Till Mueller
7c0e365ec9
- Remove Germany/Netherlands files (not needed — early ferry, no stops) - Rewrite Hoek van Holland as daytime ferry already booked - New England file focused on EV charging + Cambridge/York/Lakes/Liverpool stops - Add EV charging section to Isle of Man - Rewrite Dublin with confirmed events: Aug 30 college football, Aug 31 Bon Jovi - New return leg: Dublin → Cherbourg ferry → Walldorf by Sep 2 - Update README with full timeline and confirmed dates table - Update .ai-context with EV conventions and fixed date constraints
6.1 KiB
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
Bon Jovi Concert — Sunday August 31 (possible)
Verify venue and tickets — likely Aviva Stadium or a major outdoor venue. Check 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
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.
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
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
- 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.
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.