Dublin Information
Getting To/From the Airport
A taxi from the taxi rank at Dublin Airport will cost approximately €35 to the City Centre. You follow the signs for taxis by crossing the pedestrian bridge at arrivals and take the first escalator on the right. All taxis take credit cards or cash.
For parties of two or less a more economical way to get into the city or your hotel is via the various Express Buses from the Airport. To find the bus, when you arrive at T2 (KLM/Aer Lingus) cross the pedestrian bridge in front of arrivals and take the first escalators on the right for buses and taxis.
For the Clayton Burlington Hotel take the AirCoach Nr 700 see link to timetable and booking tickets. https://www.aircoach.ie/timetables/700 the bus stops outside the hotel.
For the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane take Dublin Express https://www.dublinexpress.ie/ and get off at North Quay/Samuel Beckett Bridge. Cross the bridge turn left and an immediate right at the Ferryman Pub, your hotel is beside the hotel.
Returning to the Airport via taxi you can use the FreeNow App, Bolt App or Uber (note Uber are taxi’s in Ireland as the transport industry is highly regulated).
For AirBuses you can return from the same stop but on the opposite side of the street.
Getting Around
Dublin City Centre is very walkable but if wish to take public transport I would recommend downloading the Transport for Ireland App and picking up a Leap Card which you can use on Dublin Buses, the Luas (trams) and the Dart (light rail). Leap Fares are 30% cheaper than cash fares. If you plan to use cash be sure to have exact change in coins. If you use a Leap Card on the Tram you must ‘tap on’ and ‘tap off’ to be charged the correct fare.
Google Maps lists bus stops, destinations and timetables!
Dublin Buses will have their destination in the Irish Language first and in English second. An Lár means City Centre. Buses to/from Clayton Burlington Hotel (Sussex Road) from the City Centre are: 7B, 7D, 11, 46A, 116, 145, 155
Wedding venue is less than 10 minute walk from the Clayton Burlington Hotel if not coming from the Burlington buses to Wedding Venue from City Centre are:7B, 7D, 11. 37, 46A, 84X, 133, 145, 155 when you alight the bus walk in the same direction as the bus and turn left. the venue will be on the right hand side of the street.
Things to Do in Dublin
Dublin is a vibrant busy city with plenty to do and see. Top attractions include the Leprechaun Museum, the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College – the Book of Kells and the Library, Temple Bar… check out https://www.visitdublin.com/things-to-do for suggestions.
Insider advice… our National Museums are free of charge but you may need to book your free ticket in advance. Check out https://www.visitdublin.com/guides/free-museums-dublin for a list of free museums and their websites. A walk around Trinity College is worth it, you can enter through the main gates at the front on College Green and when inside stay right and exit onto Nassau St (a Dutch connection).
Temple Bar is worth a visit but only to soak up the the atmosphere; it is heavily overpriced. Go enjoy the music but don’t eat or drink there unless you fancy some fish and chips at Leo Burdocks Crown Alley.
Pubs & Restaurants
What Dublin is not short of is great pubs and restaurants. But the last weekend in January should be busy, it’s payday weekend after the long drought of being broke after Christmas so be sure to make dinner reservations for Friday night in advance. Use the OpenTable App it’s the easiest way to do it.
For a good pint of Guinness and the traditional Irish pub feel try Kehoe’s South Anne Street or McDaid’s Harry Street. Cafe en Seine to eat, drink and people watch = you will need a reservation to dine. Looking for a late night Bruxelles Harry Street has music from the 80’s and 90’s on street level and a biker vibe/heavy metal in the basement.
If you fancy some fish and chips I highly recommend Leo Burdocks in Crown Alley, Temple Bar. https://www.leoburdock.com/
For mid range priced restaurants I would recommend:
Milano’s (Pizza) https://www.milano.ie/
Boeuf & Coq for steak https://www.boeufandcoq.ie/
The Bull & Castle for steak https://www.thebuckleycollection.ie/bull-castle-steakhouse
Fallon & Byrne Wine Cellar Casual Dining https://www.fallonandbyrne.com/our-restaurants/
Davy Byrnes Pub Grub https://davybyrnes.com/
Cafe en Seine Dawson Street https://www.cafeenseine.ie/
For Lunch or Brunch upstairs in Avoca Suffolk Street https://www.avoca.com/en/stores-and-cafes/suffolk-street or Bewleys Grafton St https://bewleysgraftonstreet.com/
Shopping
Southside of the Liffey (Grafton Street Area)
St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre has everything from Carroll’s Gift Shops for all your souvenirs. For some reasonably priced style for the ladies and the gents check out Dunnes Stores, I would recommend their home store as well as their grocery department for some nice treats and bargains.
Avoca on Suffolk Street is a must visit for gifts and food items to take home https://www.avoca.com/en/stores-and-cafes/suffolk-street
Marks & Spencers on Grafton Street is great for all your needs including food items.
Brown Thomas is our higher end department store a mecca for all the designer labels. https://www.brownthomas.com/
Kilkenny Design Store on Nassau Street is the home to Irish gifts with a homemade restaurant upstairs. https://kilkennydesign.com
Boots Pharmacies are worth a stop to pick up nice pampering items and the meds you can’t get back home!
Northside of the Liffey (Henry Street at the Spire)
Henry Street has everything from Zara to Next and Primark. Primark was founded on Mary Street at the end of Henry Street. but known in Ireland as Penneys, their Mary Street Store is their global flagship store and its huge across 3 floors.
Arnotts is a sister department store to Brown Thomas on the southside but a little less designer focused.
Since moving to the Netherlands I find Ireland to be much cheaper for everything from cosmetics to groceries. You will also be going during sale season so if you are a ‘shopper’ leave room in the suitcase for some nice treats. Dealz or Eurogiant are a great place for stocking up on everything from toothpaste to shaving foam