Dublin

Barnacles is a pretty decent hostel.... a lot better than some of the other dives I've stayed in in Dublin. The rooms are clean, the showers are hot, there's a full kitchen where you can cook and get free breakfast, and there is underbed storage. Everything you'd expect from a hostel, basically.

It's located right in the heart of Temple Bar though, so depending on the purpose of your trip to Dublin, that could totally be hit or miss. If you're there for the nightlife, then you couldn't ask for a more ideal location. If you're not though, it can get *really* loud at night. We had a wonderful guy outside our window who serenaded us for hours with his guitar and songs about peeing in the streets. If you're lucky enough to get one of the rooms that doesn't face the street it may not be so bad, but who knows.

Really good otherwise. I'd definitely stay at Barnacles again if I had too... I especially like their Galway location as well!

The Dublin Castle tour was definitely better than I expected it to be. I mean, tours of 'State Apartments' all start to look similar to me after a while, but this one still pretty good. The guides do an excellent job of taking you through Irish history and the different uses of Dublin Castle. Pictures are allowed too, which is unusual for these types of sites.

Completely over-rated, in my opinion. The self-guided tour is more or less completely forgetable. The only bits I really even remember appreciating from it were the old advertising posters and such. The only redeeming quality of this attraction is the "free" pint of Guinness in the Sky Bar at the top. The views out over Dublin on a clear day are amazing! It can get pretty crowded up there though.

I know it's "the" thing people want to see in Dublin, but I'd say save yourself the outrageous entrance fee and get a couple pints at a nice pub or something instead. You can still visit the official Guiness Gift Shop inside without paying for the tour or anything too, if you want to.

I've done the tour of Kilmainham Gaol twice, and I'd definitely go again if given a chance. I recommend it to anyone going to Dublin (well, anyone who is going to Dublin for more than just the drinking).

If you have an interest in Irish history at all, then Kilmainham shouldn't be missed. The guides are extremely knowledgable, and you are taken through all parts of the gaol: the "new" 18th century bits, and the older parts. Cells and places of interest regarding some of the gaol's more famous prisoners are also pointed out.

There's a brief video near the beginning of the tour too, which should help anybody not familiar with events like 1916 and prepare them for the importance and significane of Kilmainham and what they're about to see on the tour.

The tour lasts about an hour, and the entrance fee was nothing too pricey. It's definitely value for your money.