I was pleasantly surprised by Dublin. It is a young vibrent city with amazing Georgian architecture. In fact, it has the highest concentration of young people in Europe.
So - How to get the best out of Dublin, in 48 hours...
Walk up Grafton St., along the Liffey River, around Saint Stephen's Green and be sure to see the book of Kells and the old library at Trinity college. The image opposite of a wonderful cafe / bar called Cafe En Seine - it's a huge domed and mosaiced bar where Dublin meets Paris. You could easily loose an afternoon or evening here!
If you have the time and the rented car (or just take the Dart train, 15 mins by the coast) visit Dalkey. An Irish village that is low key but where all the rich Dubliners live. For a pub, go to The Queens (no, its not gay) or for a bistro try Nosh. The posh restaurant in town is The Guinea Pig which ironically is a seafood restaurant.
Back in Dublin eat in Saba Restaurant (www.sabadublin.com), Bleu (www.bleu.ie), La Stampa (www.lastampa.ie)
Drink at Cocoon (www.cocoon.ie) and Reynards.
Sleep at the John Rocha designed Morrison Hotel (www.morrisonhotel.ie) or at least dine in the restaurant or have a cocktail.
