Dublin-bound this weekend - any last minute suggestions?

DH and I are headed to Dublin Sat-Weds (flight leaves 9am Weds morn) and I am working on our little "To Do" list.  I'm looking for any others who might want to contribute with first-hand experiences, and also for recommendations on where to eat/drink/be merry!  We're staying near St Stephens Green.

On the to do list:
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Guinness Factory (must do for DH)
Kilmainham Gaol
St Patricks and Christ Church Cathedral
National Archives and General register office (Monday, for some family history work)

And I'm not going to lie... if I was anywhere near the IFI at 5pm Saturday I would totally be going to the showing of Darby O'Gill and the little people.  I love that movie.

I'm most concerned with Tuesday itself, as I am sure that 99% of things are going to be closed for the holiday, and we're not huge drinkers, so just spending the day in a pub downing Guinness after Guinness is not really my thing.  I was thinking of spending most of it wandering the riverfront and side streets, weather-permitting.

Thanks in advance!

I'm trying to remember, I was in Dublin for Patty's Day a few years ago and it was definitely mobbed with people.  Get the to the parade early so you can actually see it!

I had quite an adventure on Patty's day which involved a pint of the black stuff at every pub and a shot of whisky... it involved about 10 local lads and I was the only girl.  It was hysterical, from what I remember.  But after not eating all day, my then boyfriend and I conked out way too early... I remember waking up at like 2 am dying of hunger and ending up in a dodgy kebab shop! 

Anyways, that's not what you want to do 

Also, you should pre-book your tickets for the Guinness brewery online so you can skip the queues.  I remember there was a huge queue and it wrapped all the way around the corner, like a 2 hour wait- but we could go right in.  Awesome views from up there though! 

I used to live in Dublin. Try to get outside the city for the day if you get the chance. You'll want to after a couple of days, it's incredibly crowded. Head to Howth on the DART if you get the chance. Sunday is the best day there's a market and some lovely scenery.
Also, I prefer the Jameson tour to the Guinness one but it's definately worth going on both.
Make sure you take open-top bus tour, the guides are relly good and you'll see things you never thought of.
Temple Bar is crazy at the weekend but you have to experience it.

Have fun.

Yes, I think the Jameson tour is cheaper than the Guinness one too. There's a good pub in Smithfield, right around the corner from the Jameson Distillery. It's called The Cobblestone and it's on Smithfield square. They will most likely have live music if you're in to that. It doesn't look like much on the outside, so don't be put off, but it's a really popular pub with the locals and the music is great.

If you're looking for a reasonably priced place to eat with good food, the IFI is awesome.

You could go out to Phoenix Park. The Dublin Zoo is there. I believe the open top bus goes out there, but I'm not 100%. I agree with the idea of getting out of the city. Malahide and Howth are both really nice and the DART goes there. Malahide Castle is worth a visit, but I'm not sure if it will be open on Tuesday. If the weather's nice you could also get the DART to Blackrock (or all the way to Dun Laoghaire) and walk along Dublin Bay.

I think your list of things looks good! I really enjoyed the Gaol when I went a few years ago. Have a fun time!

Oh yeah, the open bus tour is really good- forgot to add that 

I went to Dublin over New Year's and we spent one evening walking along the river and ducking into pubs we found on side streets.  I know you don't want to spend the whole time in pubs, but it was fun finding an "authentic Irish pub."  I'm not much of a drinker either, mostly had diet coke, but it was still fun.  A lot of them have music and things to keep you entertained without drinking.  Saint Stephen's Green is also a nice place to walk around outdoors.

We also took a day trip on a couch tour to Malehide castle and got to see lots of countryside and sea-side along the way.  You should look into some sort of day trip outside of Dublin.  It was definitely worth it!  I don't remember the name of the company we used though. It looks to me like the castle is open on Tuesday, but I don't know about your chances of getting a coach tour there.  http://www.malahidecastle.com/malahidecastle/default.asp

Dublin Castle is also pretty cool to see.  You get to go under the current castle and see some remains of the original castle.  It looks like it should be open for a few hours on Tuesday.  http://www.dublincastle.ie/tourism.html

Have fun!

Many thanks for the suggestions - especially pre-booking the Guinness tour!  That's now done! I'll look into the open bus tour as well.  I'll ask DH if he's interested in the whiskey tour too - the Guinness tour is a non-negotiable item for him.   

With only having 3 1/2 days in Dublin (and at least one of those committed to doing family research) I don't think we're going to have time to get out of town; there will be more time for that when the Grammas come visit DH and me in May and we go over to Ireland with them. 

Is the parade worthwhile?  And are there any architecturally-interesting neighborhoods we should not miss a wander around/through?

Jameson's distillery tour - far better than the Guinness tour.

malahide and howth are super easy to get to and not far from dublin at all.  you can take a commuter train to both places and be there within half an hour or so.  

i really liked the irish museum of modern art, which is housed in what once was the royal hospital in kilmainham.  

if you're looking to shop, henry street on the northside is a cheaper option than grafton street.

eamonn doran's has live music and is one of my favorite bars.

my favorite bar/small gig venue is whelan's.  slighty off the temple bar beaten path but an absolutely fantastic place.  i miss it.    

architecture-wise: my old office building used to be a tour group stop because of the fantastic doorway we had.  it was located in fitzwiliam square, not far from merrion square park and st stephen's green (both of which i recommend a wander through).  there are some fantastic pubs around the area that are considered hidden gems.