Dublin East
3
Day Itinerary •
Ireland
Three days in Dublin and the East of Ireland covers the essential experience of one of Europe's most literary and convivial capitals. The Book of Kells at Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol and the story of Irish independence, the Guinness Storehouse and the extraordinary pub culture, and a day in the remarkable Wicklow Mountains or the prehistoric Boyne Valley are the three experiences that define the Irish east. This route gives the full Dublin experience in two days and escapes to the extraordinary Wicklow Mountains on day three for Glendalough, one of the finest early Christian monastic sites in Europe. Three intense days that leave wanting more.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Dublin Airport (DUB), direct from most European cities
Getting Around
Walking in city, rental car for Wicklow day
Budget Per Day
Approx 120 to 200 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking on pavements and mountain paths
DAY 1
DUBLIN: TRINITY, TEMPLE BAR AND GUINNESS
MORNING
TRINITY COLLEGE AND THE BOOK OF KELLS
Trinity College Dublin is the finest university campus in Ireland, its extraordinary cobbled Front Square and the Long Room of the Old Library one of the most remarkable academic interiors in Europe. The Book of Kells, the extraordinary 9th-century illuminated Gospel manuscript created by Celtic monks, is displayed in the Treasury below. The Long Room houses 200,000 ancient books and one of the few original copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Book well ahead. Entry approx 16 EUR. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
TEMPLE BAR, HA'PENNY BRIDGE AND THE LIFFEY
Temple Bar is Dublin's cultural quarter on the south bank of the Liffey, its extraordinary cobbled streets lined with pubs, galleries and the Irish Film Institute. The Ha'penny Bridge, built in 1816 and named after the half-penny toll once charged to cross it, is the most photographed structure in Dublin. Walk across it for the finest view of the Liffey quays and the extraordinary Georgian townhouses on both banks. The Chester Beatty Library with its remarkable manuscript collection is nearby. Free. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
The Guinness Storehouse in the St James's Gate brewery, built around a pint glass-shaped atrium rising seven floors, tells the extraordinary story of Arthur Guinness and his creation since 1759. The remarkable exhibition covers the ingredients, the brewing process and the extraordinary global reach of the world's most famous stout. The Gravity Bar at the top gives the finest 360-degree view of Dublin over a complimentary pint. Entry approx 26 EUR. Book online.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle gardens has one of the finest collections of Islamic and Asian manuscripts in the world. The extraordinary illuminated Qurans, remarkable Buddhist texts and the outstanding Japanese woodblock prints are all freely displayed. Entry free. Consistently voted Ireland's finest museum.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bewley's Oriental Cafe, Grafton St The finest traditional Irish breakfast in Dublin since 1840. | Lunch: The Winding Stair, Ha'penny Bridge Outstanding Irish food above the city's most famous bookshop. | Dinner: The Pig's Ear, Nassau St Finest modern Irish cooking with a view over Trinity College.
DAY 2
DUBLIN: HISTORY, MUSEUMS AND HOWTH COAST
MORNING
KILMAINHAM GAOL AND IRISH INDEPENDENCE
Kilmainham Gaol is the most historically significant building in Ireland, where the leaders of every Irish rebellion from 1798 to the Easter Rising of 1916 were imprisoned and executed. The extraordinary guided tour passes through the Victorian east wing, the cells of the 1916 leaders and the yard where they were shot. The story of Irish independence told within these walls is deeply moving and essential to understanding modern Ireland. Entry approx 9 EUR. Book ahead. Travel: 20 min bus
MIDDAY
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND
The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street is one of the finest free museums in Europe. The extraordinary Irish Gold collection, the finest prehistoric gold hoard in the world, includes the remarkable Broighter Collar and Gleninsheen Gorget. The Viking Dublin exhibition is outstanding and the Treasury with the Ardagh Chalice and Tara Brooch are among the finest early Christian metalwork anywhere. Allow two full hours and do not rush. Free. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
HOWTH CLIFF WALK AND HARBOUR
Howth village on the DART, 35 minutes from Dublin city centre, has the finest coastal walk near Dublin. The extraordinary cliff path above the Irish Sea gives remarkable views of Dublin Bay, Ireland's Eye island and the Wicklow Mountains. The harbour below the cliffs is the finest fish market in Dublin. The extraordinary rhododendrons on the Howth Estate are remarkable in May and June. Return by DART for the finest evening in Dublin. Free cliff walk. Travel: DART from Connolly
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary St Michan's Church in Smithfield has the most remarkable attraction in Dublin: the underground vaults contain the mummified remains of several 17th and 18th century Dubliners, preserved by the remarkable limestone atmosphere. Guided tours. Entry approx 7 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Aungier Danger Donuts or hotel Dublin's finest artisan donuts near St Stephen's Green. | Lunch: Grogans pub, William St South Classic Dublin pub lunch. Outstanding sandwiches and Guinness. | Dinner: Beshoff Bros, Howth The finest fish and chips in Ireland at the harbour.
DAY 3
WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
MORNING
GLENDALOUGH MONASTIC CITY
Glendalough, the remarkable 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains, is the finest early Christian site in Ireland. The extraordinary 33-metre round tower, the cathedral ruins dating from the 10th century and the remarkable stone churches are set against the extraordinary backdrop of the Upper and Lower lakes. The lake valley walk is 3km and takes about 90 minutes. Entry free. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE SALLY GAP AND WICKLOW MOUNTAIN DRIVE
The Military Road from Glendalough over the Sally Gap mountain crossroads is one of the finest drives in Ireland, the remarkable turf bogs, the extraordinary Liffey Head wetlands and the panoramic views of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains all outstanding. The Wicklow Gap alternative route gives the finest view of the Wicklow Mountains from the crest of the pass. Both routes return to Dublin through the extraordinary Blessington Lakes. Free. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
POWERSCOURT WATERFALL AND RETURN
The Powerscourt Waterfall at 121 metres is the highest waterfall in Ireland and Britain. The extraordinary cascade falls into a remarkable pool surrounded by Wicklow mountains in a setting of outstanding beauty. The Powerscourt Estate gardens nearby have the finest formal gardens in Ireland, their extraordinary Italian terraces and the Triton Lake with Sugarloaf mountain behind all remarkable. Return to Dublin along the extraordinary Wicklow coast. Entry waterfall approx 8 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Luggala estate on the shores of Lough Tay, nicknamed the Guinness Lake for the dark water and white sand resembling a pint, is visible from the Military Road. The view from the road above is the most dramatic in Wicklow. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Dublin hotel Early start for Glendalough. Leave by 9am to beat the buses. | Lunch: Glendalough Hotel Traditional Irish lunch in the extraordinary monastic valley. | Dinner: Final dinner, Dublin Return to the city. The Cobblestone in Smithfield for a farewell session.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Dublin city centre, all 3 nights Stay near Temple Bar or St Stephen's Green. Approx 100 to 200 EUR. Neighbourhood tip The Liberties or Portobello offer better value and great atmosphere. Summer booking Book at least 2 months ahead. Dublin fills very fast in summer.
Top Tips
1. Book the Book of Kells well ahead online. The queue without a booking can be 90 minutes.
2. Kilmainham Gaol tours book out fast. Always reserve online before visiting.
3. The best pubs for traditional music are Mulligan's, The Cobblestone and O'Donoghue's.
4. The National Museum of Ireland is one of the finest free museums in Europe. Do not miss it.
5. The DART coastal train to Howth takes 35 minutes. Buy an all-day ticket for the best value.
6. Glendalough is 1 hour from Dublin. Leave by 9am to beat the tour buses to the monastic city.
Total Budget
160 to 300 EUR/day