Our one‑week stay in Ireland happened on impulse, sparked by the realization that our flight home from Europe included a layover in Dublin. We found a reasonably priced hotel along Dublin’s outer ring road, conveniently located beside both a train station and several bus routes into the city.
Very quickly, we discovered that the hop‑on hop‑off buses were the easiest way to get our bearings. The bright‑green, locally owned DoDublin buses had the best reviews—and they lived up to the hype. We chose the 72‑hour pass, which also included free citywide bus and train travel, a huge bonus once we’d completed the HOHO loop over two days.
Highlights of our week
We focused on several of Dublin’s classic stops:
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells
- The Temple Bar (there are many)
- The Guinness Storehouse
- The Jameson Distillery
- The Little Museum of Dublin
We also booked a day trip to the Game of Thrones (GOT) Studio Tour in Northern Ireland. They operate their own branded bus for the round‑trip journey, making the excursion easy and seamless.
Getting around Dublin
Dublin’s historic core is lively and compact, with buses and taxis given priority on the roads. That, combined with Google Maps’ integrated transit schedules, made it simple to navigate on foot or by public transport. It’s almost comical to see intersections lined with a dozen modern green‑and‑yellow double‑deckers waiting in formation.
The trains and trams were equally modern and intuitive. Everything runs on the same Leap Card system, which tourists can buy as a 3‑day unlimited pass.
Once we felt confident with the transit system, we ventured farther afield and hopped on the next outbound train to Malahide, less than an hour away. Cathy enjoyed a proper fish‑and‑chips dinner at a lovely seaside restaurant there.
Trinity College & the Book of Kells
Founded in the late 1500s, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university and still very much alive with its 22,000 enrolled students. My main draw was the Old Library, home to the Book of Kells.
The Long Room—with its soaring wooden arches, two‑tiered galleries, and endless rows of ancient volumes—feels like something straight out of the Harry Potter universe. Built in the early 1700s, it later undertook the ambitious task of creating and collecting a copy of every book in Ireland.
The Book of Kells itself, created around 800 AD, contains the Latin text of the four Gospels, written on leather vellum and richly decorated. It’s a masterpiece of early Christian art.
Guinness Storehouse
For any beer lover, the Guinness Storehouse is a must‑see. The seven‑floor multimedia experience covers everything from brewing techniques to tasting sessions, all culminating in the Gravity Bar, which offers panoramic views over Dublin.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour
The GOT studio is a fascinating visit for anyone curious about filmmaking—and essential for fans of the series. Half of the show’s eight seasons were filmed there. The studio sits in Northern Ireland, part of the UK, so the currency switches to GBP and distances are measured in miles. There’s no formal border crossing—just a painted line on the highway marking the change.
Photo Gallery(s)
Trinity College – Library
Game of Thrones (GOT) Studio Tour
Guinness Tour
Conclusion
Great way to spend a week.
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