Must see places in Dublin?

klapka

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Well we've got the visas yesterday. So together with my 2 best friends (+ our wives) we will come to Dublin March the 21 and stay there till the 29 (Maldron Hotel). A little bit more then one week.
So, I would like to ask some advice on where to go and what to see. Of cause I will be interested in making photos so splendid views are wanted.
I would also like to visit some flea markets with used bargain stuff if any in Dublin.

I would as well be happy to find some good used photo gear shops.

Are there any Dubiners here?

If any of the kind Dubliners would like to spend an hour or two on taking photos and showing us the city he lives in and places of interest, we will not refuse.
As a pay back I can bring souvenirs from Russia (hope it will be some FSU photo gear rather then vodka).

Please let me know, any ideas would be appreciated!
 
Some ideas to get you started!

Some places to visit that might interest you:

Natural History Museum ('The Dead Zoo') very victorian!
Georgian House museum
The National Gallery has a Caravaggio that is worth seeing (museum is under going renovations, so what is on display is limited at the moment).

Hugh Lane Gallery is a nicer art gallery to visit in my opinion. They have free lunch time concerts too on a Sunday.

Chester Beatty Library is worth checking out for its exhibitions

Trinity College, including Old Library and Book of Kells

Camera shops in Dublin:

http://www.johngunn.ie/
http://www.connscameras.ie
https://www.cameraexchange.ie/shop/

Lots of pubs to visit too of course! Keoghs, Davy Byrnes, Stag's Head and many more
Bewleys on Grafton street for coffee
Grafton Street in general for shopping. Brown Thomas store worth a look
Stephens Green Park nearby
Iveagh Gardens is more photogenic though!
 
Thanks a lot! Will follow your list. I've read tourists were allowed to visit Trinity College from May to September only, or that is wrong?

Came across an every month's last Sunday Flea Market at 12 Newmarket St Warrenmount, is it worth visiting?
 
You can walk around Trinity College pretty much all year and the Old Library will be open. However certain parts of the college will be off limits as it is term time. Also guided tours of the college won't be running (unless at the weekends, not sure of that though).

www.dublinflea.ie I haven't been, but it looks worth a visit.

Guinness Brewery tour and Hops Store another must do!

There is a big antiques fair on Fri 23 - Sun 25 March, however all the stuff for sale is very pricey (furniture, jewelery and fine art - thousands/tens of thousands range!). Nice to have a look though http://www.rds.ie/cat_event_detail.jsp?itemID=1099587 . You have to pay for a ticket to get in. However if you ask nicely in antique stores around Dublin you can sometimes get complimentary tickets.

Another camera shop you might be interested in: Bermingham Cameras on the Liffey. Specialises in Nikon equipment. They have other used gear from time to time (they had a large sale of Leica gear a while ago and prices were good, somebody was selling their lifelong collection. I missed out on that one!).
 
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One of the places not to miss is the Dublin's Kilmainham Jail . Honestly one of the most interesting historical tours of the turbulent times in Ireland's past. Many locals told me it was a must see, and they were right. The tour takes about an hour and the museum is a treasury like no other.Look on line , there is lots of information and photos. Have fun. BTW my wife really enjoyed it as well.
 
One of the places not to miss is the Dublin's Kilmainham Jail . Honestly one of the most interesting historical tours of the turbulent times in Ireland's past. Many locals told me it was a must see, and they were right. The tour takes about an hour and the museum is a treasury like no other.Look on line , there is lots of information and photos. Have fun. BTW my wife really enjoyed it as well.

+1
As an aside: it was the prison that featured in The Italian Job (original film of course!).

The IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) is very near to Kilmainham. I just looked at their current exhibitions and they have a Photography from the Bank of America Collection running until the 20th of May. Will have to check that one out myself now!
 
+1 to all the above suggestions. Kilmainham is particularly moving. If you have time and feel like a bit of old-fashioned care, try the Shelbourne Hotel's Lord Mayor's Longe for morning coffee / afternoon tea. Fabulous luxury hotel, but very much part of the city's historical and social fabric.
 
Will have a think about places to see, and get back to you. Re: gear, Berminghams (www.berminghamcameras.ie) and Conns (www.connscameras.ie) are the two main professional dealers in the city, with both stocking used kit also. Conns is a little more diverse, and sometimes a little more expensive when buying new. If you're a film guy, check out Gunnes on Wexford Street, a real gem, family run, and perfect to pick up supplies or have a nice chat with very nice people, passionate about photography, especially film-based photography.
 
Never been overseas and have never had an over whelming desire to do so (North America is big enough).

The only place over the pond that I've ever really wanted to visit is a REAL Irish Pub.

So in celebration of Saint Patrick, I'm going downtown Wilmington to have a Black & Tan at a local Irish Pub.
 
Thanks a lot for all the suggestions. I'm packing right now and developing a film at the same time - have to check if my just back from CLA M2 works good enough to go to Dublin with me. I will simply print out this forum page and hope to see as much out of your recommendations as I can..

Another big dilemma is the gear.. I didn't want to take any digital but my wife wants to take a video in the Dublin Oriflame center (or whatever there is..) so I will have to take the Fuji with me (x100).
The medium format stays home - too heavy.
And I can't decide which film body.. my good old M6ttl .85 (will have to shoot 28mm with the extra finder) of my new acquired M2 (not tested yet - right now developing the first test roll from it).
And the lenses also don't make life easier. Should I take the bulky but fast Nokton 1.1 or go with the slower and less sharp Jupiter-3..
Got a couple of hours more to decide..
 
Take the DART out to Howth, base for what's left of the fishing fleet. A walk around Howth Head is nice if the weather isn't too bad.

Second the suggestion of the Guinness brewery--even if you don't drink Guinness, the views from the Gravity Bar are the best downtown.
 
Trinity College

Trinity College

You must MUST see Trinity College . . . for at least two reasons . . . The Book of Kells . . . . and The "Long Room" library.

Overwhelming !
 
+1 to the library room in the Trinity College! This is very nice, and some original documents from famous people and scientists were on display when I went.
At the time of my trip, I could not take pictures there, but I do not remember if it was because of flash (I could only afford compact camera at the time) or just because it is overall forbidden.
It might be wise to have fast glass with you to take nice pictures in not so bright places (if you are allowed).

In any case, you should enjoy your trip. Have a glass of Kilkenny as well if you can; I know in Dublin you should drink a Guinness, but I miss a good fresh Kilkenny since I live in Germany...
 
I know you already booked your hotel, but to be honest my favourite part of Dublin is the buses that take me to the west coast... Just a few weeks ago I spent a weekend in Connemara, years ago a visit to County Kerry was wonderful as well. If you ever have the chance to go back, make sure you see a bit of the rugged countryside. Some shots here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urje/sets/72157629246560872/
Regardless, Dublin is a fine city, mostly thanks to its friendly inhabitants. Enjoy your stay :)
 
I second the "DART out to Howth". fish´n´chips nearby the harbor are said to be the best in Dublin area. Howth is a great place for a nice walk, as said above...

Have a nice time over there.
 
There is a nice Italian Cafe in Howth called Il Panorama Cafe. Their coffee is excellent and the almond croissants are delicious.
Be sure to keep an eye out for seals swimming near the fishing boats in the harbor if you go there.
 
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