Although on the smaller side, Dublin is packed with historical and cultural places to visit, which help to expose Ireland's quirky charm. As my friends and family begin their trips across the pond to visit me, I have decided to compose a list of the top things to do while studying abroad in Dublin. The list consists of five activities that every tourist should complete in order to experience the best of what the city has to offer.
Top Five Things To Do In Dublin:
5. Walk down Grafton Street
Grafton Street is a pedestrianized shopping street that sits in between Trinity College and St. Stephen's Green. Spotted with high-end stores, souvenir shops, restaurants and tea shops, Grafton Street is a great stop for mid-afternoon shopping and eating. My favorite places to eat on Grafton Street are Bewley's, which has tasty Caesar salads, and Yum Thai, which does a five euro meal deal for students.
4. Visit the Temple Bar Area
The cobblestone-lined streets and live music playing in almost every pub is what makes the Temple Bar Area synonymous with Irish culture in people's minds. Although Temple Bar is often flooded with tourists, it is still worth exploring and experiencing. The best place for live music, The Porterhouse, sits on the edge of the Temple Bar Area and is also great for food and drinks. The four-story pub is filled with decorative wooden tables, boasts an impressive beer list, and hosts even more impressive musicians. The Porterhouse provides the "Irish pub" experience without being in the midst of the touristy part of Temple Bar.
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| Dublin’s famous Temple Bar |
3. See Trinity Library
A ticket to the old Trinity Library gives you access to the elaborate Book of Kells, as well as the famous Long Room. The Long Room houses antique harps, historic documents from Ireland's past, and countless shelves of books. The Long Room, with its tattered books and spiral staircases, makes you feel as if you stepped back in time and wish that Kindles never replaced hard copy books.
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| The Long Room at Trinity College |
2. Tour the Guinness Storehouse
Guinness, the most famous stout in the world, still has a full operating brewery in Dublin. Arthur Guinness, the founder of the stout, leased the property for 9,000 years and the burning hops fills the air and the old fashioned trucks transporting kegs of beer throughout the city clank down the cobblestone road. The tour takes you through the history of the stout, the brewing process, a tasting tutorial, a lesson on how to pour the perfect pint, and ends at The Gravity Bar, which offers amazing views of the city.
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| Guinness Storehouse |
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| View from The Gravity Bar at the Storehouse |
1. Walk through St. Stephen's Green
St. Stephen's Green sits at the top of Grafton Street and offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Within the gated green are ponds filled with swans, children playing soccer, and benches scattered amongst all the lush green foliage. I suggest grabbing a hot chocolate, coffee, or baked good from the delicious Butler's Chocolate on the corner of Grafton Street to eat while visiting St. Stephen's Green, especially if it happens to be raining. The hot chocolate is perfect to have on one of Dublin’s many rainy days. The green allows you to escape the city atmosphere, but also manages to provide you with a feel for Dublin, since you will be surrounded by the laid back and hospitable Dubliners that also frequent the green.
Abigail Marchione is the Spring 2014 CEA MOJO for Dublin, Ireland. She is currently a junior at DePaul University.