Explore These Crowded Streets: Dublin

March 28, 2024 - By Cheryl

Dave Matthews Band is returning to Ireland on April 27, 2024 as part of their Spring 2024 European tour. If you’re hopping across the pond to see them, here are some of the best things to do in Dublin!

Trinity College and the Book of Kells: Trinity College is Dublin’s oldest university and home to the Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated manuscript from the 9th century.

Guinness Storehouse: Learn about the history of Guinness, Ireland’s famous stout, and enjoy a pint with a panoramic view of the city from the Gravity Bar at the top.

Kilmainham Gaol: This former prison is now a museum that tells the story of Irish rebels who were imprisoned and executed here.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral: This impressive cathedral is the largest church in Ireland and is dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint.

St. Stephen’s Green: This beautiful park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. There are gardens, a lake, and a playground.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum: This museum tells the story of Irish emigration around the world.

Dublin Castle: This historic castle was once the seat of British rule in Ireland. Now it houses government offices and museums.

Phoenix Park: This enormous park is one of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe. It’s a great place to go for a walk, bike ride, or picnic. You can also visit Dublin Zoo located within the park.

Temple Bar: This lively district is known for its pubs, traditional Irish music, and nightlife.

Go Whiskey Tasting at Jameson Distillery or Irish Whiskey Museum: Learn about the history of Irish whiskey and sample some of the local favorites. The Old Jameson Distillery offers tours that showcase the whiskey-making process, while the Irish Whiskey Museum provides a more general overview of Irish whiskey.

Explore the National Museums: Dublin has several excellent national museums, including the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, and the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History. These museums offer a wide range of exhibits on Irish history, art, and culture

Visit the Chester Beatty Library: This library houses a vast collection of artifacts and manuscripts from around the world, including Egyptian papyri, Chinese jade carvings, and Japanese woodblock prints.

Take a day trip to Glendalough: Glendalough is a monastic settlement founded in the 6th century, located in Wicklow Mountains National Park. The scenery here is stunning, and there are several hiking trails in the area. You can also visit the ruins of the monastic city.

In terms of food, Dublin offers a delicious mix of traditional Irish fare and modern international cuisine. Here are some must-try Dublin dishes:

Irish Stew: This hearty stew is a national treasure, typically made with lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions, carrots, and sometimes barley. Perfect for a cold day!

Seafood Chowder: Ireland is an island nation, and seafood is a big part of the cuisine. Dublin’s creamy seafood chowder is packed with fresh fish, shellfish, potatoes, and vegetables.

Boxty: This potato pancake is a unique Irish dish. Made with grated raw and mashed potatoes, it can be fried or baked and served with savory toppings.

Coddle: This Dublin specialty is a sausage and potato stew, sometimes with vegetables and onions. It’s a simple but comforting dish.

Colcannon: This mashed potato dish is another Irish staple. It’s typically made with mashed potatoes, kale or cabbage, butter, and milk. Some variations include scallions or bacon.

Black and White Pudding: These blood sausages are a traditional Irish breakfast item. Black pudding is made with pig’s blood, oatmeal, and spices, while white pudding is similar but without the blood.

Soda Bread: This dense, slightly sweet bread is a staple in Irish cuisine. It’s traditionally made with baking soda and buttermilk, and it’s perfect for mopping up stew or chowder.

Barmbrack: This light fruitcake is a traditional Irish tea bread. It’s studded with raisins and currants and sometimes has a hidden charm inside, which is said to bring good luck to the finder.

Irish Breakfast: A full Irish breakfast is a feast! It typically includes eggs, sausages, rashers (Irish bacon), black and white pudding, baked beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, soda bread, and maybe even some fried liver or kidneys.

Dublin Coddle: Similar to a stew, Dublin coddle is a sausage and potato dish with onions and sometimes leftover vegetables.

In terms of beer, Guinness may be the king in Dublin, but there’s a whole world of beers to explore in the Irish capital! Here’s a look at some popular options:

Stouts:

Murphy’s Irish Stout: This creamy stout offers a lighter alternative to Guinness, with a slightly sweeter and chocolatey taste.
Beamish Irish Stout: Another classic Irish stout, Beamish is known for its smooth texture and roasty coffee notes.
O’Hara’s Irish Stout: This Carlow-brewed stout has a richer flavor profile compared to Guinness, with hints of chocolate and caramel.

Ales:

Smithwick’s Irish Ale: This amber ale is a popular choice, known for its malty sweetness and balanced bitterness.
Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale: This nitrogen-charged ale offers a smooth and creamy texture, with a hint of sweetness and coffee flavor.
Irish Red Ales: Several breweries produce red ales, with a focus on malty sweetness and caramel notes. Popular examples include Ayers Rock Irish Red Ale and O’Hara’s Irish Red.

Lagers:

Harp Lager: This pale lager is a refreshing option, known for its crisp taste and light body.

Craft Beers:

Dublin boasts a growing craft beer scene. Here are a couple of breweries to check out:

The Porterhouse: This brewpub offers a wide range of house-brewed beers, from stouts and ales to lagers and sours.
St. James’s Gate Brewery: While primarily known for Guinness, St. James’s Gate Brewery also offers a limited selection of seasonal and experimental beers at its onsite tasting room.

Dublin is a city that thrives on pub culture, so finding a good spot for a pint is never a challenge. Here’s a list of some of the best bars in Dublin, offering a variety of atmospheres and experiences:

The Temple Bar Pub: Located in the heart of the Temple Bar district, this iconic pub is a popular tourist destination. It features live traditional Irish music nightly, a lively atmosphere, and a wide selection of beers on tap, including, of course, Guinness.
The Brazen Head: Established in 1754, The Brazen Head is one of Dublin’s oldest pubs. It oozes history and charm, with a traditional atmosphere, a friendly local crowd, and a great selection of Irish whiskeys.
The Long Hall: This Victorian-era pub is known for its stunning interior design, featuring ornate ceilings and stained glass windows. It offers a wide selection of beers and whiskeys, as well as a good food menu.
The Palace Bar: Another historic pub, The Palace Bar is known for its traditional atmosphere and its live traditional Irish music sessions. It’s a great place to experience a slice of Irish culture.
The Porterhouse: This brewpub is a must-visit for craft beer lovers. It offers a wide range of house-brewed beers, from stouts and ales to lagers and sours. They also have a great pub menu with dishes to pair with their beers.
Bad Bobs: This lively bar and restaurant complex is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It has a fun and funky atmosphere, with multiple bars, a dance floor, and a beer garden.
The Hairy Lemon: This modern pub is a great place to sample Irish craft beers. They have a wide selection on tap, as well as a knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the perfect pint.
The Stags Head:** This historic pub dates back to 1800 and is famous for its literary connections. James Joyce was a regular here, and the pub is filled with literary memorabilia. They have a good selection of whiskeys and beers, as well as a traditional pub menu.
The Cobblestone Pub: This traditional pub is a great place to experience authentic Irish music. They have live music sessions every night, featuring a variety of talented local musicians.
O’Donoghue’s Pub: This pub is another great spot for traditional Irish music. They have live music sessions seven days a week, and the pub has a lively atmosphere.