What to Do in Dublin: 5 Amazing Days

When friends asked my husband and I to tag along on a five-night couples trip to Dublin, Ireland we knew we had to say “yes”. The charm and ease of this English-speaking, historic city had interested us for years.

And we certainly weren’t alone in our desire to see the land of shamrocks, Guinness and rolling hills. The number of tourists who visit Ireland in a year has said to be double that of the entire population of the country.

When visiting there, it’s not hard to imagine why that is. As our taxi driver said, the common warning there is that the only trouble with asking a local for a restaurant or pub recommendation is that he’ll then tag along with you for a beer when you get there. And they really are that hospitable and just down-right fun. Ireland’s greatest asset is truly it’s friendly people and welcoming culture.

Clontarf Castle Hotel - A Perfect Backdrop for a Couples Trip to Dublin

Clontarf Castle makes the perfect backdrop for a couples trip to Dublin.

We found that Irish hospitality even before we checked in to our room at the Clontarf Castle Hotel.

While we were waiting to check in, the staff offered us tea and biscuits. They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable before getting us checked in ahead of the guaranteed check-in time. That customer service continued throughout our stay at this beautiful hotel that created the perfect backdrop to our Irish vacation.

The charm of staying at the Clontarf Castle rests not only in the service, but also in the rich history and beauty of the property. The hotel rests on land that has housed a castle since the year 1172. The current structure dates back to 1837 and boasts wonderfully unique rooms. The balance of a boutique feel in a royal setting is carried out throughout.

Yes, if you can’t already tell, I was a fan and I felt like I lived out a bit of a girlhood fantasy of being a princess, surrounded by knights and being treated a little like royalty while staying at this great find!

And although the hotel is not located within walking distance of some of the sights we wanted to see, we found that our time spent in cabs throughout the cities was really enjoyable. It was like being with experienced tour guides who take great pride in their jobs - kind of a “two-for-one” in terms of getting to our destination and getting information about Dublin from people who live here and know it best. We also really enjoyed some of the neighborhood restaurants that were a nice stroll from the hotel.

The First Stop on a Couples Trip to Dublin - the Guinness Factory

The Guinness Factory is a must on a couples trip to Dublin.

But, alas, this princess and her prince can’t survive on great accommodations alone! A local ale sometimes is just what is needed.

One of our first stops during our couples trip to Dublin was to the Guinness Factory. We were pleasantly surprised at all there was to offer in this seven story testament to beer. In addition to sampling the beer, guests also learn about how it’s made and enjoy great views of the city from the top floor. Even if you don’t walk in to the Guinness Storehouse a fan of this national beer, there’s a good chance you’ll walk out one.

After a trip to the Guinness Storehouse, it was time to head over to the legendary Temple Bar District. This vibrant, bustling pub scene has a plethora of watering holes to quench your thirst and fill your belly. Lots of live music provides the perfect backdrop. One of our favorites was the bar named after the district itself - The Temple Bar.

The real fun is found in meandering along this area, sampling what different spots have to offer. It’s great people watching and a perfect place to meet locals and tourists. Although you’re more likely to find tourists here as opposed to a lot of locals, with tourism being such a huge part of the city, it still gives you a great experience.

Venturing Outside the City of Dublin

Black Abbey is a favorite spot to visit in Kilkenny.

Dublin has so much to offer but the full beauty of Ireland may not be able to be fully realized without stepping a bit outside of the city.

The Cliffs of Moher, located a little over 3 hours from Dublin on the opposite coast, is a popular day trip. It requires a clear day to ensure you don’t make the drive and still miss actually seeing the cliffs.

Another great choice that fit better into our relatively short Ireland trip is a tour of Wicklow, Glendalough, and Kilkenny. The day trip entails a scenic drive with stops starting about an hour after departing Dublin. Views of the Irish landscape are the highlight.

Stops in Glendalough include opportunities for beautiful walks along “the valley of the two lakes”, visits to a 6th century settlement that housed a monastery, and views of monastic monuments that are still standing, including the stone Round Tower.

Stops in history and medieval folklore-rich Kilkenny allow for a fantastic stroll. Stores, restaurants and views of a castle dot the streets. The day can include a visit to the Black Abbey, a restored church that dates back to 1225.

The trip outside the city left us feeling like we saw the true Irish terrain and relics of the fascinating history.

The Irish Sport of Hurling

Experiencing hurling is a fantastic addition to a couples trip to Dublin.

In addition to all the history and beauty we saw on our Ireland day trip, we also were able to experience the excitement of the local’s fascination with one of their most popular sports - hurling.

If you’re not familiar with hurling don’t worry, neither was I. I made it my mission to try to figure out what this sport is all about because it was obvious there was a great deal of excitement about the national hurling championship that was going on during our visit there.

I knew hurling involved a stick so I asked locals if it’s like lacrosse. No, it involves no padding and you can touch or kick the ball. Like soccer? No, because tackling is allowed. Like rugby? No, remember the stick? Like American football? Nope again.

The closest I got to understanding hurling was when our waiter in Kilkenny pointed to two very crooked fingers on one of his hands, his permanent battle wounds from his own days of playing the sport. He then described hurling as a cross between hockey... and murder. I’m still not sure I have a great understanding of the sport of hurling but I love that definition.

I gained a new appreciation for seeing an unfamiliar place through the lens of the past-times that define it. If you can add attending a hurling game or at least watching a hurling game at a local pub to your list of things to do while in Ireland, I think you will too.

A Day-Trip Addition to a Couples Trip to Dublin

Finally, what better to do in a country that is surrounded on three sides by water than see a sea-side town?

The village of Howth is just such a town, located only about 20 minutes from Dublin. Bring your walking shoes and hike the roads to catch not-to-be-missed scenic views of the cliffs. The Baily Lighthouse and Lambay Island are also viewable highlights of the walk. After working up an appetite, head to one of the restaurants located close. Many feature fresh caught seafood and food. And don’t miss a stop by the shops that sprinkle the town to pick up your Irish souvenir.

Whether Dublin is adult get-away, a family vacation, or a jaunt with friends, this uber-friendly, history-rich destination is a sure hit for anyone wanting to explore a bit of the Celtic way of life.