Oh God...
I wish I was going back to Dublin for Christmas. I'm getting all melancholy now...
OK, here are a few things worth visiting.
As Ever said, try to get down to Glendalough (in County Wicklow, south of Dublin). It will be a day trip, but it's well worth it. That is, unless it's pissing rain! The ancient abbey and ruins are beautiful, and the whole area has a lovely peaceful vibe. Walk "up" the valley to the lake for an almost spiritual experience.
The Guiness Hop Store and the Whiskey Distillery in central Dublin are good fun.
Try visiting Christchurch Cathredral. There used to be an exhibition there called
Dublinia which was a little cheezy but good fun never the less. It's an introduction to Viking Dublin (the city is well over a 1,000 years old remember).
Trinity College is a must. Visit the World Famous Book of Kells.
After that, go to the National Museum on Kildare Street (just up the road from Trinity and next door to the
Dail (pronunced DAWL), Ireland's parliament). Very interesting and some amazing ancient Irish and Celtic gold jewelry.
Try to catch some traditional Irish pub music. There is LOTS of this in the Temple Bar region of Dublin and whilst this can be fun it's a bit touristy. If you have time, try to catch a cab to Monkstown and the "Ceoltas Culturlan an hEireann" (KYOL-TAS CULTOURLAN na HAIR-RAN). Just say "
Take me to the CULTOR-LAN in Monkstown please. The Irish music centre". This is where you will experience real Irish music. they even speak Irish there, which is unusual in Dublin. Having said that, there are many pubs in Dublin that have "sessions" (or in Irish, they're called SESH-UUNS). Most of them will be good fun.
You have to experience a good pint of Guinness when you're there. Try this in any small, old pub you find. The louder, and more modern the pub, the worse the Guinness is. Try Davy Byrnes (made famous in the book Ulysses by James Joyce) or McDaids; both of these are directly off Grafton Street, Dublin's premier shopping street.
By the way, ALL Irish pubs are crowded. Irish social life revolves around the pub, so don't be surprised at getting only standing room if you venture out. Especially after a Wednesday in the week (never mind Friday and Saturday!).
Cliched as it may sound, Irish people are friendly. They love a good chat. You will be hardpushed to find anyone who does not engage in some kind of friendly banter; from a taximan to a street vendor to a barman to any stranger in the street.
You may hear people refer to "crack" in Dublin. Spelt CRAIC, crack means good fun, great atmosphere etc. Don't be alarmed if someone invites you somewhere because "it's great crack". They're not talking about drugs.
The GPO (General Post Office) on O'Connell Street was where the Irish rebels holed up during the 1916 Rising (depicted in the opening scenes of the movie Michael Collins with Liam Neeson). You can still see the bullet marks in the walls and columns outside.
Dun Laoghaire (pronounced DUN LEERY) is a small town about a 30 minute train ride south of Dublin. Nice to visit and walk the pier. Beyond that again is Killiney (climb the hill and enjoy the view; they say the sweep of the harbour beats the Bay of Naples any day!) and then go on to Bray (the end of the trainline). This can all be done on the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit); an electric train line. Easy trip in one day and good fun. Try a bowl of hot soup and fresh soda bread when you're in Bray; you'll need it knowing the weather at this time of the year!
Traditional Irish cuisine is politely described as "hearty"; this means rather plain and primative. What you WILL enjoy is traditional Irish brown bread. Try soda bread as well. Especially if they have been freshly baked and with big dollops of butter.... Mmmm... I'm homesick just thinking of it. There's also the traditional Irish "fry up". Pork sausages, bacon, white and black pudding, eggs, bread (toasted and friend) and a big mug of hot steaming sweet tea (the Irish drink more tea per capita than any country outside of China); quite unhealthy if you live on it, but very nice once in a while... especially after a hangover.
If at all possible, look into a day trip to New Grange. This is an ancient grave system 28 miles north of Dublin (in County Meath). A marvel of ancient astrological architecture (on a one day of the year, the winter solstice, a single ray of sunlight reaches deep into the tomb and illuminates the central chamber). New Grange was over a 1,000 years old when the Pyramids were only a sketch in the sand.
Enjoy yourself. Soak up the atmosphere. Talk. Trust me, the Irish love to talk.
I'm jealous, but I hope you have fun.
If you need a contact in Dublin, just let me know. I'll get my folks or mates to help you out. My folks if you want traditional Irish hospitality; my mates if you want to enjoy the pubs!
Mr Mephisto