I'm in the beginning stages of Ireland trip planning and have only skimmed through a couple of guide books and Slow Travel pages.

We will be arriving in Dublin in late August and plan to stay in the city at least two days before heading out in rental car. I have read several reviews and comments about quiet locations vs the noisy. I think with limited time in the city we would appreciate a convenient, central location even if it might be congested and a wee bit rowdy. Any recommendations and advice for Dublin will be appreciated.

Hello Bags packed,

If I wanted to be very central for a short period of time I would choose to be on or around St. Stephen's Green. This is on the south side of the river which is preferable, in my opinion to the north side. All the major tourist sites are easy to get to by walking or by bus/tram and there are many restaurants in and around the Grafton Street area next to the Green. Unless I was a teenager looking for action at night, I would avoid the Temple Bar area as this is 'party area'.

You don't mention budget. There are some extremely nice, but pricey hotels on Stephen's Green itself, eg. The Shelbourne, and some very reasonable ones (for a city centre) on Harcourt Street.

I would choose Harcourt Street over Lesson Street because there is less traffic (the tram runs down Harcourt Street). These two are possibilities perhaps? The Harcourt Hotel and Harrington Hall Hotel I have never been inside these particular hotels but I know what the inside of these Georgian houses are like because my grandmother was born in one, two doors up from the Harcourt, the drawing room of which is now, coincidentally the surgery of my dentist - high ceilings, mouldings, beautiful fireplaces....if they still survive and of course, wonderful exterior Georgian doors. I have found some reviews for The Harcourt Hotel which seem to be all good although they have a nightclub in the basement for part of the week which is NOISY!

Thank you, Felicity. Your advice validates what I've gleaned from the bit of reading I've managed to do. And yes, Dublin appears a bit pricey to me. I'm conserving wherever possible though it seems I will be forced to dip into my travel reserves this month in order to pay Alabama Power. Brrrr, it's a cold morning down south.

And thank you too for the links to lodging possibilities. My husband and I enjoy staying in hotels converted from Georgian townhouses.

Bags packed - if you don't mind a 5-10 minute walk to the Green area - this is a 'luxury' Georgian townhouse and I know someone who has stayed here and loved it 8-10 Waterloo Road Although it is quite a busy road, the houses are set well back with gardens (mostly, now converted to parking areas) at the front so it would be quieter than Harcourt or Lesson Street. I know the inside of these houses too because my aunt lived at no.14! The buses to the centre are right outside.

Incidentally the centre of Dublin is officially the GPO in O'Connell Street (which is otherwise a pretty uninteresting and rather tatty street) but actually a lot of the good things to see are on the south side of the Liffey, nearer to the 'Grafton Street' area, Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Castle,National Art Gallery, several museums, Guiness' Brewery etc.

I hope the heating bills are not going to rule your trip out! It is like the Arctic with us at present....

Oh, no. I've got my priorities straight. We are going to Ireland and are over the moon ecstatic about the notion. Now Amazon.com may see a drop in their stock price this quarter since I will no doubt have to curtail my book buying to pay the January heating bill.

Seriously though, it's the sort of cold we don't see too often and thank goodness for that. I'm sure the children are wishing for a snowflake or two - Alabama schools will close even if there is a hint of snow.

Thank you again, Felicity, for the excellent links and lodging recommendations. I think I am close to a decision due to your help.

Janice

Wherever you choose to stay, do use the hop on/hop off bus at least for one day. Unfortunately, I had only an overnight trip to Dublin in June (mostly to see some friends), and we really saw a great deal, thanks to the bus. My friend stayed near Stephen's Green, but the hotel was very pricey and she didn't think it was worth the £££. It's a lovely part of Dublin, and I loved that area best.

Thank you, zuriga. I am booking the countryside inns now and hoping to have enough euro left over to lodge near Saint Stephen's Green in Dublin.

I also appreciate the tip for the bus - it's wonderful to be able to rely on buses when time in a major city is limited. And I don't want to begin our stay in Ireland with aching feet.

I also am a great fan of these buses as I have used them in other cities in Europe and it is great way of getting a good overview of a city. You may even be able to be on the top open deck in August! Hop on hop off Dublin bus