The colourful history of Dublin has a lot to offer, so come and get lost in the all-consuming culture of Dublin, Ireland. Whether you want the hard historical facts from the National Gallery and National museums or you want to discover what makes it such a vibrant place today, there’s something for everyone.
Everybody knows the drink that originated from Ireland, and in Dublin you can follow up your thirst with a tour of the Guinness Store House. It is Ireland’s most popular drink and if you’re a fan of Guinness with a perfected foam top then this tour will probably be your dream come true.
Dublin is a varied city with plenty of things to do, and a brilliant nightlife. Whilst in Dublin, one must go for a drink in the Temple Bar area, which is famous for its strip. Whether joining in the dancing, dining on delicious food or taking to an open mic, the night won’t fail you when you’re in Temple Bar. The strip offers a wide range of bars that make this the perfect place to complete the ultimate pub crawl. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be treated to Irish singers giving you a taste of their lyrical ballads. Busker’s Bar on Fleet Street incorporates live music seven nights a week with a contemporary cocktail bar and wine list, but for dancing into the wee hours, just down the road lies the glamorous nightclub, Alchemy, which plays some excellent music.
To fully indulge in the Irish culture, you can take up the Bodhrán Experience with where you can learn to play the native drum and take to the streets. To learn how to perform this artful activity head to Comhaltas Cultúrlann na hÉireann, in Monkstown. This fun, albeit different, activity is open every Thursday night. Once you’ve mastered the art, buy yourself the Irish Drum and showcase your skills at Temple Bar’s finest bars. It’s also the city’s most premier shopping district, with traditional Celtic stores, boutiques and well-known brands to help you while away the hours. Two other great places to visit in Dublin are Gogartys and The Auld Dubliner, which are sure to beckon you into their bars so you never want to leave.
Dublin is the city of poets and artists alike; its artistic value can be witnessed in the poetic language and how the sentences string together with the Irish accent. If you studied Seamus Heaney at some point in your life, then now is the time to overindulge in Irish culture. There is architectural history at your fingertips, so don’t miss the abundance of castles available to view. Dublin Castle is a sight to behold with all its medieval beauty. Be a Prince or Princess for the day and explore the archaic history.
This fantastic city is bursting with plenty of activities, but also has a lot more to offer in the way of coastal adventure, thanks to its great location. It’s easy to travel by Dart rail to find the gems away from the city, and with every coastal town there is, of course, amazing seafood, so make sure you taste some of the finest authentic food down by the coast.
For gourmet fish and chips, you can’t go wrong with Bite, located on South Frederick Street. This little eatery serves until 11pm Monday – Saturday and even has an outdoor terrace to enjoy a cocktail post-feast. For something a little different, board the Guinness Canal Barge MV Cadhla replica from Charlemont Place and enjoy a three-course meal as you sail along the beautiful Grand Canal. These unique dinners are available every Friday and Saturday evening for just €45 ($68) per head.
If you have a sweet tooth that you simply must satisfy, then the famous chocolate factory should be one of your stops in the city. Butlers Chocolate Experience is a guided tour of the chocolate factory that can be enjoyed by chocoholics and even occasional cocoa indulgers – we dare you to resist the warm, enveloping smells of melted chocolate. After watching the chocolate movie, learning about the origins of chocolate and the techniques of chocolate decoration, you get the enviable task of decorating your own as a souvenir. Once you’re exhausted (or over-excited) from stuffing your face with all that sugar, make sure you end at Butler’s Chocolate café. Book online and save 5% at www.butlerschocolate.com/book Prices start from €13.50 ($20.50).
Ireland has long been a competitive country and nowhere provides proof of this more than Dublin. Gaelic games of football and hurling (a 3,000-year-old game where players hit a ball between the opponents’ goalposts with a wooden stick) have remained prominent throughout history, but their skill in rugby is something that residents are becoming fiercely proud of. The Six Nations returns to the Aviva Stadium every year, as well as the aptly-named Guinness Series which sees Ireland take on the likes of Argentina, South Africa and Australia. Croke Park is the home of football, hosting the Allianz Football League GAA Series and Hurling finals.
Whether you’re in Dublin for a weekend or for a week-long escape, there are plenty of places to stay. For somewhere quiet, yet close to everything, Abbeyglen Cottage is an exceptional place. It is a five-minute walk from Swords town centre and five minutes’ drive from Dublin airport. For ease of access, it’s 25 minutes by express bus to and from Dublin City Centre. Visit www.abbeyglencottagebandb.com for more information. Prices start from €30-35 ($45.55-53) per person, per night.
For an even more budget-friendly place, you can try Abbey Court Hostel, located beside O’Connell Bridge in the heart of Dublin City. This location allows you to have access to everything at a few minutes’ stroll. Prices start from just €12 ($18) per person, per night and includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and a guided tour of the city if you haven’t yet got your bearings. Rooms vary from private doubles to 24-bed, but most include en-suite power shower facilities. For more space and comfort, Abbey Court also rents out apartments from €50 ($76) per night, accommodating up to four people in one bedroom, plus kitchen and dining facilities, with an easy two-minute walk from the famous Temple Bar. Visit www.abbey-court.com to book.
One thing Dublin is famous for is its polite and friendly menfolk. This is a city where strangers say hello as they pass you on the street and a barman striking up a conversation after you’ve ordered your pint is no random act of kindness. So that you can keep up with the lingo and have a proper conversation with the Irish men and women you meet, here are a couple of phrases that might help you out when you arrive:
– What’s the craic? (What’s going on?)
– Top of the morning to you. (Good morning)
– Ah go on. (Offer to continue)
– Ah go on go on, have some more. (Offer for more food)
– Liquid sunshine. (Rain)
From its ancient architecture in the heart of the city and further afield, to the natural landscape that is iconic of the country, Dublin is the life and soul of Ireland, so lose yourself in all its Irish charm.
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