Dublin Things to Do

While there perhaps should be a day that is dedicated to people called Arthur for no other reason than that they are called Arthur, this is not it. This day, Thursday September 22nd, is dedicated to one very special man called Arthur, Arthur Guinness. Unfortunately he has no idea that since 2009 there has been a day in his honour because he died in 1803.

It’s impossible to visit Dublin without having at least a taste of the country’s national brew – Guinness – but for serious beer lovers, the city has a whole host of places that will broaden your beer-drinking education (and your beer belly).

Top of the to-do list for many visitors is the Guinness Storehouse, where fans are treated to a tour of the Guinness brewery, can learn about the history of Arthur Guinness and his world-famous brewery, and shop for mementos in the Guinness Storehouse Gift shop. Best of all, you’ll get to enjoy a free pint from the rooftop Gravity bar, with some great views over the city.

Not too hilly, not totally flat, Dublin is one of those cities that is perfect for cycling.

Like most major cities these days, the inner city is becoming increasingly clogged as people still insist on driving their cars around roads originally designed for horses and carts. That’s why cycling can be a perfect solution – why sit on a stationary bus when you can be whizzing past with the wind in your hair?

All great cities have their great river, and Dublin has the Liffey.

Throughout history, rivers have been important for trade, transport and water supply. This is why cities cluster around them and why our ancestors built some of the grandest buildings right next to them. Even in these days, when our food and furniture arrives by means other than ship, we still gravitate to rivers for recreation and respite.

One of the best ways to get to know Dublin is to take a river boat cruise along the Liffey. They leave regularly from Bachelors Walk, also known as The Boardwalk, an area of regenerated docklands with housing and lovely for strolling on the north bank of the river. You’ll see the buildings and bridges of Dublin as people have for centuries.

Grafton Street, running between Trinity College and Stephen’s Green in Dublin, will satisfy every type of shopper. From big chain stores to small boutiques, from shoes to cameras to books, it’s here. And when you and your credit card are both exhausted there’s the 19^th century icon Bewley’s Grafton Street Café to fall into for the city’s best coffee, cakes, or lunch.