Although under renovation, this hostel is an excellent place to stay in the centre of town.

The rooms for two offer ensuite facilities and are impeccably clean if basic.

If a couple of chairs were provided they would be even better!

The price might seem expensive for some (70 euros a night for two if booked over the net) but try to find better at a seven minutes walk from the Spire.

There is a kitchen and a minimalist breakfast is included if you want to share it with the school groups.

There is a Thai restaurant across the street and the pub on the corner's public bar (Molloy's) will take you straight back to pre-tourism Dublin - especially at the 11am rush.

A couple of caffs just round the corner on Talbot St offer all-day breakfasts at a very good prices if you can face the cholesterol, yum.

Talbot Place.

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It isn’t that long ago that the idea of global cuisine in Ireland barely extended further than sweet’n’sour chicken balls and lasagne. The recent economic boom has coincided with an explosion of gastronomic choice, and this city-centre food hall led the way to the current cappuccino-and-panini culture. It may be a bit overcrowded and chaotic, but that’s part of the charm. And the variety of authentically prepared international food and drink at reasonable prices make it the perfect touchdown spot for footsore sightseers and shoppers with a taste for the exotic.

Location: Entrances on Middle Abbey Street and Liffey Street, Dublin 1.

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Cramped, noisy, with a seat resembling the proverbial gold-dust most evenings, this is where literary hardmen like Brendan Behan and Patrick Kavanagh came to nurse a pint and their talents. Not to be entered lightly, although you’ll probably leave that way.

Address: 3 Harry Street, Dublin 2.
Telephone: (353-1) 6794395

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I went to the John M Keating bar, whilst over in Dublin, on my hen weekend, what a lovely enviornment, with lovely surroundings, service, staff, and atmosphere. We had a really enjoyable experience there and I would thoroughly recommend a visit. On Sunday afternoon, a string quartet was playing inside, completely different to the evening before!

Mary Street Dublin 1
087 636 3738
www.jmk.ie

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Bull Island is man-made - well, formed as the result of sand building up against the (man-made) harbour wall. A stunning long sandy beach with an important bird sanctuary at one end, and a quaint wooden bridge, harbour wall, and monument at the other. If you aim for the middle section, you'll avoid the boy racers (they're not intimidating - just a bit annoying). On a windy day you'll have some impressive kitesurfing to watch, too.

Look out for the Bull Island if you come in on the plane. The northern approach often takes you directly overhead.

Bus routes 103, 104 and 130 run next to Bull Island (ask the driver), or Clontarf Rd DART (suburban rail) station followed by a 20 minute walk along the sea wall

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Just for the company and architecture of the main ground floor bar itself. A regular locals haunt, which accommodates visitors as well. There’s also a well-known venue for various folk and comedy clubs.

Corner of St Andrew Street and Exchequer Street.
(Aim for Brown & Thomas on Grafton Street, 200yards away or just ask a local)

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Viper Rooms is a bar-cum-nightclub with live bands.

This is just the coolest place to hang out in Dublin, you can chill at the bar or dance yourself dizzy underground in the club. A wicked night out on both Friday and Saturday.

5 Aston Quay, Dublin

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This gigantic new cafe bar is located just west of the main shopping area in Henry Street and is probably the classiest place to have a snack and a drink on the northside.

It’s located in an 18th-century baroque former church, which has been restored in a reasonably sensitive manner. The church has an interesting history, with associations with Wolfe Tone, the Guinness family, Jonathan Swift, Sean O'Casey and John Wesley. Its new incarnation as a bar (Wesley must be rolling in his grave) only started in December 2005 and has yet to really find its feet - the service and food were quite erratic on my two visits.

However, it’s well worth a look in, even if just to admire the architecture. If they get the food and service right, this could soon be one of the classiest venues in the city.

Mary Street (the westward extension of Henry Street); tel: 828 0102; www.jmk.ie

www.jmk.ie

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This spacious bar is in a former sausage factory. Bench seating makes it great for large groups of people to talk, as there is no TV or loud music. The amazing, tapas-style food is reasonably priced and excellent for both carnivores and vegetarians. The bar attracts locals and not too many tourists.

14a Fade Street, just a few minutes east of Grafton Street

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Very funky little bar in a generally run down part of town. Great music most nights with an eclectic bunch of DJs that almost match the clientele in weirdness.

Corner of Benburb Street and Queen Street.

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Dublin's best live music venue, in a city which is full of great music, it has been around for years and has live music every night of the week. Also has a great late bar where you never know who you will spot.

25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2; Telephone 4780766; www.whelanslive.com

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Take in a 360-degree view of the city and a free pint in the glass-walled bar at the top of the 1904 storehouse. Entry is part of the Guinness Storehouse tour, €14 per adult. Open 9.30am-5.30pm in winter, and until 8pm in summer.

St James's Gate, Dublin 8; Tel: +353 (1) 408 4800; www.guinnessstorehouse.com/

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A ring of pearls that runs from Dollymount to Portmarnock and Malahide, with huge sweeps of sand and dunes perfect for bracing walks, flying kites and gawping at the horizon. Stop for a well-deserved meal in the restaurants of Malahide. Savour the view and the chips or ice creams at Howth.

Take the DART from the city centre; www.irishrail.ie/dart/home/

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