On foot:
Really if its not torrentially raining and you can walk, you should! Dublin is very walkable, just get a good map, some comfy shoes and a poncho! Its really quite compact and Dubliners are happy to give directions etc. Dublin traffic is a nightmare, so walking could be the quickest and least frustrating way to get around!

Bus:
Because of the aforementioned traffic Dublin Bus isn't very reliable on its timetable. There are stops everywhere, they are blue, usually with the numbers of bus that stops written on them. There is usually a helpful dublin bus employee hanging around somewhere on the street, in a navy uniform with a peaked hat. Otherwise check out timetables and destinations on dublinbus.ie.
You can buy prepaid tickets which you validate at the front of the bus when you get on or you pay the driver by putting the exact change in the box in front of him. He won't give you change, instead a receipt that can be redeemed at Dublin Bus headquarters on O'Connell Street, as if you're going to do that, so whatever you do have change... don't go putting 5 euro notes in there!! Usual international bus rules apply: give your seat to an old person or someone else who needs it, don't block the aisles and don't talk to the driver while the bus is moving!! If its sightseeing you are after, we recommend Dublin Bus Sightseeing Tours which allow you to see a lot of the city in a relatively short space of time.

Luas:
This is the tram which has two lines, one going west and one going south through the city. The red line is probably the handiest for tourists as it can get you to the main bus and train stations, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham and some museums. It is very reliable and comes approx every 5 minutes. You buy a ticket from the machine at the stop and there is usually inspectors on the tram to check them.

Dart:
Overland suburban train that goes alone the coast from north to south and back again. Handy for getting out to picturesque spots such as Howth, Dalkey and Dun Laoghaire. The stations in the city are Connolly Street, Tara Street, Pearse Street and Grand Canal. You can buy tickets at the station from a machine or the ticket desk. You can also buy combination tickets for bus/luas/dart.

Taxis:
There are plenty of taxis on Dublin streets (except for around 3am at weekends!) and Dublin taxi drivers don't have the bad reputation of their counterparts in other big cities. You'd be pretty unlucky to get ripped off. They do normally get tipped.. around 10% will be fine... these boys make a fortune!! Can be a source of some funny anecdotes or useful advice about the city.

Car:
Don't do it!! Unless you are leaving the city you will spend your whole trip in traffic. Seriously!!

Guinness Storehouse:
www.guinness-storehouse.com
What is there to say? Its a great visitors centre actually where they make Guinness. Has cool interactive stuff, like you get to eat the hops etc (not very nice!). You also get to drink the black stuff quite a few times on the way around and finish it all with a pint in the very cool gravity bar with views over the whole of Dublin. Not bad at all! Even Dubliners like visiting here.

Dublin Bus Tour:
There's a couple of companies doing double decker tours around Dublin. They all basically do the same thing and prices vary just by a few euro here and there. Check out where you are staying at reception for best deals. Pick up/drop off at all the major points of interest in the city and tickets are for 24 hours.

Viking Splash Tour:
www.vikingsplash.ie
Fun and cool tour of Dublin in a big old reconditioned world war two vehicles that can go on land and in water. You get basically the same tour as on the double decker bus but you wear viking hats and roar at unsuspecting pedestrians!! And then at the end you put on a life jacket and the bus drives into Grand Canal Basin and drives around (sails??) in the water for about 10 minutes. Its a bit mad but lots of fun!!

Churches:
Dublin has a lot of cool old churches with scary crypts and relics etc. Christchurch and St Patricks are the imposing cathedrals in town and are beautiful inside and out. If you can catch their choirs while you are at it can be a magical experience! St Michans Church on Church Street dates from the 1100's and has gory mummies in the crypts! For the romantics among you the Carmelite Church on Whitefriars Street has the remains of St Valentine, lovely!

Phoenix Park:
A few miles west of the city centre and easily accessible by bus or luas is Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed urban park in Europe and bigger than Central Park. It houses Dublin Zoo, the Irish President's House, the American Embassy, a herd of deer and miles of lovely grassland and woods.

Trinity College:
Beautiful, historic city centre campus which houses lots of interesting things other than students including the Book of Kells, a book made by monks in 800AD! On a sunny day, grab a student priced beer from the Pavillion and watch the cricket on the grass!

Dublin Castle:
Right in the city centre and originally a viking fortress, Dublin castle is well worth a visit. It now has sumptious state apartments and houses the lovely and some what a local secret Chester Beatty gardens.

Kilmainham:
Just a short hop on the red luas line will bring you to Kilmainham which houses both the Museum of Modern Art and the historical Kilmainham Gaol which has a brilliant tour.

Museums:
Dublin, like all other major cities has loads of museums that are well presented and most importantly free. Some popular ones are the Natural History Museum and National Art Gallery on Merrion Square and the National Museum of Decorative Arts at Collins Barracks (Red Luas it). Also with Irelands reputation for literary greats, the Writer's Museum on Parnell Square is worth a visit.

Theatre:
Those in the know rave about Irish theatre the world over and while you're in town you may as well indulge. The national theatre is The Abbey on Lower Abbey Street, which always has something high brow going on. Other theatres that are recommended are The Gate Theatre on Parnell Square, The Peacock at Abbey Street and there's always a chance to see some Riverdance or Lord of the Dance type extravaganza somewhere!

Dublin is a great shopping city especially for those with a stronger currency! It has all the UK high street shops, Topshop, Oasis, Miss Selfridge, Debenhams, Marks & Spencers as well as the internationals, Gap, H&M and Zara to name but a few. Grafton Street and Henry Street are the main shopping areas but there are also great shopping centres outside city centre at Dundrum (get the luas), Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown (bus).

Clothes Shops:

Carrolls:
www.buy4now.ie/carrolls
Locations all over city, you can't miss em!
This is place to go to pick up your cheesy touristy stuff to bring home as well as Guinness branded gear, cheaper than anywhere else. It is a bit of a tackfest but everyone needs a few Irish rugby shirts and kiss me i'm irish tshirts to bring home!

Penneys:
All over the place too, but main ones on O'Connell Street and Mary Street.
This is the place to go if you forgot to pack anything in your backpack, like socks or knickers! The Irish version of Primark has everything dirt cheap! And it will last! Also has great fashion, as they obviously rip trends straight off trendy people, whip them up in some third world country and sell them mega cheap. Not very ethicial no doubt but great for people on a budget! Famous amongst Dublin girls for their underwear!

Dunnes Stores:
www.dunnesstores.ie
Again lots of places, but main city centre are Henry Street and Grafton Street/Stephens Green Shopping Centre.
This used to be the place that was too uncool for school but has given itself a brand facelift recently with its funky Savida and Kaberet ranges. Has just opened a gorgeous new store on Henry Street. Good cheap fashionable clothes for all the family, as well as cool homewares.

Georges Street Arcade:
www.georgesstreetarcade.ie
South Great Georges Street (funnily enough!)
This is part market/part cool trendy shops with vintage/diffusion type fashion. Well worth a visit. Also has a great gourmet food stall and wine shop!

Powerscourt Town Centre:
www.powerscourtcentre.com
South William Street, Dublin 2
Great shopping centre housed in a beautiful historical building. Lots of lovely small boutiques crowned by the Irish Design Centre on the top floor, showcasing Irish designers. Go on, thats what credit cards are for!!

Food Shops:

To feed yourself in your hostel obviously you need to find food. There is a plethora of Spars, Centra, SuperValu, Londis convenience stores on every corner for a handy grab. However if you're looking for a more substantial shop, you are looking for a Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Aldi or Marks & Spencer:

Tesco:
Jervis Street Shopping Centre
Same as the UK store, full of the usual fruit/veg and groceries and cheap clothes, books, cds at one side.
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Dunnes Stores:
Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
Stephens Green Shopping Centre, Dublin 2
Same story as Tesco, just Irish.
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Lidl/Aldi:
Parnell Street/Moore Street, Dublin 1
European brand found all over the place. Cheaper than the above two, but has its own funky foreign brands and CHEAP beer (no guarantee on the hangover though!)!!
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Marks & Spencers:
Mary Street, Dublin
Dublin location of British Institution. Top class fruit and veg, prepared meals and to die for bakery. Also good for good value wine. 1L of Italian Red about 7 euro. Otherwise a bit pricy.
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Fallon & Byrne:
Exchequer Street
Fabulous upmarket grocery store with great instore restaurants. Full of stuff you can't buy elsewhere, so those craving some homegrown treat could be in luck.
Fab cheeses/olives etc. Full of yuppy couples, continentals and gay men, this is the place du jour to buy your foccacia and cherry tomatoes on the weekend!
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Temple Bar Food Market:
Meeting House Square
Homegrown organic food market, Saturdays 10-6.
Not cheap though!
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Other shops:

To buy books, Easons on O'Connell Street or Nassau Street, Waterstones or Hodges Figges on Dawson Street, or the cheapest (but with a smaller selection) Reads on Nassau Street. There are also many independant booksellers around town worth a look.

For music, hit HMV on Grafton or Henry Streets, Tower on Wicklow Street or Celtic Note for your Irish sounds on Nassau Street.

For Irishana, including Aran Sweaters, Waterford Crystal or Newbridge Silver etc hit Nassau Street. Just follow the American retirees.. you'll find the shops!!

Obviously there hundreds if not thousands of pubs in Dublin. They vary from traditional to very upmarket and yuppy. Standard pub hours are 10.30 to 12.30 but some places have late licences until up to 2.30am. Therefore prices also vary too. Here is ten of the best in no particular order.

Mulligans:
http://www.mulligans.ie
Poolbeg Street
Made famous by James Joyce in Ulysses, it has been said that the best pint of Guinness in Dublin is to be had here. Its a traditional type pub with a mixed clientele, ranging from locals to Trinity students.
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The Porterhouse:
http://www.porterhousebrewco.com
Parliament Street
This pub brews all of its own beer from Templebrau to the intriguing Chocolate Stout. The original location is on Parliament Street just on the edge of Temple Bar. There are also locations on Nassau Street and Phibsborough. Live music many nights and always packed with a good atmosphere. Good mix of Dubliners and tourists. Serves food.
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The Templebar:
http://www.thetemplebarpubdublin.com
48 Temple Bar
Legendary Irish pub in Temple Bar, full to the brim of both locals and tourists. Serves up typical Irish food to accompany your pint and traditional Irish music to entertain you while you take your refreshment. Super friendly and helpful staff full of tips and tricks of Dublin.
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Cafe en Seine:
Dawson Street
One of Dublin's swishist bars. Cafe/Bar during the day serving up posh bar food and at night is a super trendy joint full of Dubliners turned out in designer togs. DJ's most nights til 2.30 and a fab jazz brunch on Sundays with a jaz band.
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Doheny & Nesbits:
Merrion Row
This is a politicans/journalists/economists and sport fans pub. Typical old style Dublin pub with lots of snugs and a spacious lounge, this is the place to come to hear political gossip or talk knowledgably about rugby! Very popular with the after work Friday crowd.
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Brazen Head:
Lower Bridge
Essential stop on the tourist pub trail and a handy stop on the trek back from the Guinness storehouse! Oldest pub in Dublin, on this site since 1198! Usual Irish fare on offer and traditional music most nights.
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The Market Bar:
http://www.marketbar.ie
Fade Street
Bar is a huge old market warehouse. The massive room layout leads to a noisy but full of atmosphere pub. Also serves great tapas. Has large heated smoking area at the front.
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Hogans:
Georges Street
Just around the corner from the Market Bar is Hogans, one of Dublin's biggest late night drinking pubs. Serves til about 2.30 at weekends, has a dj and great cocktails as well as traditional pints etc. Dubliners usually pass through here (or the Capitol Bar one block up) at some stage on their night out usually at the end.
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The Long Hall:
Georges Street
Just across the road from Hogans. Despite their proximity in location they couldn't be more different. This is another great 'old man's pub' which basically means traditional (but here quite ornate decor, no loud music and a good pint of Guinness. Great place to pick up random chats with wise dubliners, but gets packed on weekends.
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The Ice Bar:
Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge
If you are a celebrity chaser while sipping cocktails and feasting on sushi type of backpacker (or flashpacker maybe!!) this is place to go. The majority of celebs staying in Dublin, stay in the Four Seasons so are spotted on a regular basis. Deck yourself out in your best gear and bring your credit card though!! (Another option if this is your vibe is the U2 owned Clarence Hotel with its Octogan Bar on Wellington Quay).
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Dublin is a very cosmopolitan city for food. It also can be quite expensive for the budget conscious traveller. Like any other major city Dublin is laden with fastfood restaurants for a bargain but not so healthy meal! Also for a meal reminscent of your asian travels try any of the asian restaurants on Moore Street/Parnell Street in Dublin 1.

Fast Food in Dublin:

McDonalds: www.mcdonalds.ie
Burger King: www.burgerking.co.uk
Supermacs: www.supermacs.ie
Subway: www.subway.com
Quiznos: www.quiznos.com

10 Good Eats in Dublin:

Leo Burdocks:
Werburgh Street
For the best fish and chips in Dublin, head to Leo Burdocks on Werburgh Street, just across from Christchurch. Traditionally served in newspaper, they've upgraded in recent years (no doubt for health and safety reasons) to just plain paper. Order up some fish and chips, load on the salt and vinegar and you're away. Best eaten in the open air! A feast will cost you around 8euro. This establishment is take away only. If you need to sit down and eat try the shops in either Phibsborough or Rathmines, but this is the original and best! Madly unhealthy as chips are laden with grease, but sure thats what makes them taste so good!
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Cafe Bar Deli:
www.cafebardeli.ie
Georges St
Dubliners old reliable for good quality food at decent prices with great atmosphere. CafeBarDeli are housed in the old Bewleys Buildings on Georges Street and Grafton Street. Their sheer size means that its nearly always possible to get a table for two no matter what time. Starters from 3 euro, Mains from 10 euro. Mediterranean inspired fare, big filling salads, pizza and pasta with fresh ingredients, yum olives and bread on the side. Beer and wine available.
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Nude:
www.nude.ie
Suffolk Street
Healthy version of a health food joint. Divine wraps, homemade soups, salads, bakes and freshly squeezed juices adorn the long tables where you sit beside other diners on long benches. Food with a conscience and tastes damn good too! Open til about 9pm. Approx 5 euro. Other concessions sprinkled around the city. The mexican bean wrap gets two thumbs up!
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Gruel:
67 Dame Street
A Dublin institution amongst savvy city dwellers, this funky cafe serves up freshly made fare from an open kitchen in front of your very eyes. Famous for its roast in a roll and homemade soups, this cafe has a wide and varied menu with something to suit every budget. Tables close together, so its all atmosphere rather than calm dining! Soups, salads, pizzas, roast lamb shanks... you get the picture! Daily specials. From 5 euro for soups/starters up to 11.95 for the lamb, the menu is your oyster, so to speak! Open til about 9.30pm (10.30 on saturdays).
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Epicurean Food Hall:
Lower Liffey Street
This food hall on the corner of Liffey Street and Middle Abbey Street is a kind of posh food court. It has a concession of the aforementioned Leo Burdocks but also lots of choices for the discerning palate as well as wines to wash it all down! From Indian to Italian, real New York Bagels to Mexican Burritos and yummy french pastries, its got it all. Its open during the day and later on Thursdays and Saturdays this is place to go when you can't decide what you want. You can just have an authentice Italian espresso and pastry or a full on biriyani!
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Steps of Rome:
Chatham Street
Tiny pizza place where you can order slices of pizza at the counter to take out or eat in the cramped seating area. From about 3 euro a slice. Reasonably priced house wines to wash it down too! Been full of Italians anytime I've been there, which is surely a good sign. Popular for lunch with Dubliners who grab a slice and go!
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Cornucopia:
www.cornucopia.ie
Wicklow Street
This wholefood vegetarian restaurant has been going for decades and its lunch specials are legendary. It has a student canteen feel and is great value for money. Caters for all the 'free' people, dairy-free, wheat free, coelic etc. Makes all their own bread on the premises every day. Expect to pay about 10 euro for a main meal, but that will be a heaped plate of casserole,bake, etc with a selection of hearty salads. It will do you for hours!
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Yamamori:
www.yamamorinoodles.ie
Georges Street
Japanese fusion restaurant serving great sushi, sashimi, noodles etc on long tables with benches. Very popular though, expect to wait for a table at busy times or else just pop in earlier in the day and book a spot. Sushi selection from about 8 euro. Great miso soup both veggie and not. Have just opened a new sushi spot, north of the river just over the halpenny bridge. Worth a try!
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The Winding Stair:
www.winding-stair.com
Lower Ormond Quay
This restaurant upstairs a cool bookshop was a hang out for writers and artists way back in the 70's. It closed a few years ago to reopen as a more upmarket cafe/restaurant. Plenty of organic Irish fare here... a bit more expensive, but due to the atmosphere, history as well as the gorgeous food, its worth a visit, if you have a few euro in your pocket!
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Fallon & Byrne:
Exchequer Street
This upmarket supermarket has several eating options. A cafe on the ground floor, where you queue at the counter and pay and then try to grab a seat. Delish sambos ranging from Gorgonzola, Rocket, Walnut and Honey to the classic BLT. Also great dishes like morrocan casserole and samosas, all made fresh on the premises. Sandwiches are pricy around 5 euro but well worth it. If you can't get space to sit in the cafe you can bring your food down to the basement to grab a seat in the wine bar. Available in the wine bar (apart from the obvious great selection of wine) is table service for posh open sandwiches like smoked salmon and plates of cheese and meats. Upstairs is the restaurant, which is delicious but certainly WAY outside the backpacker budget!!
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