Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Dundrum

"There are few buildings that reflect the changing and often turbulent political history of Ireland better than Dublin Castle. A castle has stood here for nearly 900 years, with most of the current building dating from the 18th century, and until the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921, it was the seat of the English and British governments in Ireland (the building itself witnessed several major events in the struggle for independence). Since then, it has hosted the inaugurations of Irish presidents, and also welcomed thousands of visitors as one of Ireland’s best tourist attractions."

"Make your way back down Grafton Street to College Green, turn left and follow Dame Street to Dublin Castle. Again, the bus tour might have left you a bit underwhelmed here, so enter through the castle gates and be astonished. A walk around the area should take you half an hour, leaving you a bit of time to enjoy a coffee (both the café near the castle entrance and the Silk Road Café come recommended)."

"Dublin Castle was built for defence by Meiler Fitzhenry under orders from King John of England in 1204. The building is believed to have been finished around 1230, but there have been renovations ever since. The castle was the seat of the British government in Ireland until the formation of the Irish Free State in 1922."

"The buses will take you past the major sights and, depending on which tour you choose (grab some leaflets the evening before or do some research on the internet), even far-flung attractions like the Guinness Brewery, Kilmainham Gaol, and Phoenix Park will be seen. The main thing to remember here: get a good seat on top, enjoy the view, listen to the commentary, and snap away... but do not get off the bus. This is your city tour."

"Kilmainham Gaol (fee) is a former 18th century prison which is today run as a museum by Ireland’s Office of Public Works. Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 and closed in 1924. During this period it housed convicts convicted of crimes ranging from stealing food to murder. In the early 19th century, about 4,000 prisoners were transported to Australia."

"This award-winning museum tells the story of Dublin over the last century via memorabilia, photographs and artefacts donated by the general public. The impressive collection, spread over the rooms of a handsome Georgian house, includes a lectern used by JFK on his 1963 visit to Ireland and an original copy of the fateful letter given to the Irish envoys to the treaty negotiations of 1921, whose contradictory instructions were at the heart of the split that resulted in the Civil War. "

"The Little Museum tells the story of the 20th century in Dublin through several rooms full of various exhibitions. It is the newest addition to Dublin’s museums since it opened in 2011 and displays over 400 artefacts. It has been generously funded by many Dubliners."

"Many of Dublin’s museums focus on Irish history or culture, but the lovely Chester Beatty Library has international collections of art and artifacts that offer a glimpse at global wonders. Best of all, the celebrated museum is absolutely free to visit. Set inside the gardens of Dublin Castle, the library and art exhibitions are considered some of the best in Ireland."

"Located within the grounds of Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library is an art museum and library where you can see everything from rare manuscripts and Egyptian papyrus texts to contemporary exhibitions. Art from 2700 BC through the present day is on display here. And don’t miss out on the roof garden on a sunny day."

"The National Gallery of Ireland houses the country’s most important classical art collection, but for more contemporary exhibits it is the Irish Museum of Modern Art that wins out. The collection of 3,000 modern Irish and international works is housed inside the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which dates back to 1684. Most of the art inside the 17th-century building was produced after 1940, including pieces by Joseph Cornell and Roy Lichtenstein."

"There are a number of great free museums in Dublin which include the National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Hall, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Also keep an eye out for discount cards, coupons, and special deals to save money on tickets, tours, and meals."

"Imma Museum of Modern Art is a family-friendly museum, which contains beautifully landscaped gardens and an excellent café with a play area and plenty of toys. Address: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, Ireland"

"But a stone's throw from The Workman's Club, over the other side of the Ha'penny Bridge is The Grand Social. This club has recently become a mecca for live music and heavy drinking and it boasts a very impressive size. Voted Dublin's Best Live Music venue last year, the popularity of The Grand Social has gone from strength to strength and features excellent gig and DJ set listings."

"Not only does this Liffey Street spot have a circus theme going on, but there's also loads in terms of events. With a vibrant club space below and a snug to get cosy in, this is an ideal destination for dancing the night away with a group of mates."

"All accommodation facilities include, spacious ENSUITE bedrooms, selection of King and Twin bedding with 13.5 tog Duvet, Bright White Sheets, multi channel tv, trouser press, in-room safe, hairdryer, lounge seating, desk and chair and there is access to affordable WIFI.We know what you want from a city hotel.A GREAT LOCATION, A great room that works, nice people that look at you in the eye and say welcome, a smile and homely feeling that oozes passion for looking after you and most of all a fair price. That is what we will provide, along with some surprises!. Address: 146 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge,Dublin 4."

"The Workmans is a bar, nightclub and music venue located at 10 Wellington Quay on the Southside of the Liffey. The weekends are most busy here and you will see live bands as well as a DJ upstairs. The club got its name as the building where it is located has existed on this site for over 160 years and from 1888 to 2003 was the home of the original Workingmen’s Club."

"The Georgian house club has a super casual feel and is always jammed with hipsters, rockers and session heads bopping to indie tunes until the early hours of the morning. The beer garden is always a buzz and if you get peckish during the night Wowburger is there to settle your cravings. There's karaoke on Sunday nights, gigs, showcases and everything in between."

"The Workman's Club is here for you, offering regular indie disco nights and live music sessions. Of course, there's plenty of rock, hip-hop, guilty pleasures and disco hits scattered into the jam-packed event schedule."

"Temple BarOpened in 2014, The Liquor Rooms is the first Irish bar to score a nomination for Best New International Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail, near instantly giving Dublin's cocktail scene a shot in the arm. That nod alone stamped this bar as a destination for cocktail lovers: Here, cutting-edge cocktails incorporate herbs, infusions, homemade tinctures, and high-end spirits into wholly unique concoctions. Located in the basement of the Clarence Hotel, this late-night drinking den is divided among four main rooms: The Black Rabbit, a burlesque circus den; the Boom Room, a bandstand-fronted dance area; the Mayflower, a conservatory reserved for swanky private parties; and the Blind Tiger, the complex's ornate main room."

"The Liquor Rooms invites you in with a bright neon sign saying ‘Liquor’, down some stairs into a Victorian-style living room. They have four separate rooms: the Black Rabbit, which looks like a burlesque circus; the boom room, complete with dancefloor and bandstand; a room which looks like the type of glittering gold bar you see in old movies; and the conservatory. Most recently, they have converted the back room to The Cauldron."

"Beautifully tiled floors, a statement mirror and quirky art hanging from the walls, The Liquor Rooms bathrooms knows how to make a statement. It's nearly impossible to visit here without taking a selfie in the mirror."

"Teddy’s Ice Cream has been a Dublin institution since its first ice cream shop opened in 1950 in Dun Laoghaire. Since then, Teddy’s Ice Cream has opened two more locations in Dun Laoghaire and one in Bray, County Wicklow. No visit to the Dublin coast on a hot summer’s day is complete without a 99 ice cream cone, and Teddy’s Ice Cream has truly perfected the art of the 99."

"This iconic Dublin shop has been serving up classic 99s since 1950. They're experts at the whipped ice cream, cone and flake, with optional sauce and sprinkles for the adventurous ones!. There's also great news for 99 lovers as Teddy's has found it's first home in the city centre."

"This weekend, grab a creamy 99 before you take a stroll down Dun Laoghaire pier. Teddy’s shops and vans are open in Bray and various locations in Dun Laoghaire – you won’t be disappointed!. Feature image: @teddys_ice_cream_official"

"On Dawson Street, Sun Bear Gelato is still open for takeaway cones and cups. They are also making milkshakes too!. Just be sure to call in your order beforehand to adhere to their call and collect guidelines."

"The ethos of Bite caf� is that of 'Uptown Food, Downtown Vibe' and it's basically recreating your average fish and chip shop into a more upmarket fish experience with some interesting reinventions along the way. Gone is the greasy batter in a brown bag, replaced with hake in a vodka and beer batter accompanied with mushy peas and pancetta fries. The usual pre-theatre menu has been replaced with a 'Pre-Gig Menu', seeking to resonate with the modern diner."

"Located in the opulent surroundings of Dublin's Mansion House on Dawson Street, Fire has been built in what was originally the Lord Mayor's supper room and is now a magnificent space with stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. The food is all locally sourced and cooked to a high standard with a good mix of meat, vegetarian options and seafood - the jumbo prawn starter is the house speciality. There is also a special steak menu with a variety of cuts of ages, marinated beef that are sure to make a meat-lover's mouth water."

"FIRE Steakhouse boast possibly the best outdoor dining terrace in Dublin City. This stunning space overlooks the beautiful Lord Mayor’s garden and is great for a bit of people watching on Dawson Street. The terrace is large so there’s plenty of room for safe, social distancing and features a retractable roof and a glass balcony, ensuring that you can enjoy a meal and drinks with friends whatever the weather."

"FIRE is located in the heart of Dublin in the popular Dawson St. area. Offering exclusive dining options in a historical dining room including the best private dining in Dublin. A mix of styles the current structure was built in 1891 as the Lord Mayor’s Supper Room."

"If time allows before your flight you should try to visit Croke Park and Glasnevin Cemetry, both of which are in the direction of the airport from the city center. Croke Park – Ireland’s national games, Gaelic Football and Hurling, are played here with the finals of both sports occurring in September every year. Croke Park is the 3rd largest stadium in Europe in terms of capacity with room for 82,300 people. This is even more remarkable when you consider the players are completely amateur yet have more supporters cheering them on than most professional teams in the world."

"There are few more iconic Irish sites than the hallowed turf of historic Croke Park – and no more Irish a pastime than watching 30 people indulge in the frantic, fantastic and often painful sports of Gaelic football and hurling, the latter being arguably the fastest field sport in the world. Get a friendly local (FYI, the locals are all friendly) to explain the basics, then grab a pint of Guinness and take in one of the most exciting sporting spectacles you’ll ever witness, in one of the world’s finest stadiums. A Dublin must-see for sport fans."

"Mannings Bakery on Thomas Street – near the Guinness Storehouse – is a family-owned independent bakery that has been in operation for over 60 years. They produce handmade sweet and savoury baked goods every day, available from their stores in Tallaght, Blanchardstown and the city centre. As well as in-store offerings, Mannings does custom-order and standard cakes, like fresh Irish buttercream sponges, sugar-craft and novelty items, wedding cakes, and cakes for special occasions."

"Price: €0.95Look: 2.5/5Texture: 3.5/5Taste: 3/5Value: 4/5Total: 13/20. Verdict: The old Dublin bakery makes a simple and honest croissant. There is nothing pretentious about it, it doesn’t look perfect."

"Manning’s Bakery is a traditional, family-run bakery in Dublin. They make hand-made cakes on a daily basis. This way, they can be sure that all their clients are getting the best products possible."

"The Cake Lab Bakery is a family-owned business, spearheaded by mother-and-daughter team, Yasemin and Susan. Yasemin has a BSc in Baking and Pastry Arts Management, so she takes care of the flavour and concept of the cakes. Meanwhile, Susan is in charge of the structural aspect of their creations."