Why go? The Irish love a good time and their small, friendly capital is a natural choice if you like to drink and party. There's some lovely old pubs with snugs where you can canoodle over a Guinness, while Ireland's thriving foodie scene is reflected in a bevy of top-class restaurants. Some hotels are decidedly hip - check out the Dylan, Clarence and Morrison - while others have a historic grandeur, like the Shelbourne and Merrion. You'll also find handsome Georgian architecture, lots of literary connections, and a fair few churches - including Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Whitefriar Street, home to the relics of St Valentine...
Best for Music-lovers. Pub-crawlers. Chatterboxes. With lots of flights available, Dublin is a good option for a last minute getaway.
Best avoided Temple Bar at weekends, when it gets overrun with the stag and hen crowd.
TC Tip Going sightseeing? You can download free audioguides and an accompanying map at www.visitdublin.com. />
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
