Myself and a group of my firends are heading over to Dublin in a month. We have heard that its a very drink orientated culture over there and a very expensive city do go out in. We dont really want to do the pub thing so has anyone got any other suggestions on what we could do and also that doesnt cost a lot of money?

Do you have a lonely planet guide to Europe? im guessing not. But you should buy it, its worth every single penny and becomes a backpackers bible. try amazon perhaps, or itl be in any shop with even a single travel shelf!
if not ill check it up for you. I live in Northern Ireland and have been to Dublin (about 100miles away) around 5 or 6 times but havent really been there as a proper tourist/ backpacker for long.
Dublin is about as expensive as any other major European city. Take advantage of the new smoking ban and eat out in at least one old pub, to get a feel for the atmosphere that is the heart of Dublin and indeed Ireland.
Away from the pubs, there is Croke park, a large stadium seating 80,000 people for a local Gaelic match, within walking distance of the city centre.
theres the usual array of art galleries / museums.
some members of government are trying to swap the pub culture for the cafe culture but this will never happen. theres cafes along the liffey, the river that cuts the centre of the city.
just soak up the people, they're really friendly if you show you love their country, like anywhere really.
If you need more info, im on global-nomad@hotmail.com
hope some of that helps,

mate, I have been on countles pubcrawls and ill give u a golden nugget of advice. Dont plan it!! You'll only get lost anyway! A planned pub crawl is ok if you've got a guide to steer u but ive never been on a guided one, though wanted to. Itd be a good way of meeting people on the very rare occasion u dont like anyone in your hostel!
Dublins central pub area isnt huge, just keep drinking and walking to the next ddecent pub and get a taxi back to your accomodation, thats by far the best way.

Buy a guidebook, for Christ's sake.

Just a few pointers: the National Gallery (free) for the section Irish art; as others have said: good walks around the town centre; check the programme of the Irish Film Centre in Temple Bar for free or open-air screenings; you just missed the Dun Laoghaire festival of World Cultures; if you like sports, you must try and catch a hurling match - very exciting; the Dart (metro-like) system brings you to the villages of Greystones, Bray and Howth as well as Dun Laoghaire. All are pretty and the Dart trip itself is very pretty between Dalkey and Greystones, plus Howth.

We also squeezed in an Irish dance workshop for our daughter (great fun).

So I think it's safe to say there is plenty to do on the cheap in Dublin.