Make friends and be merry in Ireland's capital on city breaks to Dublin, famous for its graceful squares and love of a good night out.

The narrow River Liffey divides the city into north and south, stretching from the shiny Docklands to the malty-whiffing brewery, next to the huge Guinness Storehouse museum. The city centres on Trinity College and its huge grassy grounds. On the south side, arty Temple Bar transforms at weekends when fun-loving party animals trip down its cobbled lanes. Close by, Dublin Castle towers over the city's historic centre. Most of Dublin's best museums are clustered around elegant Merrion Square.

Best of Dublin City breaks for...

• Nightlife: Start your night in a traditional bar with Victorian wood-panelled snugs, the perfect place to enjoy Dublin's very own Guinness. Make sure you pick one with a live Irish music session, when the whole bar stomps its feet to the sounds of the fiddle, pennywhistle and bodhrán hand-drum.
• Active types: Hire a bicycle to peddle through the 700-hectare Phoenix Park, Europe's largest urban park. Cycle past local rugby matches, and look for deer roaming the lush fields.
• Shopping: Fancy browsing creamy Belleek ceramics, Celtic Claddagh rings or top Irish designer gear? Find your favourite Dublin souvenir in specialist stores on Nassau Street.
   
• Families: Kids will squeal at animatronic Frankenstein, the highlight of the Chamber of Horrors in the basement of the National Wax Museum. Upstairs, waxworks of great Irish writers “'speak” at the push of a button.
• Romance: Stroll hand-in-hand through peaceful Iveagh Gardens on weekend breaks in Dublin, where crumbling statues dot the ivy-clad pathways. Bring a picnic and enjoy one of Dublin's best-kept secrets.
  

Getting into Dublin from Dublin International Airport

• It's just over 30 minutes on the Airlink bus into the city. Taking slightly longer, the Aircoach stops at prominent Dublin hotels.
• The cheapest journey is by public Dublin Bus, taking one hour with frequent stops.
  

Getting around on weekend breaks in Dublin

• On foot Wear comfortable walking shoes and take to the streets! Dublin's compact centre is easy to explore on foot.
• Public transport Pay exact fair on boarding Dublin Buses, with routes criss-crossing the city. The Luas light rail runs from the centre out to the suburbs. The speedy DART train nips from Connolly Station to Dublin's coastal areas.