# Dublin, Ireland > **Type:** City destination + confirmed event anchor > **Confirmed dates:** August 30 (college football), August 31 (possible Bon Jovi concert) > **Recommended stay:** 2–3 days at end of trip > **Best for:** End-of-trip anchor; culture, pubs, events ## Confirmed Events ### College Football — Aviva Stadium, Saturday August 30 The Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Notre Dame vs Navy at Aviva Stadium (capacity 51,700), Lansdowne Road. - **Book tickets early** — this sells out and is a major event drawing American visitors - Stadium is in Ballsbridge, 3km from city centre; Luas Red Line or taxi - Pre-match atmosphere in the pubs around Baggot Street and the city centre is excellent - [aerlinguscollegefootballclassic.com](https://www.aerlinguscollegefootballclassic.com) ### Bon Jovi Concert — Sunday August 31 (possible) Verify venue and tickets — likely Aviva Stadium or a major outdoor venue. Check [ticketmaster.ie](https://www.ticketmaster.ie). --- ## Why Via Dublin (Arrival) Arriving from the Wild Atlantic Way (coming south from Donegal/Galway/Kerry), Dublin is the natural end point. The Wild Atlantic Way terminates near Cork/Kinsale; from there it's 3h north to Dublin for the Aug 30 fixture. **Timing:** Build your Wild Atlantic Way itinerary backward from August 29 in Dublin (day before the game). That gives you ~3 weeks of cycling/driving from a Belfast/Donegal start around August 7–10. --- ## Must-See ### Trinity College & Book of Kells Ireland's oldest university (1592). The Long Room library is one of the most beautiful rooms in the world — 65m barrel-vaulted ceiling, 200,000 ancient books. The Book of Kells (9th-century illuminated gospel) is displayed here. - Book ahead: [tcd.ie/visitors](https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/) ### Kilmainham Gaol The prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed by firing squad. Essential to understanding modern Irish history. Guided tours only — book well ahead. - [kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie](https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie) ### National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology Free. World-class prehistoric gold collection and the Iron Age bog bodies (Clonycavan Man, etc.). Worth 1–2 hours. ### Temple Bar Dublin's cultural quarter. Cobblestones, pubs, galleries. Touristy but genuinely alive at night. Skip the Temple Bar pub (overpriced) — try Mulligan's on Poolbeg St or The Long Hall on George's St for a proper pint. ### Phoenix Park 1,750-acre park with wild deer, the US Ambassador's residence, and the Irish President's house. Good for a morning run or cycle. ### Guinness Storehouse Nine floors in the original fermentation plant; complimentary pint at the Gravity Bar with city views. Book ahead. --- ## EV Charging in Dublin Dublin has solid rapid charging infrastructure. - **ESB ecars** network is widespread across the city (app: eCars) - Rapid chargers at Merrion Road, Ballsbridge (near Aviva), and most major car parks - **Aviva Stadium area:** ESB chargers on Serpentine Avenue and Merrion Road --- ## Practical Info - **Currency:** Euro (EUR) - **Driving:** Left side - **Getting around:** Luas tram (Red and Green lines), Dublin Bus, cycling. City centre is walkable. - **Accommodation:** Book months ahead for the Aug 30 weekend — the college football game fills the city ## Onward: Return to Walldorf See `08-return-via-france.md` for the Dublin → ferry to France → Walldorf leg (target: home by Sep 2). ## Links - [Visit Dublin](https://www.visitdublin.com) - [Aer Lingus College Football Classic](https://www.aerlinguscollegefootballclassic.com) - [Ticketmaster Ireland](https://www.ticketmaster.ie) - [ESB ecars charging](https://www.esb.ie/ecars) ## Must-See ### Trinity College & Book of Kells Ireland's oldest university (1592). The Long Room of the Old Library is one of the most beautiful rooms in the world — barrel-vaulted ceiling, 200,000 ancient books, marble busts. The Book of Kells (9th-century illuminated manuscript) is displayed here. - **Book ahead** — it sells out; [tcd.ie/visitors](https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/) - **Allow:** 1.5–2 hours ### Temple Bar Dublin's cultural quarter on the south bank of the Liffey. Cobblestone streets, pubs, galleries, market on weekends. Touristy but genuinely lively. The Temple Bar pub is the famous one — it'll be packed and expensive; try Mulligan's or The Long Hall instead for a quieter pint. ### National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology Free entry. Home to some of the finest prehistoric gold artefacts in the world and the famous Iron Age bog bodies. Worth 1–2 hours. ### Kilmainham Gaol The prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. Essential to understanding modern Irish history. Guided tours only — book well ahead. - [kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie](https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie) ### Phoenix Park One of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital (1,750 acres). Herd of wild deer. The US Ambassador's residence and the Irish President's (Áras an Uachtaráin) are inside the park. ### Guinness Storehouse The pilgrimage. Nine floors in a converted fermentation plant; the gravity bar at the top has panoramic city views and a complimentary pint. More enjoyable than it sounds. - Book ahead; busy in summer. --- ## Practical Info - **Currency:** Euro (EUR) - **Ferry from Isle of Man:** Irish Ferries Dublin–Holyhead (but this goes to Wales first); or Stena Line Rosslare. Direct IoM–Dublin is seasonal via Steam Packet — verify availability. - **Driving:** Left side - **Luas tram:** Useful for getting around the city centre without parking stress ## Onward: Wild Atlantic Way From Dublin, the most practical cycling start is to take the coast road north to Donegal (if starting north-to-south) or drive south toward Kerry/Limerick (if doing south-to-north). The most common cycling direction for prevailing westerly winds: **south to north** (Clare → Galway → Mayo → Donegal). See `08-wild-atlantic-way.md` for the full route. ## Links - [Visit Dublin](https://www.visitdublin.com) - [Trinity College Visitors](https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/) - [Kilmainham Gaol](https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie)