Roaming with Red

One of the benefits of living in the UK is its proximity to Europe. As an Australian, the concept of being able to take an hour long flight and be in another country is astonishing. This trip was my first trip outside of England and was all about seeing an old friend I hadn’t seen in years. Unsurprisingly, there was a lot to pack into a short amount of time! The below are some ideas of things to see if, like me, you’re on a whirlwind tour of the Irish capital.

Take a Free Walking Tour

We started the weekend with a free walking tour to see as much of the city as possible in a short amount of time. We used Sandemans Walking Tours and, while I usually don’t join walking tours, after having been on this one, I really see their appeal. The guide was super informative and very personable and provided a lot of interesting facts about the city. The tour took us around some of the main Dublin sites South of the river, including Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle, providing the opportunity to fit quite a bit of exploring into 3 hours. These walking tours are free with the expectation of a tip at the end of the tour so make sure you carry some cash with you if you do join. But they are definitely a great way to get a feel for this fascinating city in a short amount of time. So, join a tour, enjoy the cobblestone streets and marvel at some beautiful architecture.

Visit Trinity College

One of the main attractions in Dublin is Trinity College and the book of Kells and, if you’re only here for a weekend, this really is a must see. Walking into the College feels like walking into a new world, as the hustle and bustle of the city seems to fade into the background. The grounds are actually quite beautiful and the buildings themselves give off an imposing, old world feel. One of these buildings houses the Book of Kells – an incredible look into life many centuries ago. The museum entry provides all sorts of background information on the book and what historians have been able to decipher about the book so far. It provides examples of the stunning calligraphy included in the book as well as a look into how it was created. The book itself may be less awe-inspiring but is still worth a look. A page is turned every day so it is a bit of pot luck as to whether you are shown a page full of intricate designs or whether you get one of the other, less ornate but still incredible pages.

The real winner for me, however, was the library. What a sight to see! You are greeted with incredible tall ceilings framing rows upon rows of books. The combination of the high ceilings and old book smell provides this space with a grandeur that is simply breathtaking. I genuinely could have stayed in that room all day, enjoying the smell and the presence. There are also some cool tid bits housed in the library which provide an extra look into the history of Dublin and of Trinity College.

Catch a Hurling Game

One of the main reasons I was in Dublin on that particular weekend was to see a Hurling game. While maybe not an essential if you’re tight on time, it’s definitely worth including in the itinerary if you can fit it in! The team my mate barracks for was playing in the semi-final and while we didn’t get the desired result, I must say I’m a convert. As a sports lover, there is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a live game and the Hurling game did not disappoint. For the uninitiated (like I was), the closest I think I could compare Hurling to is a mix of Hockey and Lacrosse. It is an extremely fast paced and physical sport. While technically an amateur sport, as professional Hurlers aren’t actually paid, the skill on display was incredible and there’s nothing quite like the spectacle of a live sporting game.

Visit the Guinness Alehouse

Honestly, this was probably a bit hit and miss for me but it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Dublin and the team have clearly put in a lot of effort to make the museum inviting and informative. The museum takes you through the history of Guinness making and the process of creating this world famous brew. While I would have liked to learn more about the history of Guinness, it is an interesting visit, especially for those people who love this stout. Your ticket also entitles you to a pint of Guinness at their rooftop bar and this was probably the best part of the whole trip for me. You can sip your Guinness as you enjoy a 360 view of Dublin below. It’s actually quite stunning and almost worth a trip just for the view!

Visit the National Gallery

If you’re into art, then you must make time to visit the National Gallery. We only had an hour for our visit and this is a place I need to come back to one day! Deceptively big, the museum holds an incredible collection of art from all over the world. Unfortunately, we barely had enough time to scratch the surface of their collection, but the Renaissance art we saw would surely impress anyone. Their big claim to fame is Carvaggios’ The Taking of Christ (which is definitely worth a look) but I would make sure you have enough time to visit all the gallery has to offer as there is a wide range of artwork on offer to enjoy.

Where to Eat and Drink in Dublin

• Leo Burdock’s Fish Shop – Christchurch
  Touted as one of Dublin’s oldest fish and chip shops, this is a great place to go to get the classic Irish meal! While maybe not quite as good as the Australian version of the dish (excuse the bias), it was still a very solid meal. It’s a take away shop only but grab your lunch and head over to the Christ Church Cathedral and enjoy your food in the shadow of an awe-inspiring building, all while fighting off the seagulls of course. You’ll be dining with fame when you eat from this shop as they have an extensive list of celebrity clientele, including (and this is definitely my favourite part) Justin Timberlake’s parents! No JT, but his parents will do instead!
• The Bank on College Green – Dublin City Centre
  Right in the heart of the city, the Bank on College Green is a thriving venue for Dubliners and foreigners alike. Situated in an old bank building, the draw card for this restaurant is the architecture. The food is nice, but the setting is spectacular. Pop in for a drink or book a table for dinner as this place gets properly busy!
• O’Neil’s Pub and Kitchen – Dublin City Centre
  In terms of food and drink, this place was the highlight of the trip by far! A traditional Irish pub, it not only provides a great selection of beers (get the classic Smithwick’s Red if you want to feel part of the Irish drinking culture), it also provides live music and Irish dancing, or at least it did while we were there. Pop up the stairs and take a seat in the corner and have an incredible evening watching and listening to classic Irish folk tunes. They also provide your traditional Irish pub grub if you’re in need of some food while you’re there

All in all, I loved my time in Dublin and absolutely want to go back. The city has such a vibrant feel to it and a fascinating history. I feel like there is so much more to explore here to fully be able to appreciate what makes Dublin such a special place.