Dublin: six reasons to visit

The Irish capital may be steeped in history, but there’s more to it than cobbled streets, classic pubs and college buildings. Thanks to a hi-tech boom, Dublin is also home to hip hotels, a vibrant food scene and creative start-ups, which will charm you in equal measure, says local writer Nicola Brady

Food for thought

Thanks to a couple of new Michelin stars, a smattering of genius start-ups and a burgeoning street food scene, Dublin’s foodie reputation is on the rise. South Great George’s Street has a number of excellent spots, whether you opt for Japanese at Yamamori or modern Mexican at 777. You can always be sure of a great meal at The Greenhouse (pictured) on Dawson Street, which received its Michelin star in 2015.

Happy hour

Move beyond the pubs of Temple Bar and you’ll find some cracking cocktail bars. Brand-new Farrier & Draper (pictured) has a chic, vintage vibe, with mixologists who make a mean Negroni. But you can’t leave town without sampling a pint of the black stuff (yes, Guinness). Head to Toners to get your hands on the real deal – arrive early and you might snag the famous snug, where Irish poet WB Yeats drank.

Shopping spree

Skip Grafton Street’s generic shops and head to the Powerscourt Centre. The Georgian townhouse is filled with interesting boutiques stocking antiques, vintage, homewares and the best of Irish design.

Culture fix

For a small city, Dublin has an impressive number of museums. The National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology has countless treasures (plus an eerie collection of bog bodies). If you want to soak up the city’s history in a setting that’s far from stuffy, take a tour of the delightfully bonkers Little Museum of Dublin (pictured).

Music, man

The experience of a traditional music session in an old pub is unbeatable – The Palace Bar is always a safe bet. Wander up Grafton Street and you can listen to countless talented buskers (Bono sings there every Christmas Eve).

Bed down

The Shelbourne is known as the Grande Dame of Dublin, with good reason. This elegant townhouse is beloved by Dubliners as a meeting point for special occasions. For something more modern, try The Marker, bang in the middle of ‘Silicon Docks’ (home to the headquarters of Google, Facebook and Airbnb), or The Dean (pictured), a hipster haven with quirky rooms and a buzzing rooftop bar.

Book flights to Dublin from just 8,000 Avios plus a £35 fixed fee using Reward Flight Saver. Terms and conditions apply. Find out more at ba.com

Nicola Brady