48 hours in Dublin with your campervan
Dublin is the capital and the largest city in the Republic of Ireland. With a population of approximately 1.3 million, it is a vibrant city without being too busy (in comparison, London has over 500 million citizens). There being so much to see and do, it would be impossible to cram it all into 48 hours, especially if like us, you have children and a dog. However, in this blog post I am showing you what we managed to fit into our visit, whilst giving you some options of alternatives and/or additional things to see and do within the city in the format of a guide.
Before planning your own visit, it is useful to know that the River Liffey divides Dublin in two, between the Northside and the Southside. In our experience, it is best to try and plan your days out on each side of the river, especially if you will be driving between attractions.
As a general overall guidance, you can find out everything you need to know about travelling from Great Britain to the Republic of Ireland here.
Day One
Head for the Little Museum of Dublin to learn about the history of Ireland over the last 100 years. There are so many artefacts to look at here, that I highly recommend booking onto one of their guided tours. Staff are really knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions that you have about the history of Dublin.
Afterwards, head over the road to stroll through St Stephan’s Green. This public park is adjacent to one of Dublin's main shopping streets, Grafton Street, so head for a spot of shopping, or just to soak up the atmosphere if you have time. Be sure to walk to St Patrick’s Cathedral too. Parking can be difficult in the city, but apps like Parkopedia (where you can filter results by the height of your vehicle) are really useful. Alternatively, there is some off-road parking near St Stephan’s Green which is where we parked.
Other things to do in the area include : Dublinia, National Museum of Ireland, Dublin Castle, Irish Whiskey Museum.
In the afternoon of Day One, we booked a tour of Kilmainham Gaol, which gave us a good insight into Ireland’s past. This prison museum is where many of Ireland’s prisoners were tortured and executed. Whilst it might sound scary, the girls (9 & 7 years old) really enjoyed it!
Other things to do near Kilmainham Gaol include Dublin Zoo.
Are you planning your very own Irish road trip? Grab your very own Travel Log here to record all your adventures.
Stay at Camac Valley Caravan Park
Day Two
Head for The Jeanie Johnston ship, to learn about the Irish Famine! Tours are every hour and this was definitely a highlight of our trip (I would recommend pre booking this one in advance). Afterwards, be sure to walk along the River Liffey a short way to see The Famine Memorial - poignant, life-sized statues depicting starving people.
More book recommendations about and related to the Republic of Ireland can be found here.
Other things to do in the area: EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland.
Forty minutes from the center of Dublin, you’ll find the famous Johnnie Fox’s Pub! You can’t visit Ireland without a visit here, but I would recommend booking in advance because it is a very popular spot. Here you’ll find great hospitality, amazing food and Irish music - one not to be missed!
Buy your Google Map guide to the Republic of Ireland here. It includes:
Campsite recommendations, must see attractions and towns, chemical disposal points, beaches, hikes, food and drink recommendations, driving routes and blog post links.
