DUBLIN’S fair city can be seen on a budget, as I found out on a recent long weekend city break. I paid around £45 after taxes flying from Heathrow to Dublin on Aer Lingus, and stayed at the excellent, and well located, Isaac’s Hostel, which provides private rooms as well as shared dorms. All in, my accommodation cost around £90 for four nights stay in a basic, but quite adequate, private two person room with breakfast thrown in. Isaacs Hostel is right by the Busarus central bus station, so It’s a cinch to find with Dublin’s excellent public transport system, and it provides good communal areas, a well appointed self-catering kitchen, pool table, internet access, a sauna and staff who know the city well. I found Dublin itself a charming, laid back city. One can stroll along the Ha’Penny bridge to the famous Temple Bar area and sample a Guinness while watching the colourful street performers and live music. Well worth a visit is Kilmainham Gaol, which provides an excellent lesson on Ireland’s often sad history, in particular the Easter Rising – the leaders of which were interred in the gaol. In the vicinity of the gaol is also the famous Guinness brewery in St James’ Gate, which is also a must-see attraction. It features a superb visitor centre and the chance to sample a glass of the black stuff in the ‘Sky Bar’, which affords a panoramic view over the city. For a city break close to home, I can’t recommend Dublin highly enough – and with excellent deals on low cost flights, there’s no better time to visit.