Overview: At a total travel time of about four hours from Manchester, Dublin’s another capital of culture on the doorstep – and you don’t have to be getting married in the morning to try it out for size.
Stayed at: The Morgan 10 Fleet st, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Superstylish. The picture above is the slipper bath within a hugh bedroom. Good location for sightseeing, great cocktails – try the Champagne with raspberry and Schnapps for the ultimate girly style in the city tipple.
Ate at: The unassuming 101Talbot where the food was good although the ambience was busy, busy and FXB in the heart of trendy Temple Bar. This steak and seafood restaurant is just feet from the heaving main street entertainment and proved to be bustling but sophisticated with a menu of ethically sourced produce and an interesting specials board.
Travelled with; Stena Line which operates the fastcraft from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire. And it is fast – less than two hours. A very comfortable crossing, complimentary refreshments in the pre-booked lounge plus internet access.
Visited: Hugh Lane Gallery with its important city collection and the Irish Museum of Modern Art with its extensive gardens and sculpture such as the amusing elephant above.
Must-see: The Julian Opie walking installations – also pictured above. See video via the link below for an idea but they’re even better close-up.
Can do without: Cheesey commentary on the bus tours. Good tours but groaningly bad everyone’s-an-Irish-comedian jokes.
Full review: Published in the print editions of the Manchester Evening News on Saturday, September 6.
Trip funded by: Stena Line provided the travel, The Morgan the accommodation. Food and trips, self-funded.
Got more to add about Dublin? Feel free add links and/or comments below or see Dublin Travel guides for more.
Dim Sum Digital 