In the city centre:
There's a famous song about Dublin saying "Dublin can be heaven, with coffee at 11, and a stroll...in Stephen's Green. There's no need to hurry, there's no need to worry, you're a kind and the lady is a queen". My suggestion is to live out that song!
Tourists often visit Dublin at the weekend when its swarmed with shoppers or during the summer when its swarmed with ramblers. I suggest starting out early!
There are many lovely places to have your morning coffee (or brunch if you really can't get up!) I've always loved Lemon Crepe bars, you'll find one on Dawson Street (near the corner with Nassau Street) and also a much smaller one (the original!) on South William Street. Actually right beside Lemon on South William Street you'll find Ireland's world famous "Butler's Chocolates"- a MUST for anyone with a sweet tooth! And on the opposite side of the street you'll find Munchies where they make tasty sandwiches and delicious soups. There's also the more obvious choice of Bewley's on Grafton Street....a history filled tearoom dating from the 1920s!
All the tour guides will no doubt focus on the city centre so you won't be short of things to do! The Art Gallery on Merrion Square offers a few real gems and often has special exhibitions that are definitely worth the trip. Make sure to stroll the boardwalk along the River Liffey, if you're feeling energetic enough take the Viking Splash tour and roar at passers by :) Make sure to cross the Ha'penny Bridge for a perfect picture opportunity (but be careful with your camera! I've seen so many things fall in to the river from that bridge!)
Visit the Guinness Brewery...hear the history, taste the tipple and then go up the gravity tower for a birds eye view of the city. Take a peek at Christchurch Cathedral, be sure to stroll through Stephen's Green and spot the ducks (don't be disappointed if they don't eat your bread, they're probably the most overfed ducks in Ireland!)
Outside of the city
I think this is where Dublin's beauty really shines!
Visit the beautiful castle in Malahide (and the adorable Malahide village nearby). Watch kite boarders master the waves from Bull Island. Visit the zoo in Phoenix Park (and sneak a peek at the President's house while you're there).
Or go south and walk the winding coastal roads in Killiney (ask a local to tell you where Bono lives!). Visit the bustling port in Dunlaoghaire, be sure to taste some Teddy's Ice-cream and spot some seals from along the coast road.
If you have enough time you can venture even further afield and visit the ancient celtic monastery in Glendalough where you can take in the incredible beauty that the Irish countryside has to offer.
