When in Dublin

Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland sits at the mouth of the River Liffey and is home to some incredible cultural and historical sites.

The city is known for many different neighborhoods, perhaps most famously Temple Bar. The Temple Bar neighborhood was once the artistic center of Ireland but has recently become more commercialized and reliant on tourist foot traffic. Many pubs, shops, and gift shops can be found here. While it’s worth walking through, it’s helpful to think of Temple Bar as the Times Square of Dublin. Have a look around, brave the crowds for a pint at the Temple Bar Pub if you’re interested, but know there is so much more to explore in the city. If you’re looking for a more authentic Irish pub experience in Temple Bar, consider stopping by the Palace Bar, which has maintained its Victorian charm and character.

Heading a bit further south, you’ll find the area of Grafton Street. This neighborhood is famous for its shopping, with smaller streets jutting off the main artery packed with restaurants and pubs giving it a more authentic Irish city feel. At the end of Grafton Street you will find St. Stephen’s Green, a beautiful park surrounded by hotels, restaurants, and bars on all sides.

While exploring the neighborhood around Grafton Street, we highly recommend stopping at Trinity College Dublin. This historic university is known for its stunning architecture, history, and is home to the Book of Kells – an impressively preserved religious manuscript dating from 800 A.D. We highly suggest taking the “Trinity Trails” tour, which is led by Trinity College students. It takes you through the campus itself and outlines some of the key historical moments in the college’s lifetime. Add on the Book of Kells tour to see the book itself, and the incredible Long Room library. At the time of writing, adults can join a tour and see the Book of Kells for €33.50. To find more information, click here.