What to do in Dublin & the East

Dublin is the vibrant capital of Ireland, a colourful, lively, cultural and fun place to visit.  It's home to some of the world's literary greats, superb shopping on Grafton Street and Guinness, traditional music and real Irish 'craic' in Temple Bar. 

See the City

• The Book of Kells - 9th Century Gospel manuscripts, housed in Trinity College
• St Patrick's & Christchurch Cathedrals - One is founded by St Patrick, the other the oldest building in Dublin
• Stephen's Green - once a place for grazing sheep, now an oasis of tranquility in the city
• City Tours - Hop on hop off buses from Trinity, Viking tours at Stephen's Green, Literary Pub Crawl for something different
• Temple Bar - Dublin's Cultural Quarter, full of atmosphere, these cobbled streets are lively and fun until the small hours
• Shopping - Grafton Street for high street chic and Powerscourt Townhouse for emerging Irish designers
• A Taste of Ireland - Visit the Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Distillery to see these famous brews at home
• Museums - Dublin Writers' Museum for a literary fix, the National Museums for a wide look at Irish history and Croke Park for an insight into Irish football and hurling
• Art Galleries - The National Gallery for the Masters, contemporary at the Hugh Lane and IMMA for the modernists

Outside the city

• Fishing villages & castles - Malahide Castle and heritage town, Howth fishing village and Portmarnock beach, all north of the city make the perfect day trip.
• Kildare - The National Stud, Japanese Gardens, Kildare Village Outlet Shopping, luxury spa treatments at The K Club and historic Castletown House
• Historic Meath - Newgrange, Trim Castle and the Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the makings of a very regal tour
• Wicklow - the lake at Glendalough, Powerscourt House and Waterfall, great hillwalking and an array of historic houses and gardens - it's hard to know what to choose here!