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Tips & Traps
Insider advice from Local Friends and travelers. What to do, and what to avoid, city by city.
- TipA place or a move worth it
- TrapWhat to avoid, and how
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Insider advice from Local Friends and travelers. What to do, and what to avoid, city by city.
Join RALF to share your own tips and traps
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The Shelbourne has welcomed guests since 1824 and sits on St Stephen's Green, a short walk from Grafton Street. Its Horseshoe Bar is the room where afternoon tea moved during the 1916 Rising, and afternoon tea is served in the Lord Mayor's Lounge by reservation. The hotel says room renovations run until May 2027, so…
The Cobblestone is a family-run pub in Smithfield where traditional sessions play in the front bar every day. The pub serves no food and takes no table reservations, so arrive early for a seat near the musicians. Stay quiet during the tunes and order at the bar between sets. Under-18s must leave by 9pm, and the Luas…
Culture Night is held on a Friday in September, with more than 300 free events across Dublin. Museums, galleries, heritage sites and artists' studios open their doors from 4pm until late, and late events start around 9pm. Pick two or three places in advance and go early to the popular ones, because queues build. Check…
This Victorian red-brick market has traded since 1881 and was rebuilt after a fire in 1892. About fifty tenants fill the passages with second-hand books, music, jewellery, collectables and small cafes. Look for the record and book stalls, and browse slowly because stock changes. Enter from South Great George's Street…
From Howth DART station the cliff loop takes you past the harbour and up onto the headland, with views down to the sea, Baily Lighthouse, Lambay Island and Ireland's Eye. The loop is about 8 km and moderate, with narrow cliff paths, so wear grippy shoes. Take the DART from Connolly, Tara Street or Pearse Street, which…
The Great South Wall is a long granite breakwater that runs into Dublin Bay and ends at the red Poolbeg Lighthouse. The short version is about 4 km from the Pigeon House Road car park, and the long version starts at Sandymount Strand and takes around two hours. It gets very windy, so bring a jacket and a hat, and…
Glasnevin is a working cemetery with guided tours of the graves of figures such as Daniel O'Connell, Michael Collins and Charles Stewart Parnell. The O'Connell Tower, built in 1854, is Ireland's tallest round tower and has 198 steps up to views of the city, the Wicklow hills and the Irish Sea. Join a guided tour and…
Kilmainham Gaol is visited by guided tour only, so book ahead online and allow about 90 minutes. The prison's operator says only its own site sells tickets, and tickets from other sellers, resale platforms or lookalike websites are not valid and holders are refused entry. Type the official address yourself rather than…
Every Sunday the Dun Laoghaire market fills People's Park with food, crafts and local produce, with more food stalls near the LexIcon library. Take the DART to Dun Laoghaire, then walk in through the gates on George's Street or Queen's Road. Arrive early for the best choice, eat in the park, and finish with a stroll…
The pubs in the middle of Temple Bar are aimed at visitors, and guides say pints cost noticeably more than in other parts of the city. Late in the evening the lanes also fill with stag and hen groups. Visit Temple Bar by day instead, for example the Saturday morning food market in Meeting House Square, then walk a few…
The original Leo Burdock at Werburgh Street has been frying fish and chips since 1913 and is the city's oldest chipper. Order the fish and chips as a takeaway and walk up the hill to St Patrick's Park nearby to eat them outdoors. It is a short, steep walk from Dame Street, so combine it with the cathedrals. Check the…
The Leap Visitor Card gives unlimited rides for a set number of days on Dublin city buses, Luas, DART and commuter rail in the city zone. On the bus you tap once as you board and never tap off. On Luas and DART you tap on before the journey and tap off at the end, so look for the platform reader or exit gate. It does…
Dublin Bus drivers take cash only as exact coins, and the airport routes 16 and 41 are no exception. Arrive without coins or a card and you may be stuck at the door with a suitcase. Buy a Leap Card at the airport shop or a newsagent before you board, top it up, and tap it on the reader as you step in. Cash fares also…
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