“Becoming Dubliners on Holiday”
“I wanted real adventures to happen to myself. But real adventures, I reflected, do not happen to people who remain at home: they must be sought abroad.” ~ James Joyce, Dubliners.
Ireland’s capital city of Dublin has plenty to offer its visitors. Be ready to embrace and experience the welcoming locals (“Meeting the Dubs”), arts, architecture, pubs and history. Later satified, you can sleep on your plane ride back home to your country of origin with a huge smile on your face.
The River Liffey bisects Dublin roughly in half between Southside as the locals say ‘down’ to the River and Northside ‘up’ from the River. The locals will often reference the River when navigating the cityscape. Here are some must-do travel experiences you should seek out while spending time in Dublin.
Southside Experiences
Trinity College which includes the Old Library and the Book of Kells. The Old Library houses nearly 3 million books, most notably the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells contains the four Christian gospels believed to be created by the Columban monastery circa 800 AD. The Long Room houses nearly 200,000 books. Oscar Wilde’s birthplace can be found on the east end of campus near College Park.
St. Stephen’s Green offers 22-acres of landscaped grounds complete with flower gardens, lake, formal lawns and statues honoring W. B. Yates and James Joyce. Nearby Shelbourne Hotel built in 1865 is one of Dublin’s most iconic hotels and certainly worth a visit for a meal or cocktails.
Between Trinity College and St. Stephen’s Green sits Grafton Street. Gaining increased popularity from being mentioned in the lyrics of a recent Ed Sheeran song entitled Galway Girl, the area boasts some of the world’s most expensive shopping and retail destinations including Brown Thomas and Marks & Spencer. Additionally, buskers (street musicians) can be seen performing here daily for locals and tourists alike. Perhaps you will be entertained by a ‘future’ Ed Sheeran?
A few blocks away is the National Museum of Ireland. Your free admission includes the Archaeology and History exhibits, along with outstanding examples of Celtic and Medieval art. Nearby Merrion Square offers examples of 18th century Georgian style architecture most prominently displayed as half-moon fanlights over brightly hued doorways.
The Dublin Castle located on Dame Street was constructed in the early 13th century. Once a seat and symbol of British rule in Ireland, it is now mostly utilized as governmental offices. The State Apartments, Undercroft and Chapel Royal are open for visitors to tour. The Record Tower is the sole surviving tower from the medieval castle dating back to 1228. The Dubhlinn Gardens completed in 1680 are open for visitors to tour.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral founded in 1191 is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, designated as the local diocese of Dublin and Glendalough. It is the largest cathedral in Dublin built in honor of Ireland’s patron saint.
The Guinness Brewery and Storehouse at St. James Gate is a must-do tour experience. Founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759, visitors learn how the Black Stuff is crafted. It is an informative, fun and interactive tour. Make sure you enjoy a pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar eight stories high above the city with sweeping panoramic views of Dublin to celebrate your new-found brewery knowledge.
No visit to Dublin would be complete without visiting many of the iconic pubs and restaurants that travelers have written on their Travel Lists for decades. One such area is Temple Bar known for its boutique stores, pubs, cafes, night clubs and lively ‘craic’ (good conversation and fun). Located at Ground Zero is the Temple Bar Pub. Since 1840, this quintessential Dublin pub has been the center of hospitality with one of the largest selections of whiskies in Dublin. Patrons are treated to free daily traditional music sessions.
Vintage Cocktail Club, denoted only by the letters VCC on a back alleyway wooden door is a trip back to the Roaring 20s with vintage furniture and sophisticated ambiance. You will need to ring the doorbell to experience what lies ahead. The Blind Pig Cocktail Club is another local Speakeasy located in the basement of Pacino’s Italian Restaurant. Down the flight of steps, you need to press on the wall to gain access to this Speakeasy. Once inside you will enjoy the hidden cavern ambiance and seclusion, not to mention the wonderful specialty cocktails.
The Brazen Head located in Dublin West, reputedly Dublin’s oldest pub dating back to 1198 is a must stop on your family’s Dublin Pub Crawl. Folks love to gather in the enchanted stone courtyard enjoying the traditional music performances and lively sing-along sessions on Sunday evenings. What secrets would these walls over 800 years old whisper to us, if they could?
O’Neills Pub & Kitchen located on the corner of Suffolk Street, established in 1713, is a true Dublin dining and people watching experience.
After you’re done photographing the brightly colored hanging illuminated umbrellas on Anne’s Lane (cool Instagram pic), make sure you check out the Zozimus Bar located on the ground floor of Centenary House. The party often spills out into Anne’s Lane as locals and tourists dance the night away in the alleyway.
The Hairy Lemon (scenes from the 1991 movie, The Commitments were filmed here), The Bar With No Name (look for the large wooden snail outside) and The Long Hall licensed in 1766 (rumored to be Bruce Springsteen’s favorite haunt when visiting) are excellent choices on how to spend your Dublin evenings, whether it’s in the company of old friends by your side or new friends you will surely meet at these homey and welcoming establishments.
Northside Experiences
Old Jameson Distillery, founded in 1791 on Bow Street in Dublin West is an excellent tour experience. Visitors are treated to a brief and colorful tour, along with a fun whiskey tasting demonstration highlighting the differences between Canadian, U.S. and Irish whiskies. James our guide was hysterical. Make sure you print out your Official Jameson Irish Whiskey Taster certificate for everyone back home to envy.
Crossing the Ha’penny Bridge with the locals from Temple Bar to the Northside is a fun way to experience the hustle and bustle that is Dublin. Until early in the 20th century, a halfpenny toll was charged to cross the bridge. Now free, the unique vantage point offers stunning views of the city.
General Post Office (GPO) located on O’Connell Street, was where the Republican forces numbering close to 2,000 angry citizens stormed the building issuing the Proclamation of the Irish Republic Army (IRA) on Easter Monday in 1916. After battles that raged on for a week, the building lay in ruins. The structure was rebuilt and reopened in 1929. It remains an active working post office.
O’Connell Street is Dublin’s most famous thoroughfare almost 150 feet wide and home to many statutes including one for Daniel O’Connell at the south end of the street entitled “The Liberator”. O’Connell had played a large role in the Catholic Emancipation of 1829. A 395 foot stainless-steel spire, known simply as The Spire (aka Monument of Light) was built in 2003 near the General Post Office and serves as a meeting place for locals.
James Joyce known as Dublin’s most recognized author having penned such books as Ulysses, Dubliners and Finnegan’s Wake is honored at the James Joyce Centre on North Great George’s Street. The Centre open to the public includes an extensive library, café and bookstore all housed in a restored 18th century Georgian town house.
The Church is a bar, café and entertainment complex rolled into one experience set within a once active and operating 17th century church. In fact, Arthur Guinness was married here at the former St. Mary’s Church to Olivia in 1761. Lunch, dinner, late night snacks, cocktails and music can all be enjoyed here. The signature cocktails are fabulous.
Other Experiences
Cooks Academy located on South Williams Street near Grafton Street, is a wonderful group activity to experience while in Dublin. Founded in 2005, it is Dublin’s leading cookery school. Guests are instructed how to make a three-course meal with their traveling party and with the assistance of the Academy’s professional chefs.
If you feel like you need some down time to catch your breath, consider exploring or relaxing in Phoenix Park. The walled park is about 1,700 acres and home to the Dublin Zoo.
I hope you enjoy spending your time like the Dubliners do, making memories to last a lifetime!
“To live is the rarest thing in the world, most people just exits." ~ Oscar Wilde.
