4 Concierge Recommendations for a Perfect Day Out in Dublin

Dublin’s top concierges share their personal suggestions for the perfect day

DAVID MCNALLY

Set yourself up for the day with breakfast at Seasons Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, or at Expresso Café in the upmarket Ballsbridge district.

Expresso offers a range of delicious pastries, homemade scones and preserves, fruit salads and granola, as well as a good selection of hot treats.

The Four Seasons can arrange a private guide to take you on a walking tour of the city, beginning with a stroll through the streets and squares of Georgian Dublin. A visit to the unique museum townhouse at Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street gives visitors an insight into life upstairs and downstairs in a genteel 18th century home. Next stop is the National Museum of Ireland with its dazzling array of gold artifacts from the Bronze Age. Trinity College is another must-see, offering an oasis of calm amid the busy city center.

For lunch, sample the French cuisine at two Michelin-starred Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, or Eamonn O’Reilly’s modern Irish menu at One Pico. For something more casual try the lovely brasserie-style Peploe’s Wine Bar and for a pint of Guinness in a traditional Victorian pub, head to the Long Hall, Kehoe’s or Davy Byrne’s.

BEST RESTAURANTS

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud

Cuisine: Contemporary French

Chapter One

Cuisine: Classic French

One Pico

Cuisine: Classic French with modern touches

5–6 Molesworth Place, Schoolhouse Lane, Dublin 2

BEST SHOPPING

Brown Thomas

For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.

Kilkenny Design Centre

For: Handcrafted Irish jewelry, knitwear, Celtic gifts, china, crystal, pottery and glass.

BEST TO DO

Visit the restored 18th Century townhouse at Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street

BEST PUBS

The Long Hall

Kehoe’s

Davy Byrne’s

SEAN LALLY

Government Buildings, the National Gallery and the National Museum of Ireland are all on the doorstep of the Merrion Hotel on Upper Merrion Street.

A short walk takes you to the lively pubs, shops and restaurants around St. Stephen’s Green, as well as Grafton Street for designer label hunters. Dublin is a delight to explore on foot, with its medieval and Georgian architecture and a host of attractions including castles, museums, art galleries and theaters.

BEST RESTAURANTS

The Cellar Restaurant

Cuisine: Irish

BEST SHOPPING

Brown Thomas

For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.

HUEY O’BYRNE

BEST RESTAURANTS

Chapter One

Cuisine: Classic French

Fallon & Byrne

Cuisine: Modern European

Odessa

Cuisine: Eclectic

Pichet

Cuisine: French bistro

BEST SHOPPING

Brown Thomas

For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.

BEST TO DO

Private tour of the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery

Private tour of Number 10, the quintessential Georgian townhouse

SIMON DUNNE

Enjoy Breakfast in the Morgan Bar before heading off to see the sights of Dublin.

Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions is just three minutes walk. Here, stunning scenery along with the world renowned Book of Kells can be seen. Another two minutes or so up the road, you’ll find Dublin’s main shopping promenade, Grafton Street. Hours can be spent here watching the local street entertainment or shopping in famous stores such as Brown Thomas. Relax with some mouth-watering tapas in the Morgan Bar. The evening options are plentiful particularly in Temple Bar, the entertainment heartland of Dublin.

BEST RESTAURANTS

Shanahan’s on the Green

Cuisine: American-style steakhouse

Marco Pierre White

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Elephant and Castle

Cuisine: International

BEST SHOPPING

Brown Thomas

For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.

BEST TO DO

The Guinness Storehouse Tour