Hiring a car in Dublin makes sense. Independent of the less than perfect public transport system, you'll discover the true character of Ireland's capital city.

Dublin Airport Mini Guide:

Dublin Airport is situated 10km north of Dublin City Centre. The airport offers a range of services and facilities including: bars, restaurants, cafés, a duty-free, banks and a bureau de change-for those last minute euros. Dublin Airport is served by a number of international airlines including: Aer Lingus, the national carrier, budget airline Ryanair, Lufthansa, British Airways and Scandinavia Airlines. If driving from the airport, you'll find the city centre sign-posted on all major route ways.

Things To See/Do in Dublin:

Fascinating cultural and historical attractions, superb shopping, and warm hospitality...it's easy to see how Dublin has become one of Europe's most popular short break destinations.

Ireland's capital city Dublin is situated on the banks of the River Liffey, on the east coast of the country. The city offers a wide range of highbrow, low cost attractions and Dublin is home to Ireland's national museums and galleries, most if not all of which offer free admission. The city has long been associated with the arts and with writing in particular. As the one time home of literary greats such as James Joyce, Jonathan Swift and Oscar Wilde, visitors are sure to find something about Dublin to catch their imagination. A visit to the Dublin Writer's Museum is highly recommended for all bookworms or anyone interested in the world of literature. Joyce, Yeats, Beckett, Shaw and Wilde are amongst those represented in exhibitions throughout the museum. The museum is located at Parnell Square, just off O'Connell St., Dublin's main thoroughfare.

Apart from literary giants, Dublin's greatest gift to the world is probably Guinness. Tours of the Guinness Storehouse at St.James' Gate are popular with visitors to the city, who can take advantage of excellent panoramic views of the city while downing a complementary pint of 'the black stuff' at the brewery's stunning Gravity Bar.

Dublin offers great choice in terms of shopping. Grafton Street is a fashionable pedestrianised area, famous for its exclusive up-market designer boutiques and department stores, most notably Brown Thomas. Heading to the north of Grafton Street and just off from O' Connell Street you'll find Henry Street which offers all the cheap high street fashion boutiques, discount stores and music shops, perfect for some last minute shopping.

Dublin's surrounding countryside is just waiting to be explored by hire car. Places of special interest include the beautiful monastic settlement at Glendalough in Co. Wicklow, which can be reached within a few hours' drive of the city.

Eating Out/Nightlife/Accommodation in Dublin:

Dublin offers great choice in terms of eating out, with an excellent range of restaurants, cafés and gastro-pubs offering everything from traditional fare to international cuisine and fine dining. Those looking to eat well at a low cost should try Avoca Café or Nude on Suffolk Street. The city's most up-market restaurants include La Stampa on Dawson Street and l'Ecrivain on Baggot Street. Temple Bar is the main focus of the city's nightlife. Here traditional pubs and buzzing nightclubs compete for passing tourist trade. Trendier, more exclusive clubs are to be found in and around the Grafton Street area and include: Lillies Bordello, Renards and Spy.

Visitors to Dublin are guaranteed a warm Irish welcome, whether they choose to live it up rock-star style at establishments like the U2 owned Clarence Hotel, situated at Wellington Quay, where room rates start at €340 per night or rest easy at one of the city's laid back, low cost hostels such as Avalon House on Aungier Street, where at €56 per double room per night, you're guaranteed to get a cheap sleep.