Just the place for a craicing weekend
Head across the Irish Sea for a weekend break that’s packed with history, music, interesting shops, delicious food and just a little too much to drink…
Like any capital city, Dublin has so much to offer that you can tailor-make a weekend that comes pretty close to your prefect city break whether you want an action-packed time, to hit the shops, stuff yourself with gourmet specialities, go pub-crawling or simply to relax. The only thing you can’t choose in advance is the weather.
You can fly from Aberdeen and there’s a wealth of hotel choices available, from giant modern chains to the upscale Grafton, the charming Aberdeen Lodge and historic buildings like Clonarf Castle Hotel. If you’re self-catering, the city abounds in farmers markets and food halls. Fallon and Byrne on Exchequer Street specialises in artisan treats, fine wines and there’s even a restaurant. Staying in the centre, Morton’s has a superb selection of deli products, fruit, veg and cheese. If you want to venture further afield, try the fishing town of Howth, which has a weekend lifestyle market, or book a beekeeping workshop at Olly’s farm where you could come home with a new hobby and a couple of jars of honey.
There’s a restaurant to suit every taste and pocket. Michelin rates Chapter One and the Art Deco Glovers Alley, which offers a great deal at lunchtimes if you fancy Michelin starred meals without the hefty price tag. Wilde and Bloom Brasserie both give a nod to the city’s literary heritage, but offer menus which are easier to digest than the works of James Joyce. You’ll find everything from Taiwanese street food and to Persian banquets.
When it comes to shopping, there’s a choice of shopping centres or you could try Brown Thomas if you’re feeling nostalgic for department stores. Seek out some of Dublin’s more interesting independent stores like Avoca for womenswear, Chatham Street’s Costelloe and Costelloe which offers a rainbow of accessories and globally sourced gifts, Courtville Antique and Vintage Jewellers and the Antique Quarter on Francis Street which offers a joyful afternoon’s treasure seeking in antique shops, galleries and restaurants. If you like your shops with a more macho appeal, try James Fox’ Cigar and Whisky Store, or Murphy’s Harley-Davidson.
You can’t go to Dublin without a visit to Jameson’s Distillery, the Guinness Storehouse or a few pubs. It may be part of the passport control procedures. Mulligan’s, The Temple Bar, The Cobblestone, The Long Hall and the Brazen Head are amongst the most popular for a night of music, atmosphere and a few laughs.
If you’d prefer a more relaxing cultural break, grab a picnic rug and head to St. Stephen’s Green where you can languish amongst the trees or at the lakeside with a copy of Yeats’ poetry or pop into to drool over the Old Library at Trinity College and the beautifully illuminated 9th century Book of Kells. You can also take a surprisingly entertaining tour of Glasnevin, Ireland’s National Cemetery which houses the remains of half of Ireland’s historical figures from 1800 onwards. You’ll find more history and some grim tales at Kilmainham Gaol Museum, EPIC, the museum of Irish Emigration or a more cheerful approach during the 29 minute tour at the Little Museum of Dublin. If you dig archaeology, The National Museum of Ireland should also be on your schedule, don’t miss the displays of Celtic gold, Viking artefacts and the amazingly preserved, if somewhat macabre, bodies retrieved from Irish bogs.