A Local's Guide to Dublin, Ireland

During our three months, our home base was in the city of Dublin, Iraland. We were constantly discovering new places seemingly discovering more each and every day. Don’t shy away from the idea of just walking around whichever city you are in while in Ireland. There is something new around every corner. And if you get lost, just ask someone where to go. Or, simply find your nearest coffee shop or pub and jump on the wifi!

When we first arrived to Ireland

When we first arrived we got into a taxi line. We did not want to mess with the bus system quiet yet, especially with all of our belongings. Because of this, we simply waited and paid for the taxi service! It was quick and efficient; there’s signage all over the airport leading you to the taxi area.

From the airport to our apartment in Dublin 9, it cost only 20 euros. Be sure to ask your taxi driver if they take card or cash only. All Dublin taxis are required to have a card machine. We realized this halfway through our trip and would’ve loved to have known that prior. If the driver says that they only take cash, it’s because they don’t want the hassle of paying with card. You have two options: hop in regardless of if you have cash or not and at the end of the drive explain that you only have card, or ask prior to getting in, well knowing that you may be asked to leave the vehicle (sometimes, they’ll settle for the card).

If you have phone service and would like to hail a taxi without using the airport system, the Irish version of Uber is called “FREE Now” available for IOS and Android. We personally only used them once while trying to take a cab early in the morning because you can schedule a ride 24/7. In order use this option, you must either have data or wifi on your phone. Thus, we don’t recommend directly from the airport because airport SIM cards are much more expensive. Wait to get a SIM card until you’re off airport property. We used Vodafone and had a 20 euro per month prepaid plan.

If you do not want to take a taxi, you can buy a round trip bus ticket. You want to make sure to identify and take the BLUE bus labeled “Air Link.” Make sure to double check before entering the bus to make sure it does in fact stop where you want it to. The “Air Link” bus costs around $17 euro roundtrip per person and you can pre-order online or buy in person. If you’re traveling in a group, it might be more economically beneficial to take a taxi.

Where to stay?

We absolutely recommend staying on O’Connell Street, or close to it. O’Connell Street is centrally located to keep you within easy traveling distances to many of Dublin’s main attractions. It is right in the middle of Dublin and is an ideal spot to reach all the attractions mentioned below. Because of the central location, any lodging on or around O’Connell Street will free you up of the cost of a taxi or bus ticket allowing you to save money overall. Once you’re in central Dublin, you’ll be able to from one side of the city to the other in about 30-35min. Plus, it’s the best way to see the hidden crevices of the city’s rich culture, art, and small pubs.

Our favorite spots in Dublin:

To start your visit in a quick and seamless fashion, buy a DoDublin “Hop on - Hop Off” tour ticket! This is a guided bus tour highlighting many of the most eagerly sought after spots in this amazing city. You will be given a map showing all the bus stops along the tour. Don’t shy away from getting off the bus. When we did the tour, we often “Hoped off”, took the time to fully explore, and then “Hoped on” to further our adventures within the city. Buses rotate along the route to make, furthering your self-exploration as you see fit. If you want to take full advantage of the ticket for this attraction, plan a full day using this bus as your mode of transport. Tickets are valid for 24 hours and the tickets include discounted vouchers for popular attractions.

Stephen’s Green Park is lovely. Start your morning off here with a walk around the park sipping a tasty freshly brewed coffee (our favorite chain coffee in Dublin is Frank and Honest - order an almond milk caramel macchiato - you won’t be sorry). You can go anytime during the day, but keep in mind it does close at sundown!

While you enjoy your cuppa joe…

bring a bag of bread/crackers/seeds and feed the geese!

While you’re in that area, stop by the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. This building was once Dublin’s oldest weekend market. Newly transformed into a shopping centre, Stephen’s Green will not disappoint the architect in you. It simply is a beautiful building to gawk at.

For the majority of your afternoon, take some time to explore George’s Street Arcade and Powerscourt; both unique in their own way. George’s Street Arcade is a covered street filled with local vendors selling their particular craft, while Powerscourt is a remodeled atrium with various antique shops scattered about. Either way, worth a visit to both.

IMG_8436_Original 2.jpg — The Powerscourt Center

A trip to Dublin is not complete without a trip to Grafton Street! This iconic boulevard showcases upscale restaurants and shopping brands. We recommend you visit in the late afternoon so that you catch the daytime and nighttime vibe. Both different, and unique with street performers, vendors and lights cascading down the stores, in true Dublin fashion.

Shortly after dusk, make your way to Sophie’s at The Dean, or The Well for dinner. Both serving artisan cocktails and handcrafted burgers, pizzas, and modern-fusion cuisine, you won’t leave disspointed.

The Well

Lucifero Pizza
Tomato sauce, Toons Bridge mozzarella, ‘nduja (spicy pork sausage), mature Cashel blue cheese, red onion, fresh serrano chili, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil
Rebel Red
Irish style red ale with light, fruity & caramel aromas, bursting with taste of rich, dark fruits (4.3%)

Sophie’s at The Dean

Starter
Crispy Chilli Prawns on Asian Slaw
Main
Buffalo Mozzarella, Cherry Tomato, Mixed Olives, Garlic & Rocket leaves Pizza
Side
Parmesan & Tarragon Fries, Crispy Pancetta

The best pint of Guinness we had is at a little local bar called Molly Malone’s in the Temple Bar area. It’s a bit of a “dive,” but has really adorable candle lit Jameson bottles scattered about and the friendliest bartenders.

A superb authentic Irish menu for lunch or dinner can be found at O’Neil’s across the street from Trinity College. They open up the back seating area at lunch time. Naturally, the menu features great fish-n-chips, corn beef and cabbage, and many other traditional Irish delights. Should you experience a wait before eating, do what the Irish do, relax and sip on a cold and frosty pint of beer or if you need a second dose of caffeination, head next door to “paella bar.” They have fantastic coffee and their staff is top notch. We visited daily and made good friends with our barista, Martitia.

O’Neil’s Pub

Featuring rotating selections of traditional Irish fare, you can’t go wrong at O’Neil’s Pub. When you enter, you’ll be able to choose your seat. Take a lap around the pub before choosing! There are many hidden nooks that you’re able to enjoy your meal in; making the experience all that more authentic.

If you’re searching for more great food and love chicken wings, definitely try Elephant & Castle. We shared an order of wings and fries that reminded us of home. Both hailing from Buffalo, New York. Home of the original “Buffalo Wings.” This restaurant hits the nail on the head when it comes to serving wings and fries. From the wooden bone bowls, to serving moist toilettes, thick cut fries and chunky blue cheese, they’re doing everything right.

Best Buffalo Wings in Dublin

Nothing better than a classic wooden basket of medium wings accompanied by chunky blue cheese and some crisp celery and carrots! Pair it with your favorite lager and you’ve got yourself a true Buffalo experience all the way in Dublin, Ireland.

The world famous Guinness Storehouse is great to check off anyone’s bucket list while learning how to correctly pour a pint. To beat the lines, we recommend purchasing your ticket online prior to arriving. And of course, for those seeking a more potent libation, you must visit both the Teeling and Jameson distilleries before leaving Dublin. If you fancy a hipster vibe and enjoy a nice smooth whisky, be sure to check out the up and coming Roe & Co distillery. For planning purposes, note that each attraction must be completed on seperate days. The majority of the attractions are only open from 10am-5pm and will take upwards of 4-5 hours if you want to take in the experience.

Phoenix Park is great if you want beautiful, picturesque trees and stunning foliage. Keep an eye out for the many park dear that call the Phoenix Park home. They’ll pay you no attention while making their way through your park visit. When we visited to capture film footage via drone, a group of 20 deer decided to be part of the action wanting to be part of our Dublin memories. Don’t worry, they’re friendly deer. But do remember that you are a guest in their home. Respect it!

Roaming Bambi

Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe and home to nearly 450 fallow deer. Head deep into the center of the park to photograph some furry friends!

The city of Howth is a 40 minute Dart train ride outside of Dublin. Howth is a must see while in the Dublin area. This is an easy day-trip that will afford you authentic fresh seafood dishes common to those native to Ireland. The best restaurant in the area is situated to the left of the dart terminal when you exit. Visit the Bloody Stream for a delicious fish fry caught fresh that day, pint of guinness all while cozied next to the wood burning fireplace. While in Howth, make sure to hike up to the top of the Howth Summit. It can get muddy if it has rained, so wear shoes that can get messy!

The Bloody Stream

**Crispy Calamari & Tiger Prawns**
Crispy rings of seasoned squid with lightly crumbed tiger prawns and sweet chilli
**Traditional Fish & Chips**
Golden fried fish of the day in a light crispy batter, with mushy peas, homemade tartare sauce, lemon and hand cut chips
**Guinness**
**ask to be seated in the room with the wood burning fireplace. It’s quite cosy

If you are in Dublin on a Tuesday night and want a fun atmosphere with a pint in your hand, upstairs in Stags Head is the place to be. At 8:00pm, ukulele night begins! You don’t need to bring a ukulele, you don’t even need to know how to play the ukulele, just be ready for a lot of singing and fun! We tried to arrive at least 10 minutes before 8:00pm to get in line so we could get a good seat! If you’re not there on a Tuesday, still stop by as they were recently voted 2019’s Best Pub in Dublin!

If you catch yourself out in a rain storm and need to hide out somewhere, pop into a Tesco or Penny’s. Tesco is comparable to an Aldi’s food mart in the United States. Pesticides and preservatives are not used in food production in Ireland. Thus, the food selections in a Tesco may be a bit different than your normal food shopping experience in America. If you find the need for something to wear, Penny’s is the place for you. Comparable to a TJMax in the United States, even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun to just visit and browse!

The pier area is also nice in downtown Dublin by Charlotte’s Quay. Our favorite restaurant near there is HQ. They do monthly specials and when we were there they did 5 euro mixed drinks.

Of course, we had a fun packed three months to fall in love with the city of Dublin. Not only for its incredible people, delicious pints of Guinness, but also for the fresh air and the vibe that the whole city gives off. While you may be a tourist visiting Dublin, the people and the charm of the city will welcome you with open arms no matter how long or short your stay is.

We hope this city and the places we recommend help you fall just as much in love with the city as we did!

Head to “The Ultimate Wild Atlantic Way Roadtrip” for recommendations on going outside of Dublin!