Suggestion 1: Go to Malahide for an hour or two. The advantages are these - you can go to Malahide castle, which has some nice green grounds to wander around. It also, importantly, has the Fry Model Railway, which is well worth a visit. For €6 for a grown up (hah!) you get to see both a phenomenal set of model trains that Mr. Cyril Fry, a railway engineer, built in the 1920s and 1930s, and a huge (much bigger than an attic....) display of running model trains which covers the DART, Irish Rail, Luas and other model transportation. Anyone with children to entertain (like my better half, who still isn't convinced of my age) who have any sort of mechanical interest would enjoy this I think.
Also in Malahide, there is a beach for walking on. That's nice too.
Suggestion 2: The Chester Beatty Library. I finally made the effort to go and see it, it's been hiding behind Dublin Castle all these years! A small, but exquisite exhibition called "the Art of the Book" is on display at the moment, which has some absolutely fantastic and beautifully illustrated books that Mr. Beatty (obviously a man of not inconsiderable means...) collected. The vivid colours and details that were capable of being printed through the years is very impressive, and for €0 entry fee, well worth a visit. There is also an exhibition on world religions which is very interesting too.
Suggestion 2.1: Toscana, on Dame Street - a very tasty 2 course lunch is available here, in the Italian style. Excellent value, nicely filling.
Suggestion 2.2: The Queen of Tarts, also on Dame Street for coffee and dessert. Like the Chester Beatty, I'd been threatening to get in here for years but only now have I managed it! A lovely cosy café (be prepared to wait for a table, though!) which serves absolutely gorgeous cakes and Lavazza coffee. We had pear and chocolate tart, which was delicious, and a very well balanced cinnamon and apple crumble. Both were hugely tasty and lighter than we expected. It's going to be visited again.
Model trains! Deadly!
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