Ballsbridge

1.6 miles from downtown

With its grand Victorian houses and leafy avenues, this is the heart of well-heeled Dublin. This is where you’ll find many diplomatic outposts, including the landmark US Embassy, a striking circular building with echoes of Celtic design. For echoes of the sporting kind, just down the road you’ll find Lansdowne Road, the home of Irish rugby.

Places to stay from $37 a night

Rathmines

1.9 miles from downtown

Dublin has a plethora of vibrant little village-style suburbs on the outskirts, with a splendid mix of redbrick Victorian and Edwardian mansions and terraces. The “Three Rs” – Rathmines, Rathgar and Ranelagh – are on the south side and rank among the best of them. The majestic Grand Canal flows through all three, less than 5km from the centre.

Places to stay from $37 a night

Temple Bar

0.4 miles from downtown

In the days before the Celtic Tiger economy, penniless artists lived in Temple Bar. Now this web of narrow streets, bang in the city centre, is a mix of art galleries, restaurants, pubs and music venues. Handel’s Messiah was first performed here in 1742. Cow’s Lane has a Saturday fashion and design market – there’s a surprise round every corner …

Places to stay from $16 a night

Drumcondra

1.2 miles from downtown

There’s a lot to see on these classic Dublin suburban streets – including the Gaelic games stadium, Croke Park, which towers over much of Drumcondra. Start at Fagan’s Pub, local haunt of former Taoiseach (Irish for “Prime Minister”), Bertie Ahern. It was here he brought US President, Bill Clinton, in September 1998. See the photo on the wall.

Places to stay from $54 a night

Saint Stephen's Green

0.7 miles from downtown

If shopping is your bag, start from St Stephen’s Green – and make elegant and affable Shelbourne Hotel your campaign headquarters. Grafton Street has all the luxury boutiques your wallet can bear. Dawson Street adds restaurants. And believe it or not, the Irish parliament, Trinity College and the National Gallery are all in the same square mile.

Places to stay from $60 a night

Parnell Square

0.3 miles from downtown

Cross the River Liffey to O’Connell Street, which runs all the way to Parnell Square. Here you’ll see monuments dedicated to two very different Dublins: the GPO, with its Greek-style porticos, is where Irish independence was won in 1916; while the 398-foot stainless steel Spire of Dublin was completed in 2003 as a salute to Ireland’s new prosperity.

Places to stay from $48 a night

Clontarf

2.9 miles from downtown

The first thing Dubliners will tell you about Clontarf is that it’s where Ireland’s last High King, Brian Boru, trounced the Vikings in 1014. The second thing they’ll tell you is that the only battle today is for desirable homes – preferably with views of Dublin Bay. It’s also the perfect setting for a walk in St Anne’s Park or Fairview Park.

Places to stay from $42 a night