24 Hours in Dublin: Ireland Baecation 2018, Part I

It wasn’t a bad flight: 6.5 hours to Dublin from upstate New York is the equivalent of flying to California. Not to mention, Norwegian airfare was less than $450 round-trip for both Chris and I. Maybe they don’t have their free wi-fi (“wee-fee”) installed yet, but it was a totally decent and comfortable airline. Long weekenders take note.

We lucked out with weather from the get go. It’s dubious in Ireland to say the least, but the sun came out everyday on our six-day sojourn. It reminded me a bit of Colorado with the erratic rain showers / mistings.

It was quite easy to get into City Centre from Dublin International. The Airlink is an express bus service costing €7 per person. My comrades and I missed our stop, but the brisk walk was quite necessary for the three of us who didn’t sleep on the plane. My husband has the snoozing gift.

We traipsed toward our district—Temple Bar—and found ourselves taking a load off in Caffè Nero on Fleet Street. We quickly came to find how seriously the Irish take their coffee. A most pleasant, and energizing find.

Sitting down, the sights on Fleet Street alone are evocative. The architecture, the colors, the cobblestone … it felt as though we transcended time. Much of the Temple Bar district was built in the 18th century. What’s more random? Palm trees thrive in Ireland. They say it’s the warm ocean currents. I just say that’s crazy. 🌴😱

Our Airbnb was located in the heart of a bustling Dublin on Parliament Street. Our apartment for the night met us with modern amenities, a bold, tropical wallpaper (yesss!) and four flights of steep stairs. With all that beer we intended to consume, we needed the exercise. After a quick Irish breakfast at a O’Neill’s Pub & Kitchen, we checked in, took a one and a half hour nap, and paved the way for a successful five-hour ahead acclimation.

It was a twenty-minute walk to the Guinness Storehouse. Built in 1759, it’s a tourist attraction worth seeing. The artistic, multimedia effort put into the museum alone is AWESOME. For €25 per person (€20 for students), you can learn everything you’ll ever need to know about Guinness. The best part: the Gravity Bar gives you a 360° view of Dublin. Oh, and a free pint of Guinness.

After a two-hour plus visit to the brewery (again, walking so necessary) and a shared cup of nitro coffee, it was time to wine and dine. Or beer and cheer. You catch my draft. 🍻 We headed over to Dame Lane to chow down at The Bankers. My besties and I scarfed on Fish + Chips as well as the most amazing thing I’ve ever put in my mouth: Beef + Guinness Pie. Not the most photogenic, but holy $%&# so good.

Take heed!! The food in Ireland is delicious. It’s clean, light, and makes a body feel real good. No matter what time of night you decide to eat it.

A lover of libations, I insisted on one cocktail before venturing deep into the night. The four of us were picking “our bars” and The Mercantile is, without a doubt, mine. It quickly won me over with its dark, rich wood and tufted red leather seating. Plus, our barkeep, Promise, was a charming mixologist who sold us a wee bit more than just one. I’ve never been more OK with a man ordering my dranks without any input.

The Porn Star Martini and Old Fashioned were out of this world. The gents enjoyed the vast selection of Scotch, most notably Glendalough, as well.

As the night progressed, we stopped into Grogan’s which was my husband’s favorite joint: a people-watching, have a pint of Guinness, musicless bar with wood paneling and, as Google puts it, “higgledy-piggledy artworks by local artists.” My bestie and I quickly hop-skipped across the street to Pygmalion for a little dancy Dublin nightlife in a sprawling, cellar-like lounge. We capped off the night at a fun late-night sake bar—Yamamori Izakaya—for a nightcap and a booty shakin’ vibe more to our liking.

The next morning we had to move to make the Irish Rail to Galway at 11:25AM. We dined on a delectable Moroccan-style breakfast at Brother Hubbard’s North just across the Grattan Bridge / River Liffey. I highly recommend the Avo + Eggs.

I left breakfast in a rush to pull off a prank. Our Airbnb host had an empty picture frame we intended to fill with a photo of us four at the Guinness Brewery. The print shop I found had moved and time was too tight. 😩 As I exited the eatery, it was heavily drizzling. I had my camera tucked under my scarf and a local gent came over with his umbrella. As if we were friends, he walked with me until we parted ways. I love the Irish. Salt of the Earth.

Attention Irish Rail riders: buy your ticket in advance!! We paid double (€36 instead of €18) upon arrival to the station.

For 24 hours in Dublin, I was delighted with part one of our ambitious holiday. Despite the weather, walk when you can. There’s a lot to take in along the way. My future recommendation: take two nights!

Stay tuned for adventures in Galway, Part II.

Coming soon!

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Caffè Nero
22-23, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 EY99, Ireland (now on Fleet!)
+353 1 633 7830
www.caffenero.com

O’Neills Pub + Kitchen
2 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
+353 1 679-3656
www.oneillspubdublin.com

Guinness Storehouse + Gravity Bar
St James’s Gate, Ushers, Dublin 8, Ireland
+353 1 408 4800
www.guinness-storehouse.com

The Bankers
Trinity St, Dublin 2, Ireland
+353 1 679 3697
www.thebankersbar.ie

The Mercantile Hotel
28 Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland
+353 1 670 7100
www.mercantilehotel.ie

Grogan’s
15 William St S, Dublin 2, D02 H336, Ireland
+353 1 677 9320

Pygmalion
Powerscourt Townhouse, S William St, DUBLIN 2, Ireland
+353 1 633 4522

Yamamori Izakaya
12/13 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
+353 1 645 8001
www.yamamori.ie

Brother Hubbard North
153 Capel St, North City, Dublin 1, D01 V9V0, Ireland
+353 1 441 1112
www.brotherhubbard.ie

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