Why Dublin?
Capital city of Ireland
Dublin is a city that's as intimate as a village with friendly faces. Framed by mountains, centered on a river and edged by a beautiful bay, the city's streets and alleys are filled with vibrant art and historic buildings, and has a plethora of traditional pubs with music. Walk the streets and you'll feel the energy of over 1,000 years of history, as echoes of the Vikings mix with buzzing boutiques, cobbled streets reverberate with the sounds of buskers, and 18th century parks play host to festivals, film and food markets.
Not only is Dublin a lively place to stay but there is also a range of options for getting around the Emerald Island. Whether you take a bus or a tour, many destinations only take a few hours to reach. Bask in nature by day, and dance the night away in a warm pub back in the city. If you have time, I recommend day trips to these destinations:
- ☘️Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede (3 hrs)
- ☘️Cliffs of Moher (3 hrs)
- ☘️Belfast City (1 hr 45 mins)
- ☘️Galway City (2 hrs 15 mins)
Pubs
My favorite pubs in Dublin
The Norseman
Founded in 1696, The Norseman is the oldest pub in Temple Bar.
Known to many as Farrington's, the name change back to it's
original, The Norseman, reestablishes this pub to it's
historical roots. If you want to stay in the heart of Temple
Bar you can also book a room here.
Insider tip: many pubs in Dublin
have lock-ins. They remain open afterhours, normally bar
tenders and service workers come in for after hour drinks, but
if you're a guest in one of these pubs, you are welcome after
hours as well.
Location
The Norseman is located along the River Liffey, in the heart of Temple Bar, known to most tourists as the center of Dublin's nightlife. Here you'll find many pubs offering local food and drinks. Most of the pubs here have nightly music ranging from Trad Sesh (Traditional music) to cover songs, to original music.
What I like about it
When I lived in Dublin The Norseman was painted red and called
Farrington's. I love this pub because here you can go alone or
with friends, grab a pint and listen to great music while
being welcomed by locals and tourists from around the world.
Fun fact: Gavin James played here
before he became famous.
The Church
Originally a church called St. Mary's, built in 1697, The
Church was converted in 1964 to a pub and restaurant. The
conversion maintained many of the original features including
stained glass windows and a Renatus Harris built organ. The
main structure of the church remains as well with the drinking
bar area in the bottom nave section, and the dining in the
upstairs loft section.
Fun Fact: Arthur Guinness was married here in
1761.
Location
Located across the Ha'Penny bridge about six minutes walk from Temple Bar.
What I like about it
I love this pub because they offer amazing food in the
upstairs restaurant, perfect for a date night. But also the
bar area is a great place to mix with locals for a delicious
cocktail. It's an experience to have drinks while listening to
dancing music in a 300 year old church.
Insider tip: Order a French Martini
The Brazen Head
Founded in 1198, The Brazen Head owns the Guinness World
Record for the oldest pub in Ireland, and it is believed to be
the fifth oldest pub in the world. If you want to take a trip
back in time, head here and grab yourself a pint of Guinness.
Insider tip: If you think you do not like
Guinness try it again from the tap. Guinness does not travel
well. It has a fresh chocolate and coffee taste when it is
poured in Ireland. Even English travelers comment that
Guinness doesn't taste the same after the short voyage to
England.
Location
The Brazen Head is located on Bridge Street. This is the area from where the original settlement that was to become Dublin got its name. The Irish name for Dublin is Baile Atha Cliath - (pronounced: Ball-ya-Awha-Clia) which means “The Town of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles”. Beside the pub is the Father Matthew Bridge that crosses the river Liffey. It was at this very spot that the original crossing of the river was located. Here reed matting was positioned on the river bed which enabled travelers to cross safely at low tide.
What I like about it
I love this pub because it feels as if you have gone back in time. It's easy to get lost in all the memorabilia scattered along the walls. But my favorite part is the outside garden area, because the walls are original, and you can see the hay they used to make the brick and mortar.