Dublin is brilliant for music and other wonderful sites. Despite some people's snootiness about the guided bus/walking tours, seasoned travellers know there is no better way to see the highlights of a city economically in terms of both time and money. The Dublin Tourist office in the City Center, smack in the middle of O'Connell Street, is the place to start . If you are going to hire a car to drive out of the city, some of the rental companies will drop off/pick up right at or near the Tourist Office on O'Connell St. The horse drawn carriage rides are lovely in the evening if you have nice weather.

Because you'll be there for such a limited time, and in such a limited geographic region, you might want to limit your out of Dublin excursions to a trip to Newgrange in Co. Meath. This is one of the most fabulous sites in Ireland--an archaelogical treasure older than the pyramids. Bus tours leave from O'Connell St. too, and you can spend either half or whole days. In case you don't know what Newgrange is, it is an underground burial chamber with it's altar stone aligned to sunrise on the midwinter solstice. It is actually one of three related sites in the Co Meath area, the others being Knowth and Dowth.

If you are taking a trip related to horses, Co. Kildare, also just outside Dublin, is horse central. Easy enough to find good tourist information about it.

I can't recommend much in the way of "local" food in Ireland, as most of it is bloody awful. But Dublin has some nice ethnic restaurants and good quality eateries. Get a good guide book. If you are vegetarian, there is a vegetarian guide to Ireland called "The Bridgestone Vegetarian Gude to Ireland" by John & Sally McKenna. I usually don't eat Irish food in restaurants unless it is vegetarian, seafood, or a pretty pricey place with excellent ingredients. I often eat ethnic in Dublin. But be sure to make a trip to Bewley's just off St. Stephen's Green. The coffee, tea, and sweets are divine, and it is a real Dublin experience. It is right in the middle of the shopping district on Grafton Street. Also, the Winding Stair Bookshop and Cafe (the cafe is one floor up) is on the City Centre side of the Ha'penny Bridge, which crosses the river from the Arch (Temple Bar district). It is a divine little place with good food, mellow music, a non-smoking floor (with a smoking floor another floor up), and an unbeatable view of the river. Make this a nice "respite" stop for lunch or tea. It isn't open at night.

As to music, pick up the "In Dublin" guide, which will list all the sessions and what's on. One of the best places to look for sessions is Hughes' (behind the Four Courts). Trad Irish music (and other great music) can often be heard at various times at Whelan's, Mother Redcaps, and the Harcourt Hotel. There is also the book called something like "The Irish Traditional Music Guide" by Fintan Vallely, who is a musician who knows. Essential if you have a serious interest in the music.

Dublin is a fantastic city--too bad you'll only be there so short a time! Enjoy!