If you were a tourist, how would rate Dublin?

meeeeh · 27-01-2018 09:37PM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

But its the people, the average person, who will chat with you, and have a conversation that can really sell the place it seems.

I think that is actually the main selling point. Before I first time saw Dublin, I've already been to quite a few French, Dutch, Belgian, German and Austrian and Italian cities. I've been to Prague, Budapest, Copenhagen and when I saw Dublin it didn't stand out. Some things were better some worse, there is plenty of history but so is in any European town or city. It's probably the most hospitable city I've been to though.

andekwarhola · 27-01-2018 09:47PM

One other point is that complaining about the alcohol and pub culture in Dublin misses the point that a lot of tourists come here, and not just the stag parties, for that.

Doltanian · 27-01-2018 09:50PM

Dublin is the skidmark on the underpants of Ireland. It is over-priced on everything and has very ineffective frustrating public transport, there is a huge lack of middle class affordable hotels and it is nigh on impossible to find anywhere nice and decent for under €100 per night. Dublin badly needs at least 10 or 15 travel-lodge and Premier Inn's to come and cut the hotel cartel prices down.

Over-priced Taxis and the lack of Uber is another problem where regulators block Uber but allow Drug Dealing Brazilian illegal immigrants to drive rickshaws wherever they want, what a stupid joke.

Spanish Eyes · 27-01-2018 09:56PM

Stay Southside is my view. Merrion Square, the architecture around there is great, as are places like o'donoughues on Merrion Row (no stags, hens etc will venture there)

Take the DART to Howth, climb the hill from the Summit back to the village, and have a bite to eat. Lots of places. (OK not Southside but it is one of the places Northside to be admired, along with Portmarnock and Malahide). DART to Greystones, walk back the path to Bray.

Killiney Hill Park, or the walk from Killiney to Dalkey.

See the mummies in St. Michans, walk around and enjoy.

We need to see our city as visitors do. Haven't done it all yet, but I'm working on it, apart from Temple Bar that is.

jetsonx · 27-01-2018 10:12PM

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

. Merrion Square, the architecture around there is great, as are places like o'donoughues on Merrion Row (no stags, hens etc will venture there)

OP here.

So any more places like this in Dublin City Centre that have character?

Spanish Eyes · 27-01-2018 11:01PM

jetsonx wrote: »

OP here.

So any more places like this in Dublin City Centre that have character?

Fitwilliam Square area, even Old Mount Street and the Pepper Canister church, and then further on into Northumberland Road and beyond.

The old stomping ground of the British back in the day. They brought a lot of good architecture to this city and we should be grateful for that.

Northside there is Parnell Square, and Mountjoy Square. Similar Georgian styles but allowed to rot because of a Northside address I think.

I love wandering around Dublin, North and South to see all this.

AlekSmart · 27-01-2018 11:15PM

LirW wrote: »

For me Dublin starts before Bray and ends somewhere after Malahide, like Swords is absolutely Dublin to me, but then again I'm not Irish and regularly get lectured from my MIL that Ballymun starts after the Glasnevin Avenue junction and everything before that is Glasnevin (it's very important to her to draw that line).

You could,if you were in combative mode,remind your MIL,that REAL Northsiders contine to refer to it as BALLYMUN Avenue,Dublin 11....Real Glasnevin,as in Dublin 9, being quite a distance away...(and yes,you could also remind MIL,that there is no such place in reality as,Glasnevin NORTH :eek:) Pffft !!!!!

corner of hells · 27-01-2018 11:19PM

Doltanian wrote: »

Dublin is the skidmark on the underpants of Ireland. It is over-priced on everything and has very ineffective frustrating public transport, there is a huge lack of middle class affordable hotels and it is nigh on impossible to find anywhere nice and decent for under €100 per night. Dublin badly needs at least 10 or 15 travel-lodge and Premier Inn's to come and cut the hotel cartel prices down.

Over-priced Taxis and the lack of Uber is another problem where regulators block Uber but allow Drug Dealing Brazilian illegal immigrants to drive rickshaws wherever they want, what a stupid joke.

You're a bit unlucky having a skidmark for capital city.

Spanish Eyes · 28-01-2018 12:06AM

Remind me of the plus points for the Northside, ok there is Glasnevin cemetery tour, Howth, Malahide

But there is a lot to be said for the Southside, including the pot planter divide lol.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 28-01-2018 01:03AM

Too expensive.

Madagascan · 28-01-2018 01:13AM

Poor 2nd to Belfast.
Better Bar's and shopping there.

seachto7 · 28-01-2018 07:06AM

Probably good after 10 pints . Over rated and over priced otherwise.
If I were a continental I’d give out about the lack of squares/plazas/piazzas to sit in.
I’d also give out about the ugly Celtic tiger era eyesores all over the place.

Kermit.de.frog · 28-01-2018 07:33AM

Dublin could be so much more if we did away with the Nimbyism and a stupid inferiority complex.

Northsider interviewed on RTE about Clerys redevelopment:

"This is not Dubai"

Says it all really...

namloc1980 · 28-01-2018 10:39AM

Dublin has a weird vibe about it especially in the evening. Menacing atmosphere that something is about to kick off. Can't put my finger on it but it's something I would sense when there. Also O'Connell Street is a complete dump. Wall to wall burger joints and casino slot machine places. Also expensive accommodation in particular, but if you're into boozing then you'll probably like it alright.

John_Rambo · 28-01-2018 10:40AM

seachto7 wrote: »

Probably good after 10 pints . Over rated and over priced otherwise.
If I were a continental I’d give out about the lack of squares/plazas/piazzas to sit in.
I’d also give out about the ugly Celtic tiger era eyesores all over the place.

If you were a continental you wouldn't need 10 pints to enjoy the city and you'd know about the squares and plazas in the city and you'd appreciate the architecture.

St. Stephen’s Green.
Opened in 1880, St. Stephen’s Green is perhaps Dublin’s most well-known Georgian square.

Mounty Square.
Planned and developed in the late 18th century by Luke Gardiner, the 1st Viscount Mountjoy, Mountjoy Square was once Dublin’s most prestigious Georgian square.

Parnell Square.
Perched at the end of O’ Connell Street, Dublin’s main thoroughfare, Parnell Square is the oldest Georgian square in the city.

Merrion Square.
One of the best surviving Georgian Squares in Dublin, Merrion Square’s architecture has remained unchanged for 200 years. Most notably the west side of the square has the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery and Leinster House.

Fitzwilliam Square.
Only a stone's throw south of Merrion Square, Fitzwilliam Square is the smallest and the last of the last of the five Dublin Georgian squares to be completed.

Temple Bar Square.
The heart and soul of Dublin’s historical and cultural activities, Temple Bar Square is a spot popular with tourists. The area is a historical hodgepodge as it was once a medieval suburb that was redeveloped in the 1600’s for British families and then again in the late 20th century to become the vibrant spot in the city filled with pubs and restaurants.

Meeting House Square
Just around the corner from Temple Bar Square hidden down a small walkway is the much more contemporary Meeting House Square. It is Dublin’s newest square, only opening in 2011.

Mayor Square.
Located in the IFSC, Ireland’s financial epicentre, Mayor Square is another square that shows off a more cutting-edge side to the city. Surrounded by Dublin’s modern architectural additions including the Samuel Beckett Bridge, IFSC House and the Convention Centre

Grand Canal Dock.
Nicknamed Silicon Docks, Grand Canal Dock is fast becoming one of the trendiest squares in Dublin. Home to tech companies such as Facebook, Google and Airbnb.

Smithfield Square.
Cafés, Restaurants, Bars and Entertainment in the heart of Dublin 7.

There's a good few more along with the parks and beaches. Head over to the Dublin City forum and have a look, educate yourself about your own city and country.

Dev84 · 28-01-2018 10:42AM

Dublins grand if you want to go out on the beer. Feck all decent to do with family and kids thats not boring or a rip off.

Dev84 · 28-01-2018 10:44AM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Dublin could be so much more if we did away with the Nimbyism and a stupid inferiority complex.

Northsider interviewed on RTE about Clerys redevelopment:

"This is not Dubai"

Says it all really...

Whats nimbyism?

Mickiemcfist · 28-01-2018 10:51AM

Rumpy Pumpy wrote: »

Dublin really isn’t that expensive, even around Temple Bar. Try London, Paris, Venice etc and see what expensive is. Loads of free attractions as well.

I used to live in a very nice part of London & Dublin is (on average) significantly more expensive. You can find plenty of pubs in London where pints are 2-3 pounds. The cheapest you'll find in Dublin outside of a student night is 5 euro. Having said that you can also spend £9 a pint in London if you're in the wrong bar.

Dev84 · 28-01-2018 10:54AM

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

I used to live in a very nice part of London & Dublin is (on average) significantly more expensive. You can find plenty of pubs in London where pints are 2-3 pounds. The cheapest you'll find in Dublin outside of a student night is 5 euro. Having said that you can also spend £9 a pint in London if you're in the wrong bar.

Plenty to do in London though to be fair for families etc. Nothing in Dublin.

boombang · 28-01-2018 10:57AM

I've often felt like spending an hour on a summer Saturday handing out flyers showing a price computation between Templebar and the rest of the city centre. However, the tourist do lap it up: there's always loads snapping photos of the Templebar pub when I walk by.

John_Rambo · 28-01-2018 10:57AM

Dev84 wrote: »

Dublins grand if you want to go out on the beer. Feck all decent to do with family and kids thats not boring or a rip off.

That's a joke. There's so many family friendly tours, restaurants and events in the city that are reasonably priced. The hop-on hop-off tours are great value, you usually get a few free tickets to other venues with them. Most of the museums and galleries are free.

_Dara_ · 28-01-2018 11:03AM

whoopsadoodles wrote: »

It is mega expensive....but.....it's great fun for tourists.

And tbh, of all the places I've been in the past year it's on par with a few and certainly not the dearest of the bunch.

There are ritzy places in the city that are certainly more expensive but across the different types of establishments, I find Temple Bar consistently more expensive than anywhere else in the city.

I’d advise any tourist who asked me to head to the Camden Street or Baggot Street areas. As much craic and, outside the fancier places, they’re cheaper with decent eateries in the vicinity.

Dev84 · 28-01-2018 11:08AM

John_Rambo wrote: »

That's a joke. There's so many family friendly tours, restaurants and events in the city that are reasonably priced. The hop-on hop-off tours are great value, you usually get a few free tickets to other venues with them. Most of the museums and galleries are free.

Yeh and the majority of them are brutal. Its quality not quantity.

Take a hop on hop off tour and see how many junkies you spot shooting up.

Dev84 · 28-01-2018 11:09AM

boombang wrote: »

I've often felt like spending an hour on a summer Saturday handing out flyers showing a price computation between Templebar and the rest of the city centre. However, the tourist do lap it up: there's always loads snapping photos of the Templebar pub when I walk by.

Because the tourists go in and sit over a glass of guiness between them for 3 hours. The price of a pint doesnt really affect them.

_Dara_ · 28-01-2018 11:11AM

Aglomerado wrote: »

+1. Try going on the batter in Oslo or Reykjavik and it'll hurt you in the wallet. I did find €5 pints in Dublin last week ... Underdog on Dame Street!

I found some very nice and reasonable drinking establishments in Reykjavík. Prices were on a par with some mediocre spots in Templebar. If you drink local drinks in the Nordic countries, they tend to be cheaper. It’s the imports that are insane prices. And the local stuff is often nicer. Couple that with the breathtaking scenery and whatever extra you DO pay in Reykjavík is worth it.

Mickiemcfist · 28-01-2018 11:11AM

Dev84 wrote: »

Plenty to do in London though to be fair for families etc. Nothing in Dublin.

Well obviously there's more to do in London, it's many times larger. However in Dublin there's a tonne of historical & art museums, the leprechaun museum, the beaches, walks at Dalkey, Dun L or Howth, the Dublin mountains a short drive away, activities on the liffey/Grand canal dock where you can waterski, go karting, zip lining, nice architecture in certain parts, much friendlier people than London.

The negatives really are the junkies & the cost. I was often asked in London if Ireland had any social housing as they'd seen so many homeless junkies, it's unsettling when it becomes the major talking point for businesspeople & tourists.

Dev84 · 28-01-2018 11:15AM

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

Well obviously there's more to do in London, it's many times larger. However in Dublin there's a tonne of historical & art museums, the leprechaun museum, the beaches, walks at Dalkey, Dun L or Howth, the Dublin mountains a short drive away, activities on the liffey/Grand canal dock where you can waterski, go karting, zip lining, nice architecture in certain parts, much friendlier people than London.

The negatives really are the junkies & the cost. I was often asked in London if Ireland had any social housing as they'd seen so many homeless junkies, it's unsettling when it becomes the major talking point for businesspeople & tourists.

I suppose my argument centres on the quality of the attractions.

John_Rambo · 28-01-2018 11:28AM

Dev84 wrote: »

Yeh and the majority of them are brutal. Its quality not quantity.

Dublin museums, beaches, parks and tours are top quality. You're simply wrong here.

Have you brought your family to the Science museum in Trinity? It's amazing, aimed specifically at kids and families? It's free too.

Of course you haven't.

Nettle Soup · 28-01-2018 11:32AM

namloc1980 wrote: »

Dublin has a weird vibe about it especially in the evening. Menacing atmosphere that something is about to kick off. Can't put my finger on it but it's something I would sense when there. Also O'Connell Street is a complete dump. Wall to wall burger joints and casino slot machine places. Also expensive accommodation in particular, but if you're into boozing then you'll probably like it alright.

Agree with this. O'Connell St is not a very nice place especially after dark.

Dublin is fine for a night out but there is very little to do in Dublin that is in any way interesting or exciting. It's a frustrating city to travel around too.

As I said before, a day in Dublin is a day wasted by tourists because you could be on the Wild Atlantic Way which is infinitely better in all aspects.

John_Rambo · 28-01-2018 11:36AM

Nettle Soup wrote: »

Agree with this. O'Connell St is not a very nice place especially after dark.

Dublin is fine for a night out but there is very little to do in Dublin that is in any way interesting or exciting. It's a frustrating city to travel around too.

As I said before, a day in Dublin is a day wasted by tourists because you could be on the Wild Atlantic Way which is infinitely better in all aspects.

But tourists love Dublin! It's a top destination that's well rated! They come over and do interesting and exciting things. Unlike you!

If you were a tourist, how would rate Dublin?

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