Ireland’s capital is a thriving business hub and popular tourist spot recognised globally for its position as one of the most liveable cities in Europe — and it’s not hard to see why.
Dublin is a big city (the largest in Ireland) with the charm of a small town. Bursting with character, Dublin offers a fascinating history, colourful culture, and welcoming crowds. Getting familiar with a new city can take a lot of planning and time, which we know most business travellers don’t have, so we took it upon ourselves to create a useful business travel guide to Dublin — through the lens of your first weekend.
First thing’s first: make sure you’re up to date with the latest COVID-19 guidance
Regardless of a global pandemic, it is crucial to be familiar with the local regulations and laws when travelling to any new city or country. For a guide to Ireland, please click here.
That said, Ireland is currently tackling the COVID-19 pandemic using a five-level framework — with level five consisting of the tightest restrictions. Due to the volatile nature of COVID-19, the guidance can change daily, so it is best to stay updated to keep yourself and others safe. Click here to find more information about Ireland’s COVID framework and the most recently updated guidance.
Update 6/1/21: Ireland is under Level 5 restrictions.
Please see gov.ie for the latest.
Your First Weekend in Dublin
Friday Evening
A Friday evening is all about celebrating the weekend. And wouldn’t be a Friday evening without a delicious meal! If COVID guidelines allow it, we recommend you start the weekend off with a bang at Fade Street Social. Offering a delightful range of local, homegrown produce within a stylish setting, dining here is a great way to get acquainted with the local cuisine while getting to know your work colleagues. Once finished, head to the rooftop cocktail bar for classic cocktails and fantastic views of Dublin’s cityscape.
If COVID guidance restricts dining in public, or if you merely fancy staying in, why not bring the best of Dublin’s restaurants to you? Click here to explore some of Dublin’s best takeaways.
Saturday Day
Now that you’ve enjoyed a delicious meal and tasty cocktail overlooking Dublin, it is time to kick off the heels or loafers, lace-up your sneakers, and explore Dublin by foot. As Dublin is a relatively small city, there’s no doubt you’ll be able to pack the best bits of the city into one full day.
Start your day in Dublin’s Medieval Quarter — the oldest of nine quarters in the city. Home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Medieval Quarter is a great place to explore on foot. We recommend taking in the serene morning atmosphere by strolling through the cobbled streets and surveying the ancient architecture. Just be sure to get there early as this area will draw a crowd. And before you leave, make sure to stop off at the Brazen Head pub for lunch — Dublin’s oldest pub, which dates back to 1198.
After lunch, you’ll be in the perfect location to take a stroll across the River Liffey towards the Dublin Docklands. This pleasant waterside route passes several of Dublin’s most famous bridges, including Ha’penny and O’Connell Bridge, and offers impressive views over old Dublin and the River Liffey. Once you reach the Dublin Docklands — or Dublin’s tech quarter — catch a show at the famous Bord Gais Energy Theatre, or simply take a stroll and enjoy the beautiful riverside location.
Saturday Evening
As the day draws to an end, Dublin’s Docklands is the perfect place to start your Saturday evening. This area is well known for its vast number of stylish restaurants and rooftop bars, again offering the ideal place to spend quality time with work colleagues. Alternatively, you can make your way to Grafton Street, which is home to a wealth of stylish and great value restaurants. Our very own team on the ground in Dublin recommends Farrier & Draper, home to a popular Italian restaurant and sophisticated lounge bar set over three different rooms.
If COVID guidelines mean you must restrict social contact, or all the walking has you ready to relax, you can enjoy another night in the comfort of your own space, in your apartment. Each of Synergy’s apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, meaning you can prepare a delicious meal in the safety and comfort of your own space.
Sunday Day
After a busy Saturday exploring the very best of Dublin, Sunday is for discovering the more relaxed and quieter side of the city.
Start your Sunday morning by cycling along the Royal Canal, starting at the Dublin Docklands and ending at Croke Park Stadium. The Royal Canal spans a whopping 146km — but fear not, the cycle from the Dublin Docklands to Croke Park is a pleasant 2.5km of canal-side greenery. You can find a bike to rent here.
When you reach Croke Park, the beating heart of Ireland’s Gaelic sports hub, you can choose between a stadium tour to learn more about Ireland’s most popular sports, or you can head to Croke Park Skyline — Dublin’s highest open-viewing platform and take in the spectacular, panoramic views of Dublin.
You’ll likely work up a large appetite after an active morning, so Sunday afternoon should be all about the food. Herbert Park Farmer’s Market is a leisurely 20-minute cycle from Croke Park. It offers a range of delicious culinary options from international cuisine to cheese toasties and some of the most delicious doughnuts you’ve ever tasted. Well worth the 20-minute cycle if you ask us!
Sunday Night
We’ll leave what you do on Sunday evening up to you! Keep it quiet and enjoy what’s left of the weekend in the comfort of your own home, or venture back out and explore more of what Dublin has to offer at your own pace. The options in Dublin are plentiful.
The Synergy Difference
Synergy currently offers over 1,000 apartments in Dublin. Our newest apartments in Dublin — Synergy @The Marker Residence and Synergy @Grand Canal Residence — offer a range of luxurious studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of the Dublin Docklands. This location provides a central and comfortable home-away-from-home experience.
Backed financially by The Ascott Limited and CapitaLand Limited, Synergy offers a consultative approach to building bespoke, end-to-end solutions for clients to provide unparalleled accommodation solutions across the globe. Flexible solutions blended with incomparable account management capabilities, the highest levels of duty of care, and 24/7/365 support from friendly, local experts are what make the Synergy experience second to none.
Click here to find out more about Synergy in Dublin.
