When I learned that the goal of my Erasmus would be Dublin, the reality far surpassed my expectations.
After seeing a large part of Ireland, the capital had called me for years for a visit that I could never organize. Surprisingly, it was my home for three very long and beautiful months. In case you are planning the Christmas holidays right in Dublin, let us give you some advice.
Must see: what to visit
Dublin is rich in history, art, culture, literature. Choosing what to visit (even if the costs are quite high) is hard, but there are some places not to be missed.
One of these is definitely the Temple Bar area - at no cost and centrally located in Dublin - which attracts both tourists and true Irish people, and some street performers who cheer you up the day. A fast visit to the homonymous pub that gives its name to the area is a must.
Temple Bar, a pub in Dublin, Ireland.
Another visit at no cost is the parks: Dublin is green as the nation of which it is capital; you will find a park in every neighborhood where you can spend a few hours in peace. The most famous is definitely the Phoenix Park - I recommend, beware of the bikes and the fallow deer that lives in the park! If you are fond of literature, instead, the Merrion Square Park houses the statue of Oscar Wilde. Little curiosity: the statue's eyes point towards the writer's old house, at number 1 of Merrion Square.
A bit out of the way, but worthy of a visit, is the former Kilmainham Gaol prison. To book a visit you need to go to the site and choose the day you prefer, or the first available. It may seem annoying but I can assure you that it is a great way to keep the flow of tourists under control since the ticket includes a long guided tour in English. Why go there? Kilmainham Gaol is an important symbol of Irish history because it has "hosted" many rebels and, always here, I have been executed as many. An extremely suggestive place which, at times, still seems an open wound for these people.
Former prison of Kilmainham Gaol.
Photo: Rodrigo Garrido Shutterstock.com
In my list of must-see, obviously, the iconic monuments of Dublin could not be missing: the Castle, the GPO (yes - the post!), The Cathedral of Saint Patrick and the Guinness museum.
Must drink: beer
Dublin is the city of beer. All you have heard or read in passing, all the stereotypes, and jokes ... are generally true. The beer, in Dublin, brings everyone together: tourists, locals, policemen. At the pub, you will find anyone starting at three in the afternoon and it is not uncommon for a friendly Irishman to drag you to drink or dance. The Guinness is definitely worth trying, but do not stop at the most famous beer in the city: the Murphy and the Oyster Stout can be easily found anywhere.
Guinness Storehouse commission: Commercial Image of the Year, IPPA Awards.
Must eat: the food
My fault. Living in a small apartment with three other students, I did not often go out to eat and I always preferred to stay home for a nice plate of pasta with sauce. I have experienced little Irish cooking ... but what I felt left me very satisfied.
The Irish stewis perhaps the most famous dish in the region, usually a stew of lamb, potatoes and vegetables. Another specialty is beef, usually served with Guinness sauce. As the name suggests, this sauce is made with beer. The Irish, however, did not just invent the sauce: you can find Guinness fondue, Guinness cake and beer-flavored muffins.
Irish cake, Sweet and salty Guinness cake.
The peculiarity of Dublin is also and above all multiculturalism; in three months I tried kitchens all over the world, something I had never done in Italy because it was too tied to the flavors of home. If you happen to pass into Talbot Street, you will find many affordable restaurants and all nationalities, especially Italians. Honorable mention for The Italian Connection restaurant, which makes a spectacular risotto.
The patisseries are another strong point to which, if I were you, I would not give up. A slice of Red Velvet with a good tea from Queen of Tarts - Temple Bar area- will put you back on your feet after a long day spent among the museums.
Night life: nightlife
Dublin is the perfect destination for those who also want to have fun. Next to the daytime Dublin, full of art and nature, there is the Dublin of the last years that has opened to every sort of nightclub.
The pubs are definitely the most distinctive place to spend your evening - also because the Irish are particularly friendly and like to chat with foreigners. The music is not from the piano bar, but the artists who perform in pubs are worthy of the name they bring and often make anyone dance.
In case you want to change, the Dublin nightlife moves ... to Brazil. The high amount of Brazilian citizens has meant that many local Latin and Brazilian music were born, always full until late at night (but after three, all at home!). As soon as you cross the Ha'penny Bridge , you will find the River Bar to welcome you : it seems like a pub, but you just have to go down the stairs to find a Latin disco that really envy a few. In the same vein, in the Temple Bar area, there is the Mercantile, much smaller but more welcoming.
The most famous nightclub in Dublin is undoubtedly Dicey's , even if it took me a while to understand why it was so crowded. It's not exactly downtown, it opens at four o'clock in the afternoon, and it's always full of students - it's Dicey's who make Dicey's the center of nightlife in the capital, because beer costs very little and if you get in line soon enough, you also avoid paying entrance.
An advice? Always carry an ID card to enter a club, because the Irish are very taxing ... and could leave you out in the cold and frost.
The Spire, a 120-meter-high steel tower located on O'Connel Street in Dublin.
In the hope that my tips will be useful to you, there is a fundamental rule to remember in order to survive in Dublin: keep your nose up, to spot the Spire, a 120-meter-high steel tower located on O'Connel Street . If you can see the Spire wherever you are, you are at home.
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