It has a few big department stores and supermarkets, and some down market clothing retailers. Even though the merchandise isn't world class, the area's streets are interesting architecturally, and offer a glimpse into Irish life. You can easily spend a day exploring this part of the city and its main thoroughfares and historic, cobblestone streets. Dublin has a handful of big tourist sites, like the National Museum of Ireland, located on Collins Barracks street, which houses a fascinating collection of historical treasures, from prehistoric gold jewels to tomb loot of ancient Egypt. Just a stone's throw away is Trinity College , Ireland's premiere university, located right in the center of town.
Trinity boasts stunning gardens and a fun college atmosphere.
The university houses the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript decorated with ornate gold text, worth a visit for history buffs. If you want to stray from the tourist beat, try strolling around the Temple Bar area, just south of the River Liffy. Temple Bar has a variety of stores, including art galleries, charity clothes shops, and high-tech music stores. Some of the streets are pretty well trampled by tourists, but look down the smaller side streets, and you'll find some good pubs and clubs. At night, Temple Bar's streets swell with crowds of 20-somethings waiting for the area's many clubs and bars open their doors.