The Liberties and SmithfieldAn Libirt

Feels:

Old streets, cathedrals and distilleries; quieter than Temple Bar

Suits:

Guinness, whiskey, markets and local pubs

Best time:

Daytime

Watch out for:

Side streets after dark.

In short:

West of the Castle: old streets, distilleries and the Guinness Storehouse; not all lit or busy at night.

Almost everything a first visit needs sits inside a 2 km box on the south bank: Trinity College and Grafton Street in the middle, Dublin Castle and Temple Bar to the west, St Stephen’s Green and the Georgian squares to the south, and the Liffey with the GPO and O’Connell Street on the north edge. Outside that box (Kilmainham, the Docklands, Phoenix Park, Howth) you ride a tram, bus or DART.

Lines from the Dublin drinking guide that name this district.

• The Cobblestone (Smithfield) · Pub with a trad session · until about 00:00Music is the point; ask for the days of the sessions.
• Craft beer and cider · Local IPAs, red ale, dry cider · until Pub hours · €6.50–8.00 (≈ US$8–10) a pintCraft-beer bars around Stoneybatter and the Liberties

• The Liberties and Smithfieldday: oknight: caution

  Fewer people on side streets at night; use a taxi after 22:00.