DUBLIN - STAY FOR LESS "EURO"

DUBLIN - Capital of the Irish Republic, was formed by the Vikings on the Liffey River & has had a long distinguished history, interrupted by times of great hardship & suffering. This City, as a first time visitor, can be a perplexing experience with its English Landmarks & more recent Irish Structures standing out, surrounded by a largely Rural Country area. Yet it is a City not to miss as it encapsulates so much that is endearing & exasperating about Ireland & represents the “Emerald Isle” better than any other Irish Town .

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – KINLAY HOUSE HOSTEL at 2 – 12 Lord Edward St. Christchurch, Dublin 2 (next to Christchurch Cathe dral) tele (353) 1 679 6644 - www.kinlaydublin.ie – E19 (E22 w/ends) in large (quiet) 16 bunk room & toast, jam breakfast, with separate shower/ wc's. Excellent modern s/c Kitchen with large Dining/ Internet (free) / Meeting Room next to lively Reception. First floor Mega TV, Internet (free) Lounge. Outside (rear) small patio & Laundry/ Locker Building . Great Hostel, close to “Party” District of Temple Bar in Heart of City

Reserve - Barnacles at 19 Temple Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (south of the Liffey near to ½p Bridge) tele 01-671 6277 Email thb@barnicles.ie – E21 b&b in 12 bed dorm (w/ends extra) also 10, 6, 4 dorms & twins, all en suite. Stylish S/C kitchen with all mod. cons. & Comfy lounge/ TV room on 1 st & 2 nd Floors plus laundry. Right in the “Party” District of Temple Bar - book well in advance for weekend stays

Also - Hostelling International Dublin (An Oige) at 61 Mountjoy Street , Dublin 7 (about ½ mile North of O' Connell St. ) tele 01 830 1766, Email anoige@iol.ie - 363 beds, from E16.00 incl. cont. break. in 8 bed dorms to family rooms, some en suite but exell. shower rooms (opp. R414) This is a large/ character old church school hostel with sep meals & self catering kitchen/ rooms, a friendly reception/ resting area, internet room, basement TV lounge & games room also an outside picnic area in the secure car park. A great experience Hostel from stained glass windows to telephones in confession box, but a little too far from Centre

FOOD - for S/C is readily available from the large Central TESCO Supermarket in the basement of the Jervis Shopping Centre off Henry St . Also a ALDI Branch can be found on Parnell St . A daily market on Capel St. also has a colourful range of fruit & veg with local characters hanging around. Restaurants of every style & nationality abound in the City with “The Guinness” in plentiful supply

TRAVELLING AROUND – the Central areas are reasonably compact but Dublin can make you footsore especially if you wander into the Back Streets or Phoenix Park, so hop on a Bus occasionally - pick up a free route/ time tables from the O'Connell St. Information Office. The Light Rail “Dart” route is a single line between Bray & Howth & is an alternative excursion to the Coast with Fine Sea views.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. THE SPIRE – (2003) 400 foot stainless steel “Spike” in O'Connel Street is the new Icon of Dublin
2. HALFPENNY BRIDGE – (1816) Iron Bridge over the River Liffey; Toll is no longer collected.
3. PHEONIX PARK – huge open space at West End of City with Zoo, HQ of Garda & Column 1747
4. ST STEPHENS PARK – (1880) laid out by Sir Arthur Guinness, is one of the City's tranquil places
5. GENERAL POST OFFICE – Padraic Pease & 150-armed men took it over in 1916 for Home Rule
6. NATIONAL LIBRARY – with first editions & works of Irish authors & writers, Joyce & Yeats
7. CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL – (1551) Protestant Church in Catholic City , find body of cat
8. GRAFTON ST. – for shopping & sights; bronze of Molly Malone “Wheeling Her Wheelbarrow”
9. DUBLIN PUBS – over 800 which form the life of the City's evening entertainment & merriment
10. DUBLIN STATUES – find “Tart with Cart”, “ Hags with Bags” & “Tone Henge” all local names

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. DUBLIN CASTLE – (1205) now City Hall, State Apartments & Offices, only Record Tower left
2. IRISH WHISKEY - Bonded Warehouse in Bow St. to see how the “Water of Life” is distilled
3. OLD LIBRARY – (1592) in Trinity College houses the 8 C Manuscript, 4 gospel, “ Book of Kells”
4. GUINNESS BREWERY – biggest in Europe , see how the famous “Black Stout” is made & try it!

* Teresa (met Bill) Keiran, Helen, Tizania, Berty 2002 – Peter & Bugatti Veyron 2007

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