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Is Ireland on your travel bucket list? I can't say it was necessarily on the top of mine... I mean, I do love St. Patty's Day and all, but, after visiting I had many pleasant surprises that made the trip SO worthy đ A quick 1.5 hour flight from Paris, and I had arrived in the capital city. I had dreams of cozy pubs, magnificent stone architecture, luscious green fields, and lots of Irish music. Well, I was mostly right, except I was a little surprised by how metropolitan some parts of this historic city have come to be. That said, follow along with me as I share a quick snapshot of what Dublin has to offer for a weekend adventure...
Standing on Grafton Street, one of the main shopping and eating areas in Dublin. I loved that there were historic churches and buildings mixed in to almost every area in the city.
When To Go...
The climate is Ireland is fairly temperate, making it a year-round travel destination. Spring, Summer, or Fall are the best months to go. It didn't rain a single drop while I was in Dublin, although you should pack an umbrella just in case! Also, lots of layers, as you will get both hot and cold throughout the day.
Sitting on a bridge in Saint Stephen's Park... it was overcast almost every day while I was there, with a few peeks of sun throughout the afternoon. A vest was a great outfit choice đ
Stay Here...
There are lots of tiny hotels throughout the city. I happened to stay at a more contemporary hotel, The Conrad. I was pleased with the convenient location foot steps away from lots of restaurants, bars, and shopping. It was just a few steps off the city's Stephen Park, which reminded me of like a "Central Park" for Dublin đ
If you'd like to stay closer to all the action, I thought this looked like a cute spot, The Shelbourne Hotel... It's a very historic building in Dublin and offers more of a traditional experience.
Eat & Drink This...
After a day of touring and shopping, this little pub right off Grafton Street offered the most deserving pint of beer and of course some fish & chips đ Bruxelles may seem like your quaint Irish pub when you walk in... but it actually has THREE bars inside! It also features an outdoor terrace dining spot (don't worry if it's a little chilly, they have outdoor heaters đ)
The Saloon Bar is on the main level and offers great people watching and a full menu of yummy food!
The Dublin Blonde was actually a fantastic lager, definitely worth a try. Plus, how great are their coasters?? đ
You should have at least one traditional meal in Dublin! I went to Johnny Fox's, one of Ireland's most famous and traditional Irish pubs. As the "highest pub in Dublin"... be aware, Johnny Fox's is about a 25 minute (scenic!) drive from the city.
If you can, sign up for "Johnny Fox's Hooley Experience" ...which features a four course traditional dinner and live entertainment featuring live Irish music and dancing. Don't be surprised if you find yourself pulled up on stage by one of the entertainers đ
Discover...
Two places you HAVE to visit while you are playing tourist in Dublin... one, the Guinness museum, "Storehouse", at St. James's Gate Brewery. It's the home of the "black stuff", the heart of Dublin, and an unforgettable start to your Irish adventure. Buy your tickets online or when you get there! It wasn't crazy busy when I was there.
The museum hosts SEVEN floors filled with interactive experiences! At the top, you'll be rewarded with a pint of perfection in the rooftop Gravity Bar. Talk about "higher" education đ
Even if you're like me and don't love this dark beer (oopsđł) the pint makes for a great photo prop đ
Okay, second "HAVE TO" place to check out... The Book of Kells Exhibition at the prestigious Trinity College old library. Guys, the line for this exhibit was like a mile long!!!! (Bring a jacket and umbrella just in case). đą That's how badly people want to see this ancient artifact...
After you take a peek at the Book of Kells, take a walk around this gorgeous, historic campus. It's NOTHING like any campus I've ever been to. There's just SO much history in this architecture!
Why is the Book of Kells so famous? It was the first Gospel book that was so lavishly drawn in decorations. The book is written on calfskin, and it will BLOW your mind how in tact some of these pages are that were written over 1,200 years ago!!!! đł
One last place to check out is the shopping along Grafton Street! There are lots of upscale department stores along with cute little Irish boutiques to ensure you'll find some gems while you're in Dublin.
I made a crucial pit stop at Boomerang Donuts and tried their salted carmel delectable donut. SO WORTH IT đ
Don't miss this little bugger, nestled among the tiny shops on Grafton Street.
PS- Please do not hold me responsible for any Boomerang Donut addictions đ
Travel Tips
1. Bring layers of clothing, it can be both really cool and warm on the same day đ
2. It's worth it to take every picture in front of a church that you can.
3. Be prepared to drink lots of beer ...and eat lots of STEW.
4. Check out other cuisines, I went to an Italian restaurant one night and it was BOMB!
5. Bring some Euros along just in case, it's better to have them than not đ
Another spectacular city checked off Golden Girl's list... As you may have noticed, I'm never anywhere for a long time, just a good time âď¸ If you have any questions about planning a trip to Dublin, feel free to send me a message in my Contact page đ I love hearing from you guys! Now, on to the next fun thing... Buh-Bye!
-Golden Girl