Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is one of the most interesting cities in the world. With its rich culture and long history, it is an exciting city to visit or even learn about. Dublin was my base as I went about exploring the Irish countryside and Northern Ireland. The vibe of the city is infectious and it was love at first sight, even though the Irish weather tried its best to scuttle my plans to explore the region.
The River Liffey, which flows into the harbor, slices the city in two. The dark water draining into the river made the “black pool” that gave the city its name (Gaelic word dubh linn). Its opening from the Irish sea is what attracted the Viking raiders in the first place. Several bridges span the north-south divide, the most famous of which is O'Connell Bridge. Both regions are lovely places to stroll & take in the essence of the city. Although Dublin is spread out over a large area, the city center is easily explored on foot & a convenient transport network takes you wherever you wish to go.
Ireland's capital has given the world such renowned literary figures as Yeats, Joyce, Shaw and Wilde. No wonder than that my first stop was the Trinity College. It's at the heart of the capital, packed full of incredible history, and it's the oldest university in Ireland. Trinity is famed throughout the world for its collection of great treasures including the 9th-century manuscript, the Book of Kells.
Trinity seems cut off from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area. Entering through an archway, it feels like you are transported back in time. Alumni over the centuries include Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver's Travels), Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker (author of Dracula) etc. The immaculate green lawns, 18th century buildings and cobbled pathway are reminiscent of a different era. Dublin is the city with the youngest population in Europe, as approximately 50% of the population is less than 25 years of age. As you spend your time in this area, you can't help but feel a bit young yourself as you observe the youngsters going about their business.
A short stroll from Trinity College takes you towards Dublin's premier shopping location, Grafton Street. The area buzzes morning, noon & night and is a magnet for street performers. Many famed bands and musicians have given impromptu performances here, including Bono of U2. An unmissable landmark is the statue of "Molly Malone", which is a popular song set in Dublin and became its unofficial anthem (link - https://youtu.be/wjjh5EmkKCA). The song tells the fictional tale of a fishwife who plied her trade on the streets of Dublin and died young.
After loitering for some time and enjoying some musical performances, it is time to head towards the Little Museum of Dublin. It is a treasure trove, which is a must-see for those interested in how Dublin and its people lived their lives and evolved over the past century. Another museum which kept me occupied for a long time was the National Museum of Ireland which hosts outstanding permanent exhibitions including Ireland's Gold, Prehistoric Ireland, the Viking Collection and the Treasury. It is a must visit, especially when the Irish rainfall restricts your outdoor excursions.
Other notable landmarks I visited were the Irish Parliament, Customs House, and the Dublin Castle. Dublin Castle was the central site during 700 years of British rule until 1922. Currently, the castle is mainly used for ceremonial occasions or exhibitions.
Arguably, the best things about Dublin are their pubs and the music. As there are 666 licensed pubs in the capital city, I had a lot of options to choose from. I made it a point to visit at least 2 or 3 pubs a day (and night) and could never get enough of them. I left the famous Temple Bar for my last night in Dublin & visited other pubs as and when I passed them (couldn't resist its charm). There is a quirky story or two behind most of them & for that reason, I feel it warrants a whole new post on my blog (link - The Pubs in Dublin (wixsite.com)).
After spending the entire day exploring the city and its treasures, I met my friends for dinner. It was good to catch up with them and discuss how beautiful Dublin is. As they had been staying in Ireland for the last few years, I took some last minute advice from them to plan my remaining days in the country. A late night stroll after dinner and desserts marked the end of Day 1.
There was a hilarious encounter with an attendant at one of the ice cream parlors - Gino's. I follow a particular routine while selecting my ice creams. I want to taste as many flavors as I can and so the method I have worked out is to ask for 4-5 samples (which look appealing) and buying something else altogether, which had been my original choice from the beginning. This behavior of mine has confused a few people in the past, as my final selection is never from the flavors I taste. Naturally, the girl at the counter was a bit perplexed by my action - I chose to respond with a shrug and a little shake of my head. After having our fill, my friends & I decided to end our visit with the banana waffle (one for the road!). The girl (from Colombia - yeah, we had become sort of friends, by now) was very patient and accommodating even though it was time to down the shutters. My friend decided to add an emotional angle for our multiple requests by saying that it was my last night in Dublin (it was my first!) and we wanted to end it on a high. The girl was touched and she added extra portions as my "going away" gift. I was a bit embarrassed by how the scenario played out and returned to my seat after thanking her profusely. As we bid goodbye to her while leaving the parlor, she told me to visit again when I next came to Dublin. It would have been ok if the matter had ended there but little did I know that my friends & I would be visiting the same parlor after a couple of days. When I saw the same girl behind the counter, I chose to sit at a table which was not in her line of sight. Meanwhile, my friends placed the order and chatted with her as if they were long lost friends. After enjoying the freebies on the pretext of having my last night out in Dublin, I decided not to face her again so soon - well, I could have said that my plans changed but I could not bring myself to do that!
A visit to Dublin is not complete unless you visit the distilleries and brewing factories located here. So, I began Day 2 with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. It is a converted brewing factory and a museum, which explains the history of its production. Some of the old brewing equipment is on show, as well as stout ingredients, brewing techniques, advertising methods and storage devices. The exhibition takes place over seven floors, in the shape of a pint glass of Guinness. The final floor is the Gravity Bar, which has an almost 360° panorama over the city. Jameson Distillery in Dublin is where it all began for the Irish whiskey maker. Here you can taste whiskey while learning about the process and history. This location offers a tour and several classes for those who are interested.
After a "bright" start to the day, it was time to revisit history. The iconic General Post Office is the place where the failed 1916 Uprising began. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the aim of establishing an independent Irish Republic while the UK was fighting WWI. Bullet holes dotting the entrance are a reminder of the historical event and it makes you want to know more. That's where the museum located in the premises comes to the rescue. There are other galleries and museums in the city, which competed for my attention.
There is a lot to do and see in this historic and beautiful city. Christ Church cathedral and St. Patrick's cathedral are beautiful and historic. Also worth a visit is Dublinia, a historical recreation of life and scenes from the time of the Vikings to the medieval period that's located in the cathedral. Highlights include costumed characters demonstrating period traditions and activities, various buildings, and authentic street scenes.
Ireland is also home to many famous musicians and bands like U2, Sinead O’Connor, Boyzone, Westlife and Dubliners. Many of their performances and recordings have taken place in Dublin. Music fans won't want to miss the opportunity to visit the Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum, which focuses on the top musical acts to have come out of Ireland.
Another thing to keep an eye out for, is the Irish street art. The walls (& buildings) in certain areas of Dublin are littered with some beautiful creations, which are really eye catching. It is like an open air museum and it is always a good idea to let your eyes wander up and down the city's streets. I had a great time exploring the little nooks and corners of Dublin and it is a city I would love to visit again.
Dubliners are a sociable, knowledgeable, and, quite often, an opinionated bunch, so don't be afraid to have a chat and ask their advice about where to go and what to see. I loved the exchanges I had with the Irish and their sense of humour is something that really stood out. Unexpected conversations and snippets of Irish banter are most likely some of the strongest memories you will take away with you. In particular, taxi drivers and tourist guides love to talk and will often regale anybody who'll listen with views on everything from politics to history and current affairs.
"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story" was a phrase I encountered often in Ireland and the stories I heard in this beautiful country will last a lifetime. Ireland, you have won me over and how!
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