 07, 2007 13:12 pm

What I meant was all we did was sit in bars/pubs in the evening and trawl round boring shops all day. I would have much rather have gone to the Guniness Mueseum, the huge Park or any other stop on the tour bus, the only interesting thing I saw was the corner with the artwork display and the lovely Georgian fronted houses. Maybe it was just the fact I was with the wrong people.
Maybe I'll try it again someday, but not for a hen weekend.