City Tour, Dublin

cont'd
If you haven't crossed the river, do so now. The building you are looking at is the Sunlight Chambers, once owned by Unilever, and the murals depict the making of soap. City hall is nearby, but you will be there soon enough so move on, nothing to see here, continue along the river to the next bridge.

I'm not sure why a lot of people don't like to do the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, but I'm all for it. Especially when time is limited. We found this to be a great form of transportation around the city. And since the tour guides on all the buses were locals, we got a pretty good history lesson too.

Just keep in mind that the Guinness Brewery closes pretty early and it's one of the furthest stops on the bus tour (we didn't get the brewery tour, but we were able to visit the shop - and isn't that what's important? :)

BUS EIREANN

This Company has daytours on offer and I shall give you some examples here.

First day trip: GLENDALOUGH, POWERSCOURT GARDENS AND WICKLOW PANORAMA.

THIS REALLY is an UNFORGETTABLE tour of the "Garden of Ierland" before visiting St. Kevin's Monastic settlements and a panoramic drive across the Wicklow Mountains featuring the rugged beauty of the Wicklow Gap.

Powerscourt House & Gardens are an excellent example of a more aristocratic age displaying splendid statuary and fine furnishings.

High Season: Daily, May 1st - October 31st.

Departs 10.30AM and returns 5.45PM

IN THE LAST OF THESE 4 TIPS I SHALL GIVE YOU ALL WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN MAKE RESERVATIONS (BOOK).

The departure Point = always Central Bus Station (Busaras)

THIS INCLUDES: kilkenny city (very nice place), Duiske Abbey and Nore Valley Drive.

In Kilkenny you will find a very fine Cathedral, the Black Abbey, a very fine church and.......KILKENNY CASTLE which is great especially when you have a guided tour!

This Tour is on Wednesdays only....
4th June - 24th September

How to book: www.buseireann.ie

On the phone: For credit cards bookings using Visa, Accesss or Mastercard, phone Dublin: 873 5022, office hours

In your hotel: your Hotel Porter may book for you phoning: 873 5022 after hours/weekends

In Person: Bus Eireann desk, Tourist centre Suffolk street, DUBLIN 2

Bus Eireann desk, 59 Upr. O'Connell street DUBLIN 1

DUBLIN Tourism: 14/15 Upr. O"Connell street, DUBLIN 1

Central Bus Station, Storestreet, DUBLIN 1

Dublin Tourism, Ferry Terminal, Dun Laoghaire.

The third Tour: CLONMACNOISE and Locke's Distillery Museum.

Visit the early Christian site founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th Century featuring the ruins of a cathedral and round towers (situated on the riverbank or the river Shannon!)

Return via Locke's Whiskey Distillery to sample one of Ireland's finest Whiskies.

On Tuesdays only!
10th June - 16th September

This is the newest TRIP and for departure hours I should advise you to make a phonecall, email or have a look at their website.

All addresses and phone numbers I shall give you in the 4th tip (too many to put here!!

The second tour is NEWGRANGE & BOYNE VALLEY.

A memorable trip that features the beautiful scenery of the Boyne Valley including the Boyne Valley Visitors Centre culminating in a tour of the world famous 4.000 years old neolithic passage grave at Newgrange.

High Season: daily except on Fridays...
May 1st - September 30th.

Departs at 10 AM and returns at 5.45 PM

Departure Point: Central Bus Station (Busaras)

A bus tour of the city, I am not normally to be found on a bus tour, however I was persuaded to take a tour with some friends. It turned out to be informative and very funny as the guide we had, had a great sense of humour. Needless she got a very big tip from us.

On a hop-on hop-off tour we took of the city we stopped at St. Patrick's church. It was beautiful to see and there was a park near it that we went and saw. There was also a pub nearby (big surprise) with pretty good food and drinks.

Stops at all the main sights and the driver tells hilarious jokes all the time. It's worth the money (I think 10 euro)