If a traditional Irish welcome is the thing that you are after then try to book one of O’Donoghue’s rooms. This B&B in Merrion Row has adequate rooms but that isn’t what people stay for. The historic bar below the rooms is famed throughout Dublin as being ‘the’ music venue for tourists and locals alike. Live Irish music plays seven days a night, it’s busy, it’s loud and it’s the place to stay.

For sheer luxury stay at the Fitzwilliam, this 5 star hotel overlooks St Stephens Green with a grace and elegance rarely rivalled. The rooms are luxurious and individually designed, the corridors are outstanding with solid wooden panelling and the Michelin starred restaurant is absolutely excellent. For the ultimate in city break experiences this is the hotel to choose.

The Schoolhouse hotel offers a little quirk with your trip. This converted parochial schoolhouse has a history stretching back to 1861. Each room has a sense of academic and literary history, from it’s tasteful décor to the name – each one named after a famous Irish writer. The tasteful old world charm is complemented by modern facilities, the dining room with its vaulted ceiling taking you back to the school days of long gone times.

The newest must be seen place to eat is Jo’burger in the Rathmines district. This funky 70’s themed burger restaurant serves only the best organic meats complemented by a range of modern toppings, making it the most popular venue amongst the young trendy crowd.

For formal Irish dining try Jacobs Ladder, with it’s view over Trinity College this restaurant has a sense of elegance but with a modern twist.

The Irish cuisine takes all the best of local produce and adds a surprisingly modern element, bringing the menu right up to date.It is important not to forget Dublin’s affinity with the sea with the docks bringing the best produce in daily, but for a more authentic experience head to Howth just outside the city. This small fishing village is home to the Oar House one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. Serving locally caught fish and seafood, this restaurant offers innovation by serving the main dishes in smaller portions – why choose when you can try them all.

Visit the historic Trinity College , the beautiful Georgian buildings housing the most famous of all Ireland’s Universities. The 400 year old history of pushing for free thinking giving rise to some of the most unusual and famed characters in history. With Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and Jonathan Swift amongst it’s past scholars the reason for this reputation is clear. Be sure to make time to see the historic Book Of Kells, the 9th century manuscript famed throughout the world.

See the city from the relaxed comfort of a river cruise along the Liffey. Covered vessels with knowledgeable guides will take you through the history of this great city, from the first Vikings over one thousand years ago to the recent upsurge of interest in the docklands. This is a well recommended trip.

No trip to Dublin would be complete without visiting the Guinness Storehouse, a museum dedicated to the brewing of Dublin’s most beloved tipple. The seven storey building shaped like a glass of Guinness is a triumph of architecture and the top storey, the head of the pint is a triumph to good taste with the Gravity Bar. The bar with it’s amazing view over the city is the place to relax and enjoy Ireland’s finest drink.

Dublin has a mild year round climate and even in the depths of winter rarely has snow. However the summers can be cool and rain is expected at any time. Even the coolest of summers have up to eighteen hours of daylight per day making for vibrant and lively summer evenings.

The weather is unpredictable but luckily it’s not the weather that makes Dublin the fine destination that it is.