Your long weekend in Dublin

If you’re heading to an upcoming conference at The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD), why not extend your time in the city and explore everything Dublin has to offer? Whether you're looking to soak up some culture, indulge in the local food scene, or find the best pint of Guinness, we've put together a lively itinerary to keep you busy all while staying close to The CCD and nearby hotels.

Day 1 - Discover Dublin’s Heart

In Dublin we aren’t short of delicious options for breakfast, coffee and a pastry. Five minutes’ walk away from The CCD you will find The Mayson Hotel. The hotel’s restaurant, Ryleighs, has a delicious breakfast menu with everything you’ll need for fuel for a busy day.

Before you leave grab a hot cup of coffee from Dime, the in-house coffee shop to keep you going on your walk to your next location.

A scenic 20-minute walk up the river you will find yourself at Trinity College Dublin, a cultural institution and home of ‘Normal People’. Explore Trinity’s historic grounds and don’t miss a visit to the famous Book of Kells.

Exploring a new city can be hungry work, and after a morning exploring the grounds of Trinity College, you are not short of options for lunch in the area. If you felt you wanted a relaxed lunch with some delicious salads and sandwiches, KC Peaches on Dame Street is the place to be with something for everyone.

If you want to treat yourself after a morning of getting your steps in, why not try The Woollen Mills, a restaurant overlooking the famous Ha’penny bridge and river Liffey. Still up for some more exploring before heading back to your hotel? Why not take a stroll down Grafton Street for some window shopping, treating yourself, or a walk through Dublin’s beautiful city park St Stephen’s Green.

Should you be in the mood to head back to your hotel or the vicinity of The CCD the EPIC museum is not to be missed. EPIC museum tells the story of the far-reaching influence of Irish history and the impact that the 10 million Irish men and women who left Ireland had on the world. EPIC gives visitors the opportunity to get hands-on with Irish culture with their fully interactive museum.

 

When it comes to dinnertime in Dublin you will never be short on options on what to eat. The city has really made a name for itself as a vibrant foodie scene. A local favourite is Urban Brewing and it’s only five minutes from The CCD. Urban Brewing offers a unique social brewing, drinking and dining experience.

After dinner, take the walk or jump in a taxi to the famous Temple Bar, known for its nightlife and culture. Grab a pint of Guinness in the iconic Temple Bar Pub or catch some traditional Irish music in Merchant’s Arch.

Day 2 - Irish History and Iconic Pubs

Today will be filled with activity so best get a hearty breakfast. Along the Luas line you will find a Dublin gem, Brother Hubbard. Brother Hubbard has a robust breakfast/brunch menu offering egg classics, pastries and even their own signature dishes and delicious coffee.

After breakfast hop back on the Luas and take the short journey to Dublin 8, home of The Guinness Storehouse. You can’t visit Dublin and not visit the home of Guinness! The exhibition has recently been updated with more fun facts about the stout’s origins, so you can immerse yourself in the interactive and fun tour and enjoy a pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar which offers panoramic views of Dublin.

Once you’ve enjoyed your Guinness, it’s time for lunch! Not too far from the factory you will find The Brazen Head pub, one of Dublin’s oldest pubs. Famous for its authentic dishes, you can try their Irish lamb stew.

Post-lunch, explore more of Dublin’s history with a tour of Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison that played a pivotal role in Irish independence and one of Dublin’s top attractions. For a more laid-back afternoon, visit the National Gallery, home to an impressive collection of European art.

Start off your evening in one of Dublin’s many fine dining restaurants. One favourite is Chapter One. Chapter One restaurant has two Michelin stars and offers modern Irish cuisine and located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more casual, take a stroll or a taxi to George's Street, with many new openings you aren’t short of options.

From Asian cuisine to Spanish tapas, George's Street has a little bit of everything for everyone. Afterward, visit The Long Hall, one of Dublin’s most iconic pubs. It’s a celebrity favourite and offers a welcoming atmosphere perfect for a nightcap.

Day 3 - Parks, Art, and Quirky Neighbourhoods

Pheonix ParkFor your final day you may want a relaxing outdoor activity. Start your day with a visit to Dublin Zoo located within Phoenix Park. Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and home to some adorable animals. Outside of the Zoo, Phoenix Park itself has some gorgeous grounds and holds our very own white house, “Áras an Uachtaráin”, home to the President of Ireland.

After the zoo and a visit to our President, take a walk to the Phoenix Park Tea Rooms, world famous Victorian tea rooms that have attracted visitors from near and far since the 1800’s. The Tea Rooms offer great coffee, delicious hand crafted goods, and tasty cakes and desserts.

Not far from Phoenix Park and another great way to soak up some art and culture is IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art. IMMA has regular contemporary exhibitions and hosts a variety of art.

As lunchtime approaches take a short Luas ride back into the city and make your way back to Temple Bar. There is a host of casual dining spots for lunch and it’s your opportunity to experience what Temple Bar has to offer during the day.

If you have the time, take a look around some of the vintage boutiques, bookshops and jewellers in the narrow lanes of Temple Bar as it holds many hidden gems.

For your last night in Dublin, head to Stoneybatter, easily accessible by the Luas and previously named as Times Magazine’s coolest neighbourhood. With many cool and quirky bars and restaurants, it's easy to spend an evening here for dinner and drinks.

Start your night in Grano, a culinary gem offering an authentic Italian experience and after dinner head to one of many wine bars sprouted about the area like Joli or Fianco. For your post dinner night cap head to Hynes Bar to catch a glimpse of traditional Irish music.

 

 

This is only a taste of what Dublin has on offer, we haven’t even dived into the experiences that live beyond in our neighboring counties. Take some time in the city after your next event at The CCD and visit our ‘Explore Dublin’ page for more adventure inspo.