Dublin in 3 days: Irish You Were Here
Castles, cliffs and Irish Coffees… What's not to love? Ireland has something for everyone: divey pubs, live music, and dramatic history.
Unlike some other European destinations, I had no problems understanding the local lingo because it’s English (duh) with a delightful accent sprinkled in with some new slang.
The Guinness Storehouse is a multi-floor immersive experience that can only be described as a mix of Willy Wonka & Disneyland. Tix include a glass of Guinness at the Gravity Bar and a rooftop with 360 views of Dublin where the tour ends.
The Jameson Distillery is filled with fun facts about the brand & (spoiler alert) whiskey. You’ll leave with a buzz & more than enough knowledge to impress the next guy that tries to explain their bourbon collection to you.
“Alternate between Espresso Martinis & Irish Coffees at these IG-worthy stops. Sit at the bar so you can chat up the local bartender for recommendations on drinks & other things to do in Dublin.”
1) Roe & Co.: a local distillery where I imagine the Peaky Blinders would spend an afternoon
2) Café en Seine: for Parisian flapper vibes. I loved the natural light and golden lamp fixtures.
Café en Seine has the most charming ambiance.
3) The Ivy: a plant lover’s paradise, from the decor to the ceiling to the plant lined window sills, you’ll almost forget you’re indoors.
Plants are the new pets, right?
The Long Room in Trinity College might as well be a movie set for Hogwarts - I googled it, it isn’t - but it is one of the most magnificent libraries in the world. The two stories of 350K books will make you want to ditch your devices and curl up with a paperback.
You don’t have to travel far to see your first Irish castle. Dublin Castle dates back to the 13th century where it was built on a Viking settlement. Walk around the gardens or peep the back of the castle for a colorful wall.
Swing by Anne’s Lane for a pic with vibrant umbrellas suspended from the sky…
…and Dame’s Lane for an alley filled with tiny orange & green flags.
Run, don’t walk, to Temple Bar. The red brick exterior is adorned with greenery and twinkly lights year round. Guinness or cider hits different when you’re in a dimly lit pub listening to local musicians.
And if anyone tries to tell you it’s touristy, just remember it’s popular for a reason.
It isn’t hard to find live Irish music, but give yourself time to wander the charming streets of Dublin and post up where the tunes speak to you.
If ever there was a time to stay in a castle, this is it. Unlike other options that feel like the middle of nowhere, Clontarf Castle Hotel is a short car ride from Dublin, so you can still mingle with the locals, but feel like royalty when you return for the night.
For a more modern (and right in the heart of the city) spot, Hotel Grafton has Gatsby-esque decor and the lobby is what plant dreams are made of. The hotel bar, Bartley’s, has a fun happy hour to pregame your evening.