I planned to write about what to do for 48 hours in Dublin since my post about Montreal, at the start of this year because I also spent a few days there that Christmas.
Dublin holds a special place in my heart. I consider the city my home. I spent a long week end in Dublin last week to recharge. Luck was on my side! Less than two weeks prior to departure, I found a flight at less than 100 euros with Aer Lingus.
How my fabulous 48 Hours in Dublin started
I landed in Dublin at 22:10. That is late. I usually go to the city center with Airlink, a special Dublin City bus that links the airport to the city centre. It costs 6 Euros one way, and 10 Euros round trip. The bus leaves you right in the center. It is cheap and quick. It also runs until 23:30.
Straight to the pub from the airport
In town, I headed straight away to the Grand Social, a pub bar to meet with friends. It is a great pub for live music. One of Dublin’s many attractions is being able to listen to live music in several places. The pub was packed, but there was a nice buzz. We stayed for one drink before going home.
Drinking Irish cider
I discovered a newfound interest in Bulmers, the Irish cider brand known as Magners outside of Ireland. I never fancied it. I prefer French cider. But then I started to appreciate its semi-sweet taste. It is funny, this is one of those things that you don’t like while living in a country, and but start to crave for once you leave.
An apartment in Temple Bar
I was staying in a fantastic apartment in the heart of Temple Bar. From the Grand Social to Temple Bar, we crossed the Ha Penny Bridge, a Dublin landmark. It gained its name from the fact that Dubliners had to pay half a penny to cross it.
Temple Bar is a great location: it is in the middle of the city, at walking distance from several attractions, restaurants, and pubs. However, the noise from the revelers in Temple Bar, who are laughing and chatting way too loudly for three in the morning makes it difficult to fall asleep.
I can assure you that several neighbourhoods in Barcelona would share my feelings here. When booking your hotel, consider this.
The first 24 hours: Food, activities, and pubs
An Italian breakfast
In the morning, we went for breakfast to Caffe Italiano at 7 Crow Street, in Temple Bar. When I first visited this location, it was a modest coffee shop. It has now fully developed into a complete restaurant. The success of the owner, Luca, lies in the quality and the deliciousness of the products he offers.
I have a fond memory of a very yummy chocolate cake that came directly from Sicily. Alas, his vendor was gone, so no more chocolate cake for T! The breakfast here is reasonably priced by Dublin standards. The Italian platter is 7 euros, and it is huge.
Window shopping and buskers on Grafton Street
After breakfast, we window shopped on Grafton Street, Dublin’s upscale commercial street. One particular building highlight on Grafton is Bewley’s cafe. Judge by the photo above.
I also enjoy listening to the buskers here. They are truly talented. One of them, Ryan Sheridan, used to sing outside my window (not for me haha) and became famous in Ireland. I can still hear him singing “oooh oooh oooh, your sex is on fiiiirreee!!!” from the Kings of Leon.
I was relieved when he became famous. He could finally stop singing in my neighbourhood, and I could finally sleep quietly!
The end of my marathon weekends
It was then time for my next appointment.
I used to have marathon weekends where I would attend meeting after meeting in order to meet all of my friends. I stopped that. I was not enjoying it anymore and I was not having quality time with anyone because I was always rushing to the next appointment.
But it is a common practice for everyone who lives abroad when they come home. All of my friends did it.
A brunch in a clandestine bar
I met a friend for brunch. The plan was to go to VCC (Vintage Cocktail Club). It is a 1920s-style clandestine bar. The decor is vintage (surprise!) and glamorous. The cocktails are fabulous! And yeah, they serve brunch.
The menu is limited, and to be honest, while I enjoy the club for an evening out, I don’t recommend it for brunch. The food was average, and the restaurant was dimly lit. This intimate atmosphere is great at night, not at 1 pm.
A Jailbreak escape room
In the afternoon, I had an escape room with another group of friends. Because it was outside of town, a car was essential.
One of us had already done the Curse of the Mummy, the most intriguing one, so we chose another one about jailbreak. I won’t say much about the escape room. I don’t want to give anything away, in case you want to try it out in the future! UPDATE 2023: the escape room does not exist anymore.
More evening pub time
In the evening, I met up with more pals at the Crow Bar, in Temple Bar. The pub was warm and inviting, and the music excellent. They also have a vast array of craft beers. Drinks are a little pricey, 6 euros for a pint of Bulmers, but this is Temple Bar. Pints are more expensive here because Temple Bar is a touristy and popular going-out area.
Everyone completed their rounds, an Irish habit I enjoy, although I don’t drink enough to make it work for me. But it is still a convivial gesture, and I happily invite my friends to a drink when it is my turn to get the round.
Day 2: More food and activities
I had Sunday lunch at Aqua (1 West Pier, Howth) in Howth. Howth is a little coastal village, 30 minutes away north of Dublin. It is accessible by Dart. The return fare is around 6 euros. In Howth, there are numerous fish shops and restaurants like Aqua.
Aqua is an elegant Irish styled restaurant with a breathtaking sea view. It also has classics of Irish food like (crispy) fish cakes, fish and chips with a pea puree or seafood chowder.
Howth’s cliff walk
Aside from the seafood, another reason to visit Howth is to walk along its cliffs. The path is beautiful and safe. Many locals walk along it.
Ask for directions to the walking path if you don’t find it. There, there is an incredible landscape with a rugged shoreline. Don’t miss it if you are around.
A Japanese lunch and delicious ice cream
Monday, I was working from home. I had a delicious lunch with a friend at Musashi (15 Capel St, Dublin 1), a busy Japanese restaurant in town. The food is tasty and inexpensive for Dublin standards, perfect for a work lunch.
In the afternoon, I went for a milkshake at Murphy’s ice cream (27 Wicklow St, Dublin 2). Yes, it is November, and it is cold, but there is no season for good ice cream. My personal favourite is the Dingle sea salt flavour. It is a true delight!
Dublin’s Love Lane
These are some of my Dublin addresses. I have many more to share as I lived here many years. You can contact me for advice at t@barcelonabyt.com.
As an insider tip, I recommend visiting the Love Lane, a street art-filled lane dedicated to love on one side and murals on the other. The City Council decided to undertake this project to improve the state of some alleyways frequented by drug addicts in Dublin.
This particular lane joins Essex Street to the back of the iconic Olympia Theatre on Dame Street. It is well worth the trip!
Airlink timetable: http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/All-Timetables/7471/
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