Educational European Tours

Our itinerary for the May 2018 Emerald Isle Tour allows for free time in Ireland's capital city on both the day we arrive and day 3 of our tour. Participants are free to use this time to search out sites that our dear to them, relax and stroll the bustling city or join a small group of us in visiting some sightseeing highlights in and near Dublin.

For those interested in adding to our day 3 city tour, there are many other sites to enjoy without leaving Dublin. You can revisit sites from our guided city tour in more detail, including Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral, or take a walk through St. Stephen’s Green or along the River Liffey.

Other ideas for free time in Dublin include:

1. Phoenix Park - One regret I have from our 2009 tour is not finding time to visit this sprawling public park. Highlights of Phoenix Park include the residence of the President of Ireland, Dublin Zoo, the Papal Cross, beautiful gardens and monuments. The park is west of the city center and could be coupled with a visit to the National Botanic Gardens to the north-west of the city center.

2. Museums - Dublin is home to many museums. The National Museum houses St. Patrick’s Bell and the Tara Brooch, the National Gallery features famous Irish paintings, Kilmainham Goal Museum tells the stories of political prisoners and the Easter Rising and the Guinness Storehouse gives visitors the history of Ireland’s most famous beverage. Dublin is also home to the Dublin Writers’ Museum, the James Joyce Centre and the National Maritime Museum.

3. Unique Tours of the City - There are many tours of Dublin available from a variety of open-top or hop-on, hop off bus tours to kayaking the River Liffey. There are also Haunted History Ghost Tours or Viking Splash Tours that take you around Dublin by both land and water.

For those who'd like to visit the surrounding areas, I have several suggestions for great tours near Dublin. Each of these are accessible from Dublin through half day bus tours:

1. Glendalough - This 6th century monastic settlement was a true highlight of my time in Ireland in 2009. Glendalough had such an aura about it that I am definitely being drawn back for another visit. The bagpipes and rain combined with the ancient stone buildings could make a person forget what year it is.

2. Malahide Castle - One tour I'd love to take for the first time is a half day excursion to Malahide Castle and the nearby fishing village of Howth. The castle offers great architecture, art and gardens. So a trip to Dublin's north coast and Malahide Castle would make for a relaxing, scenic trip. Trips to other nearby coastal villages, such as Dalkey (which is featured on http://www.visitdublin.com/insider-tips), can also be a relaxing idea for free time excursions.

3. Powerscourt Estate - I was able to spend part of a day wandering Powerscourt Estate on our 2009 tour. The house, gardens and waterfall are a great, picturesque half day tour.