Dublin Holidays

Sitting on the south bank of the river Liffey is Temple Bar, the lively neighbourhood that is packed with fun pubs and traditional Irish bars hosting live bands. A magnet for the younger revellers, wander its cobbled streets and check out attractions including the Irish Film Institute, grab a bite to eat in one of its popular restaurants and then hit The Purty kitchen or the aptly named Temple Bar for a traditional Irish night on the tiles!

The city of Dublin has many beautiful sights to tick off your list. Dublin Castle sits pretty in the heart of the historic city with the picturesque Dubh Linn gardens hidden behind. St Stevens Green is a lush park popular with frisbee-throwers, afternoon strollers and picnic lovers and is surrounded by stunning 18th century buildings. Other Dublin highlights include the National Museum of Ireland, Trinity College and Dublin Zoo. Book lovers can check out the world-famous Chester Beatty Library while those in search of a tipple can head to the Old Jameson Distillery and The Guinness Storehouse.

You may think of Dublin as a cool city break destination – and you'd be correct – but take a short drive from the centre and you'll be greeted by swathes of white sandy beaches perfect for lounging on when the sun is shining. Just a 15-30 minute drive away you'll find Tower Bay, Dollymount Strand, Velvet Strand and Dalkey Island beaches. With miles of magical coastline to explore, Dublin offers the best of both worlds.

We all know that the Irish (and the Brits, come to that) love a good pub, but if you feel like you need to be a little more cultured when it comes to your drinking, join the brilliant Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. Kicking off in Duke Street, this tasty tour takes you on an animated journey around the city's famous pubs, where actors recite verses from the best Irish literature inspired by great writers such as Joyce and Yeats.

Where better to try a good pint of Guinness than in its home city? The Guinness Storehouse is a must for anyone who loves a decent pint and those who want to try this iconic drink. Finish the trip with a pint in the Guinness Gravity Bar, where you can enjoy stunning views over Dublin with a pint of the black stuff in hand. Now that's the way to do it!

Shopaholics rejoice! Dublin has an amazing variety of arts and crafts, fashion, vintage and jewellery stores. Beautiful Merrion Square also plays host to an open-air art exhibition showcasing almost 200 talented artists every Sunday. Head to the high street in the city centre for high-end jewellery stores including Designyard, Eily O'Connel or Johnstone Antiques or pick up the latest fashion staples and find trendy accessories at Loft Market in Powerscourt Centre.

Glendalough or 'Valley of the Two Lakes', is a scenic glacier valley located around an hour from Dublin. Set in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, it feels as though you've stepped into another world. The area is ideal for walking with picturesque trails ranging from a short stroll around the ruins to demanding mountain hikes - spend a day here and experience one of the most beautiful spots in Ireland.

Helpings of hearty stew, traditional soda bread and plenty of delicious puds is what you can expect to find in this food-loving city, so what are you waiting for? Head to Lolly & Cooks for belly busting baked goods including sausage rolls, flaky pastries and the best cupcakes in town. You'll find tasty tapas bites and speciality cuts of meat including Veal and Rabbit in Fade Street Social's eatery, or start your morning sipping contemporary coffee at 3FE or Brother Hubbard.