Weekend in Dublin sounded like a good idea after finishing of with our Scottish Highlands trip. We wanted to just scratch the surface of Ireland, and get general idea, and even though it was interesting, I think that the greener parts of the country are something that will suite me more. With our UK visa we could enter Ireland without additional documents, but have in mind, that you first need to enter the UK.
The accommodation in Dublin is more than tricky. For the weekend I was choosing to go the prices for two people in a hostel were 900 euros for 3 nights. This number was the one dancing in my head saying that maybe I should skip it this time.
Well hotel prices in Dublin are expensive but this insanity was due the fact that there was a football match on that weekend. Anyways, we found cheap accommodation in Dublin on airbnb. It wasn’t central, but also it was 25minutes by public transport.

The area of our accommodation was between Stillorgan and Galloping Green, that’s why we stayed the first night here due our late arrival. There is an area with restaurants and I would say authentic pubs right across the Stillorgan Village Mall, then another pub closest to the accommodation called Leopards Inn, and one right across the street for a very homey atmosphere – Byrnes of Galloping Green. This area is connected well by bus (for which you either need the Bus Card or coins, which was pretty annoying) and once you are fine with the payment system there are not any obstacles to enjoy the city.

We started the Saturday morning with pastries at Bread 41, at that moment the most wanted to go by locals and tourists artisan bakery/eatery in the city. Even though the line is long, your turn comes in 10-15minutes on a Saturday, which is not that bad. We tried a few things, the brownie was the highlight, but the atmosphere too hectic to enjoy, probably their eatery was better in terms of this. We continued to check out another spot if it is less busy, and that was the 3fe Gertrude coffee shop, where we unintentionally had brunch, this place in terms of service and attentiveness was like no other, and the coffee and food was great too. And finally our stroll around Dublin began.

We started our tour from the Dublin docklands, passing by Samuel Becketts’s bridge, this area had very interesting buildings, then along the banks of Liffey River we reached the more central area around Tara Street, and then without a plan started entering streets which were packed with people going shopping. Our next intended spot was the Moore Street Market. When travelling we always tend to visit markets, since there you get the unfiltered of the people in one city.
The plan was created on the go, and we agreed to have Phoenix Park as the last stop of our daylight journey, and the whole route should be done just walking.

The first spot on the way there was the Jameson distillery, it is in the old building on Bow Street. They have an open bar and shop and even if you are not paying visitor you can enjoy it, which I think it beautiful, due the fact that I am not so much in the history of it, but want to experience this trademark of the city. You could enjoy cocktails and pure whiskey, and there is a little bit of history written down. You have my recommendation.
The next point on the road less traveled was the National Museum of Ireland. What invited us here was actually a flyer about the Asgard ship, but anyways we spent about an hour here. This museum was free of charge.

And then we finally reached Phoenix Park. Our objective was to see the deers, but having in mind that this park is 11kilometres long you would require a day or a bike just for it. According the internet, the hugest crowd of deers is to be seen around the American consulate, but we said we are not going that far. On the way there we saw, amazing gardens, cricket match, and just when we were about to quit, there were they, in the area around Magazine Fort. So our Dublin safari was successful.

Our prize to ourselves for this success was a Guinness stew, and a chowder at a pub close by named Ryan’s of Parkgate Street. Nothing out of the ordinary, and very decent. Especially the Guinness bread, that was my favourite.
On our way back we took one of the main streets St Thomas street, and had a glimpse of the not so crowded part of the city. And then as you pass by Dublinia and the Tailor’s house, have a sneak peek at the Dublin Castle, the Temple Bar begins.

The Temple Bar area is I guess the first association we all have in mind when Dublin is mentioned. I had an impression that a festival is happening because of the amount of crowds in the area, but it was just bars and pubs, bars and pubs, whiskey stores and then again burs and pubs. Even though this is not really my cup of tea ( I do not even drink whiskey) I really like the fact that every pub had live music, singing songs we all know, and that gives you kind of belonging feeling.

In the upper part of the centre the story goes on and on especially around Drury Street, where people are sitting wherever there is a spot, some drinking, others singing, third playing the guitar, real festival feeling once again. Thankful for not experiencing the city on a rainy day, but I guess that has own charms as well. We sat in a random pub where a spot was available, and continued people watching till it was time to go home.

The morning after started with more walking, as we wanted to take the tram for a change, which brought us to the bakery of the day The morning in Portobello area. Nothing around was open so it was just enjoyable to admire colourful doors and nice yards. This day was maybe for the off road so we walked pass the canal to Rathmines, then the Triangle area, and after scoring Guinness cake at Bretzel Bakery, we ended up again by the canal at 3fe Sussex Terrace. In this area there were other interesting bars but we were not up for them. It was a long circle which left us pretty much tired.

Then we took the central part again Saint Stephens Green, Grafton Street, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre and ended up at Trinity College. From what we’ve heard of the people doing walking tours at campus, there were plenty interesting stories, you can bring own sheep on campus as a Trinity student and much more, so if you are in this kind of trivia, book one for yourself.
The entrance in the library is to be booked in advance, but you can sneak in the shop. I am not a fan but some things were just checking of the okay, we are in Dublin probably we have to see these things list.
but what was done on purpose was the grilled cheese sandwich at Loose Cannon and i highly recommend it.

Another thing of the maybe we should do it since we are here was visiting the Guinness brewery, but on the outside. Well the buildings are amazing, the whole part of town brings you back in past times, but our expectations was that it will be something like Jameson Distillery, with a part for free roaming and tasting, without having to do guided tour, there wasn’t, you can even visit the shop without a ticket. In this building they have two restaurants, where reservation is needed, but on the other entrance at St Thomas Street there is the Open Gate Brewery which serves the tasting purposes.

We ended the weekend in Dublin with visit of Dun Laoghaire end the seals made our evening. To end the night like locals we went to the Byrnes of Galloping Green for Football match, Rugby match, cricket match, locals that all know each other, Guinness, ciders and toasties. Maybe my favourite people watching moment of the visit.

Our accommodation was pretty far from the airport, and due the fact that the bus functions only on buses, our transport to the airport was 35 minutes delayed. Plan with an hour in advance, or more central accommodation or if in the outskirts, then maybe closer to the airport.
Ah yes and the further the buss the more expensive the ticket, so for this area we paid 26 euros return ticket, so if you are thinking about booking accommodation have this number on your mind as well.

Looking forward to Cork and the greenery of Ireland, this much of Dublin was enough for me