Where to stay in Dublin
21.07.2023 - 07:39
/ roughguides.com
/ River Liffey
The Irish capital has an infectious frivolity about it. There’s the wild nightlife of Temple Bar, the glorious Victorian park that is St Stephen’s Green and the River Liffey. By its banks, bars and restaurants overlook the water and watersports happen right in the city centre. Here is the Rough Guide to where to stay in Dublin.
The information in this article is inspired by The Mini Rough Guide to Dublin , your essential guide for visiting Dublin .
Dublin is a thrusting, dynamic place. Despite its size, the city remains utterly beguiling and an essential part of any visit to the country. Most of Dublin’s attractions are found within a compact area, spreading either side of the many-bridged River Liffey, which divides the city between its Northside and Southside.
These have very distinct characters, defined by the city’s historical development. Stereotypically, the South is known for its gentility while the North is seen as brash and working class, home of the true Dub accent.
Then there’s the sober, historical charm. There are two great cathedrals, a world-renowned university with fascinating exhibits, and museums aplenty exploring everything from leprechauns to Ireland’s past. Pre-eminent among the city’s historic sights is Trinity College, whose main draw for visitors is the glorious Book of Kells.
From here, the city’s main commercial street, Grafton Street, marches off towards St Stephen’s Green, home to the rococo splendours of Newman House. Among the stylish Georgian streets to the east of Grafton Street, meanwhile, you’ll find the compelling displays of the National Gallery and the National Museum.
Take the weekend to discover Ireland’s most spectacular corners visit the beautiful city of Dublin and Belfast with our weekend-long tailor-made trip.
Streets of Dublin © Shutterstock
Whatever you want to do while you’re in the city, there’s somewhere to stay for every type of traveller. Plan your trip with our guide on the best areas and top places to stay in Dublin.
The huge parkland that makes up St Stephen’s Green is Dublin’s biggest, and there are some fascinating sights in and around it. The elegant houses that surround the Green are mainly Georgian, with arched doorways and ornate balconies. Inside the park, you’ll find a bandstand, an arboretum and a small lake with a bridge.
Among many bronze sculptures, there’s a statue of Arthur Guinness – the famous brewer of Ireland’s favourite drink – and a moving memorial to the Great Famine. Nearby, the fabulous stuccowork of the University-owned Newman House is well worth a visit.
Termed in the eighteenth-century “Beau Walk”, St Stephen’s Green North is still the most fashionable side of the square. The Shelbourne Hotel here claims to have been “the