We spent three full days walking, eating and drinking our way around Dublin. February was a great time to visit, not too crowded and because of the mild temperatures, not as cold as the city we left.
Temple Bar
Temple Bar is both an area and an actual pub. Temple is named for Sir William Temple and ‘Bar’ is a walkway by a river. The area is just south of the River Liffey and was close to our hotel. We started our tour of Dublin by walking around the Temple Bar neighborhood which was full of tourists taking pictures of the classic Irish pubs and buildings, especially the famed Temple Bar pub. We didn’t actually go inside the Temple Bar, but we felt the draw to take pictures of this iconic place.
One of our best meals was lunch at Klaw in the Temple Bar area. There’s nothing like Guinness and oysters. We sampled all the varieties they had and they were all great. The prawns were awesome as well.
Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse is not to be missed. Its advised to get tickets ahead but we couldn’t decide if we wanted to pay for the extra connoisseurs experience so we put it off and showed up ticketless. Luckily the line was short (it was February) but all the connoisseurs time slots where sold out. We felt fully satisfied with the standard admission so its probably for the best since the extra tour would have made it a much more expensive visit.
Here is the best advice that I have for the Guinness Storehouse: your admission includes a ticket for one free pint of Guinness and you have three options for places to redeem your ticket: the 4th floor ‘pour your own’, the 5th floor traditional bar, and the top floor ‘Gravity Bar’. Everyone will tell you to make sure to get your Guinness at the Gravity Bar because of the amazing wrap around view of Dublin but I’ll tell you the actual best option: all three! First, queue up to pour your own beer on the 4th floor. There wasn’t any line when we were there so no wait. They teach you how to pour your own Guinness and give you a certificate (and a great photo opportunity). As soon as your certificate is earned, just carry your fresh beer up to the Gravity Bar and enjoy the view while you sip your perfectly self poured Guinness. If you want a second beer, just wander down the stairs to the traditional bar and purchase another one (the Gravity Bar only takes tickets, not cash).
Trinity College
Just inside the front entrance of Trinity College is a podium for you to get a free student led tour of the campus plus purchase a ticket to the Book of Kells. The tour is great and gives you the history of the college and some insight into student life by a current student. The tour guide drops you off at the Old Library and Book of Kells entrance. We got there early so there was no line – but we saw a long queue when we left.
The Book of Kells is basically a super old book. Its an illustrated Gospel transcribed by monks from 800AD. There are a bunch of displays and artifacts to read all about its history before entering a back room that houses the book behind thick glass. They turn a page of the book every few weeks so you won’t know which page you’ll be viewing. From the Book of Kells room you go upstairs to the Old Library. The library’s ceiling, books and statues are even more beautiful than the pictures in the tour books.
Whiskey
There were three Whiskey tours we researched before our trip: The Whiskey Museum, Jamesons Bow Street and the Teeling Distillery.
We started with the Whiskey Museum and I’d recommend it as a good first tour and tasting if you’re doing more than one because it gave an interesting history of Irish Whiskey. Did you know that the word ‘whiskey’ comes from the Gaelic ‘uisce beatha’ meaning water of life? Or that real Irish whiskey is triple distilled?
We only had time to do one more and we chose Teeling Distillery because its the only actual distillery still operating in Dublin. Jamesons is just a tasting, they don’t make whiskey in Dublin any longer. I’d recommend Teeling’s tour because it was interesting to see the whiskey being made and tasting it after watching the process makes it taste even better. If there are two of you, I’d recommend getting the 2nd and 3rd tasting levels (black and gold bands). There is overlap but there are some whiskeys in each that aren’t available in the other and you can always share tastes.
Doors of Dublin
Dublin is famous for its Georgian architecture which came from the era of the King Georges (George I through George IV). You’ll see posters, magnets, and cards with the popular “Doors of Dublin”. One of my favorite souvenirs from the trip (and a great morning activity) was making a personalized Doors of Dublin picture.
To see the best doors, start at St Stephen’s Green then head to Fitzwilliam Square and then Merrion Square. Make sure to get pictures of as many different colors as possible and then use any collage picture app to assemble them into your own poster.
Where we stayed
We stayed at Buswells Hotel, located just south of Trinity College and near the Temple Bar area (but not too close, it was nice and quiet). The hotel is made up of several brownstones and felt like you were staying in an old world home. I don’t think the hotel has air conditioning so it might not be as comfortable in the summer months.
Avoid
The Dublina Viking Museum is geared towards school trips and isn’t very interesting for adults. Its somewhat creepy so I’m not even sure kids would like it. I was a little fascinated by the display of a viking pooping. It even had sound affects.
Poop?