Photo by Giancarlo Liguori via 123RF ()
Here’s a recipe I’ll keep for the next time I get to visit one of my favorite cities, Dublin, Ireland. It’s an ode to a place I’ve always loved visiting and can’t wait to return to.
A weekend in Dublin
1 Irish breakfast
Several pints of Guinness and cider
1 afternoon stop at the Queen of Tarts for a cup of tea and slice of cake
2 hours wandering around Trinity College and the Book of Kells
1 Avoca wool scarf
2 trips to Cloud Picker Coffee Roastery, plus one bag of coffee to takeaway
A self-guided tour of Dublin whiskey distilleries
1 tour through the Guinness Brewery & Storehouse, tickets purchased ahead of time
1 morning tour at Dublin Castle
1 lunch at Gallagher’s Boxty House in Temple Bar neighborhood, with extra brown bread
1 evening on the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
2 nights of live music
1 day trip to Howth via the train
1 afternoon of wandering, including a stop at St. Stephen’s Green Park
Always remember a raincoat, umbrella and comfortable shoes. Plan to get caught in the rain and get wet. That’s what makes afternoon tea and cake so delicious!
Music is part of the daily lifestyle all around Ireland. It’s informal, fun and meant to be thoroughly enjoyed by all. Be okay with just being there, tapping your foot along with the musicians and taking it all in.
While it’s tempting to simply enjoy the here and now of present-day Dublin with the music, pub life and maybe some football, I always appreciate spending some time engaging with this city and country’s history.
Use this recipe like any other, making modifications and changes that work for you. Expect to be surprised and don’t be afraid to be spontaneous. Dublin is a city that you will love for your own explorations, discoveries and experiences.
