Dublin City, Ireland – Where to Golf, Dine, Shop and Stay

Once a Viking settlement, the beautiful city of Dublin is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Located on Ireland’s east coast, Dublin is nestled between Dublin’s Bay and beautiful countryside. The River Liffey, which flows into the Irish Sea cuts across the city dividing it into two: the Northside and Southside, both of which are connected by several bridges, the famous of these being the O’Connell Bridge.

Attractions in Dublin

Among the many points of interest in Dublin, the most popular ones include Trinity College and College Green, Kilmainham Gaol, Kildare Street Museums and Houses of Parliament, Merrion Square, Dublin Castle, the little Museum of Dublin, Mansion House, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral.

Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest university, which was founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592. The college retains some of the old gardens, cobbled squares and parks and it is world-renowned for housing many great treasures including many old books, the famous Book of Kells manuscript and priceless artefacts.

Among the many other things that Dublin is blessed with, the city parks are incredibly popular with visitors.  St. Stephen’s Green, Phoenix Park and Herbert Park are the most touristed parks in the city. Phoenix Park, which lies north of River Liffey is a 1750-acre green space, which is home to the Dublin Zoo and a number of other attractions including the Ashtown Castle, People’s Gardens and the Papal Cross.

St. Stephen’s Green which lies at the heart of Dublin city features a beautiful lake, waterfall, children’s playground and sculptures. Herbert’s Park which is much smaller compared to Phoenix and St. Stephen’s Green provides plenty of amenities including football, croquet and tennis.

Among the many things that you should do when you are in Dublin, a trip to the Guinness Storehouse should definitely be on top of your list. The Irish brew some of the best beers in the world including the famous Guinness. The Guinness Storehouse which is said to be the Home of Guinness offers tours and tastings. So take a tour and discover the history behind the famous beer, as you enjoy a freshly brewed pint of Guinness.

Activities: Golfing in Dublin

Whether you are into high-adventure activities or just prefer the more relaxing activities like cycling and walking, Dublin has it all. Among the most popular with visitors is golfing and this is no surprise given that Dublin offers excellent golfing. With over 160 golf courses to choose from, visiting golfers are spoilt for choice.

Among the highly ranked links golf courses in Dublin, the two that stand beyond and above the rest are Royal Dublin Golf Club and Portmarnock Golf Club. The two greats have hosted numerous national and international tournaments over the years including the Irish PGA and the Irish Open. Two other equally incredible links golf courses also popular with golfing visitors are The Island Golf Club and the European Club.

The Hermitage Golf Club located west of Dublin is another excellent golf course very popular with the who’s who in Dublin Society.

The Kildare Hotel and Golf Club (The K Club), which played host to the 2006 Ryder Cup is also another popular choice. The beautiful resort located a few minutes away from the popular Straffan Butterfly Farm boasts of two excellent courses, three exquisite restaurants and a French-style mansion.

Dining in Dublin

Enjoy the true taste of Ireland by visiting some of the best restaurants in Dublin. Believe it or not, the city is awash with fantastic eateries including award-winning Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive riverside cafes.

Trocadero, Drury buildings, Cavistons, Chapter One and Fallon & Byrne are just some of the many high-end restaurants in the city that serve exquisite local and international cuisines. Of course, there are many restaurants, cafes and pubs offering great meals at affordable prices like the Beanhive cafe, Little Kitchen and Bleecker Street Cafe Bar.

Accommodation

Dublin has a vast range of accommodation options for all budget types.  For the luxury seeker, the Clontarf Castle Hotel, Merrion Hotel, Dylan Hotel and The Westin Dublin are just some of the many luxurious hotels in the city.  For the budget seeker, there is a great selection of budget stays all over the city from B&B’s to fully-furnished apartments. Hostels are also available in all the major areas.

Shopping in Dublin

Many holidaymakers love to shop, especially for souvenirs to remind them of their memorable holiday. In Dublin, the two main shopping areas are Henry Street and Grafton Street. Both streets are near O’Connell Bridge and are just 15 minutes from each other.  Henry St. is on the Northside while Grafton St. is on the Southside.

Initially, Grafton St. was considered the upper-class area with exclusive hotels and designer shops, while Henry St. catered to the budget-conscious. However, today there is very little distinction if any between the two streets, as they are both filled with franchise cafes and chain stores. On Grafton St. visit the Westbury Mall, St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre and on Henry St. check out Ilac shopping centre and Jervis Shopping Centre.

Check out our Dublin and Northern Ireland Golf Tours.