Dublin Ireland - The BestCaptured 24 Hour Travel Guide

Where: Dublin, Ireland 
​When we began planning our trip to Europe this summer we found that flying through Ireland rather than flying directly to Scotland or Britain was a much cheaper option. Both of us have always wanted to go to this beautiful land. We constantly see images that depict the lush greenery and monumental landmarks so we jumped at the opportunity to take a stop in this iconic country. We didn't have the chance to take day trips away from Dublin. We were only there for 24 hours. However, after conversing with the locals and frequent visitors we learned that a return trip to Ireland was a must and that the true Irish lifestyles are truly depicted once you get out of the hustle and bustle of Dublin. Something we didn't get to experience on this trip but would love to go back and see. 

When: July 16, 2016 
We were extremely lucky with our timing of travel. Usually Ireland is known for its damp, cloudy days and we did get to experience some of that but not for our entire trip. Leaving North Carolina in July meant leaving behind 100 degree weather. So, entering into 60/70 degrees felt like we had momentarily stepped into Antartica. We quickly recovered from the chillier weather that took us by surprise as we walked off the plane and then spent the remainder of the day  enjoying beautiful sunshine. 
What to Do:
We only had 24 hours in Dublin which meant we had A LOT of ground to conquer. ​

The Wishing Hand Statue

Walk around and enjoy the sights and beautiful buildings. 

Stroll along the Liffey River. Don't forget to walk across some iconic bridges along the way - such as the Ha'penny Bridge, the Rory O'More Bridge, The James Joyce Bridge, and the Samuel Beckett Bridge. 

Become a student, or just another tourist, and walk through the doors of Trinity College - Entrance into the College is Free. You can purchase private/group tours though.

Take a stroll underneath Trinity College's Campanile Monument - and then snap a photo!

And, if you're willing to brace the lines, and the cost, you can seep into some of History's greatest - Trinity Library! Or, settle for a picture outside.

Check out some of the cities great Markets and local groceries. - This can be a more affordable route to take when trying to find food. 

And, after you check out the local markets head over to one of the many traditional Irish Pubs and grab a Guiness!

After you eat, go find one of the many local parks and enjoy a little bit of Sunshine - if you're lucky! 

After your rest in the park go find yourself a Castle! There's one right in town. It's also available for tours. 

You can walk right in the front door to visit the Royals

One thing that will NOT disappoint on your trip to Dublin are their amazing Cathedrals!

They give tours in almost all of them. Some even offer free tours. They are SO worth it!

On your trip to Dublin do not forget to just wander and explore. There are a ton of checklist items that you have to see while you're there but don't forget to explore this city and find your own checklist items. 

Where to Eat:  
Dublin has a great restaurant on every corner. It's just a matter of taking your pick. With such a short visit to Dublin we didn't have the opportunity to check out many dining options. However, we had a fantastic late afternoon meal that didn't disappoint. 

A. Sheehans - 17 Chatham St., Dublin Southside, Dublin 2
Keogh's and O'Donoghues were also recommended to us! 

​Where to Stay: 
If you're like us and have an early flight out of town the next morning then you will want to stay closer to the airport in order to catch your bus in enough time. 

Premier Inn - Swords - Airside retail park - Nevinstown West  - Very Convenient not only to town but also to the airport. Provides very early shuttles to and from airport and is extremely affordable.