Dublin
Dublin was a bustling city and the first English-speaking country I had visited since arriving in Europe. We went in early May, and most of our stay was met with cold, damp weather (typical). We booked our accommodations smack in the middle of Temple Street, aka “party alley”. I would compare it to Bourbon Street in New Orleans, LA USA, where you can go from pub-to-pub, enjoying live (Irish) music at mostly every place. It provided a great spot to use as a base to get around the city center, but not a location I would recommend if you are seeking a restful nights sleep. There appeared to be many places on the other side of the Liffey River that would be suitable as well.
The River Liffey splits the city and provides ample walking paths along the river with many pedestrian crossover bridges.
On our second day, we decided to take one of the free walking tours. Our guide brought us around the main sights in the city center, including the remains of the original castle, old town, and Oxford University. As with almost all European countries, Ireland has had a storied history full of conflict and war, not gaining its independence from Great Britain until 1922.
One sight that caught my attention was the Spire of Dublin. Located along a main shopping street, it was intended to serve as a symbol of the growth and prosperity of the city. However, it is more known to locals as a point of reference for drunk people trying to navigate their way home.
Guinness
The Guinness Storehouse, located in the eastern part of the city, used to be the primary place where Guinness was brewed. As production expanded, so did the need for a larger facility, and thus, the Storehouse became the place for the interactive tour. At 18 euros, I found it a little bit expensive, but we did our best to make the most of it. The tour itself is self-guided, and we took a few hours to meander through the several stories of the former factory. The culmination of the tour is going to the Guinness Academy, where you take a class on learning the methods behind pouring the perfect pint, and ending with earning a certificate for pouring the perfect pint (which you then get to enjoy).
Cliffs of Moher
I decided to tack on a few extra days after my brother and his friend left to head back to the United States. I was excited because I had booked a tour to the Cliffs of Moher, a must-see natural attraction located on the western coast of the country. We made several stops along the way, exploring some of the countryside, castles, and small towns that dot the country.
Our day-long tour saw its fair share of rain and we decided to try out our Irish luck at a wishing well along our way to The Cliffs. Well, it worked and when we arrived to the cliffs in the early afternoon, we were all pleased to see the rain clouds disappearing and the skies opening up. Rising over 700 feet at their highest point, The Cliffs attract up to 1 million visitors a year. You can walk along the side, exploring them from a variety of view points. They are truly an awe-inspiring sight to behold.
In conclusion…
Dublin…a place I was enthusiastic about visiting but left not feeling fulfilled…perhaps it was the weather, or the sticker shock I had to get adjusted to after living on beer as cheap as 1 Euro a pint compared to 6 Euros in some pubs in Dublin. Regardless of the atmosphere in the city, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Irish countryside. I will likely return to Ireland one day (my family heritage has deep roots in the country), and spend my time exploring the smaller cities (Cork, Galway, Belfast) and taking in the lush green countryside along the way.
Tips:
-If you buy your Guinness Storehouse tickets in advance online, you save 2 Euros.
-There are plenty of tours leaving daily to many of the main sites in Ireland. Unless you are going at peak season, I recommend waiting until you arrive to book a tour (and to make sure the weather will be cooperative). There are a few tourism offices throughout the city center that can assist. However, for those who would like to know, I took my tour through Paddywagon, and the day-long trip was around $45 USD, all inclusive.
-There are plenty of other great local brews to try besides Guinness.
Travelnues 