A Summer Guide to Dublin, from Charming Parks to Seaside Escapes
By Jessica Montevago
There’s an Irish slang term, craic (pronounced “crack”), that’s used to describe a great time. The expression captures the spirit of Ireland, where travelers can immerse themselves in the warmth and hospitality of the locals. What better way to spend a summer holiday than by having a craic in Ireland’s vibrant capital, Dublin. Start by visiting an Irish cultural institution – the pub for a pint, good conversation, and maybe some traditional music. For dinner, dine on seafood caught fresh from the Irish waters the way the locals do: fish and chips, or chippers, wrapped in paper doused in vinegar.
Temple Bar District | Irina Schmidt - stock.adobe.com
Fewer than fifty square miles, the city’s made for sightseeing on foot. During the summer months, visitors can take advantage of superb weather (temperatures rarely rise above 70 degrees) for walking and exploring the city’s iconic squares. St. Stephen’s Green dates back to Victorian Ireland in 1880. Today, the expansive park’s green lawns and ponds are surrounded by trees. Visitors can catch a lunchtime concert at the bandstand or join The Little Museum of Dublin for a walking tour of the green space.
Smaller and quieter, visit the lush Merrion Square. Manicured green lawns and gardens make it ideal for a stroll along the paths or a lunch picnic. It’s also home to the statue of former Merrion Square resident Oscar Wilde. The area is the heart of Georgian architecture. Around Merrion Square, charming red brick houses with brightly painted doorways line the streets. Located at the west side of the square is the colonnaded front of Leinster House, once the largest aristocratic residence in Dublin. Today, it serves as the parliament building.
On a particularly sunny day, there’s plenty of seaside destinations just outside the city. Travelers can hop on the DART train for a short ride to visit one of the beaches along the picturesque coastline. In Howth, sea cliffs line the edge of the cove to the bay’s crystal-clear waters. Visitors can take a scenic cliff walk along a nearly four-mile loop. A popular swimming spot, the pebbled Killiney Beach offers idyllic views of Bray Head, Dalkey Island and Sorrento Terrace. Dollymount Strand, meanwhile, is the closest large beach to the city center.
On June 16, The James Joyce Center comes alive on Bloomsday, an annual festival honoring the Irish writer and his epic Ulysses. Joyce enthusiasts dress in Edwardian attire to recite the novel. One of the hallmark dress items found on the streets of Dublin that day is the straw boater hat, a fashionable and iconic summer hat donned during that era. If clients can’t make the event, they can give into Dublin’s rich literary heritage with a trip to the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI).
Oscar Wilde Statue in Merrion Square
Where to Stay
The Grafton
Stylish and modern, The Grafton Hotel Dublin showcases the charm of the 1920’s art-deco era. The design inspiration is carried over into the hotel’s 128 guestrooms, including options perfect for families. These larger rooms can accommodate either four or six people, with bunk beds set up for the kids and a lavish king for the adults. Terrace Rooms and Suites, meanwhile, offer balconies overlooking the city. Centrally located, the hotel is a five-minute walk from Grafton Street, one of Dublin's main shopping streets, as well as Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse.
Intercontinental Dublin
Clients with a penchant for luxury should indulge at the Intercontinental Dublin. The five-star hotel is ten minutes outside the city, in the leafy and affluent suburb of Ballsbridge. Inside, 200-plus elegant guestrooms are decorated with antique-style furnishings and rich velvet and gold trimmings. Most notable, though, is the spa, which has a 14-metre heated indoor pool, saunas and steam rooms, plus an array of treatments and therapies. Guests can have a sweet treat during Afternoon Tea in The Reading Room or a lunch in The Lobby Lounge. If it’s libations they prefer, there’s over 100 whiskey labels at The Whiskey Room, where tastings can be arranged with the hotel's Whiskey Sommelier.
The Shelbourne, an Autograph Collection
Travelers who love history can stay at the very site where the drafting of the Irish Free State Constitution happened in 1922. A national treasure, The Shelbourne first opened its doors in 1824 and is one of the oldest hotels in Dublin. That old-world charm meets modern hospitality with 265 plush rooms and suites. Overlooking St Stephen's Green, Lord Mayor's Lounge is a drawing room famous for afternoon tea. In honor of the hotel’s 200th anniversary, a new selection of pastries inspired by recipes from the 1800s has been added to the menu. There’s also the brand new 1824 Bar, serving a vast array of Irish whiskeys perfect for a nightcap.
Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
The Marker is right in the heart of the Docklands, a vibrant area along the river home to the European headquarters of Facebook, Google, and Airbnb. Known for modern architecture, The Marker fits right in with its geometric and sleek façade. Inside, a hip crowd can be found having a drink in the atrium or the rooftop bar. The 187 guestrooms sport bold pops of neon green and purple, while floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light. The standout is the 23-metre infinity pool, part of the hotel’s wellness spa that also offers a eucalyptus-scented steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi.
Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.
Banner photo: Baily Lighthouse, Howth, Dublin
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